Back To School - Jiu Jitsu teaches children skills that last a lifetime

Ed Fyvie started training in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when he was 11. Now 20, Fyvie is showing local children that there’s much more to life than video games, MySpace and pizza.

Fyvie is a teacher at Spa City BJJ, which is located at Global Fitness on High Rock Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is Japanese for “Art of Gentleness,” is a cutting edge Martial Art style perfected by the legendary Gracie family in Brazil. Jiu Jitsu employs the use of holds, chokes, throws, joint-locks, kicks and strikes. Although students initially learn Jiu Jitsu techniques one at a time, without combining movements, the essence of Jiu Jitsu is the ability to flow quickly from one technique to another to control an attacker.

Two years ago, Fyvie had just two kids in his class. Now, he’s got anywhere from 12-13 students participating on any given Monday and Saturday. The kids range in age from 5-13.
Working with the younger children can be a challenge with their shortened attention spans. Fyvie finds great satisfaction when the kids start picking up technique and sometimes they even surprise him with how quick they learn something he’s taught them.

“I get more excited when a kid starts pulling off technique because you realize it’s a big accomplishment,” Fyvie said. “The key is to make it a fun atmosphere to keep them focused and interested.”

Fyvie, who also teaches adults, finds that the kids leave their egos at the door when they enter Spa City BJJ.

“I’ve learned a lot since teaching the children’s class and kids will pick up things and learn things quickly. This is sometimes hard for adults as they come in with egos and they don’t want to lose,” Fyvie said. “The kids just don’t care about that stuff and they’re there because they want to be there.”

Spa City BJJ stresses that martial arts are better than team sports in developing a child’s self esteem and confidence while teaching them skills that will last a lifetime.

“Jiu Jitsu is more than martial arts - it’s a lifestyle. It’s a therapy. You can teach an aggressive person to be more calm. You can teach a mild-mannered person to have more confidence,” Fyvie said. “For a kid, especially in today’s society with video games and computers, you’re starting to see kids venture away from going out and playing. Jiu Jitsu helps kids improve themselves.”
For more on Spa City BJJ, go to www.spacitybjj.com.