Jiu-Jitsu is great for the body and is an exciting adventure of the mind, spirit, and heart. In addition to sharing our experiences, I want to explore the multiple dimensions of Jiu-Jitsu as well as the philosophy, art, science, technique, etc. Most importantly, I want to use words to help define the Jiu-Jitsu we create with our bodies. When you read, the world widens and your mind begins to change a little. As we train hard to change ourselves for the better, we can also change our community!
Showing posts with label el dorado hills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label el dorado hills. Show all posts
Jiu Jitsu translated: This is a translation of an article from Carpe Diem Jiu-Jitsu in Japan. The link to the original article in Japanese is http://bjjaoyama.com/wordpress/852
What is sparring? I'm sure there are many interpretations on its meaning, but I would like my students to know that sparring in practice is something completely different from an actual match at a tournament. You explain it as the use of technique without having to depend on strength or speed, which could be defined as "Practice in a match setting to better you and your training partner's technique while maintaining a calm mind, heart, and spirit."
Since we're engaged in hand to hand combat injuries are going to happen, but I believe you can progress quicker and efficiently without getting hurt. If you're sparring every day with the intensity of a match you're bound to get a severe injury that will prevent your from practicing. Some may argue that in order to become a world champion you have to have the body to withstand injuries even with frequent and intense sparring. However, at our dojo we don't practice that way.
Tap quick and when finishing with a submission finish slow and with control. When you try to finish a submission with control they might get away. Who cares…. It's just practice anyway. As long as you can believe you would have been able to finish it in a match then that should be good enough. Another thing to keep in mind is that if the submission looked finished but you had to force your way out of it, you should be self conscious. There are some submissions where if you don't finish it right away you won't finish it at all. I tend to shy away from using them in training. It's more of a personal esthetic issues than anything else. Really, as longs as it's not illegal you can do anything but I'm really not that interested in submissions that might injure your partner or moves that just simply hurt. I spar while being tied up in the esthetic of things, but I like that. Those guys who are in their prime might not be saying things like that because they simply must win. And I can sympathize with that. But sparring like that can be done by competitors who are mutually training to be at the most elite levels.
When you're sparring there is no win, there is no loss. It's only your ego that cares about those things. I'm a black belt and my skills are presumable much higher than lower belts, but at times there are blue belts and purple belts of mine who will put me in a submission to tap. I believe frantically trying to escape that finish and avoid tapping looks much more lame. When it happens I just tap and give them bitter smile while saying, "you got me!" It's no exaggeration to say that when we're sparring our personality shows. It's really disappointing to see someone who has good character and personality clicking their tongue while sparring.
If you want to prove your potential then you should compete in tournaments. In a match, there really is no need to be aware of how your opponent is doing. That's the referee's job. Until the referee says "Paro" to stop the match, you don't need to let go of the submission. If you let go before the referee signals the end of the match with the verbal command, there is a chance the opponent claims they didn't tap. That actually happens once in a while. I was always the type to just let go. Some have escaped submissions as a result of that. Since that's my attitude toward things, maybe that's why I wasn't ever the best. But in the end, all I can say is "oh well."
I'll write this much and there are still going to be people that spare with excessive aggression during practice. These people shouldn't just be left to figure it out on their own. Those who intentionally hurting training partners, being unable to follow the manners of sparring even after ample corrections, will eventually be asked not to practice at our dojo. They might even be asked to leave our team. It's not a pretty job, but if it means avoiding a preventable injury I won't hesitate to do so.
Translated by: Eliot Kelly
For more information on jiujitsu in El Dorado Hills visit http://www.edhbjj.com El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers a comprehensive martial arts program for all ages. Call to schedule a free trial lesson 916.595.4064 Thank you Carpe Diem Jiu Jitsu for the great article!
El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Wrestling Judo
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El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
There are several types of martial arts. With the new MMA craze there are many more people to would like to learn more about the sport and even test their skills on the mat. One option is to join an MMA gym and train to become a fighter. Another option is to learn Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art with its roots in MMA. Jiujitsu is very similar to MMA in that it emphasizes the ability to control your opponent from the feet and the ground. Similar to wrestling, jiujitsu involves body positioning to control and submit your opponent. A submission is any type of lock on a join or a choke that would force the person to accept defeat.
