MMA How to Bully Proof Your Child MMA LIFE SHOP

There is something that has been going in schoolyards as long as kids have been going to school, and it is a tradition that needs to be stopped. At one time, bullying was not thought of as anything serious, just kids being kids. In many instances, bullying has been encouraged by parents and other authority figures throughout the years.

Today, we are learning just how much damage bullying can do to a kid's psyche, and how that damage can carry on well into their adult years. Even with all that is being done these days to prevent bullying, it still happens, which is why kids who are being bullied need to learn self defense, and not end up becoming bullies themselves, picking on others as they have been picked on.

Build Their Self-Esteem

One way to bully proof your child is to enroll them in martial arts classes. Not only are you going to be giving them a way to protect themselves, you will also be helping to build their self-esteem. Take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for example. This is a type of martial art that pretty much anyone can learn, no matter how large or small they are. Rather than kicking and punching, this type of martial art involves a variety of holds that are used to subdue an opponent. Even smaller children can easily learn how to take down opponents with the techniques they learn. This is going to give them the confidence to be able to stand up to bullies. Often, this is really all it takes, and with any luck, your child will never actually have to use the techniques learned, because bullies will often back down if they realize that those they are trying to bully aren't afraid of them. If the bully does not back down, your child will have the skills needed to be able to keep from getting hurt.

Keep them In Great Physical Shape

Another bonus to having your child take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training is that it is going to help him or her stay in great shape. Obesity is becoming a huge problem in children and teenagers these days, mainly due to the fact that with so many computers, video games and other gadgets, they do not actually go outside to be active, and spend hours at a time sitting in front of a screen.

All kids should be getting at least an hour of physical activity every day, and martial arts is a good way to get it. They can take one or two classes a week, and on the off days, they can practice what they have learned. This will ensure that they are getting plenty of exercise, which is going to help them to be healthy and happy.

MMA Conor McGregor, UFC Slammed for Nate Diaz Booking by Frankie Edgar's Manager | Bleacher Report MMA LIFE SHOP

Well, I need not tell you that as a person who MMA Announcer Mauro Ranallo said, "Has more degrees than a thermometer" that I get asked all the time, "What in the world are you doing fighting in the cage?"

Then the next statement is, "It just seems so violent. So barbaric!"

This statement and line of questioning occurred with such frequency that I really had to sit down and ask myself.... "Is MMA Barbaric?"

I really didn't bother with having a discussion concerning violence because let's face it....

Hockey is violent...

Football is violent...

Rugby is violent...

Boxing is violent...

Judo is violent...

By definition many sports are VIOLENT. Hell, war is VIOLENT.

Now there are varying degrees of violence but, they are all violent or they have the propensity towards violence at some point due the the nature of the said sport.

But the question is.... "Is MMA or Cagefighting Barbaric?"

Well if you do a quick search on the internet you will read how former United States Presidential Candidate and Senator John McCain calls the sport "barbaric" and similar to "human cock fighting."

You will even read how one of the sports stars and practitioners, Chael Sonnen, calls the sport of MMA "barbaric."

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I know right now you are saying to yourself, "So What!?!?" But here's what's WHAT!

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By definition, the word barbaric means, according to Webster:

1

a: of, relating to, or characteristic of barbarians

b: possessing or characteristic of a cultural level more complex than primitive savagery but less sophisticated than advanced civilization

2

a: marked by a lack of restraint: wild

b: having a bizarre, primitive, or unsophisticated quality

Now, by definition MMA is NOT barbaric!

MMA IS VIOLENT.

MMA IS DANGEROUS.

BUT IS IT BARBARIC?

NO!

There is an ELEMENT or hint of barbarism in it? YES! (but that IS only due to the lack of training of the practitioner if such lack of experience and understanding exists)...

BUT BY DEFINITION, it is NOT barbaric!!!

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But Dr. Ferguson, How

Can You Say That?!?!

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Well, the same way NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson can tell you that driving at 180 miles per hour is the norm while it is extremely dangerous and stupid to some people to drive a car that fast knowing that an accident at such speeds can cause death.

Well, the same way I can watch a football game and watch somebody get hit and knocked unconscious and reach my right hand back into the bowl of chips and dip, slap my boy a high five with my left hand and utter, "that's part of the sport. Don't run across the middle next time on a zone defense. Sit down in the zone!"

Well, the same way I can watch 12 rounds of boxing with the anticipation for someone to receive brain trauma. (uhhhh, because you DO UNDERSTAND that getting knocked out is trauma to THE BRAIN!!!!! Not your head, YOUR FREAKING BRAIN!!!

And it is not BARBARIC to those with a trained eye.

Just as War is not barbaric.

Because the sport of Mixed Martial Arts is VERY VERY COMPLEX.

As is the sport of football. As is war, if you care to study military science as I do and have because war is an ART (please see Sun Tzu if you don't believe me).

