Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Combats Bullying

Here’s good news for many children in Virginian: Martial arts like BJJ (or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) is here to stay! Why is it good news? Bullying is a problem faced by many children in the United States– even in Fairfax. BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) helps equip them with what they need to avoid being picked on, and to counter those attacks when necessary.

How Bad Is The Problem?

According to 2013 American statistics, bullying affects nearly one in three schoolchildren from sixth to tenth grade, while six out of ten children admit witnessing at least one instance every single day. Because of this, 160,000 schoolchildren miss school every day due to fears of bullying, while one out of ten children eventually drops out because of it. What’s more, it’s bad for the bullies as well: 40% of boys identified as bullies had at least three arrests by the time they reach the age of 30.

While these statistics are given for the entire United States, meaning they include places like Fairfax, BJJ as well as other martial arts and self-defense courses for children can help ensure those statistics go down in places where they are available.

What Martial Arts Does

Everywhere in the United States martial arts have proven to be a formidable weapon against the national plague of bullying. While many people are under the impression that martial arts combat bullying by teaching potential victims to punch, kick and defend themselves physically, the truth is that their effects are so much more than physical self-defense. In fact, the transformative effects of sessions in dojos and other martial arts institutions have been seen not just for the victims, but for the bullies as well.

For potential victims. Confidence, communication and mental preparedness are among the many things that help a child combat bullying before it starts. It’s a universal fact: whether in California or Virginia, Los Angeles or Fairfax, BJJ and other martial arts equip children with these internal tools as they learn the basics of self defense.

For potential bullies. Studies show that potential bullies are insecure themselves. The confidence that martial arts offer potential victims gives the same confidence and self-assurance to potential bullies, so they do not need to resort to bullying to feel good about themselves. What’s more, the focus of is on respect and discipline crystallizes and reinforces the fact that bullying is not acceptable behaviour.

Among the many forms of martial arts that can be learned by children such as those in Fairfax, BJJ requires commitment, discipline and strength. Known in many circles as perhaps the most effective self-defense system in the world, it is this effectiveness that help children develop skills faster and along with them, confidence, discipline and self-assurance.

If you’re looking to learn Martial Arts, Pat Tray is chief instructor at the Trident Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, the premier training and instruction centre in the region. In Fairfax, BJJ, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Combat Submission Wrestling and Karate, can all be studied under the best martial arts instructors from across the NOVA and DC area.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.