If you are looking for a great introduction to MMA to learn the game, get a great workout and enjoy the art of training, then jiujitsu is an option you need to look into. Out NoGi Jiu-Jitsu / Submission Wrestling classes at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will introduce you to the art and give you the opportunity to learn in a controlled and non threatening environment. Once you have attained a certain level of mastery your limits will be pushed and your abilities tested.
The great thing about nogi jiujitsu / submission wrestling is that every training session is a different session. Each session has a different purpose. One day the focus might be on technique, the other on testing your limits, another day on MMA application, Self Defense application, deeper technical understanding.
During the month of September join us for a 5 DAY FREE TRIAL as we celebrate our 5th year of el dorado hills jiu jitsu!
El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will be offering a curriculum based on bully prevention. Our program will focus on different area of bullying during the months of August and September to help students transition back to school. One of the most important thing to us is students feeling safe at school. Bullying can prevent that from happening.
Most importantly, we need to have a no tolerance policy with bullying.
WE WILL NOT TOLERATE BULLYING
What if every teacher had this written on the board on the first day of the school. Maybe some of the students would get the message?!?
This is a great article that is simple for us all to understand how we can confront bullying. Let's take a look at how we can incorporate some of the strategies into our anti bullying practices.
An important element to consider in this is allowing for supervised bully prevention. Allowing for students to problem solve on their own before intervention takes place can allow students to better communicate and exercise strategies for the future when there is no supervision.
The old school playground bullies are still out there, pushing around kids in the sand box, but they are way out-numbered in the digital age.
“The cyber stuff — texting, social media — it’s a different animal, but it has similar characteristics,” said Connie Ernsberger, director of college and guidance counseling at Gulliver Schools in Pinecrest. “It’s so fast and so anonymous.”
But Ernsberger and other South Florida experts say the key to stopping bullying of any sort remains the same: Victims and witnesses have to be taught to speak up. School administrators, much more knowledgeable about the array of negative effects of bullying, long ago stopped shrugging off the behavior when they hear about it.
“The one key piece is that bullying will not be tolerated,” said Deborah Montilla, district director of student services for Miami-Dade schools.
Miami-Dade has developed extensive programs and training to deal with bullying, broadly defined to include teasing, social exclusion, stalking, destruction of property, cyberbullying and other forms of harassment.
The school district’s policy, available on its website, addressees the consequences of bullying, how to report it, as well as intervention and counseling procedures. Guidance and TRUST (To Reach Ultimate Success Together) counselors make classroom visits, morning announcements offer bullying prevention tips and specialized posters for elementary, middle and high schools hang on the walls.
“If we can help students understand the importance of healthy relationships, they’ll be more successful in school,” Montilla said.
One big lesson: If students know bullying is happening, they have to be brave enough to tell a trusted adult.
“We don’t want anything to escalate,” she said. “We can’t help if we don’t know. We want students to feel comfortable.”
Nationally, about 70 percent of young people report they’ve seen bullying occur in their schools. But when bystanders step in, physical bullying stops within 10 seconds nealry 60 percent of the time, according to StopBullying.gov.
Some tell-tale signs of bullying include increased nightmares, a change in grades, coming home hungry and asking for additional lunch money. Montilla says it’s important not to blame children for that kind of behavior or to tell them to respond in kind.
“Don’t tell them to toughen up,” she said.
Instead, get the school involved.
“Intervention works,” said Ernsberger of Gulliver, which like Miami-Dade public schools, has a zero-tolerance policy. “If we hear about it, we’ll act on it.”
Gulliver disciplines the bully, with punishment depending on the behavior, and provides ongoing counseling support.
Bullying tends to peak in middle school and students moving up grades in the same school or with the same friends are less likely to have problems in high school, she said.
“If they’ve been a part of Gulliver, they’ll feel like leaders on campus,” she said. “By the time they get to high school, they’ve had experience with peer pressure and positive social interactions.”
To prevent bullying, school counselors meet with incoming ninth graders, she said. At Gulliver, students are assigned to a counselor who they regularly meet with one-on-one.
Gulliver guidance counselor Adriana Muñoz said communication and trust are key to preventing bullying.
“When hormones start kicking in, it’s harder to pick up signs,” said Muñoz, who is a psychologist. Children become more private during middle school, especially with increased access to technology.
