What To Expect At Your First Jiu Jitsu Class
If you’re considering coming to a Jiu-Jitsu class and giving it a try you may be intimidated because you simply have no idea what to expect. Everyone feels that way when they’re about to walk into a new place or try something new for the first time. Don’t let that fear of the unknown keep you from starting a journey that could truly transform your life. While your first class may feel foreign or a little uncomfortable, you’ll quickly get brought in to the flow of the course, the camaraderie and support of fellow participants, and the expertise of your instructor.
One thing that you’ll notice when you begin Jiu-Jitsu is the tradition and ritual involved. Students recite the creed and review the core values that are the primary focus for applying Jiu-Jitsu training in the real world. Time is spent recognizing achievements in attaining new belts or strips by students who are further into their training. This is also a good chance for a first-timer to hear about the ethics and morals that will be valued throughout training – such as respect, integrity, discipline, and leadership.
For children’s classes you can expect there to be some fun games, some stretching, and some warm up activities that help to put everyone at ease as well as get everyone’s bodies ready for exercise. Typically this leads into a period of instruction on a specific technique that will be the primary focus for the day. Students will be shown by instructors and older students what the new skill is and then will be given an opportunity to work with a partner to practice and work towards mastering this new skill.
This style of instruction followed by partner practice time typically lasts for a while and is often the primary method of growth for Jiu-Jitsu students both children and adults. Most classes again end with fun activities, sparring, or games followed by a closing ritual to leave students focused on real world values that are of the utmost importance in Jiu-Jitsu training.
As a new participant we want you to feel comfortable and take in the full experience of all that Jiu-Jitsu has to offer. We will talk with you before and after the class to help prepare you and answer any questions you may have. Like any new life skill the hardest step is often the first step.