Gracie Kids: BullyProof - Review

The Gracie Academy in Torrance, California has produced a number high quality BJJ related products. I am a happy student of the Gracie University programme and have learned tons of great jiu jitsu details from  it and from their excellent Gracie Breakdowns. I do not have nor teach children, however, so when Rener offered me the opportunity to review the BullyProof box set I agreed, but didn’t quite know what I’d make of it or how it would fit in with the whole Part TimeGrappler site.

I received the beautiful box set just under two years ago. I know. I’m terrible and terribly sorry. It took me a few weeks to view and review the fantastic material, but then I just lay on the review and never published it. Today, as I was reading the latest issue of the Gracie Insider email, I saw that The Gracie Academy is running a Back-to-School Special: 25% Off Bullyproof DVDs, which reminded me of the review which I’ve been itching to share with you all. Here it goes:

Short Review: 

These DVDs are great if you:

1.       Have children and want to share your passion for jiu jitsu with them

2.       Have an interest in how Gracies raise their children into the art of jiu jitsu

3.       Have in interest in how learning and teaching jiu jitsu can be adapted to people of all ages, sizes and capabilities

4.       Can’t get enough of Ryron and Rener Gracie

Click here to order this awesome set!

Here is the quick couple of lines from the Gracie Insider email:

In this ground breaking DVD series, Ryron and Rener walk you, step-by-step, through the exact process their father used on them between the ages of 4 and 14, so you can prepare our child for life the Gracie Way. Not only is this the first jiu-jitsu instructional series for kids, but it is unique in that it teaches YOU, the parent, everything you need to know to teach your child from the comfort of your own home.

Disc 1: Parent Preparation - Everything you need to know to teach your child from home.

Discs 2-3: Gracie Games - The first 10 techniques disguised as fun jiu-jitsu games.

Disc 4: Rules of Engagement - Teaches "Verbal Jiu-Jitsu" and the 5 Rules of Engagement.

Disc 5-9: Jr. Combatives - The 33 core self-defense techniques every child should know.

Disc 10: Belt Testing Process - Explains how your child can earn an official belts from home.

Disc 11: Gracie KidSAFE - Child abduction prevention and drug defense the Gracie way!

If you have kids, but you don't already own the Gracie Bullyproof DVD collection, now is the time. Click here (https://secure.gracieacademy.com/categories/dvds/GSD-GBPDVD.html) to visit the store and read more about this life-changing program, and if your family already owns the program, please pass on this email to someone who doesn't.

Regular Price: $119.85

Sale Price: $89.89 (Ends 9/16/12)

BJJ and Self Defence

This is inspired by the current poll at the Fightworks Podcast: "What Percentage of Sport Jiu-Jitsu Techniques Are Street or Self Defense Applicable?"

BJJ is a great fighting art. That's all the early UFCs proved.

What did challenge matches and the early UFCs prove? All over the BJJ / Grappling media you will see claims that the early UFCs and the Gracie Challenge matches proved that Brazilian / Gracie Jiu Jitsu is the most effective martial art for self-defence. But what does that exactly mean and to what extent does that even matter?

Patrick McCarthy is a karate instructor who opened my eyes years ago to the simplicity of combat thru his books, articles and interviews. He explained early on that Karate and several other martial arts, were initially devised for specific purposes and had drills that addressed specific, commonly reoccurring acts of violence.

There was indeed a time when attacks on our person consisted on hair-grabs, strikes, chokes and takedowns (not to mention dirty tactics such as biting and eye gouging). Some say that was last century, some say that was the 1950’s and 1960’s. I prefer to call it the 6th grade.

Seriously, how often do adults attack each other with punches, chokes, kicks or throws in a one-to-one environment? Without any (visible or concealed) weapons? Don’t just give me a (at best, educated) guess. Ask a police-statistician. Consult some government statistics online. Very very few!

