My Approach to Mindfulness in Martial Arts

“If I can teach my students only one thing it is that the best way to prevent a fight is to avoid one. Jiu Jitsu not only prepares students for how to deal with danger physically, it also teaches them how to curb intense emotions and exercise mindfulness in difficult situations. I have had students who demonstrated difficulties with social-emotional situations outside of Jiu Jitsu practice who have become leaders in class because of their Jiu Jitsu training. While many traditional martial arts show specific blocks and strikes, Jiu Jitsu shows a system of controlled grappling that stops an opponent without the need to hit them. This method teaches students how to extinguish a potential violent situation without causing harm to the opponent. It is this method that humbles students and creates an atmosphere of creativity and fun on and off the mats.”