Jujitsu, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the sport uses no punching, no kicking, no elbows, no body slams. It focuses solely on wrestling, locks and holds.
It has shown to be a valuable tool for children grappling with anxiety. Unlike backyard wrestling with friends, family or cousins, BJJ provides a structured environment with an instructor present and clearly defined rules. This controlled setting enables anxious children to navigate their emotions more effectively, as they have the option to tap out at any time they feel uncomfortable. This empowers them with a sense of control, preventing the fear of escalation that could trigger panic.
Through gradual exposure, children gain confidence as they become more at ease with the sport. When faced with being held down, they learn to remain calm and employ strategic thinking to find a way out, rather than succumbing to panic. This skill translates beyond the mat, teaching them to handle challenging situations in other aspects of life. Similar to how soldiers and race car drivers manage their adrenaline release to maintain a clear and composed mindset, BJJ instills the ability to keep emotions in check and approach difficulties with a rational perspective. When you find the class that's right for your child the results are astounding. Having witnessed time and time again first hand. The bond the children make with those in their class, the confidence they develop, and they also learn important life lessons. Like, losing is actually a chance to cheer on your buddy for their awesome skills and understand that lifting others up is the best way to lift yourself up. It's all about building each other up instead of tearing others down to make yourself feel better. And here's the kicker: losing is how you grow and learn from your mistakes. And that to get progressively better, you need to lose in order to learn from your mistakes. Losing can be a good thing.