The way I see it (and I may be wrong here) the only cases of person-on-person violence that doesn’t involve weapons are:

1. Rape attacks
2. Child bullying
3. Domestic violence

For those, Brazilian (Gracie) Jiu Jitsu (physically, mentally, spiritually) is beyond good. It’s great. It’s fantastic. It’s amazing.

The picture that the above-mentioned statistics paints is very different from what you see in the UFC (irrespective of old or new) or your average Jiu Jitsu session. Real violence involves weapons, gangs and mob mentality, premeditation, surprise element and in some cases even range and distance. It would be unfair (or even crazy) to pretend that BJJ / Grappling equips us for that.

I read somewhere a quote by Helio Gracie along the lines:

“If a big guy fights a small guy to a draw, the small guy wins!”

If you survive, you win.


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Oprah is Having a Contest and we Need Your Vote NOW

I don't know about you but I'm a HUGE fan of the Gracie Academy's Bullyproof Program for Children. Those who know me know that I used to coach kids in Karate and I loved it. Children's passion and excitement is out of this world and they are very intelligent and receptive to the great lessons of Martial Arts. Add to that the joy you see in the eyes of excited fathers when they are playing Jiu Jitsu games with their children, and you can't deny that it's a great concept.

I received this email yesterday from the Gracie Academy:

Oprah is Having a Contest and we Need Your Vote NOW



Last week Oprah announced a contest to see who will win the opportunity to have their own reality TV show on the Oprah Network TV Channel that will be launched later this year when she leaves ABC. The timing couldn't have been more perfect since we have been thinking about doing a reality TV show for several months now, and the Oprah Network would the the PERFECT channel for the concept we have in mind.




Bullyproof Featuring the Gracie Brothers


The concept for the show is simple. Every day, hundreds of thousands of kids are terrified to go to school out of fear of bullies. These kids are depressed, have no self-confidence, and unfortunately, many of them are borderline suicidal. On our TV show, the Gracie Brothers will sweep the nation's schools to find the children who are most victimized by bullies. These children will be brought to the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy where, over the period of several weeks, they will be "bullyproofed" from the inside out. By empowering the children - physically, mentally, and emotionally - we will give them the confidence to take a stand against bullies so they can take control of their lives. Without confidence, a child has no chance at success, and on this show we are going to make sure that every child gets a fair chance. We have successfully "bullyproofed" thousands of kids over the years and having this show on the air would enable us to share our methods with millions of people.


Vote for Rener NOW


All it takes is one click to cast your vote and help us save a child's life. Simply go to this link: http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=836&promo_id=1
 to view Rener's audition video, click "Vote" and you're done! If you really want to help, you can post a super-supportive comment below the video so that Oprah's producers know that we are for real, OR if you have ever experienced bullying please share your story.

Spread the Word Like Fire


Please spread the word to everyone you think can help make it happen. Forward this email to everyone on your contact list, and then copy and paste the message below on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and all other social media networks.


Copy and Paste This Line: Vote for the Gracies and help save the American youth! Click here to vote now

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=836&promo_id=1


Most importantly, you're allowed to vote multiple times, and all it takes is one click. So, when you log in, please vote 10, 15, 20, or even 100 times! And, when you're at work, and your not busy, log on and vote away. The deadline is July 3, 2010, and only the top 5 candidates will go on to the next level, so until then, let it rip!


IMPORTANT: It takes 30-60 minutes for your votes to show, so don't lose faith, keep clicking away and all your votes will count as soon as the system registers them.


Thanks guys! We really appreciate the help. Once we have a show on the Oprah Network there's no telling how many kids we can help.


Ryron & Rener
 
You may or may not be a fan of the work of the Gracie Academy and may or may not have affiliation with them. The question is: Can you transcend your own personal opinions and preferences and remember that this is not about you or them, but about the benefit of thousands of children who could benefit immensely from this exposure?
 
I'll hold my hand up first and admit: Other than gifts and brotherly attention to my 14 year old brother, I currently do NOTHING for the benefit of any children anywhere. I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity to vote for these guys who really are.
 
Someday I hope to teach BJJ / Grappling to children and I hope this show will be a reality by then.
 
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