“It starts with a mean text or a mean comment on social media,” she said, “and it begins to escalate.”
Her advice to parents and children? “A lot of dialogue. You would be amazed at how many teachable moments there are — a subtle joke on TV, making fun of someone. Don’t wait until something happens to talk about it.”
Muñoz said the transition from elementary school to middle school is also hard on parents.
“You go from when they’re younger and they see you as a hero to when they think you don’t know them. Behavior changes,” she said. “Middle school is a tough age. It’s a time where they’re leaving their childhood and entering adolescence.”
Still, setting boundaries for kids is important, Muñoz said.
“We are a yes generation. You can find a balance. You have to have the self control to say that you’re looking for things that would be harmful to them,” she said.
With time, kids mature out of bullying situations.
Josefina Estrella, school counselor at Key Biscayne K-8 Center, said she works a lot with improving self confidence and self esteem to manage bullying situations.
“We do see a lot of name-calling. We have children from many different countries. We have to work a lot with understanding and approaching differences.”
Teachers and counselors begin teaching “proper communication” in kindergarten.
“We try to stay away from stigmatizing children as bullies because that doesn’t help,” she said.
Key Biscayne K-8 Center is a “No Place For Hate” school, as are others in the district. The school has worked with the Anti-Defamation League to sign anti-bullying pledges, put on activities and train students as “peace ambassadors.”
“Most of the time, teasing and other situations that make it to bullying happen outside of adult supervision,” Estrella said.
When they do happen, though, counselors and staff emphasize the importance of conflict resolution.
“It teaches them to solve problems, which builds self confidence,” she said. “I always give them the chance to approach the situation themselves.
“If the child or parent is concerned about a bullying situation, it’s important to talk to the school or an adult as soon as possible. The earlier we see the problem, the less serious it could be.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/03/4269990/bullying-prevention-101-speak.html#storylink=cpy
Great to see the problem of cyber bullying being thought through in this article review of the book by Jessica Golden. Although there are many different ways to be proactive about bullying, this review seems to explain that the book focuses on the different blocks and tracking devices available to put a halt on the cyber bullying that can take place.
The best medicine is prevention.
These tools would allow us to prevent instances of bullying that take place online. That is great. However, it doesn't seem to come to the source of the problem, and doesn't seem to show a concrete understanding behind the psychology of the bully. What is the purpose of the bully? Why are they trying to hurt the people around them? What can we do to help the bully understand that their behavior is unacceptable?
These are a few questions I hope the book addresses in their analysis.
Needless to say, this is another great resource to reference when talking to parents and community members about anti-bullying. A tool for us to use to better understand the varying dynamics of cyber bullying.
El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wishes every new student a great start to the new school year! If anyone is in need for anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We want to serve the community!
New Anti Bullying Book, Written by a Survivor, Shows Victims of Bullying How to Use Modern Technology & Computer Forensics to End Bullying & CyberBullying Permanently
Bullying: Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Ellen Degeneres, Katy Perry & Justin Bieber are outspoken about it. Author Jessica Golden explains how, when it comes to Bullying & CyberBullying, that the best defense is a good offense.
If you take away all the avenues that bullies have to torment, then the bullies will leave you alone” Jessica explains. “This I have learned from personal experience.
(PRWEB) August 05, 2014
In an era where new technology is the pinnacle of society, people--both young and old, still face an age old problem: Bullying. No longer limited to the playground at recess or the school yard, bullying has taken on many different forms over the years, and occurs in many different places. Currently there are five types: Verbal, Physical, Psychological, Covert, and CyberBullying. With the vast amount of innocent lives lost to suicide, (or more appropriately, bullycide), something has to be done about it.
That Being Said, We Have Just Found Our Saving Grace:
Jessica Golden, author of Stop Being Bullied: A How To Guide For Victims And Their Families, approaches the bullying problem from a different angle. “As a Survivor of bullying, I know how it feels firsthand to feel vulnerable and helpless.” says Jessica. “Looking back, I realized that things would have been a lot different for me if I had the resources available to me that I list in my book. That is why I approach bullying from a totally different angle.”
And what angle is that, one may ask? This book is not like other books which tell how to cope with bullying. Stop Being Bullied: A How To Guide For Victims And Their Families goes into extreme detail on how to take away the control that bullies have over you. “If you take away all the avenues that bullies have to torment, then the bullies will leave you alone” Jessica explains. “This I have learned from personal experience”.
