You’ve seen and heard it a million times. It is frequently in the news and on the faces of our children when they return each day from school. Although bullying is nothing new, it has become more prevalent in today’s society. No longer do kids escape their tormentors in the school halls; they follow them home via social media. It is a never ending battle to protect your children while also instilling the self-confidence needed to help them overcome the trials and tribulations of life.
It is a fact…bullies will always exist. Molded often by their own hardships and feelings of inadequacy, there will always be those who pump themselves up by pushing others down. But you and your children aren’t without support. There are proactive ways to fight back peacefully, yet forcefully while instilling self-confidence.
There is jiu-jitsu. But how can jiu-jitsu help overcome bullying? By teaching skills to your child that will aid them–and those around them–for the rest of their lives.
Teamwork
Jiu-Jitsu isn’t just an individual sport. Practitioners must learn quickly to develop trust with their teammates when learning combinations and holds. Their instructors (often 2 to 3 per class) keep a close watch to help in learning proper and safe techniques. Older students also help guide the younger students, sharing the knowledge they have already gained. It isn’t uncommon for older students in our intermediate courses to come in early to assist our younger students. Yes, jiu-jitsu is competitive, but it is not about ‘the win,’ it is about the overall journey.
Focus
We now live in a digital world full of stimulation and immediate gratification. No longer are the days of patience; everything we need is a simple Google search or an ‘Alexa’ command away. Kids are highly affected by this (parents too!) and ADHD is rampant.
Learning Jiu-Jitsu is fun, but the techniques are very detailed and complicated to learn and execute. As a result jiu-jitsu strengthens and improves kids while allowing them to have fun in a safe environment focus. This often translates into better school work and better relationships.
Respect
Jiu-Jitsu is more than a self defense system. It teaches students not only to defend themselves from bullies but also to instill the key traits of honor, respect, humility, discipline, and perseverance when facing their professor, coaches, and fellow students. These lessons apply off that mat as well when facing both their elders, their peers, and more importantly–themselves.
Confidence
As students become more proficient, their confidence gets a big boost. They become more self-assured and confident. Their professor and coaches’ encouragement goes a long way to help them achieve this goal, but the confidence level will extend far beyond the mats.
Discipline
Children learn discipline in BJJ. Having the structure, respect, and discipline that BJJ provides can be transferred into many other aspects of life. They learn dedication by coming to class every time. They practice better attention by being quiet when the instructor is talking. They learn respect by being humble around upper belts and the instructor. These things change the person who’s learning them. Children who are normally a bit rowdy can become calm and focused (which is always a great attribute).
Resilience
Children who train are presented with challenges and obstacles on a constant basis. Over time, they learn to adapt to and operate within that stressful state. This leads to improved decision making and physical ability in moments of conflict or danger. Improving your child’s balance, coordination, strength, and power – as well as the mental challenges – gives them the building blocks to take on whatever else life throws at them.
Resolution
Unlike other martial arts which often teaches violent punches and kicks, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu utilizes nonviolent holds which are only used as a LAST OPTION against a physical assault to defend and subdue until help arrives. The BJJ teachings of non-violence through respect, discipline and compassion will follow your child throughout their life.
Coordination & Fitness
With practice, a child can develop their bodies and improve their coordination, so they don’t feel uncomfortable in various situations. When these skills are learned, children will be able to do practically any activity that requires a high level of coordination, such as cartwheels, break-falls, push-ups and others. Additionally, the coordination and body awareness taught by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons can help a child find success in other sports and activities in the future.
Socializing and Developing New Friendships
While the mental and physical advantages of learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are clear, there are other benefits as well, including the ability for children to make new friends. Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Clarksville is a hyper social environment in which children develop great friendships and learn to trust and cooperate with their training partners.
Being a sport of constant physical contact in which students need each other to learn the techniques, it stimulates a child develops the social skills necessary to nurture and grow friendships.
Character
All of these skills combine to build character. Character that shapes your child to stand up to difficulties and adversity throughout the remainder of their lives.
