How Do Self Defense Classes Help With Bullying?

Anyone with children in school knows that bullying is a serious problem that students face both in and out of the classroom. Stopbullying.gov reports that 28% of U.S students in grades 6-12, and 20% of students in grades 9-12, have been bullied. Unfortunately, though, research shows that only 20 – 30% of those who are bullied actually notify adults of the situation, with common reasons why being that they are scared to speak up or fear that they will appear to be weak.

The real question now is what can be done to help those who are bullied and prevent it from happening again in the future? A personal recommendation of ours is to have children take a self defense class. Here are a few ways that they can help:
They Improve Communication Skills

Knowing how to communicate properly with a bully can help defuse a situation before it gets too out of hand, and can especially help with preventing things from becoming physical. And in addition to knowing the right way to speak to a bully, self defense classes can also help children and young adults learn how to communicate with their bodies. For example, they’ll learn how to look and feel more confident, which can deter a bully from approaching them in the first place.
They Offer Real-Life Experiences

Depending on the class your child is enrolled in, they may have an opportunity to role-play in some potential bullying scenarios. By having the chance to fine-tune their skills and practice their responses, children can be better prepared to tackle these kinds of situations when they unfold without an instructor by their side.
They Teach Self Defense Tactics

Most importantly, any self defense class will teach its students the right tactics they need to care for themselves in a number of situations. So, if they are ever approached by a bully, they won’t just have to do the best they can to protect themselves – they’ll know exactly how to respond and do so correctly the first time around.

For those of you with children at home in Exeter or Salem, New Hampshire, we highly recommend that they join a self defense class. In fact, you should too! After all, bullying doesn’t necessarily end when you graduate, so it’s important that we’re all prepared.

To learn more about the self defense programs we offer at Renzo Gracie NH, please give us a call at (603) 777-2775 today.

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The History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Whether you’re an active participant in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class or are simply just a fan of the sport, there’s a lot more to know than just the names of successful athletes and the strategies used. And the very best place to start when it comes to gaining more knowledge about BJJ is the beginning – where did it originate? Who introduced it to the world? What type of fighting does it entail? The good news is, if you’re looking for this type of information, you’ve come to the right place. And if you weren’t looking for it at first, well, then it’s a good thing you found us. Now, let’s dive into what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about.

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First and foremost, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a form of martial arts that places its focus on grappling and ground fighting. With a Japanese origin, the purpose of this fighting style is to not only dominate an opponent by taking them to the ground, but also to build character and improve physical fitness.

Mitsuyo Maeda, a student of Kodokan Judo, has a lot to do with the development of BJJ and how it was introduced to the world. In 1904 he left Japan to share his talent with other countries, demonstrating the art of “jiu-do” and fighting against wrestlers, boxers and other martial artists. In 1914 he made it to Brazil, and later met Gastão Gracie, a name that would forever be remembered by the martial arts community.

After seeing one of Maeda’s performances, Carlos Gracie, son of Gastão Gracie, was determined to to learn Judo under Maeda’s watch. Following a few years of studying with Maeda, Carlos shared his new found knowledge with his brothers, and eventually, the youngest, Hélio Gracie, developed Gracie Jiu Jitsu, a form of martial arts we all know today. Since Hélio was limited in the Judo moves he could perform due to doctor’s orders, Gracie Jiu Jitsu is ultimately his own rendition of Judo techniques.

Fast forward to the early 1990s – this is when Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth Ultimate Fighting Championships. As he continued to excel, this form of martial arts became well respected in the MMA community, and now sport BJJ tournaments are popular world wide.

Do we have you hooked yet? For more information about the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including details about certain fighting techniques, click here.

At Renzo Gracie NH, we strive to do more than just teach our students how to excel in Jiu Jitsu – we also like to share our knowledge about the sport. If you have any questions about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including information about the techniques we teach, don’t hesitate to ask us! And if you haven’t already, be sure to connect with us on social media, as we update our pages frequently with news, tips and tons of other information about martial arts.

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Connect With Renzo Gracie NH On Social Media!

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Anyone who is interested in martial arts knows that there is a lot to learn – from the history of the sport to safety, training basics and tons and tons of techniques, we could go on for hours with valuable information on these topics. But we certainly don’t want to keep our knowledge to ourselves, we want to share it with YOU, which is why we’re active on several social media sites! Whether you’re looking for tips to help you get through your first Jiu Jitsu class, guidance on how to become a martial arts champion or general information about how to defend yourself, we’ve got all of that and more.

