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Building Self-Confidence Through Jiu-Jitsu

March 28, 2019

Jiu-jitsu has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of men, women, and kids of all ages and fitness levels. One of the mental skills that training jiu-jitsu impacts is self-confidence.

Building confidence through jiu-jitsu is the result of several factors, including:

  • Improving your physical health and skills
  • Recognizing small successes
  • Setting realistic goals
  • Practicing failing

Improve Physical Health & Skills

Jiu-jitsu training is a great workout that teaches you how to defend yourself against an attacker of any size or shape. Knowing that you have the skills to defend yourself against a threat can boost your confidence. At the same time, maintaining a high level of fitness can do a lot in giving you confidence in your body.

Recognize Small Successes

Accomplishing goals can provide an increase in your self-confidence. To keep a steady stream of accomplishments, set small goals for yourself. When you achieve something small, take time to acknowledge the work and commitment that went into your success. Over time, these small successes will accumulate and lead to bigger victories.

Set Realistic Goals

A goal should challenge you, but it shouldn’t be so unrealistic that it’s not something you’re likely to achieve at this point in your training. Think about what is attainable for you and set your goals accordingly. Setting your sights too high can lead to feelings of disappointment which can lower your confidence in yourself.

Practice Failing

In jiu-jitsu, you are faced with all sorts of challenges. With each one, you will practice skills and techniques to learn and grow as an athlete. Not all challenges will end with success; you will fail at some point. And then you will fail again. Overcoming these setbacks and figuring out that you can come back from failures can make you more confident in not only your skills but also yourself.

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4 Elements of Martial Arts Fitness You Can Train from Home

March 27, 2020
When you can’t make it in for your regular martial arts classes, your training doesn’t have to stop. Along with martial arts training to continue improving and refining your skills, you can also work on improving your fitness from home.

3 Ways Jiu Jitsu Promotes Mindfulness

March 16, 2020
A Jiu Jitsu martial arts practice has many health benefits for your body and your mind. With every class you attend, you are building habits that can lead to improvements in your physical and mental health. By focusing all of your attention on a single activity, Jiu Jitsu, your training becomes like a moving meditation. When you become more mindful, you become more aware of your thoughts. Managing these thoughts means you experience less stress. And when you experience less stress, your overall health and daily life improve. Here are a few ways that Jiu Jitsu promotes mindfulness: 1. Breathing. One of the basic ways to create a strong connection between your body and mind is through breathing. Taking deep breaths where you’re focusing on the inhale and exhale creates a calmer mind, reduces heart rate, and improves performance. Shifting your focus to your breathing directs your attention away from the stress of the day. One hundred percent of your attention is on your Jiu Jitsu class and what’s happening in the present moment. 2. Awareness of Thoughts. It’s impossible to stop negative thoughts, but it is possible to reframe them. The first step in managing negative thoughts is to become aware of them. This awareness develops, along with a strong mind-body connection. If you practice awareness of your thoughts (either positive or negative) while training, you’re also increasing mindfulness. 3. Individual Focus. Comparing yourself to other students in your class makes it tough to maintain a mind-body connection. Rather than paying attention to others, focus on yourself. Practice noticing when you’re no longer focused on yourself and bring your attention back to your training. Letting go of how much the other students are progressing in favor of your own improvement promotes mindfulness.

5 Skills that Encourage Kids to Be Leaders

February 28, 2020
Through martial arts, kids develop both character-building and leadership skills. Here are a few skills from martial arts that encourage kids to be good leaders: 1. Focus Martial arts students practice paying attention to their instructor while ignoring distractions. Students learn to focus only on what is relevant and responding appropriately. Being able to recognize and let go of the things that aren’t relevant to the task at hand is one of a leader’s many strengths. 2. Self-Discipline A disciplined martial arts student has figured out the value of working hard and putting effort into their training. He or she has learned that training through repetition ultimately helps to accomplish a goal. At the same time, a leader recognizes the importance of committing to the learning process to achieve a future goal. 3. Respect From the first time a student steps on to the mats, respect is a fundamental value of martial arts. Instructors expect all students to be respectful of each other. They honor and show kindness to everyone and receive respect, honor, and kindness in return. 4. Self-Confidence Martial arts provides kids a chance to build up a belief in themselves and expand what they think they’re capable of. Hard work, patience, and dedication to martial arts leads to success and confidence. And a confident student is more likely to grow and become a confident leader. 5. Social Skills Group martial arts classes encourage the development of social skills. Students learn how to interact with one another and build relationships with kids from a variety of backgrounds. The ability to build strong relationships is another valuable trait for good leaders.
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