It is more complex than primitive savagery and sophisticated just as advanced as civilization. You CANNOT win or be successful or practice this sport if you lack restraint. And as a matter of fact, this sport INVOKES restraint in its practitioners.

And the QUALITY of sophistication is only readily available and in PLAIN view to the trained eye.

If you were watching the game of chess and you didn't know how to play. You wouldn't know if moves of the practitioners were "sophisticated" or not, but because you are familiar with the game of "chess" you would assume a high level of sophistication.

Well, for those who are NOT familiar with MMA, they make an assumption that there is not a high level of sophistication with the sport and they couldn't be further from the truth. The science of MMA is just as "sweet" as boxing and although the sport is violent by nature, as is boxing, it is VERY FAR from being barbaric.

And those who call it barbaric are either one of two things:

(1) One, not familiar with the definition or the term barbaric, or

(2) Two, not qualified to speak on the sport with any hint or sense of authority.

Having an opinion is one thing...... HAVING AN INFORMED OPINION is another.

To understand Mixed Martial Arts you have to study it. You DO NOT HAVE TO DO IT to understand it. But to understand it you MUST study it. You cannot look at it for a split second and make your mind up about a sport that you bring an inherent or learned bias to its observation. You cannot do that. Nor can you speak amongst a group of people who believe in your thesis statement without any quality discourse. Such at thing is stupid and ignorant.

Mixed Martial Arts is definitely a sophisticated sport.

I do it. And I'm no academic slouch.

Rosi Sexton does it and she holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics and quite honestly, Rosi is one of my heroes in the sport and it something that I look up to and really admire.

I do believe that she is the FIRST person to fight with a Ph.D. and I believe I'm the first male, in terms of fighting on television.

And she is SUPER SUPER smart because she has her kid practicing judo:-)

UFC Jeff Monson does it and he holds a Masters Degree in Psychology.

Veteran MMA Fighter Dustin Denes did it and he holds a Masters Degree in Psychology as well.

Former UFC Champion Rich Franklin has a Masters Degree in Education.

You see, in order for your sport to be Barbaric, it must be practiced by Barbarians!!!

This is why as Mixed Martial Arts practitioners and enthusiasts we DO NOT USE the term "cage fighting". We use the term "Mixed Martial Artist." Because as a student of the "Fine Arts" of which "Martial Arts" come from, you cannot be BARBARIC in the attempt to acquire mastery.

As violent as the Art of War maybe...... IT IS STILL AN ART!!

Trust me.... "I'm a DOCTOR!"

MMA Conor McGregor Announces He's Not Retired, Ready for UFC 200 | Bleacher Report MMA LIFE SHOP

MMA training, known as mixed martial arts in full, has quickly gained popularity as a sport as well as an exercise activity taken up by countless of people throughout the globe. The complete physical combat activity involves the utilization of the grappling and striking techniques. As its name suggests, this activity comprises of several contact sports including; the Brazilian jiu jitsu, kickboxing, wrestling and karate. So, why are many people taking up the combat activity as a professional sport and for exercise?

The mixed martial arts training are conducted in modern-day gyms, which specialize in providing training sessions covering the combat sports exclusively. Like in ancient Olympic, where the Greek used the spurring activity to gauge strength and foster the comrade spirit; modern-day MMA training greatly borrows from the Roman's ancient wrestling activities. The Japanese and Americans have in particular taken up the martial arts training and integrated grappling styles from jiu jistu, as well as other fighting styles borrowed from other contact sports. Those who train in the mixed arts get opportunities to show-off their newly acquired skills by participating in scheduled matches.

Above all, the MMA training helps the person undertaking it to acquire a 'ripped' body. The mixed martial arts require dedication, and the sport fuses circuit training which is known to tone the body as well as burn the excessive fat stores found in the body. Circuit training basically involves switching between various conditioning exercises, with minimal breaks in-between. It is a worthwhile exercise activity to take up, because it is fun and results in the consequent loss of weight.

There are people who say that the sense of belonging that derives from the MMA training sessions is priceless. In this day and age, it is difficult to meet new people regularly and form camaraderie friendships with them. The contact sports allow those who take part in them to develop possibly life-long friendships. Those who train together help each other to grow, both in the sport and in the team spirit development process. They train with each other and uplift those who are lagging behind by helping them to master challenging spurring techniques.

The gyms which conduct the MMA training sessions open their doors to everyone who is interested in learning the mixed combat sports. It is always advised that new members should approach the sport as a friendly activity, as opposed to focusing on the competitive aspect of the training sessions. In these gyms, those training together derive energy and support from each other; a positive attitude goes a long way when it comes to fitting-in and working well with other people who are also training in the sport.

Last but not least, the MMA training can end up being a life long undertaking. Every person would like to participate in an activity or sport that they can always fall back on as a source of solace. There is no better sport that the mixed martial arts that can provide a balanced combination of sportsmanship and team spirit, which most people search for in recreational activities.