What is included in this book includes, but is not limited to tracking IP addresses of cyberbullies so they can be prosecuted, Apps for your phone to block text messages and phone calls from cyberbullies, how to protect your email account from cyberbullies, instructions on how to cyberbully-proof your facebook and myspace accounts, as well as a myriad of other technologies for various popular instant messaging programs. Also included are some assertiveness training techniques, as well as an extensive list of tuition free online public schools as well as online private schools, should the bullying get out of hand.
Stop Being Bullied: A How To Guide For Victims And Their Families is available exclusively in the Amazon Kindle Store. Priced at only $9.99, and 201 pages in length, this book is made for any person on any budget. “I wanted to make it affordable to everyone.” Jessica says, on a final note. “You don’t have to have a Kindle in order to read my book, as there are Kindle Apps available for your phone, PC, Ipad, Iphone and other devices.”
Jessica is also in the process of writing another book specifically addressing CyberBullying and going into more detail of how to use the same legal tools that Law Enforcement uses to document CyberBullying Crimes in order to prosecute Cyber Bullies to the fullest extent of the law.
By doing so you will be notified when there are updates to the book and when her new book will be released.
Jessica hopes that her book becomes viral. “If you or someone you know would benefit from reading this book, please use the sharing tools provided here to share it through social media (such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace, etc.), Email, and any other ways you can think of. If I can save just one life, then this book has done its job!”
Jessica is available for Interview and can be reached by phone at 770-865-9225
Allan and Eliot flew out to New York to compete in the IBJJF New York Summer Open this past weekend in July. In addition to participating in the tournament, they also took part in the Referee Course offered by the Federation.
The Jiu-Jitsu Rules Seminar was a great opportunity to learn some of the details that many overlook when training. There are also several rule modifications that have been made starting now that will help both the competitor and spectator of jiujitsu better understand what is going on in the match.
The knee reaping disqualification rule and the head to the outside single leg rule are the two most significant rules that required clarification. It's great to see the sport of brazilian Jiujitsu progressing as a safe sport for all ages to participate in. At the same time, the sport is still preserving the fundamental rules of self defense and the martial arts. The IBJJF seems to be on the right track!
Allan belongs to the Master 5 category, but dropped down to the Master 3 to secure getting a match. He had a tough battle with the eventual silver medalist, falling short on points 3-6. The match was exciting as he was down by 3 points, tied it up 3-3. and it came down to one person passing or getting the sweep to decide the victor. The match didn't go his way this time, but it was a great learning experience for him.
Eliot lost a tough battle 4-6 in the semi-final of his division to Vitor Toledo. In the absolute division Eliot beat a tough competitor from Tanque in the qtr. finals 5-0. In the semi-final match he lost to Gianni Grippo of Marcel Garcia Academy 11-2. The match was exciting and full of submission attempts. Eliot finished with a bronze in his division and the absolute.
If they can do it Phoenix, we can do it in Eldorado Hills and the greater Sacramento area. Anti-bullying project supported by the local mayor Kevin Johnson, would not only elevate the awareness factor of bullying, but give students, faculty, and parents the resources to better understand bullying.
What if our Mayor got behind this and outsourced every Martial Arts school in the area to provide affordable self defense, and anti-bullying classes for those that applied. That would be awesome! Anyone involved with the local politics of eldorado hills that could point me in the right direction to propose a local community effort (COMMUNITY being the key word since most of the literature I've come across talks a great deal about the COMMUNITY coming together to help combat bullying) to provide education on anti-bullying.
El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a Martial Arts school located in the eldorado hills business parks that is eager to help educate our youth on bullying. We want your child to have the best opportunity in school the coming year, and we are here to help. For more information visit our website www.edhbjj.com or give us a call 916.595.4064 See you on the mat!
Kyle Mittan, The Republic | azcentral.com11:09 a.m. MST July 22, 2014
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton has signed on to participate in a new coalition to raise awareness about the effects of bullying.
The coalition between the BULLY Project and the U.S. Conference of Mayors aims to curb bullying in cities throughout the Southwest.
