This week on Gracie Barra Blog we are looking at some videos featuring the Gracie Barra Kids programs.

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Many parents have given thought to enrolling their children in a martial art. Traditional martial arts like jiu-jitsu are known to build desirable the character qualities of cooperation, respect for others and grown ups, self discipline and the value of hard work and discipline in pursuing a goal in young people.

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In addition to the character and mental development that training jiu-jitsu brings, young people face their own unique problems of inactivity (too many video games and not enough physical exercise), poor nutrition related to consumption of junk foods and sugar and school and online bullying.

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Jiu- jitsu is the answer for many of these challenges facing children. As so well put by Gracie Barra North Phoenix:

“The Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Future Champions Program provides a very challenging, yet safe and caring environment for a child to mature towards a real life champion.

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The outcome of continued childhood practice of Gracie Barra Brazilian jiu-jitsu goes far beyond the accomplishments on the mats. The discipline and excellence demanded by our instructors often carries over to the child’s behavior at home and at school.”

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Please share this article and videos with the parents of children who might benefit from starting jiu-jitsu in the Future Champions program at a Gracie Barra school.

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Prof. Fernando Nassif explains how teaching jiu-jitsu to kids has benefited his life and the benefits to kids in learning self defense.

Most tournaments feature a Kids division where young people of all ages can participate in a fun and safe environment and test their skills.

This Q & A with Prof. Felipe Guedes explains the enormous benefits to kids training jiu-jitsu at Gracie Barra:

Q: Many parents are aware that enrolling their children in a martial arts program can help instill confidence, discipline ,cooperation with others and respect in young people.

What do you feel are the primary benefits for kids to be regularly attending jiu-jitsu classes?

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Prof. Felipe Guedes: I’ve been teaching martial arts for kids since 2008, to hundreds of families. And I’ve seeing Jiu jitsu helping their kids in so many ways! Every child is different and we use Jiu Jitsu to benefits each child the best way as possible. Some kids are in one side of the spectrum being very shy, for those the first benefits that the parents notice is the level of confidence becoming higher, they start to understand what they are capable of and not allowing anyone to take advantage of them and being comfortable on their own skin and even helping them to be more decisive and confident to make decisions. Their abilities to interact socially with other kids improve so much, and they are not afraid anymore of looking others in the eyes when having a conversation and having to even speak in public.

Now for the other side of the spectrum, we see very physical and aggressive kids, learning how to control themselves, respect authority, and follow rules. They become more gentle with others and normally great leaders among their friends. So, we work on finding the healthy balance between building them up or mellowing them down.

Now to finish your question, commitment is an extremely important factor in martial arts, and one of the first things we learn as a student or either a parent, nothing happens over night, the day by day team work between parents and Coaches will have a positive impact into the future of our kids. And consistent training is irreplaceable, always not forcing, but reinforcing to our kids why is so important to train Jiu jitsu and how much they have improved, recognizing their hard work. This seems obviously but I have to admit that today’s culture is a culture of instant gratification, where everyone wants things now, now, now! But only the ones that are willing to work hard with consistency will achieve the results.

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Credits: Mark Mullen

Gracie Barra Black belt based in Asia