The wisdom of teaching and learning has been passed down for centuries in many cultures around the world, with unique perspectives and approaches found in cultures such as Japan and Judaism. In Japan, education is highly structured and disciplined, emphasizing hard work, respect, and individual effort. Judaism, on the other hand, values tradition, community, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, with lifelong learning of the Bible being a preferred way of life for many religious Jews.

Martial arts, with its deep roots in traditional Far East culture, also offers valuable insights into the teaching and learning process. Not only do martial arts training offer physical and mental benefits, such as improved strength, flexibility, and focus, but they also place a strong emphasis on discipline, respect, and non-violent conflict resolution, making it a great way to develop important life skills.

In addition, the traditional method of teaching martial arts, where the teacher is present to point out mistakes and guide the student in real-time, can be applied to other fields, such as driving instruction. In Jewish tradition, personalization and active learning are also highly valued, with the study of traditional texts providing a framework for understanding human obligations in the world and the urgency and immediacy of taking action. Combining the Far East's learning experiences with the Jewish learning tradition creates a pearl of wisdom that can benefit all humanity.

Martial arts teachers' reviews:

Keiji Nakadai: First, I would like to write what I feel after reading your entire book. I was very impressed with your detailed analysis of martial arts teaching methods. You analyze the growth of a person on the same level as you analyze the growth of a person from various studies. You are welcome to reflect my view in your book at your discretion.

Bud Malmstrom: Teaching To Inspire is another profound book by Ilan Gattegno! He compares memorization to the natural way of learning and creates a compelling case for learning in our human natural way. I thought, ”I never thought of learning like that”. Then somewhere in mind, I was saying, “I knew that”. Very interesting presentation of ideas. This book can make us better teachers.

Sveneric Bogsäter: I love this book. I love the way it is written. I love the outspoken connection between teaching and learning. For me, it is more than a book. It is a guide of sorts for me as a teacher and a student. I will have it with me everywhere I go to teach and to learn, to read it over and over. It is an eye-opener, a mind-blowing clarification of what it is to teach and to learn martial arts, well not only martial arts but all teaching. Thank you, Ilan for writing it. Once again, I love the book!
Pat Fohrman: I am very pleased to give my recommendation to Ilan Gattegno's latest Volume, The Learning HACK Awaking the Learner Within. Ilan describes how his teaching method has been influenced by the work of his great-uncle, Caleb Gattegno, on discovery learning, as well as his experiences with the Feldenkrais Method and naturally his mentor in martial arts, Masaaki Hatsumi. Learner-centered instruction has been a focal point of Ilan's career as both a martial artist and a teacher. In this latest volume, Ilan includes his experiences and observations as a father.
In addition, he has shared useful tips about using distance learning and teaching; team and peer learning; feedback loops; and effective mentoring. His very personal approach to these topics, which are so crucial to us today, is delightful and heartwarming.

This book is not a review of the latest research on student-centered learning, but a very personal account and reflection on the journey that has made Ilan into the exceptional teacher and leader he is.