The BULLY Project on Tuesday announced the collaboration with mayors from Phoenix, Houston, Sante Fe, N.M., Corpus Christi, Texas, Tempe, Laredo, Texas, and Las Cruces, N.M.
The project stems from the success of "Bully," a 2011 film documenting bullying in schools across the country. The project provides resources to schools in the U.S. to combat bullying.
The new partnership will give the mayors resources to host educational events in their communities, including screenings of the film, educate students and raise awareness of the effects of bullying, according to a news release.
The collaboration comes one month after the U.S. Conference of Mayors launched the Mayors' Campaign to End Bullying at its annual meeting in Dallas, which received support from 170 of the conference's members.
Stanton's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Every day, 160,000 kids in America stay home from school to avoid being bullied, according to PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, a Minneapolis-based anti-bullying advocacy organization.
Some very insightful tips on bully-proofing your child. These are not the solve all to the issues of bullying, but is definitely a start. The theme to this article is the need for parent and guardians involvement. Parents need to take the time to think about how they will parent their children through bullying situations, just like they would think about parenting their child when they act up, talk back, or refuse to eat their vegetables.
As good as these tips might be to help bully-proof your child, there is an element that is missing. The issue of cyber bullying through social media and social networking sites. This is an issues that will grow and as educators try to apply their training to help reduce bullying, we will see that some of the older strategies are not as effective. A shift towards thinking about how technology can change our way of doing things needs to be well thought out.
I believe a key ingredient involved in helping with cyber bullying will also involve parent involvement. Parents and teachers/ educators need to take specific steps to help.
The issue regarding bullying in schools has grabbed a lot of attention lately. Given that28%of middle school students experience some manner of bullying, it's no surprise that suicide and depression rates keep on increasing.
Even celebrities have taken the initiative to campaign against bullies because there have been cases where kids were beaten to death.
How can you as parent bully-proof your child and help them face these odds?
Child self-esteem expert Todd Gaster says,"It's a matter of building a confident and resilient child at home. You may not be able to stop the bullies from coming, but you can teach your child to skillfully handle the situation themselves."
He also says that encouraging resilience at home is like teaching your child to bounce back. More importantly, your child makes the transition from victim to survivor.
Bullies aim for kids who lack self-esteem and confidence simply because it's easy to intimidate them, hence the reason for establishing both. The first step is to create a great support system.
Your child should always feel accepted and welcome no matter who they are or who they decide to be. This provides a "buffer" if they are getting bullied and the chances of them resorting to suicide or hurting themselves are dramatically decreased.
1. Parents should promote positive emotions
In other words, opportunities to laugh and enjoy life. Parenting typically involves setting guidelines and rules, but it shouldn't overshadow the fundamental need to experience happy moments.
"A child who is bullied is usually in a very disempowering emotion. Depression, fatigue, frustration, sadness. By teaching our children who to be in control of their emotions, how to process their emotions we can put them in a position to succeed in the world of bullies," said Gaster.
In addition, parents should let their kids know they are on their side no matter what. Make time to talk about negative social situations and enforce the fact that you'll be there whenever they need you. If they know they have the full support of their family then children naturally feel more confident.
2. Explore areas of interest your child may have.
Help them to take part in activities which make them happy and essentially allow them to feel good about themselves. Don't get hung up on what you want them to do.
Participate in their excitement for whatever they choose to do. Another powerful advantage parents can give their children is teaching them mindfulness. Ultimately, it will help them to control their emotions and how they react. It's important that children become "aware" of themselves.
3. Develop Their Problem solving skills
Instead of just providing answers when they have a problem, help them to explore all the possibilities. Present different aspects and ask them how they think each approach is going to play out or what solution will have the best result. It is also essential to keep them focused on the future.
This doesn't mean indulging in a fantasy world.
Remind them of realistic goals they have like getting a license or traveling abroad between graduation and enrolling in college. Their attention should primarily be driven towards what they want to achieve, not where they are.
4. Lead by example.
Your actions will speak louder than your words and your children need to see it. Like I mentioned before, you can't stop the bullies from coming, but you can provide your child with the necessary resilience to overcome any intimidation.
All kids involved in bullying -- whether they are the ones being bullied, bullying others or witnessing bullying -- can be affected. It is important to support all kids involved to make sure the bullying doesn't continue and effects can be minimized.
