Friday, August 31, 2012

Bully Proof Your Kids

BULLY PROOF YOUR KIDS IN EL DORADO HILLS

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El Dorado Hills Brazilian JiuJitsu, Judo, Wrestling 
1132 Suncast Lane
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

CALL: 916-595-4064
E-MAIL: edhbjj@gmail.com
~See you on the mat! 



Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Wrestling in El Dorado Hills

The Wrestling Dojo of El Dorado Hills

     This week we will be beginning with a new curriculum for our Wrestling Class in El Dorado Hills. The class will focus on preparing local wrestlers for the upcoming season. In the summer we emphasized expanding the wrestlers technical know-how, we will now begin to focus more on individual needs and help each wrestler design a plan of attack that works for them.
     In general, this is a time of year when wrestlers are extremely motivated for the coming season and are ready to take on all challenges. However, more often than not, we see individuals lose steam at the end of the year. They've done all the physical work to prepare themselves, but are unable to finish the climb to close out the season. At the Wrestling Dojo, we will be talking about mental stamina, patience, and the importance of living a balanced life with our training, school, family, and friendships. From this we expect our wrestlers to have the same passion and vigor at the end of the season, even after a grueling few months of challenging training and competition.
   
The Wrestling Dojo is a Wrestling Class for all levels of Wrestling to come together, train, learn, and make a difference! 

Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064
Come check out our new wrestling curriculum in El Dorado Hills


Monday, August 27, 2012

Beginner Kids Jiu Jitsu Class in El Dorado Hills

NEW KIDS JIU JITSU CLASS in EL DORADO HILLS
 In addition to starting an Adults Beginner Jiu Jitsu class, El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu will be starting a new Kids Beginner Jiu Jitsu class every Monday from 5:00- 5:45.
     This Kids Jiu Jitsu class will focus on teaching the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu, while emphasizing the importance of respecting yourself and those around you,  helping your community, and making every opportunity a learning opportunity.
     One big topic we are currently discussing in our class is bullying. We will be educating our students on the importance of training our awareness (the first step to self-defense) and recognize when people are being mean or if someone is being burt by a bully.
     On Wednesday,  the Beginner's and Advanced kids Jiu Jitsu class will be held at the same time from 6:00-6:50. In this class, the more experienced students will be challenged to help the younger students and mentor them to become better Jiu Jitsu competitors, Martial Artists, and make new friends. If you would like more information on our Kids Jiu Jitsu program in El Dorado Hills, please call 916 595 4064 or send us an email to edhbjj@gmail.com
   
All of our kids Jiu Jitsu classes emphasize having fun while exercising, learning how to challenge ourselves, and striving for excellence on and off the mat! 

916 595 4064
Beginner Kids Jiu Jitsu for ages 5 to 12!

New Jiu Jitsu Class in El Dorado Hills

BEGINNER'S JIU JITSU CLASS STARTS THIS WEEK! 

     This week at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we will be starting a new Beginner's Jiu Jitsu class. In the Beginner's Jiu Jitsu class, students will be taking their initial step in what we call the Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle. This lifestyle starts with training and challenging yourself on the mat, and learning how to apply the core principles and concepts we engage in on the mat, off the mat.
     Starting with functional drills to strengthen the muscles, the Beginner's Jiu Jitsu class will emphasize the development of flexibility, balance, and endurance. Students will also be challenged to evaluate and re-evaluate their current diet, since how we fuel our bodies makes a significant difference on how we feel. With the combined experience of 35 years in Jiu-Jitsu and grappling, instructor's Todd Jones and Eliot Kelly, have designed a curriculum to help you learn and begin to understand the functional and exciting martial art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
     The Adults Beginner's Jiu Jitsu class will be held on Wednesday's from 7:00-8:00pm and on Friday's from 6:00-7:00pm. Please visit our website for a more detailed schedule of classes http://www.edhbjj.com

If you've been thinking about trying Jiu-Jitsu but just haven't found the right time...... This is your time to start! 

916-595-4064
Beginner's Jiu Jitsu Class Starts this week! 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Cross Training: Judo Theory for Wrestling

     There is a way wrestlers breakdown a takedown. 1) Set up. 2) Shot. 3) Finish. As much as I dislike using phrases that seem over used when I teach, I have to admit, I've used this a few times in our Wrestling Class in El Dorado Hills.  Interestingly enough this three part breakdown is done in Judo as well. 1) Kuzushi. 2) Tsukuri. 3) Kake. When I heard these words in application, I immediately knew I had to incorporate them into our Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling Class in El Dorado Hills. Since these are Japanese words, unless you are a native speaker or speak some Japanese, you might have some difficulty gaining knowledge or insights from the words. Well, you are in LUCK! I will make the literal and contextual translation happen for you!

