Figures compiled by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America confirm this:
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States.
More than forty million American adults – nearly one if five are afflicted by anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders affect 25.1 percent of children between thirteen and eighteen years old.
These numbers have steadily increased in recent decades. It’s not hard to see why. Our modern, technology-infused society, with its demanding, fast-paced nature, seems perfectly designed to increase stress daily. Combined with a less-than-optimal diet, inconsistent workout routines, skyrocketing work schedules, thinning social connections, financial insecurity, and vague and complex political uncertainties, stress and underlying anxieties are on the rise.
We seem hyper-connected to technologies (which we’ll talk about in another post) that steal our time and thwart our need for deeper personal relationships. The list of reasons for feeling stressed and anxious in the course of “ordinary” life goes on and on.
Our point is not to make your day worse by reading this – far from it! I want to invite you to a solution. It isn’t the only solution to reducing anxiety and stress, but it is one that has worked for me and for countless others. I also want you to know you are not alone in your struggles:
You are not alone – millions of others are struggling with stress and anxiety.
You are not alone – there are groups of people willing to help.
You are not alone – you can have access to experts willing to train and equip you for success.
Can learning a martial art like Gracie Jiu-Jitsu help?
We believe it does.
You are precious, unique, and important. You are worth defending in every way: emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally.
What are some specific ways studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu can help reduce anxiety and stress in your life?
Offers A Positive Learning Environment!
The culture of a Gracie Certified Training is a cooperative, positive learning environment. Our students do not come to class to defeat one another. We cooperate in helping each other learn. It is an affirming culture, one where we leave the ego at the door.
In such an environment, new social connections and friendships are made. As we train together, we talk, share information, and encourage one another. This type of regular positive reinforcement and encouragement to overcome obstacles is a powerful stress reducer. Humans need it! We believe everyone can train with us, from the oldest to the youngest student!
Moves Your Body!
Studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a low-impact, full-body workout. Learning to move our bodies on the mat, stretches and uses muscles we don’t use sitting at a desk or even walking around the neighborhood.
Jiu-Jitsu uses isometrics, natural body movements that increase cardiovascular health, flexibility, strength, and coordination. You don’t have to be in shape before starting Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, you start Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to get in shape!
Jiu-Jitsu is for the protection of the individual, the older man, the weak, the child, the lady and the young woman – anyone who doesn’t have the physical attributes to defend themselves. ~ Hélio Gracie, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Focuses The Mind!
This art is wonderfully complex, fun, and constantly challenging to our minds. There is much to learn, and a lifetime in which to learn it. Stimulating our brains by learning something new is so important in today’s screen-driven world. We encourage our students to put their phones down and come onto the mat. Having a regular rhythm of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu frees us from the constant onslaught of the digital gods. The big green mat is a place where you can relax and focus on the people around you, the teaching, and simply breathing.
“Connecting the dots” between techniques is like solving a fun puzzle with your body, it challenges our concentration and application. It requires us to focus our minds and attention on the here and now, all of which lowers stress and anxiety in our lives.
Sets Healthy Boundaries!
There are three zones for personal self-protection. Two Green (Safe) zones, and one Red (unsafe) zone. We say, “Manage the distance, manage the damage” referring to holding two arm lengths of distance between oneself and the opponent (Green Zone 1) OR moving all the way in to “clinch” or holding the opponent so close they can no longer punch at us or cause serious damage. We avoid the “striking range” or the red zone.
Don’t worry! You’ll learn all this in class. The point is distance management matters.
It also matters in our relationships. Learning healthy boundary-setting principles is critical to decreasing stress and reducing anxiety. Learning how and when to say, “No” to certain people and projects is key to having healthy relationships with yourself and others. Learning Jiu-Jitsu gives you a very effective toolbox for managing the distance, and we have seen over and over how those tools effectively translate to our daily lives – work, relationships, family, and friends!
Begin Your Journey!
We want to make it very easy for you to begin. We understand it can be a little scary at first, something this different. But we will be with you every step of the way!
Also, there is something very important to know about Jiu-Jitsu schools. They are NOT all the same culture and environment. At Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monroe, we believe Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is for EVERYONE, regardless of age, gender, athleticism, or ability. It is a safe and fun environment. You won't be thrown into a sparring match like an MMA fighter. It is a very structured class, one we believe you will come away from smiling.
As a Certified Training Center under the Gracie Family directly through Gracie University, we uphold their same standards of teaching, safety, and structured learning.
We are proud to say that we are continuing the legacy of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, who believed jiu-jitsu should empower the weak to be able to defend against the strong. This is why we offer structured martial arts curriculums specific to self-defense needs for any demographic or skill level, with programs created for beginner adults, women, and children.
We take pride in creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming learning environment for all students and family members in Monroe. We are passionate about what we do because we believe confident humans make kinder humans.
2 Options To Get Started:
Schedule a 10-Day Free Trial at www.gjjmonroe.com
See you soon!
Comments