Short of being with them 24/7, what can you do to keep your children safe? Some parents are turning to self-defense classes to teach their children how to stand up for themselves.
We are all conscious about our child’s physical abilities, mental health and social insecurities too, which gives us a lot to worry about. We think that learning self defense is a great thing and can teach kids much more than fighting. Here are 6 reasons why practicing Brazilian Jui Jitsu can help your children.
1. RESPECT
Respect. Self defense and martial arts have long been known for teaching respect for one another. Even though these classes teach physical moves that could be interpreted as violent, in fact the basis of self defense traditions is respect and avoiding violence unless necessary.
Often, parents notice that their children seem to have a new sense of respect after attending a self defense school. Every child can benefit from any activity that is focused on respect for others. BJJ does not only teach how to defend from an opponent but it teaches how to respect others which helps to improve other areas outside of a self defense situation.
2. BODY CONFIDENCE
Kids are very different from one and other, especially now that many different cultures mix and the rise in very different diets.It is inevitable that your child will feel self conscious about their shape and size at some point in their life BJJ can help with positive self image.
Most competitors tend to have the same build in each weight class, and seeing other people just like them will help them to feel more comfortable in their own skin. Similarly, they will see that small people can be strong and that just because someone is large does not mean they are unfit.
3. ADAPTABILITY
With all of the different shapes and sizes, mentioned above, your child will learn how to adapt to different body types. This seems straightforward enough, but when you consider that unless you are exposed to different sizes and situations you cannot adapt and become more open to the ideas that size sometimes does not matter, the value of BJJ really hits home.
Your child will be exposed to children that are smaller then they are that can potentially take them in a match and children that are larger then them that they can beat in a match. This exposure teaches a child to never judge a book by its cover and will help them to adapt to situations more readily.
4. DISCIPLINE
Self-defense trainings has been shown to elevate a child’s discipline levels. Your child will be more likely to think his way through a problem before acting on angry impulses.
Due to the fact that self-defense classes focus on more than just physical moves, for instance how you can talk your way out of a bad situation, your child will be more likely to make a good choice, whether it’s in the classroom or when he or she is interacting with his or her friends.
By building this habit early in life, your child will continue to make smart decisions as he gets older.
5. NON-VIOLENT
Many people think of self-defense as a karate kick to the groin or jab in the eyes of an attacker. But self-defense actually means doing everything possible to avoid fighting someone who threatens or attacks you. Self-defense is all about using your smarts — not your fists.
6. SELF DEFENSe
People often ask BJJ fighters if they ever used martial arts and boxing training in a fight. Indeed, some have used the skills learned from martial arts many times to resolve conflict, but thankfully, never in a physical altercation outside the ring. One of the first lessons in BJJ teaches is is that words are never grounds for a fight.That advice right there has saved people many times. In the martial arts, you learn that there is no such thing as “fighting” words. Instead, you learn to respond without reacting in the martial arts.
