It’s a sad but very real fact that hundreds of Australian kids experience bullying every year.
Studies suggest that bullying may be the leading cause of low self-esteem in children, and many instances go without being reported.
That’s why Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Burwood’s Bullyproof program is about so much more than learning to fight.
It’s a holistic approach to martial arts.
Robbie Singh is a behavioural analyst who provides social skills training in a variety of educational settings during the day and brings those skills to the martial arts setting.
He has been running the Bullyproof program for the last five years and says the children are able to walk away knowing how to interpret the behaviour of those around them.
By using role play and games they are taught how to tell the difference between harmless jokes and actual harassment and cruelty.
“Our goal is to instil in your child unshakable confidence so they can overcome bullies without violence,” Robbie said.
“We will teach your child to use verbal assertiveness to deter bullies and several non-violent self-defence techniques to stay safe if physically assaulted.”
Catering for children ages 5-13, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts programs because they teach, first and foremost, to defuse confrontations with words and never to instigate physical aggression.
The key difference is that students at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are taught vocal and physical skills in context.
“It’s all about minimising bullying,” he said.
“If you teach children what bullying is they are able to identify it when they are being bullied and catch themselves when they engage in behaviour that could be perceived as bullying by someone else.
““The bottom line is: we will prepare your child to defend themselves against bullies without turning them into one.”
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Burwood is one of only three certified Gracie Bullyproof program providers in Australia.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Burwood
Unit 2, 5-13 Sinnott St Burwood VIC 3125
Mobile: 0430 154 012
