Category: Kids Martial Arts

Allowing your children to practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the greatest investments you will ever make. It will teach them countless valuable skills that will stick with them for life. Today I’d like to tell you about the top 6 skills that Jiu Jitsu teaches your children in every class, such as Self […]

Science says 92 percent of people don’t achieve their goals. Perhaps, most of them have never learned how to effectively set goals. You can help your child learn the skill of goal-setting, which is critical for developing grit and just simply getting what you want out of life. Other reasons WHY your child should learn goal-setting include: • […]

Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is for more than just exercise or learning how to defend yourself. There are plenty of additional benefits that you get from training in a sport as diverse and unique as BJJ. Some of them might be obvious, but there are some you may find surprising. Check out the most common […]

Best friends? Worst enemies, buddies, adversaries, confidants, competitors? There’s no relationship like it–  siblings! One minute they’re getting along and the next minute they are fighting tooth and nail like lions and tigers! Some parents might even wonder under the most extreme duress, will there ever be a day when they just get along? Important […]

Tip 1 – Keep Calm and Carry on: We know it is not business as usual, but children and young people need as much stability as possible, especially during such uncertain times. They look to us, the adults to model how they should respond in the current pandemic and our words and actions, are powerful […]

Still on the fence about online training? Skeptical about its effectiveness? We totally understand and we want to share with you some common myths and misconceptions about online martial arts classes! MYTH#1. There is no “interaction” with the person doing it. = ! At Gracie PAC MMA we don’t just do Pre-recorded or Facebook Live […]

The school years are a critical time when parents must allow their children to fail—to experience disappointment and frustration that occur when life gives us lemons. By learning to fail, how to cope with disappointment and try again (while the stakes are low), kids can grow up to become self-assured, resilient, competent, self-reliant and successful […]

*** Updated 10:00 pm on Sunday, March 15th, 2020*** The team at Gracie PAC is committed to the health and safety of our Members. We will use this page (as well as communicate via our Facebook Group and Page and E-Mail) to keep you posted. We are taking this 1 day at a time as […]

Parenting encapsulates so many different aspects of care when it comes to a child. We receive messages about paying attention to how children are doing in school, with friends, what they are eating, how much they are playing, how hard they are working, if they are reading enough, sleeping enough, getting outside enough and much, much […]

Craig and Dawn Reese have made an important modification to the one-car garage of their suburban Washington house: They’ve covered the floor with a layer of plywood and thick black mats. “That’s to cushion the blow when we drop our weights,” Craig, 44, says. The space is crowded with workout equipment. There’s a rowing machine, […]

Do you or does your child have trouble saying “no?” Do you find yourself saying “yes” to your children when you really want to say “not today,” “I can’t swing it,” or just plain “no?” Does your child over-stretch or over-commit because s/he can’t seem to say no? Perhaps you or your child is what my […]

The term “Martial Arts” is a relatively broad expression that encompasses a variety of different disciplines. Typically, when we hear the words martial arts, the first ideas that come to mind are one or more of the techniques that have developed in Asian countries. However, the martial arts are comprised of most types of fighting […]

The Ultimate New Years Resolution The New Year is here, and with thousands of goals and resolutions in sight as well, 2020 is the year you should try something new! Martial arts is an established system that can better the entirety of your being. Whether you need mental benefits like furthering your discipline, physical benefits […]

In today’s world competition is everywhere and it often starts at a very young age. It begins as a fun, skill-developing event but can quickly become time-consuming and competitive. While some parents want their children pushed to help them learn the hard lessons of life, others want to protect their children from the disappointment that […]

Mentoring has been around for many years and has shown to have many positive outcomes for all participants. At Gracie PAC Martial Arts, the mentoring program that is implemented is called the STORM Team, or Special Team of Role Models. This is a “near-peer” type mentoring program that is very structured and incorporates a full […]

As someone who was bullied when I was younger for being a “tomboy”, it breaks my heart to know that there are kids out there that have ZERO game plan or the confidence to stand up to bullies. It’s NOT enough to just talk to your child about bullying – your child needs a systematic […]

The term “age-specific” is used very often in education and healthcare. It has a very definite meaning and is used to describe things that are prepared specifically for the age of the child it is targeting. However, this term is often used more loosely, especially in the martial arts world, when referring to “age-specific classes.” […]

Children’s martial arts classes not only tend to be profitable for schools but also are an amazing way to improve the lives of the kids, their families and the communities. This is because of the values the martial arts impart to children. Those values include the following: Courage The kind of courage that young people […]

A Supplemental Resource for Families Coping with Oppositional Defiant Disorder All children act out from time to time. However, children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), as defined by the Child Mind Institute, “have a well-established pattern of behavior problems that are more extreme than their peers.” Children with ODD display aggressive behaviors and have a […]

