Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a Martial Arts school for my child or myself?

Think about the things you would take into consideration when picking a school for yourself ( clean facility, credentials of the instructor(s), family environment, team atmosphere, professionalism, effectiveness of the style, etc..). A lot of these characteristics of a school will be also very important for your child. Nevertheless one should take extra precautions and special considerations when children are involved.

Here is a simple list of things to consider:

• Playtime or Growth: When choosing a school it is important to understand what you want your child to gain from learning the martial art. If it light recreation and playtime, then a community center program may fit your needs. If it self-defense, personal development, and fun, then a full-time professional school will be more suitable! A good and professional martial arts program should be a big part of their child’s educational development.
• The Instructor: Choosing a school is really choosing the instructor. We recommend you visit the school and watch the instructor work with children of the same age. Not all schools are created equal and every instructor is different. A good instructor should have:
  • Credentials
  • Play Games with his students.
  • Make sure that his students are performing the technique correctly.
  • Expect his students to make little mistakes.
  • Avoid negative discipline when possible.
  • Teach by positively support his students (e.g. Good Job! High Five!)
  • Will praise the child when he perform a task well ( e.g. Mom Dad look how good Timmy performs the technique)
  • Use martial art as a channel to teach the child valuable life skills (count, vocabulary, etc.,.)
• Trust your instincts. The school should have a family atmosphere (lots of smiles, clean, professional and a safe environment, behavioral and disciplinary rules in the walls for the children to see everyday).Does it look professional, warm and inviting? Are handouts presentable and well written? Is it well kept? You need to feel comfortable with the personnel and the facility. Sometimes the school may be a little bit further a way from your house, but trust us…when it comes to safety and professionalism the extra drive can make a world of difference.

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

In a nutshell, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ( BJJ ) is a predominantly ground oriented martial art which was originally derived from traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. In the mid-1920’s, Carlos Gracie opened the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He taught the skills he learned from Japanese Judo master Esai Maeda. The skills were later modified to use less strength and to be more effective against larger opponents. In the past decade, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s popularity has spread due to its success in mixed martial arts contests and no holds barred contests. The art is heavily based around the development of numerous submission holds, but emphasis is also placed on gaining and maintaining advantageous positions. As a result is a very effective method of self-defense because it teaches the practitioner how to move and defend against attacks on the ground or standing. A Jiu-Jitsu student will learn to control his opponent without causing unnecessary harm or injuries

Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for my children instead of Karate, Taekwondo, etc..?

What do you want your children to get out of a martial arts program?

• Is your goal for your children to have FUN? YES!
• Is your goal for your children to learn DISCIPLINE? YES!
• Is your goal for your children to gain SELF-ESTEEM & CONFIDENCE? YES!

• Is your goal for your children to gain FALSE SENSE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE and ABILITY TO DEFEND HIMSELF? NO!

I am not saying that every martial arts place in town does not provide a program that will teach your kid to properly defend themselves, but it is very hard to find one. They do a very good job at providing the FUN, the DISCIPLINE, and the INTERACTIVE ATMOSPHERE. This is really good and this is why it is very important you get your child in a martial arts program right away.

But there is good, better, and then there is best. Martial Arts program are great for kids self-esteem and confidence, but not all are created equal. For as good as a martial arts program can be at helping a kid through younger years, it can’t mean anything later if the kid realizes that what he learned in class won’t help him in a real confrontation against a stronger child. I have heard some adults look back at their martial arts experience and refer to them as a false feeling of confidence.

Unfortunately, when the child realizes or believes that they have been lied about one thing they assume everything else that they were taught might have been wrong, even if this is not the case.

Kicking and punching bags or air and breaking boards are not enough because most fights end on the ground. So we teach your kid to defend against takedowns, to take opponents down and to defend himself/herself on the ground with an opponent on top. We also teach how to control an opponent without hurting them. That’s why Jiu-Jitsu is the ultimate program for your kid.

It will:

• Build confidence
• Increase self-esteem
• Teach Them Leadership Skills
• Increased Physical Aptitude and Fitness
• Accelerate Mental Development
• Teach Them Realistic Self-Defense Skills

Will my child stick with this? What if they want to quit this to?

This is one of the main concerns of parents. Let’s study the example below:

Will my child commit himself to this? I ask because so far you never know with kids, one day they love it, the next day the want to do something else …

The first day of school half of the kids are excited , the other half not so excited and afraid. The next day the first half don’t want to come back and the second half now loves it. But they all have to go to school because it’s necessary for their growth.

TThe program is not just Jiu-Jitsu for recreational and fun. While Jiu-Jitsu is inherently fun there are many benefits that also come along. At the end of the day it is an investment you are making for your child with his time.

Any given day your child will say “I don’t feel like going to jiu-jitsu class today”, or “I’m to tired” or even “I don’t like it anymore”.

They probably attempted that technique with many other things in the past including school, vegetables, homework, brushing their teeth, etc…

Your child doesn’t really mean that he doesn’t want to go to class; it’s just that they don’t want to go to class at the given moment. Even for many adults it is difficult to consistently keep committed to things that are beneficial for them (exercise, healthy diet, reading, etc..) , but most adults will understand that their decision it is not necessarily the best one; a child does not have this ability yet. They are not born with behavioral manuals. They don’t know right from wrong from the very beginning.