1. Kuzushi. When I think of this I think of it more as a breaking something down. A translation we often see is OFF BALANCING. This is really important to do, and really a GOOD set up in wrestling gets your partner off balance. When I hear the word KUZUSHI, I think of someone coming in and breaking down my lego's I carefully set up over the weekend! (I'd be pissed!!) Literally to crumble and crush.

2. Tsukuri. Literally to make. You have to make your body fit into what you were able to off balance. The body has to fit into the right place and space needs to be filled with body parts for the proper mechanics to take place. Making or forming the body with your partners so that it's ready for the takedown. What a brilliant concept.

3. Kake. Literally to hook. It's the precise moment when you've hooked your opponent into your move, and they have no choice but to accept the attack. Of the three Japanese words, I think this most resembles what we would call the finish. There is something unique about it. We're thinking about it in terms of hooking our opponent. We can't just throw the bait out there and expect the fish to bite. When we feeling them tugging on our line, we need to execute with proper timing to get them on our line. Amazing!

    Sometimes it helps to hear the same thing explained with a different perspective or twist. When I heard this, a light bulb went off in my head, and things made a lot more sense. I now try avoid the traditional obvious terminology: set up, shot, finish. I've also found using this concept in our wrestling class in El Dorado Hills has made a big impact when trying to teach throws and even the traditional takedown. Doing so makes for a much more stimulating training session of the mind, body, and spirit!

SEE YOU ON THE MAT! 
Eliot Kelly
The Wrestling Dojo: Redefining the way we teach and learn Wrestling

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

How to Stop Physical Bullying with BlackBeltMag


BlackBeltMag.com Offers New FREE Guide: How to Stop Physical Bullying

Website for world's leading martial arts magazine explores the facts on bullying in an exclusive interview with Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Rener Gracie!

Published: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 - 2:06 am
/PRNewswire/ -- BlackBeltMag.com — the official website for Black Belt, the world's leading magazine of martial arts — proudly offers Stop Physical Bullying: The Rener Gracie Guide to the Facts on Bullying and Ways to Prevent Bullying Using the Gracie Bullyproof Program, the latest in its ongoing series of FREE downloadable martial arts guides.
Stop Physical BullyingIn a March 2011 article in Great Britain's The Telegraph, President Barack Obama admitted to having been bullied as a child. While he may have resolved the problem on his own, many kids and parents need help to do so.
This FREE report from BlackBeltMag.com offers children and parents a way to start on a constructive, balanced path from fear to empowerment without kids turning from prey to predator.
The Gracie family, according to Rener Gracie, "has been bullyproofing men, women and children for 85 years." But not everyone can get to the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy for classes. So Rener Gracie and his brother Ryron Gracie formatted an easy-to-learn at-home program so kids could have a chance to learn today what they learned in childhood.
In this FREE report — Stop Physical Bullying: The Rener Gracie Guide to the Facts on Bullying and Ways to Prevent Bullying Using the Gracie Bullyproof Program — parents can learn how Rener Gracie and his brother Ryron Gracie spent several years researching the facts on bullying, the causes of bullying and ways to prevent it before codifying their findings into an at-home learning system for parents and kids alike.
Rener Gracie says the Gracie Bullyproof program was inspired by students who had been tormented by bullies before coming to the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Some of these children were, in fact, suicidal.
In Stop Physical Bullying: The Rener Gracie Guide to the Facts on Bullying and Ways to Prevent Bullying Using the Gracie Bullyproof Program, learn the causes of bullying and what anti-bullying activities kids can start today to protect themselves physically and mentally!
"Jiu-jitsu is the ultimate empowerment tool; the name means 'gentle art' in Japanese, and that's exactly what it is," Rener Gracie explains in Stop Physical Bullying: The Rener Gracie Guide to the Facts on Bullying and Ways to Prevent Bullying Using the Gracie Bullyproof Program. "It gives people the ability to defend themselves against a physical threat without causing unnecessary harm to the assailant."
Other FREE Guides to a variety of martial arts and self-defense topics are also available now atblackbeltmag.com/free-guides
About Black BeltBlack Belt magazine, the world's leading martial arts resource, features interviews with the world's most prestigious martial artists and historical pieces on the philosophies of various combat styles, as well as in-depth coverage of the latest techniques, weapons, self-defense systems, training regimens and industry trends. It also continues to publish instructional books and DVDs from a variety of disciplines, including jujitsumixed martial artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu, reality-based self-defensegrapplingjeet kune do and more. 
SOURCE BlackBeltMag.com