News like this hurst deep inside to read. Bullying can lead to suicide. Regardless of what is going on with the school district and the family, we need to get to the source of the issue.
The issue being the power of social media, and information being spread online. A further understanding and training on how to deal with cyber bullying is essential as we move forward with our community development.
There are some alarming things in the article we need to think about.
1) Lack of action by the faculty and school
2) Unaware parents and family
3) Inability to find counseling
4) Bullies not thinking about the consequences of their actions
These are just some of the main issues that we need to address if we want to learn from what has happened and plan ahead or come to some type of solution.
A central theme to all of these issues are a lack of communication. Interestingly, the more connected we become online and to the cyber world, the less connected we become in person. Establishing a good foundation in communication is and will be an essential part of educating our society from here on out. Acknowledging that there is someone in front of you, that the person has feeling and thoughts and words, that how we behave or interact with them will make a difference (positive or negative) in the now and future.
If there is anyone being bullied, needing help, being bullied to think about suicide, please contact our school, El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We want to help you. We can find a solution. There's no need to end your life.
El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu
916.595.4064
Bathroom video, bullying led to teen's suicide, parents say
San Diego teen committed suicide after video taken in bathroom went viral, parents say
A San Diego couple says their 14-year-old son committed suicide after a video taken of him allegedly masturbating in a school bathroom went viral and subjected him to constant teasing and bullying.
In a $1-million claim filed against the San Diego Unified School District, the couple, Timothy and Barbara Burdette, say a teacher, an administrator and possibly other employees at University City High School knew of the teasing and bullying but did nothing to stop it.
Matthew Burdette, who was on the water polo and wrestling teams and was a Boy Scout studying for his Eagle rank, killed himself Nov. 29 while the family was at their cabin in Crestline for Thanksgiving.
The boy left behind a note saying he committed suicide because he could no longer "handle school" and had "no friends," according to the claim.
The parents' account was first reported on the website of KGTV-TV Channel 10 in San Diego.
The San Diego County district attorney's office declined to say whether the boy who the claim says took the video might face charges under the state's anti-bullying law. However, a spokesman for the district attorney said a hearing is set for July 23 in juvenile court on the matter.
Once other students saw the video "they teased him, they harassed him, they made his life miserable over a two-week period," Matthew's aunt, Laura Burdette Mechak, told KGTV.
Only after their son's death did the family learn of the video from other students and its effect on Matthew, the claim says.
In the claim, the Burdettes say they will be "forced to bear the death of their son for the rest of their lives."
The couple went to the school seeking answers but the staff was not helpful, Mechak said.
The Burdettes' claim was rejected a month ago, giving the family six months to file a lawsuit.
School officials issued a statement Monday, indicating support for the Burdette family but declining further comment.
“At San Diego Unified, the safety and well-being of our students is a top priority," the statement said. "The district also adheres to the privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations related to students, families and ongoing investigations."
I often ask students after they've been training for a few months what they want to get out of their training at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The answers vary from person to person, but most of the time I hear these phrases in the mix.
1) Lose weight
2) Learn self defense
3) Become a world champion
I sometimes cringe when I hear the term "self-defense" because it's become thrown around as though it's something you can go and learn in a few hours. So when someone tells me they want to learn self-defense, I clarify that they really want to be able to defend themselves from someone bigger and stronger attacking them. Not just attacking them, but to possibly take their life. If the answer is yes, I recommend they train as though they are going to get ready for a tournament. To roll as hard as they can. I truly believe that the best form of training for self defense is some form of grappling. In my opinion Jiu-Jitus has found a way to mix the idea and concepts of self-defense with the competitive sport, allowing for the best form of self defense training.
Yes, there are situations you would not want to voluntarily go to in a self defense situation, but jiujitsu teaches that. There are illegal moves that jiujitsu doesn't do, but again a good teacher teaches that as a form of self defense. I have yet to find a style of training where both partners can go as hard as they possibly can without the worry of hurting each other day after day after day.
A follow up question I always ask when someone tells me they want to learn self defense are these:
1) Do you take any medication or prescription drugs?
2) Do you eat well balanced, well proportioned meals?
3) Do you reduce, reuse, recycle in that order?