When your child says “I don’t feel like going to jiu-jitsu class today”, or “I’m to tired” or even “I don’t like it anymore” what you are really experiencing is a critical time in your child’s development and a built in “teachable moment” for you and your child. With your help and the help of their Martial Arts instructor, your child has an opportunity to learn about determination and commitment.

After class, they will of course feel good about themselves for having gone to class., lust like we do after pushing ourselves to exercise and overcoming laziness.

I don’t want to push anything on my child

Don’t worry too much about “pushing a martial arts program on your child”. If you didn’t push them to go to school, they wouldn’t do that either. There’s a big difference between helping a child follow through on a goal they’ve helped to set and have agreed to achieve and forcing something on a child.

• Strategy #1: Make sure your child is doing something less interesting to him or her a half hour prior to going to martial arts class. For instance, a child doing homework or chores will usually jump at the chance to take a break and go to class. On the other hand, a child playing video games may not want to stop shooting aliens to go to class. If your child is outside playing with friends, is it any surprise that they don’t want to stop to go to class?
• Strategy #2: Help your child set short-term goals when they begin classes. For example, each new belt level is a goal. Once they achieve that goal, their new belt, they can then decide if they want to continue with the classes, but with the understanding that there will be no quitting until the next belt is achieved. Usually a child is so excited to receive their new belt they would of course want to stay and learn their new material. At each belt level our students must complete certain criteria that will allow them to be promoted to the next belt. As they complete the criteria, they are rewarded and this gives them a sense of accomplishment. It also motivates them to keep going on to the next level.

How can one activity have such an impact on my child?

Good Question! In our program, we don’t believe in just teaching children to punch and kick. We work to help build your child’s character. During classes, you’ll see your child’s energy, confidence, and spirit rise while he or she becomes strong and confident. We’re not just talking about physical strength–but the kind of strength it takes to resist peer pressure and other negative aspects of life.

Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program will arm your child with a host of positive mental and physical skills that will help him in school, at home and in life

The result? Your child will learn to succeed! You’ll see a new kind of discipline emerging . . . the kind that will positively affect all areas of his or her life. You’ll notice an increased respect for others, and most importantly, for herself. A powerful mind/body connection that makes them unstoppable in life!

It’s incredible, but true. The martial arts is not only a sport that can be enjoyed throughout a lifetime, but can also improve your quality of life! Just CLICK HERE to head over to our Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu website and read some of the testimonials! The benefits for Adults have been tremendous and we all know how much quicker Kids learn than Adults!

Even if your child is involved in sports, it may not be enough. Recent studies show that programs like ours that focus on personal achievement are vastly more effective than team sports!

Where can I find information about what is happening at the club?

Sing up to our e-mail list/newsletter to receive news about Upcoming Events, Bully Terminator Programs, Workshops, Summer Camp, Anger Management Clinics, Confidence Building Weekends, Message of The Week,and Much, Much More via E-Mail.

On top of that you will receive articles that will help your child’s development like:

• Why Homework Is A Great Thing
• 12 Tips On How To Walk Away With Confidence
• How to Defeat Bullies Without Violence
• And Many More…

Will my child become too aggressive if he studies the martial arts?

No. Students learn self-restraint and discipline as part of the training.

One of the main rules at the academy:

Rule #9: NEVER USE WHAT YOU LEARN IN THIS CLASS UNLESS YOU HAVE TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

One of the great things about any martial arts training is that Students are taught when it is appropriate to use what they learn. Martial arts tend to “normalize” students. If the student is too aggressive or too passive (neither state being optimal) they will be brought toward being assertive.

What is a Black Belt club Member?

A Black Belt Club member is a student who, in conjunction with one or more of the instructors, has set themself the goal of advancing to black belt.

Will the martial arts really teach my child discipline?

Yes. Actually, the martial arts are probably the foremost tool at your disposal for teaching children self-discipline and respect. Self-discipline is inherent in the structure of a typical martial arts class. In a good school, the students are motivated to learn how to control their actions, and to behave in a respectful and disciplined way. Eventually, the self-discipline students exhibit every day in class will become second nature and start showing up outside of class – at home and at school.

What will my child learn in the martial arts?

While the physical aspects of the martial arts are most well known, they are but the tip of the iceberg. Confidence, Respect, Self-Discipline, a Positive Attitude and the “never give up” attitude are just a few of the character benefits inherent in martial arts training. While every student is unique and therefore develops at their own pace, these qualities usually start to manifest themselves in 2 – 3 months. We make participation fun so regular exercise becomes enjoyable and a habit habit. The martial arts are specifically designed to develop individuals with strong minds, bodies, and character.

What is the right age to start in the martial arts?

The martial arts may be started at any age. While there are martial art styles that are better for certain age groups than others, as long as there is an interest, it is a good time to start. Remember to watch actual classes to get a feel for the particular style of martial art, teaching style of the instructor and atmosphere of the school. All of these are important considerations when deciding to start training in the martial arts. Most schools will start young children at 3, 4, or 5 years of age.