Kids Martial Arts Lessons leads to Better Self Defense and Less Bullies


     It's Back to School for the most of us now and we should also be looking into how we can better educate our kids on bullying. Our Kids Martial Arts and Jiu-Jitsu program will be emphasizing the importance of standing up to bullies, standing up for our friends, and looking out for those you are being harmed by their peers. 

     Here are top 10 Reasons to Bully Proof Your Child with quality Kids Martial Arts and Jiu-Jitsu Classes in El Dorado Hills:

1) Gain the ability to defend from verbal and physical attacks.
2) Learn how to safely neutralize bullying situations before they escalate.
3) Improve physical conditioning and increase confidence.
4) Develop a better understanding of themselves.
5) Experience improved focus and drive.
6) Improve social skills and ability to relate to others in multiple situations.
7) Learn to speak up for themselves when necessary.
8) Learn how to speak up for others who are being bullied.
9) Participate in a challenging and exciting martial art that will develop skills that will serve them throughout their lifetime.
10) Feel empowered and lessen the chance of being bullied.
EDH Grappling in El Dorado Hills, CA offers quality kids martial arts classes  that will prepare your child to handle bullying. The school offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes for boys, girls and teens, beginning at the age of 5.
Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064
EDH Grappling
See you on the mat! 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Training Your Awareness is Training For Anti-Bullying

     School has started for most of our students in the Kids Martial Arts Class, and I hope everyone is excited to be on a schedule where learning is the priority! In addition to learning about Jiu-Jitsu and developing our bodies, minds, and spirits, we will be learning about how to prevent bullying from continuing in our local schools.
     When we talk about Self-Defense in our Jiu-Jitsu class, we always emphasize that one of the most important tools of Self-Defense is AWARENESS. Being aware of where we are, who we are around, and the possible dangers is essential to proper Self-Defense. There are many ways to help improve your awareness.
     One way to help improve your awareness is on the mat. Being aware of where you are in relation to the people around you. If you are too close to another group, the chances of you or your partner catching a foot, an elbow, or an arm are very high. If you are training your awareness, you will be able to remove yourself from the dangerous position. Students in our kids martial arts class can also train their awareness off the mat.
     Another way to train awareness is by being alert to what people are doing and saying around you in school. If you are training your awareness at school, you will notice if someone is being mean. You will notice if someone is trying to hurt someone. You will notice if someone is in pain. However, being aware and only being aware is not enough.
     Once we become aware of these things, it is essential that we go and report the problem. It's important that we don't just tell someone. We need to REPORT the issue. A report will tell someone what is happening, when it happened, what you saw, who was involved, and where it took place. There is a big difference between telling someone a problem and reporting a problem. As we continue to train our awareness in our Kids Martial Arts class in El Dorado Hills, we will be working on ways to report a problem to our teachers, parents, and administrators around us.

Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064
"Learning how to stop bullying in our Kids Martial Arts Class!"

Jiu-Jitsu for Stress Rehabilitation

      Did you ever think Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu would help with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)? Chad "Robo" has set up a program in Westcliffe, CO to help veterans rehabilitate from the trauma they encountered in battle. Many turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with stress. Chad turned to Martial Arts and developed a system to help veterans find a new outlet and rehabilitate from the traumas  of battle. Chad's training system shows that jiu-jitsu can help with anxiety, jiu-jitsu can help with panic attacks, and that jiu-jistu can help people deal with stress.
     If you would like to know more about Chad's program in Colorado, please go to the Might Oaks Foundation website.

Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Tournament Results: International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation Las Vegas Open

      This weekend August 11 was the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) Las Vegas International Open. United under Team Yemaso Jiu-Jitsu of Sacramento, Jordan Hernandez, Garrett Aldrich, and Eliot Kelly stepped on the mat from El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The tournament began with Garrett taking taking solid victories to finish with the bronze in his "come back" tournament, after overcoming several injuries and surgeries. He led the team off to a great start as we followed with the competition. 