If you aren’t connected to us on social media yet, take a look below to learn where you can find us:

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Last but not least, don’t forget to keep up with all of our latest news and tips by checking back to our blog! We update our website regularly with information about Jiu Jitsu, self defense, fitness and more, so you can always count on us to have what you’re looking for.

So, are you ready to get connected? We sure are and can’t wait to have the opportunity to be a part of your social media experience.

For more information about the self defense programs we offer for both children and adults, or to learn more about our training academies (did you know we have TWO right here in New Hampshire?), please continue to take a look around our website or give us a call at (603) 777-2775. You can also sign up for a FREE introductory lesson with Professor Kevin Landry here!

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Ways To Get Active For American Heart Month

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Did you know the February is American Heart Month? A month-long observance dedicated to promoting national awareness about heart disease, an initiative that you can take to be a part of it is encouraging both yourself and those around you to be active. The Heart Foundation reports that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and in fact, every 60 seconds, someone in the U.S is said to pass away from a heart-disease related event. With numbers like these, it seems only obvious that we should all be working to reduce our risk, and being physically active is one way to do so! Below, we’ve listed a few easy ways that you can get started:

  1. Take up a sport. Sports are a great way to promote activity, especially when you participate in one that keeps you moving for the majority of the time. A great example of that? Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! In our Jiu Jitsu classes, we’ll get your body moving, resulting in your best you yet!
  2. Go on walks. It doesn’t matter if you get up and out right when you wake up, on your lunch break, or after dinner, all that matters is that you get yourself going! The American Heart Association explains that walking for as few as 30 minutes a day can truly make a difference when it comes to your heart’s health.
  3. Use the stairs. Elevators can be convenient, but they don’t do too much for your heart rate. So, take the stairs instead! Even if you’re only going up one or two flights, those few moments of exercise can contribute to big differences in your health.
  4. Walk the dog. For those of you who have a pet at home, they can be more than just your best friend – they can be your workout buddy too! If you usually just let your pup roam free in your yard, try mapping out a safe route that you can walk with them on instead.
  5. Park farther away. We all love to park close to our destinations, especially when it’s cold out, but parking just a bit farther away can help us get in those extra steps that we need. That said, instead of fighting for the first spot, throw on an extra layer and voluntarily park your car towards the back of the lot.

Last but not least, don’t forget to check out our Gracie Jiu Jitsu Power Fitness class! When you train with us, you’ll experience increased energy levels and strength, and most importantly, you’ll be working to combat health issues and diseases. Click here to sign up for a FREE introductory power fitness class.

For more information about the programs we offer here at Renzo Gracie NH that can help you get active, please give us a call at (603) 777-2775.

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Blue Belt Vs. Black Belt

Recently, I bumped into someone while wearing my Renzo Gracie BJJ hoodie. They mentioned how they were learning Jiu Jitsu, and how they are learning under a teacher that is wearing a blue belt.

Their training consist of some rolling and watching videos online. They then record themselves performing a belt test video and mail it to California to be reviewed. For those who are unaware, a blue belt is just one step above a white belt, they have learned just the very basics of BJJ.

I would like to share with you why having your blue belt instructor is the wrong approach to learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and what to look for in a Professor with a black belt.

There is a huge difference from learning from someone who has spent over a decade mastering their art, versus just a single year. It would be like using a lighter to walk through a cave rather than a lantern.

Your not going to get far, you won’t be able to see the details needed to navigate through safely and at the end, your going to get burned.

A blue belt is unable to teach multiple escapes from numerous positions, their counter attacks, along with nuances that can change a futile attempt at a choke to a choke that works with efficacy and effectiveness.

A black belt is able to convey their knowledge and teach you the safe, correct way to roll with your teammates so there are less injuries on and off the mat. There are multiple advantages to being taught from a black belt and none from learning from a blue belt that calls themself a teacher.

Calling yourself a teacher and being just one step above white belt while teaching others does nothing but hurt the art of Jiu Jitsu. People will receive their blue belt under such a “teacher” and think they have reached the pinnacle of BJJ. They sadly will be let down when they realize they have barley started the journey up the mountain from a guide who has never left the first base camp.

If you wish to learn BJJ in a safe, family oriented and professional atmosphere please contact us at wordpress-52728-316620.cloudwaysapps.com
603-777-2775

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