Karate Kid’s bad boy — all grown up and married
The inspirational words of Sensei Sean Kanan are back in print! This time, his wife, Michele Kanan, joins the motivational discussion with their joint title, Way of the Cobra Couples. I had the privilege of interviewing Sean and Michele last year with the release of Sean’s previous title, Way of the Cobra—Welcome to the Kumite. Earlier this year, I wrote Reality Mimics a Playful Melodrama — a review of the couple’s Emmy-Award winning digital series Studio City (available on Amazon Prime).
Today, I’m happy to kick off a chapter-by-chapter review of the Kanans’ joint book and roadmap for couples seeking direction. To be sure, it’s even one that’s written for singles in search of their match.
WHITE BELT
Introduction & Chapter 1
How they began
From page one of the intro, Michele and Sean open their published “love handbook” with an entertaining recount of their impromptu meal at a Thai restaurant. The encounter has an element of mistaken identity as an underlying theme. When reading this bit in the Cobra Couples’ intro, I couldn’t help but imagine the scene as a clip plucked from their award-winning show, Studio City. With humor, these two share their origin story as a pair.
Without giving away any of the plot points, suffice it to say that this Hollywood duo were united in a most unusual way. It’s a love launch account that will encourage a deeper trust in fate, if you’re already a believer, or one that might get you to transcend your doubt, if you’re a skeptic.
Laying their relationship foundation
As the pair lays out the features of their book, in this combined introduction and first chapter, Michele and Sean define the traits of a Cobra Couple. They explore the term soulmates. They spend equal time fleshing out both a man and woman’s perspective on what each might be in search of in a partner. Of course, questions of commitment and the quest for true love are timeless couples’ themes. These threads are foundational in this first blush of their book’s opening. They also each take a turn at examining aspects of cheating. Plus, they explore what makes men and women give up and quit a formerly devoted connection.
Book structure — creative martial arts’ belt progression
Like Sean’s previous two Way of the Cobra titles, Sean and Michele parse out each chapter into belt colors. The belt-ranking chapter titles notch the reader’s achievement in understanding the concepts presented. If you’re a fan of martial arts, you’ll find this methodical progression familiar. The themes and drills build upon attained knowledge from earlier material.
I’ve read the first chapter and earned my White Belt. So now, I’ve unlocked a toolkit. At this point, readers are ready to apply concepts learned to theories presented in the next belt category.
If you haven’t yet, join me in the white-belt dojo. Read the chapter, and come back and share your thoughts in the comments’ section below. I know the Kanans would appreciate hearing your thoughts… and so would I!
By María Felicia Kelley — @1mariafelicia, 18 November 2024
Writer, Publisher, EP – SoCal Spotlight
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Copyright © 2024 María Felicia Kelley | Circle7531, LLC
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Reality Mimics a Playful Melodrama — A Review of Studio City, Season 1
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