    Eliot took charge in his weight class, taking gold in his division. Jordan followed Eliot in competition as he dominated his division with impressive mat control, taking the gold. In the absolute division Garrett and Eliot both made a tough run to get to the podium. Garrett fell short by one round to make it to the podium in his absolute (all weights combined) division. Eliot made a good run also, and managed to secure the bronze medal as he fell short of the gold with a 2-0 defeat in the semi-final bout.
     These competitors did an amazing job preparing for the competition and representing the Sacramento area with pride and class. Every victory by someone we train with is a victory to us all! Great work everyone! Please give the competitors a BIG congratulations the next time you see them!



916 595 4064
"Learn, Train, Share, Adapt"

Seeking Sponsors for Jiu Jitsu Competitons

     It's getting harder and harder to get to Jiu-Jitsu competitions these days. Not because I don't want to get out there and compete, but more because it costs an arm and a leg to get to the competitions. Fortunately, I'm blessed with a strong support system at home, a team of jiu-jitsu students and I live in a state where Gi Pan Ams, Gi Worlds, and NoGi Worlds take place. However, I've found that in order to be consistently at the top of the podium, I need to get as much competition with as many different competitors as possible. 

     My newly set short term goal for the year is to crack the top 3 rankings based on IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) competitions. Right now I'm tied at 10th in the world among all brown belt competitors. Check out the site here. To help prepare myself for my ultimate goal in jiu-jitsu, to win the World Championships as a Black Belt, I've found that I can't do it alone. I need additional support. 

     If any of you have an idea on how I should go about securing sponsorships on travel, room & board, entry fee, etc, or an  ROI (Return on Investment) approach to help supporters see how their investment in my tournament experiences will bring a return to them, I'm listening. I appreciate all the support I have encountered and receive thus far, and am looking forward to taking my potential on and off the mat to it's highest limit! 

Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Bully Proofing Sounds a lot like Jiu-Jitsing

     I came across another article talking about 5 ways to Bully Proofing a child. If you haven't already talked about bullying with your child, please take the time to share these five bullet points with them. These five ideas might seem very simple, but creating an open discussion about bullying with your child could mean the difference with them, or one of their friends, becoming a victim to bullying. In Jiu-Jitsu we talk about Self-Defense and how awareness is a big part of staying out of trouble. Here we see how training our awareness can lead to bully prevention as well. Let's get together as a community and help make a difference! 


1.      Talk about it. Talk about bullying with your kids and have other family members share their experiences. If one of your kids opens up about being bullied, praise him or her for being brave enough to discuss it and offer unconditional support. Consult with the school to learn its policies and find out how staff and teachers can address the situation.

2.      Remove the bait. If it's lunch money or gadgets that the school bully is after, you can help neutralize the situation by encouraging your child to pack a lunch or go to school gadget-free.

3.      Buddy up for safety. Two or more friends standing at their lockers are less likely to be picked on than a child who is all alone. Remind your child to use the buddy system during the interval period, or wherever bullies may lurk.

4.      Keep calm and carry on. If a bully strikes, a kid's best defense may be to remain calm, ignore hurtful remarks, tell the bully to stop, and simply walk away. Bullies thrive on hurting others. A child who isn't easily ruffled has a better chance of staying off a bully's radar.

5.      Don't try to fight the battle yourself. Sometimes talking to a bully's parents can be constructive, but it's generally best to do so in a setting where a school official, such as a counselor, can mediate.




Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064

Monday, August 13, 2012

Football and Jiu-Jitsu

What can football players learn from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? 
      Jiu-Jitsu and football may appear to be very different, but there are many elements that cross over from the mat to the field. Take for instance the stiff arm. This may be a classic football technique, but probably applied more in Jiu-Jitsu!
     The stiff arm is not the only concept that can be applied from Jiu-Jitsu to Football. I recently learned that San Clemente High School's football team had a special martial arts training session with the jiu-jitsu team of Gracie Barra San Clemente. 
     The session was organized with the goal of providing a fun and challenging jiu-jitsu training experience. The experience turned out to be more than just training and turned into an exceptional team bonding experience, while showing the Triton football players jiu-jitsu techniques that would help with blocking and defensive techniques on the field. 

To read more about the Trioton Jiu-Jitsu experience click here

Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064
To Schedule a team bonding  MARTIAL ARTS session in El Dorado Hills contact us!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

The No Bully Zone of El Dorado Hills, CA


     I ran across some stats in a recently published article and according to some studies they found that a child is bullied every 7 minutes, and that 3 million children in the United States miss school every month for fear of some bully. This should tell us that there is a serious need for us as a community to talk about bullying in our schools, at home, and among our organized sport teams. 

