Giving Back To BJJ

 

It’s likely when you started training someone told you that Jiu Jitsu would change your life.  It’s also likely you blew them off and didn’t think anything of it. That is, until you realized it is changing your life.  Day after day, class after class you don’t see it, but Jiu Jitsu is changing you. It’s building confidence, not just in your ability to do Jiu Jitsu, but in your ability to protect yourself, in your ability to deal with stress and come out on top and in your ability to persevere when times get tough.  Jiu Jitsu has so many mental health benefits it’s insane. It has traits similar to meditating in that It requires you to be present when you’re on the mats. All in all Jiu Jitsu is making you a mentally stronger, healthier person each and every day.

In addition to all of the mental health benefits we have the physical health benefits.  We see it time and time again. Someone makes the brave decision to start training in order to get in shape, and Jiu Jitsu delivers.  Like anything, you get out of it what you put in it. Showing up often and doing as much as you can is guaranteed to make you a physically healthier person.  To quote Men’s Warehouse “You’re going to like the way you look, I guarantee it”. Jiu Jitsu has likely done so much for you over the time you have been training, there’s no question.  We hear people constantly talking about all the things Jiu Jitsu has improved in their life. What we hear less of however is how much we have done for Jiu Jitsu.

It’s easy to get caught up in the constant taking from all that Jiu Jitsu has to offer, but at some point we need to stop and ask, am I depositing at least as much as I am withdrawing?  

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You don’t need to be an Elite athlete and social media giant like Professor Tom DeBlass to have an impact.  Sure, Professor DeBlass has the ability to reach tons of people, which is amazing, but you have access to something no one else does, your circle of friends.  

Have you invited them to come try a class? If not, why? I’m sure they can see the positive impact Jiu Jitsu has had on your life, it’s your obligation to make sure they have the same opportunity.  Get them on the mat for a trial class at the very least, at least then you will know you tried.

How else can you help spread the word about Jiu Jistu?  How about on social media? Do you check in when you train?  If not, why? Did you know that simply checking in creates more visibility to the academy Facebook page and helps new people discover this amazing martial art we all train.  

How often do you share content from the social media sites?  Sharing this content, again, creates more visibility and will help drive traffic to your academy.  Share your review on the academy, or maybe some pictures from the last class or tournament.

Sometimes giving back is helping the one who has helped you the most.  That’s right, ask the professor how you can help make things easier or better them.  There may be a chance for you to assist with cleaning the mats, or maybe there is a need for a greeter when people walk in.  regardless of what the job duties are, there is most certainly something you can do to help out.

Maybe there is an opportunity for you to give back in a way that puts you in a coaching position.  Is there a kids program? Do they need help with that program? Hint: There almost always is a kids program and they almost always need help.

Maybe there is an opportunity for you to help out the new people who either just showed up for the first time, or have been training for a little while but still could use a hand.  Remember what it was like for your first class? I don’t know about you but I had no idea how to shrimp, and felt foolish trying. Wouldn’t it have been nice to have someone there by your side teaching you these fundamental movements for the first few classes or so?  

Teaching, or assisting with teaching is not only a huge help to the instructors at your academy, but it is also great for you.  They say in order to teach something to someone you have to have an extreme level of understanding on the topic. Giving back by teaching will require you to learn each and every detail of the technique as well as pre plan for any questions.

Regardless of the “how”, it is extremely important to find a way to give back to this martial art we all love.  Giving back in my opinion is what opens the gates to the next level and allows you to continue your journey onward and upward.

A great place to start investigating the details of a particular move would be Professor John Danaher’s series titled “Enter the System” These video instructional will break the techniques down on a level you can only understand after watching one of the videos.  Leglocks: Enter The System has revolutionized Jiu-Jitsu check it out!

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