According to Psychology Today, children who practice sports have a better developed sense of right and wrong. They’re used to being the focus of attention, and always let their feelings get in the way of their judgment. We try to teach them patience and kindness through small gestures: bowing to the mat before stepping onto it or helping your partner up. These actions teach children who practice sports to respect and appreciate others. This is important, because young children give in to their impulses quickly. This can create bad behavioral patterns, where children feel that it’s ok to be rude if what they want isn’t delivered.
In light of this, jiu jitsu is used as a tool to correct these behaviors by training kids to deal with problems calmly.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
If you’ve noticed a positive attitude change in your child since they’ve started jiu jitsu, that’s no coincidence. Children who practice sports need to learn how to work with others. Naturally, this demands that they respect one another. Being a contact sport where drilling with others is a good chunk of training, you inevitably come to rely on your friends, which is a humbling realization for many.
A positive outlook is something you’ll always see in our classes. Being positive is a big part of jiu jitsu. It’s what helps beginner martial artists to never give up!
RESPONSIBLE CHILDREN
Jiu jitsu shapes children into careful thinkers and caring individuals, because you’d never want to hurt a friend. Our older students who are allowed to spar are a prime example of this. More focused and technique-driven, students such as our Black Belts Club have reached a level where the philosophy of jiu jitsu informs everything they do.
The philosophy of jiu jitsu is one of mental endurance, where weathering difficult situations calmly is essential. Jiu jitsu offers two choices: controlling an opponent or harming them in self-defense. Every choice you make is a conscious decision, and a reflection of your character.
The choice can be difficult when you’re in a dangerous situation. That said, when on our mat, brutality is not tolerated. Rather than being seen as a display of strength, it’s a clear sign of unpolished technique. Not to mention an absolute disregard for the well-being of your fellow classmates.
A true master of technique can submit without permanently harming. And after all, what’s most difficult when faced with a conflict is not escalating it, but dissolving it.