     At El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we will be studying a series of "NO BULLY ZONE" messages during the months of August and September. These messages will be shared not only with our kids Jiu-Jitsu classes, but also our adult jiu-jitsu classes. If you or your child would like to participate in any of our sessions, please drop in for a free trial! 


Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Jiujitsu for self defense and fitness


Everyone in El Dorado Hills should train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for self defense and fitness.
     BJJ training is designed to train a smaller or weaker person to defend against a stronger or larger attacker. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu leverage is super important. Learning effective techniques and safely practicing them could prepare you to defend multiple situations. 
     Why is Jiujitsu one of the most effective and exciting martial arts in the world? It's just like a chess game with your body. During training you will learn the importance of technical positions and learn how to apply leverage over your training partner. Leverage applied correctly at the correct time will give you the ability to enjoy this incredible Martial Art! 
It is important to find the right Jiu Jitsu School with an inviting atmosphere.
     At our Jiu Jitsu Academy in El Dorado Hills, students join for many reasons... They want to improve their muscle tone, get more flexibility, learn self defense, loose weight, get into the BJJ or MMA competition sport. What's your reason for training?
Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064

How to Not Injure Yourself during Jiu Jitsu Training

     A couple of things we need to consider before we get into Jiujitsu injuries. First, injuries are going to happen. It doesn't matter if you are playing soccer recreationally, lifting weights, or playing golf. Injuries are apart of a healthy and active lifestyle. Second, you shouldn't be getting hurt ALL THE TIME while trying to live a healthy and active lifestyle. After all, if you're hurt all the time, what's healthy about that! If this is the case you need to take a serious look at what you are doing and who you are training with. I've talked with a guys who started Jiu-Jitsu when they were in their thirties and at some point questioned whether jiu-jitsu was something they could do at their age... He's almost fifty now and is getting very close to being a Black Belt!
     Here are a couple of ways to help prevent potential injures:
1. The harder you go, the harder they will go. The harder you try to beat someone, the harder they will try not to get beat. The result is the gradual escalation of speed, intensity, and the potential for injuries. If you don't want to get hurt, don't try to use strength. Avoid it at all costs! Instead, try to use the technique that you know and have drilled. If you feel them raising the intensity, don't fall into the trap. Make a conscious decision not to use force, but to use technique and leverage.

2. Let them beat you. If you're going to lose, you're going to lose. Allow yourself to get beat in certain positions and you'll get really good at escaping form difficult positions. More importantly, you need to be okay with losing some battles so that you can win the war! Knowing when the battle is lost and giving up a position or two will also help you conserve energy and allow you to more effectively regain your position at a later time.

3. Don't fight the tap. Tapping is the checkmate of jiu-jitsu. You would look silly if someone put you in checkmate, and you started scrambling to deny the reality of being beat. Acknowledge that you got beat. Tap and learn from the mistake you made. It's a lot easier to restart the training session after you tap then after your arm snaps!

Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064

Bully Proofing with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in El Dorado Hills

Kids Martial Arts classes in El Dorado Hills are an ideal way to bully proof your child!

Kids Martial Arts classes in Morris County

     There are many different types of kids Martial Arts classes in el dorado hills, come see how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a practical and functional martial art for anti-bullying preparation. 

1) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is designed for a smaller, weaker person to use leverage and technique rather than physical strength. 
2) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a non striking martial art. As a grappling-based martial art, your child will learn how to control their own body and use an assailants body against them. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches students how to SAFELY NEUTRALIZE the bully until help arrives.
3) Character Development. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is no exception. Character development is a core part of training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kids who train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are more confident and disciplined – making them less likely to be picked on by bullies.
If you are looking for kids Martial Arts classes in El Dorado Hills to bully proof your child, contact EDH Grappling in El Dorado Hills, CA to try a FREE class. We provide authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes for boys,  girls and teens, ages 5 and up. 


Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064

Teach Your Child How to Speak Up to a Bully

     According to educational consultant Michele Borba, learning new habits can help kids assert themselves safely.  Borba gives us some insight on what parents can help cultivate in their kids:

- Don't look like a victim. 
- Stay calm.
- Say NO in a firm voice.
- Use a stone-faced glare.
- leave the scene as soon as possible. 
- Join a Martial Arts Class. 

