With the growth of the internet, we are increasingly exposed to new challenges of self. Self-Confidence is at an all time low. Social media dominates the news and much of it is due to bullying and shaming. What we see in the news is merely a fraction of what our kids see. Our kids deal with these issues everyday. And, most likely they are not telling us parents about it. They have to deal with bullying while they are at school and then possibly online in front of a much larger audience. Kids today have no escape from the constant pressures of this media.
To combat these challenges starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great first step. At Gracie Barra Centennial Jiu-Jitsu we have a solid curriculum that helps kids build self-confidence. We give them the tools to recognize bullying, stand-up for themselves and protect themselves when necessary.
We start with teaching kids values. We teach them integrity, honesty, respect, trust, and brotherhood. These values help them to understand how important it is to be a good person. When kids respect themselves they have a much better ability to respect others. With our values they start to see what bullying really looks like. It helps them to recognize and even prevent bullying. Some kids may even find that they have been a bully in the past. Our school helps them avoid being a bully in the future. Jiu-Jitsu is a special art that all can learn and it helps us all with self-respect.
When we teach our students about bullying we approach it in a three step process.
- We teach them to walk away. The first time someone bullies you it may be an isolated instance and not worth the time and effort to engage. As they say, it takes a “bigger” person to walk away.
- Next, if the problem reoccurs, we teach them to stand up for themselves and raise awareness. Let someone of authority know whats going on.
- Finally, if it becomes a physical situation we teach the fundamentals of self-defense in Jiu-Jitsu, which helps kids protect themselves and may times diffuse the situation.
At Gracie Barra your child will learn more than just about bullying. They will learn about themselves, about being a good person, about improving self-confidence and more.
Recently, Jocko Willink, a retired Navy Seal officer came out with a great kids book – The Way of the Warrior Kid. The book describes the challenges fifth grader Marc was going through at the end of the school year and trough the summer. Marc was not good in gym, his math skills were below par, he couldn’t even swim. On top of that, the bully Kenny Williamson, the self-proclaimed King of the Jungle Gym, gave him a hard time. But, that summer Marc had his uncle Jake visit and a transformation was about to begin. Uncle Jake was a Navy Seal and his daily routine was built on discipline. Through that summer Jake would teach his routine to Marc, help him get up early, work out, practice math, learn to swim, and join a Jiu-Jitsu school. This discipline helped Marc grow, build self-confidence, and when he returned to school he became a new boy.
For a limited time, your child can come try a free class, receive a free copy of the hardcover book, and find out if Marc can stand up to the King of the Jungle Gym.
Come try a free class and Receive a Free Copy of the book*. Click here and mention this post when signing up for the class.
*while supplies last