Attention deficit disorder is a very common occurrence among children. For those who are hyperactive it’s always best to get involved with sports, as they offer many benefits including physical exercise, development of social skills and development of self worth. However not all sports are equal. To give you a glimpse at how many might […]

Realistic Behavioral Expectations – What to Expect from 10 to 14-year old’s The tween and teen years often feel to parents and teachers like they are back at the “terrible twos” stage. The challenges of working with children at this age can be frustrating. They are very smart but their emotions are all over the […]

What to Expect from 7 to 9 year old’s The golden years for children are between the ages of 7 and 9 years old. At this age, children can grasp new information quickly. They start seeing the world in a new and exciting way and, because of this, they are beginning to develop their morals […]

Summertime is coming to an end, and with that comes all of the back to school anxiety and jitters that are common amongst children. Your child may experience common physical effects of anxiety associated with back to school time including symptoms from stomachaches to sleeping problems. They will also experience emotional stress from the fear […]

Grade school can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that a child may have when going through school. Whatever those experiences […]

Realistic Behavioral Expectations – What to Expect from 3- and 4-year old’s Children between the ages of 3 and 4 are at a very unique growth period in their lives. They are growing at a rapid rate in all areas of development and are discovering new things daily, while also learning how to cope with […]

Goal setting is one of the most highly linked characteristics to the success that individuals have. Top athletes and successful people all use goal setting. And while it is a trait that is most often associated with adolescents and adults, younger children can also benefit greatly from beginning this life skill at an early age. […]

Play is Children’s “Work” We are strong supporters of children learning through play. Therefore, we want to share with you what we feel are the Top 3 Benefits of Pretend Play. Who doesn’t want to play “grocery store” or “rocket to the moon”? These were some of the pretend play scenarios I loved playing as […]

Have you ever wondered why children and teens seem to be so addicted to their smart phones and other devices? Parents are frustrated with their children’s lack of attention and motivation but what do their devices have to do with this? The answer is found in science! Often referred to as the “motivator molecule,” dopamine […]

It is common knowledge that the more time and effort you can put into developing a skill the faster and farther you can become great! But after a long day at school or at the Dojo it may be hard to find the motivation to practice. Below are 3 easy steps to teach a proper […]

By now summer is in full swing and we hope that everyone is taking advantage of our summer camps here at Gracie PAC MMA! If you are looking for something fun to keep your ninja occupied this summer feel free to find us at the front desk or give us a call and ask about […]

One of the most common questions people ask when calling a martial arts school is: “HOW MUCH DO MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES COST?” Article by Michael Evans of Skillz Worldwide Any time one is considering a new venture, cost is certainly an important consideration.  But, it is important to recognize that martial arts training is more than […]

Imagine your child on the field running quicker than ever before, out maneuvering all opponents, and having the confidence to overcome every obstacle! Today I’d like to talk about the benefits of supplementing youth sports with martial arts training! Before we can, we must overcome the first challenge standing between your child and the achievements […]

Today I’d like to talk about tough situations, struggles, failures, and the importance of following through in a manner that promotes growth in children. When things get tough for our kids the two most common ways parents handle these situations is to either swoop in and be the hero or to leave them to “figure” […]

During the school season teachers, assistants, and counselors are focused on helping your children learn and grow. But what happens during the summer season when these people are not around? It makes sense that as a parent you would want your child to maintain some level of growth and development over the summer in order […]

Established in 2012, Gracie PAC (Parents Adults Children) Mixed Martial Arts is Tampa’s Premier Training Facility. Gracie PAC MMA’s Core Focus: To help our students reach their human potential through training in the Martial Arts and Fitness Programs. Gracie PAC MMA’s Core Values: We do whatever it takes in every situation. We provide extraordinary value. […]

It might not seem possible, but summer is almost here. The kids will be out of school – and you’ll be wondering what you can do to help them fill their days with something other than endless rounds of video games. We have the ideal solution in our martial arts summer camp for kids. The […]

[PARENTS] There are 9 minutes during the day that have the greatest impact on a child: • The first 3 minutes right after they wake up • The 3 minutes after they come home from school • The last 3 minutes of the day before they go to bed. Make those minutes special and help […]

I hear from parents all the time about their struggles with screen time for kids. They want to reduce or limit screen time, but it’s hard! Here are just a few of the emails I’ve gotten: My son wants to stay on Minecraft all day. Sitting on his butt. No exercising. He fights me to […]

Hi friends, For the month of April, we are so excited to partner with The Autism Site and GreaterGood.org for autism awareness and acceptance month! Every 2 check-ins throughout April will provide one minute of therapy to an autistic child and their family. We have partnered with The Autism Site for the last 6 years […]

