For many women, or parents with daughters, there may be some unspoken questions about whether Jiu Jitsu is a good choice. You may fear that it’s too rough, physical, difficult for your daughter to succeed in, or a thousand other concerns, but it turns out there are some really good reasons for women to participate in Jiu Jitsu, and it’s more than just self-defense.
It’s certainly a true statement that learning Jiu Jitsu will help you to be better able to defend yourself. It’s designed such that the weaker, smaller opponent is able to defeat the stronger opponent by using specific skills and techniques rather than just strength, making it more than just viable as a self-defense option. However, there’s quite a bit more that a woman will take away from their experience learning Jiu Jitsu.
First, you don’t have to be strong or big to be successful. This may be hard for you to believe but the truth is women in Jiu Jitsu take down their male counterparts every single day. Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated out of the gym by the appearance of men that look massively stronger than you, you really can learn how to win in every situation.
Second the benefits to your body are amazing. Jiu Jitsu uses different muscles than other forms of training and can help you build strength and tone muscles that you’ve never used before. More than that though is the view of your body that you’ll develop. As you begin to see your body for all that it is capable of, rather than all of its flaws, you’ll gain an entirely new appreciation for it. Jiu Jitsu shifts the focus off of how thin you are or how perfectly your body is shaped, and instead shows you how you can use your body to your advantage. Think about the role model you’ll be for future generations of women when they see you on the mat showing your skills. Every young girl needs the confidence that this can bring. Check out this video from one of our Alliance students.
Finally, the camaraderie that you’ll feel with the other women in the program is truly amazing. This is an entire community of like-minded people who will support you on your journey, encourage you when things get difficult, and cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime. If you’re on the fence about giving it a try, come experience a trial Jiu Jitsu class, you may be surprised at how amazing you feel when you walk out the door.