Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Benefits for Children
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a form of martial arts that was developed by ancient monks. It is designed to focus on self defense, and provide psychosomatic harmony to its practitioner. BJJ also teaches to respect the opponent, which helps in controlling negative tendencies such as unethical practices or bad mouthing. Brazilian jiu-jitsu can benefit children in lot of ways. It can help them boost their self image and build confidence.
There are many children who fall prey to bullying; children who have issues dealing with such bullies can learn a lot from BJJ. The techniques of fighting and defending self were developed by age old monks who were very strict with the discipline. BJJ can also benefit kids who have problems with discipline. Below I have listed a few more Brazilian jiu-jitsu benefits for children.
Discipline
Kids are taught how to set specific goals and how to gather knowledge in order to achieve them. There are properly structured programs offering belts and patches for every achievement a student makes. These belts represent how much experience, time and effort one may have dedicated to practice the art. Kids, who are less than 15 years of age, get tested for the requirements so that they can be promoted to the next level belt.
Physical fitness
BJJ improves the overall fitness of the practitioner, this fitness comes from a combination of stretching, conditioning and strength exercise techniques that the student has to master. It is a progressive course, designed after taking into consideration that every child is different and not everyone progresses at the same rate. The students who practice consistently show results by having better muscle, flexibility and strength. It helps to reduce the percentage of body fat, provides increased energy levels and required enthusiasm that is needed for any physical activity.
Better coordination
BJJ promotes series of movements that are progressive, the result is better coordination. Students are taught grappling techniques and how to use them together in a series of movements. Practice make perfect, repetition is what the students are supposed to do in order to master the movements. They are taught single movements as well as some combinations of them, which they must repeat and practice.
Increased confidence
The greatest of all the benefits offered by Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for children is that it boosts their confidence levels. This confidence will go a long way with them; they will carry it along the entire lifetime. The students are put through a series of challenging situations; through this they learn how to approach any new situation and how to successfully find the way through it. This also builds a strong foundation of self-trust, and they develop willingness towards approaching these challenges.
Self-respect
A successful training of BJJ will help build you child’s self-respect, through which comes a better self-esteem and confidence to deal with unwanted bullies. The most important thing the kids will learn is to respect, understand and trust oneself. They will learn to be happy with who they are.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu has a lot to offer, especially when it comes to the blooming buds. Gift your children with something they will thank you for the rest of their lives.
Renato Migliaccio
Head Coach,
Sampa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Academy
Glendora, California
(626) 335 – 4971