These are a few questions the I feel are necessary to ask because self defense is much more than just the physical. The physical aspects of self-defense, you could argue are much less prevalent than the dietary, medical, or environmental forms of self defense we should be practicing on a daily basis. The real attackers and killers are the ones that kill the most amount of people each day. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, pollution, toxicity, etc. We need to take a more practical look at what we are "training" to protect ourselves from,and realize if the training we are doing is truly going to defeat a bigger, stronger person.
Reading has been a big emphasis at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We have a summer reading challenge for the students to read several book a month and share what they have read with other students. This is a book all students will be required to read this summer.
As a marital arts school in El Dorado Hills, we emphasize the importance of understand the current issues that surround our students both on and off the mat. Jiu-Jitsu functions as a great physical tool for our students to learn about their body, self control, discipline, and protection. However, we promote much more than just physical health. Marital arts is thought of as having a lifestyle approach to training and application. Reading is an area of development we are always striving to improve.
The book "Bully the Bullfrog," seems simple enough to help the students understand the difficulties of moving, finding yourself in a new environment, and how to cope with change. Although I haven't read the book myself I would like to get my hands on a copy to promote to our students at EDH BJJ.
El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu
916.595.4064
A life lesson kids can use Children’s book deals with bullying
by Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer
Jul 13, 2014 | 582 views | 0 | 2 | |
LIFE NEAR THE POND – Belinda Diaz-Perez
uses her book ‘Bully the Bullfrog’ to help kids deal with bullying
For Belinda Diaz-Perez, publishing a children’s book is a dream come true.
As the author of the recent “Bully the Bullfrog,” she has written a story that resonates with the anti-bullying theme the state Department of Education has been encouraging.
A teacher since 1996, and a teacher at Jersey City school No. 3 since 2001, she has always wanted to write books for children. She said she loves children and writing books for kids, and “Bully the Bullfrog” also allowed her to use her love of animals to create stories.
Although she lives in Warren County with her husband, children, and family pets, she grew up in Jersey City.
She said as a teacher she wanted to reach children about a subject that most have some experience with, and perhaps give them something they can rely on when confronted by bullies.
_____________ “This is about Frankie working through this, and his courage to face the situation.” – Belinda Diaz-Perez ____________
“Bully the Bullfrog” is listed as readable for kids pre-k through grade five. Diaz-Perez said the book is best suited for students from kindergarten to fourth grade.
The story follows Frankie (a frog) and family when they move to a new pond.
“Frankie isn’t sure he will fit in, and he’s nervous about meeting new friends,” she said.
While he meets some nice frogs, he also meets Bully, who eyes Frankie as his next victim.
Apparently, Bully had terrorized other kids in the pond. But Frankie won’t be terrorized. The story shows how Frankie learns to deal with the situation, providing a life lesson for those children who might face similar circumstances. The book works out how he deals with the situation, and how others who were victims come to see him as a hero.
“This is about Frankie working through this and his courage to face the situation,” she said.
Frankie’s courage helps to liberate the pond.
Based on personal experience
Diaz-Perez said in teaching over the years, she has seen firsthand the negative impact bullying has on kids, and hopes the book will provide kids with hope. She said the book came into her head a few years ago when she was teaching third graders.
“At the beginning, I wasn’t really sure about how to go about starting,” she said. She started writing, and spent the summer putting it together.
“But I put it aside, and then started to shop it around in the fall,” she said. “The publisher found the illustrator.”
The book is illustrated by Kelsey Wilson.
“The publisher showed me samples of the work, and it seemed to fit what I wrote,” she said.
Diaz-Perez has a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Journalism and a Master’s Degree in School Administration/Supervision and will soon be receiving certifications in ESL/Bilingual Education.
“I hope to continue writing stories for children,” she said. “I have two other books complete and one I’m working on,” she said.
Because the state has encouraged schools to adopt an anti-bullying curriculum, she believes the book would do well in classrooms, and hopes to do a Spanish-language version of “Bully the Bullfrog.”
“I would like to take that book into ESL classes,” she said.
She has already used the book in her classes in Jersey City, even setting up a table with a lot of the characters for visual effect.
Sales have been brisk and she is nearly out of those she has on stock, although the books can be preordered from Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. The book costs about $14.95.
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If you take away all the avenues that bullies have to torment, then the bullies will leave you alone” Jessica explains. “This I have learned from personal experience.
For Belinda Diaz-Perez, publishing a children’s book is a dream come true.
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