     Talk about these 6 different habits with your child. Take the time to teach them when and how they can use these to assert themselves safely. Always let your child know that you are there to support them, and that they need to REPORT any type of bullying as soon as it begins. 
To read the full article click here.
Eliot Kelly
916 595 4064
We don't tolerate Bullying at our Martial Art School

10 ways to help diffuse bullying

     After reading many articles on bullying, I can't address the importance of a parent's involvement in a child's life. Almost every article talks about the importance of a parent talking with their child and working on skills to help them think about what bullying is and what they can do to prevent it.
     The list of 10 below, are ideas that help confront bullies and prevent things from escalating. As a parent, it might be good to notice what traits your child already has, and what you can work on with them. If you would like any assistance, please give us a call!


  • Confidence. Identifying and being proud of his personal strengths will give your child a good feeling about himself that will make bullies less likely to target him.
  • Social skills. Even if your child is shy, initiate playdates or hang outs with peers to let them practice social skills and friend-making.
  • Good hygiene. Make sure your child regularly bathes, washes her face, brushes her teeth, combs her hair, and wears clean clothes. Provide deodorant for kids who've hit puberty.
  • Friendships. Some kids have a large group of friends, others just like  to have one or two. How many isn't important, but every child needs at least one good friend who is always on their side.
  • Coping with failure or disappointment. Self-affirmations, journaling, and exercise are all good ways to deal with let-downs.
  • Look approachable. Maintaining eye contact with people, smiling, having good posture, and generally appearing approachable and friendly goes a long way toward warding off bullies.
  • Awareness of others. Be sensitive to your child's need to fit in (certain clothes or shoes, etc) as circumstances allow.
  • Be a team player. Whether it's a sport, a club, or a church youth group, your child should be involved in something and feel like part of a team. Your child should also feel like a valuable part of the family “team” as well.
  • Assertiveness. It can be a formal self-defense or martial arts class, or just talking at home about how to stand up for yourself with a firm 'stop it.'
  • Ignore bullying. Bullies want a reaction: don't give it to them. Retaliating could also mean that your child could be punished by her school. If a reaction is warranted, report it to adults.
  • Eliot Kelly
    916 595 4064
    Contact us and help diffuse bulling in our community

    Some Bullying I Encountered Long Ago

         I've been doing a lot of reading up on bullying this summer, and I guess it would make sense to share a personal story of mine about bullying.
         When I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade I was living in a country town in Japan. My family was one of the few foreign families living in Japan at the time, and needless to say I stuck out like sore thumb. In Japan, public schools don't have any janitors and at the end of the day there is about a 15 to 20 minute time where the students disperse in groups to clean their designated areas. On this particular day, we were in charge of the long hallway. Our job was to take wet rags and run them down the floor in a "bear crawl" type of position. I can't remember exactly what happened, but all of a sudden, my back was against the wall with a 6th grader standing over me. Then from no where he slapped me across my face! I looked right back at him and slapped him back, jumping up to reach his face. This definitely caught him off guard, but he proceed to pummel me against the wall, throwing a stream of body shots. I didn't know what to do, so I just curled up in a ball and managed to take the punches until he took off running down the hallway.
         I don't remember much about how thing were resolved. I do remember a teacher talking with me. Asking me if I was ok, and assuring me that I would never have to fear something like that happening again. I do believe one of my friends in the cleaning group reported the incident to a teacher who swiftly took action.  Although this is with a little delay, THANK YOU cleaning friend, THANK YOU teacher, for taking action and helping me feel comfortable enough to stay in school.

    Eliot Kelly
    916 595 4064
    See how our Jiu-Jitsu program can help your child deter bullying.

    Wednesday, August 8, 2012

    Scientists can Grapple too!

         There is nothing more satisfying than getting on the mat to train, forgetting all the troubles in your day while exercising, learning, and training hard. For Melissa Davis, a graduate student of neurobiology, “Jiu- jitsu is my break, my meditation, my fun,” Davis said.
         Jiu-Jitsu doesn't have to be something we only do to become a World Champion. It offers so much more for the body and mind. “I feel truly happy on the mat with my teammates. It is a body on body debate that transcends language and time, and in the context of a modern, safe, friendly competition, is a truly unique and life changing experience.” There is something special when people come together to train on the mat! 
         This special experience is the brotherhood, the family effect, of a group of people working hard for the general good of one another. It's a truly unique experience to be "attacking" your training partner while looking out for the general good and safety of one another.  

    Click Here for a link to the article.
    Eliot Kelly
    916 595 4064
    "Learn, Train, Share, Adapt! "
    If you are interested in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Lessons 
    ~ Contact EDHBJJ ~