Turning a Classroom into a Dojo: Martial Arts Beyond Fighting with Marat Iliyasov

In this episode of the Shugyō Podcast, Swire Ho speaks with Marat Iliyasov, a lifelong martial artist, jujutsu instructor, and professor of political science at the College of the Holy Cross. Marat grew up in the Soviet Union, where martial arts were once restricted and often practiced in informal or semi-underground settings. That early experience shaped how he sees training—not just as physical practice, but as a path of discipline, character, humility, and personal development. In this conversation, we explore how martial arts connect with international politics, education, conflict, authority, and human behavior. Marat also shares how he created a college course that brings martial arts principles into the classroom, using ideas like daily practice, journaling, meditation, calligraphy, and self-reflection to help students understand “the way” beyond fighting. This episode is about more than technique. It is about how training shapes the person—and why the path never really ends. In this episode, we discuss: Growing up and training during the Soviet Union Why martial arts were once restricted by the state The connection between martial arts, politics, and conflict Discipline in the dojo vs discipline in the classroom Why martial arts is more than fighting or competition The meaning of “the way” as a lifelong practice How students responded to martial arts principles in an academic setting What it means to develop a martial artist mindset Connect with Marat Iliyasov LinkedIn: Marat Iliyasov on LinkedIn Email: Shugyō Podcast Linktree Facebook: Shugyō Podcast Facebook Page Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee