Courage Through Self-Defense Skills

Hello, I’m April.  I’m a marriage and family therapist in Edmonds.  I ask every parent I ever work with if their child is in a self-defense or martial arts class.  I am constantly fascinated by how much sports are encouraged over, or instead of, self-protection.  

 

I express to these parents how today’s world really requires more intentionality with physical protection. I always emphasize that their first weapon in self-defense is their BRAIN; stay away from trouble, avoid troubling friendships, etc.  But what if the trouble comes at you?

 

Self-defense and martial arts are not only about being physically capable of protecting oneself and loved ones.  It’s the confidence you build with your physical strength and knowhow.  One begins to trust the Self through experience in managing conflict when there may be a lack of emotional intelligence. Martial arts also gives opportunity for one to trust others; in some sports a “tap out” is to indicate a submission and when a release is immediate trust is cultivated.  

 

The confidence is not limited to the martial art; it will seep into other arenas of life because it is also an identifier.  People like to know who they are and represent themselves.  Martial arts is a unique identifier; it indicates restraint, power, skill.  Knowing one has these qualities can be very empowering in times of doubt and transition.

 

I am a parent of a single child.  I tended to be concerned about his socializing as a child with no siblings.  I spent a lot of time investing into my child’s relationship with his cousins.  This went perfectly.  All the boys were the best of buddies.  I spent a lot of time setting up playdates with school mates; sudden slumber parties were my expertise.  Then, as life promises, life changed.   His cousins moved far away at the same time he had to switch schools without his schoolmates to follow an academic program.  My son has been in Jiu Jitsu since he was 6 years old.  They were the only constant in his life (besides me and his Dado).  I was so relieved, and proud, that he took these transitions so very well.  

 

The Self Trust / confidence he had developed through jujitsu carried into his solo act with his viola during orchestra; his sportsmanship in soccer; his humility as a Varsity Captain in his first year of 7th grade wrestling; and his mental endurance for chess club and the Highly Capable Program.

 

What parents don’t always understand is that it’s less about the art and so much more about the coaches!!  Jeff and Jenny Pierson are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coaches for Kindred Jiu Jitsu and now Shielded Roots Self-Defense.   They exercise so much child psychology in their approach to teaching that they cultivate a community where families come together to celebrate victories and support each other’s non-victorious experiences!  When you take self-protection seriously it does become a large part of one’s lifestyle.  It’s brilliant to experience this lifestyle with like-minded people who want to be family oriented and safe.  The relief and pride I have that my son and all his friends practice Jiu Jitsu are priceless.  From his Jiu Jitsu he has friends that are from a couple years younger to a couple years older, giving him relationship dynamics a kin to family siblings.  They’re the type of friends I would want for my son because as no one is perfect, they know they can TRUST and RESPECT each other.  That’s so important to me as a professional and as the mother.