Can Girls Do Jiu Jitsu?
Posted: October 21, 2020
Yes, girls can do jiu jitsu! Jiu jitsu is just as suitable for girls as it is boys.
It is fantastic for building self esteem, teaching body positivity, patience and self control.
Not only that but it is an excellent form of exercise, challenging both body and mind.
And you don't have to be big or strong to do it. The very nature of it means no one has a weight advantage. In jiu-jitsu, the rolling takes place on the mat, using grappling and sparring techniques, so people of any size can succeed and have fun!
Girls of any age and size can have fun and succeed in jiu-jitsu.
"The Jiu Jitsu I created was designed to give the weak ones a chance to face the heavy and strong."
Helio Gracie
Benefits Of Jiu Jitsu For Girls
One of the reasons many people get into juj jitsu is for self defence. It is true that jiu jitsu is perfect for self defence, especially for people who can't rely on muscle or brawn.
Self defence is a skill that, unfortunately many girls can benefit from having.
Of course, we never want to think of our girls being attacked, but parents and older girls alike find comfort that if they were attacked by a larger opponent they could defend themselves.
According to the ONS, 1 in 5 women have experienced some form of sexual violence from the age of 16. Whilst the answer to violence against women isn't teaching girls to defend themselves, it is clear that equipping young girls with the skills and tactics to do it if they need to is a good idea.
But jiu jitsu offers girls so much more than the ability to defend themselves.
Body Confidence That Lasts
The pressure on young girls to look a certain way is tremendous and relentless throughout their life.
Jiu jitsu allows girls to recognise that their body is capable of being strong, agile, and powerful.
Being able to get an opponent to submit is a great feeling, especially if your opponent is bigger than you. Similarly, being able to handle being thrown to the ground can show girls that they can handle more than they thought. That has a big impact on young girls and their self esteem.
Realising their body is a phenomenal tool and not just something that needs to look pretty will help them combat the pressure to look a certain way.
Jiu Jitsu Smashes Stereotypes
Sugar and spice and all things nice? Nope. Not at our Dojo.
Long gone are the days when girls had to be delicate, ladylike, and quiet. Our girls are fearless, strong, and talented.
Doing jiu jitsu in mixed classes shows girls that they don't have to bow down to stereotypes. They can compete on an even playing field with boys, both physically and mentally.
Learn How To Set And Achieve Goals
A big advantage of jiu jitsu is the sense of achievement our girls (and boys) get when they move up a belt.
At Ellis Academy we are always working to improve the skills of ourselves and our students and belt testing is a big part of that.
Our students are set an ambitious goal and work hard to earn their next belt. They combine persevere with dedication, training hard each week to prove that they are ready to move up.
Some of the belts can only be achieved after a certain age, teaching the skill of patience.
A Focus On Health And Fitness
At Ellis Academy we emphasise health and fitness to all our students.
We role model healthy lifestyles and speak to the students regularly about it.
Jiu jitsu is a sport, and a healthy diet and regular exercise will help students master the techniques and win.
Not only that but it is good exercise, which helps children concentrate for longer, sleep better and grow up to be strong and resilient.
So Can Girls Do Jiu Jitsu?
Yes! It is a fantastic form of exercise, builds self esteem and helps them protect themselves in future.
And because it relies on skill and takes place on the mat, there is no minimum weight, size, or strength requirement.
Of course, all these benefits apply to boys and adults, too.
If you would like to book a child onto our sessions have a look here at our children's Jiu Jitsu classes. We work with children aged 3 upwards.
If you would like to find out more about how Gracie Jiu Jitsu is good for self defence, read our blog h