As the popularity of martial arts has increased and MMA moves to the forefront of sports coverage, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has become a widespread choice for learning a new skill.
BJJ is a grappling-based martial art that involves ground fighting and submission holds. It is both a system of self-defense and a combat sport. Although founded in Brazil, it has its roots in the Japanese art of Judo.
The sport has offered participants a wide range of positive effects from stress management and increased self-control to improved physical and mental well-being. This, coupled with the rise in popularity across multiple disciplines, has drawn students from all age groups, including youths.
There are plenty of reasons to enroll your children in BJJ, but what are the top benefits, and is it the best martial art for kids?
Physiological Improvements
Martial arts are an excellent form of exercise and physical exertion for kids. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a full-body workout – just 30 minutes of rolling can burn up to 500 calories. Classes will challenge the cardiovascular system as well as develop strength, flexibility, balance, and agility. This is especially important for growing children to build a healthy heart, lungs, bones, and muscles.It’s recommended that kids get at least an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise every day, and BJJ offers the perfect solution to this. Additionally, it helps them release a lot of their pent-up energy from sitting down in school all day, and they learn a valuable lifelong skill while they’re at it.
Mental Wellbeing
In addition to physical benefits, BJJ also offers a host of mental benefits. Regular exercise is effective at decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety and increases overall feelings of wellbeing. With 1 in 6 children diagnosed with a mental health issue, BJJ is a great way to help your child feel happier, less stressed, and have better self-esteem.BJJ is a very technical sport and, as a result, requires a fair amount of focus and concentration. This not only improves their ability in these areas (a skill that can also transfer to their studies), but it also has a meditative effect. By being fully absorbed in the learning experience, your kid can relax and forget about any worries or obligations, at least for a little while.
Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem
Martial arts classes have a unique way of building confidence in kids. BJJ classes develop students slowly, teaching them new techniques that may seem complicated to grasp initially. The coaches always make the class fun and engaging as students learn through trial and error. This process helps them to understand failure as an essential part of learning. As a result, kids are more confident at trying new things and accepting critique and feedback as a critical element in accomplishing their goals. By setting attainable goals, like reaching a new belt level, your child develops their self-esteem, achieving things they may have previously thought out of reach for them.
Community and Social Skill Development
BJJ offers a fantastic community for your child to be a part of. The gym provides a beautiful space to find like-minded individuals. This becomes a grounding force as children go through various social developments and changes. Especially for children who struggle with socialization skills, participating in a class where everyone shares the same interest can make it easier to initiate or get involved in conversations.Although martial arts are considered an individual sport, teamwork is still a key area; nobody can excel without teachers and peers’ help. Most classes will involve working in pairs for grappling techniques and sparring or in groups for fitness challenges. This helps to develop children’s social and communication skills in a safe and friendly environment.
Discipline
Discipline and martial arts are synonymous; you cannot have one without the other. Being able to practice self-restraint and control one’s actions and emotions is a beneficial skill to have amongst adults but can be difficult for some kids to fully grasp without the proper context. These characteristics are ingrained in students of all ages, including children, as they learn how to show commitment, dedication, and a strong work ethic through consistent training.BJJ challenges students both physically and mentally. Also, it requires a lot of focus, consistency, and patience. These characteristics are conducive to success outside of the dojo, whether it’s submitting homework on time or resolving conflict effectively.
Self-Defense
No parent wants to think about it but knowing how to defend yourself is a potentially life-saving skill. While martial arts’ ultimate aim is to teach peace, humility, and nonviolent conflict resolution, self-defense skills have come in handy for kids defeating bullies and even deterring potential abductors. Awareness is an essential component, and martial arts trains children to be aware of their environments, react quickly and efficiently, and get out of dangerous situations.If you are still hesitant to enroll your child in classes, try a FREE TRIAL class at our Alpha Jiu Jitsu Richmond Academy, speak to instructors about your concerns, and do further research if you deem it necessary.
Participating in training has a host of benefits beyond what is mentioned here. Many kids thrive in these environments and are transformed by the power of martial arts.