Team-building at home There are many ways to give your child opportunities to practice   their teamwork skills at home. You might like to try: Board Games and party games like Scrabble, Top Trumps, Charades, Jenga and Ludo: great for developing important social skills like taking turns, collaboration and compromise. Cooking: challenge siblings to work together […]

5 Mindful Tips to Use When Kids Don’t Want to Attend Class ================== Kids are not naturally self-motivated. When your child’s mindset is not in the right place, even the most fun activities can be a struggle to get to. With that said, here are some strategies to help you work around lack of motivation […]

?Congratulations to Ruby & Jorge for being our March Students of the Month!?   ?‍?Our Thrive Mentorship Program begins this Saturday, March 9 with Professor Cris! We have a few spots remaining if you’d like your child to learn more about adopting a success mindset, money management, career prep, and leadership skills. This is a […]

It might not seem possible, but summer is almost here. The kids will be out of school – and you’ll be wondering what you can do to help them fill their days with something other than endless rounds of video games. We have the ideal solution in our martial arts summer camp for kids. The […]

Have you ever asked your child, “How was school” and they reply with that dreaded one word answer of “fine.” And then you ask, “What did you learn” and they say “nothing” (I know you know what I am talking about LOL). Well, I don’t want the car ride home from Jiu Jitsu to sound […]

Lakeland, Florida, 2007 at the Copa America Grappling Championship: “Come on, you’ve got 1 more pound to lose!! Put on that garbage bag and go do Jumping Jacks in the sun,” said the parent to his 11 year old son. I could see the look of fear and desperation on the boys face. And I […]

Mindful Tips to Use When Kids Don’t Want to Attend Martial Arts Class ——————————————————– Kids are not naturally self-motivated. When your child’s mindset is not in the right place, even the most fun activities can be a struggle to get to! With that said, here are some strategies to help you work around lack of […]

Our Curriculum One unique aspect of our Programs here at Gracie PAC is that our classes are not only separated by age but also by skill level. This ensures that our students are learning and training with children in their same learning developmental stage and same level of martial arts training. It’s something we really […]

Here is a  article on alternatives to just saying “good job”. While it was written from a parenting perspective, these tips are  % applicable with our ninjas as well!  25 Alternatives to “Good Job” ❇️ Say thank you when you mean it – explain why you are grateful for your child’s actions: * Thank you for helping with… […]

Did You Know❓❓Our famous youth programs offer (3) different levels of training to guide our students on their Martial Arts Journey. ⚪️All students begin our Basic Program. This Program introduces new students into the exciting world of Mixed Martial arts. Students participate in 2 age & skill specific group classes each week where they learn […]

There are a lot of emotional benefits available to kids who study the martial arts. We’ve talked about some of them already, but today I’m going to talk about one that sometimes gets overlooked: Martial arts classes are a great place to make friends! Think about how most of us make friends. Friendships often start […]

You know how that saying goes, right? Try, try again! And that brings us to our next core tenet of martial arts: perseverance. Perseverance is what keeps us going when it would be easier to give up. It’s what makes us get up when we fall down – and it often means the difference between […]

Bullying is in the news a lot these days. Hardly a day passes without there being a story about a child who was at the receiving end of bullying – and it can have terrible consequences. When we look at the problem of bullying, it’s important to do it from both sides. Why are some […]

I will never forget the bright yellow sign that was posted in the lobby of my Tae Kwon Do School. It said “To be Early is to be On Time, to be On Time is to be Late.” I literally read that sign thousands of time over the years – and let me tell you – […]

From a very young age, my father always told me that everything in this life is to be earned and one of the reasons why I respect the Martial Arts so much is that it teaches you this very important life lesson every time you step on the mat. Now that your child has been […]

What makes Gracie PAC so amazing is not only our wonderful members, but our Team who makes sure she runs like a well oiled machine.  I wanted to give some quick background of the mentors your child now has in their life. Coach Darion is the Assistant Instructor to our Children and Teens Program. You […]

As parents, we want what’s best for our children. The reality is that today’s children are pushed to their limits with extra-curricular activities by well-meaning parents. With that said, I’ve put together some details about how over-committing children are retroactive for their development. For starters, let’s look at why we tend to over-commit our children: […]

The term “Martial Arts” is a relatively broad expression that encompasses a variety of different disciplines. Typically, when we hear the words martial arts, the first ideas that come to mind are one or more of the techniques that have developed in Asian countries. However, the martial arts are comprised of most types of fighting […]

“As to the origin and native land of Ju Jutsu, there are several opinions, but they are found to be mere assumptions based on narratives relating to the founding of certain schools, or some incidental records or illustrations found in the ancient manuscripts not only in Japan but in China, Persia, Germany, and Egypt. There […]

After training in the martial arts for the past 25 years, and personally experiencing all of the life altering changes the martial arts provides, I know without a shadow of a doubt that training in the martial arts is literally PRICELESS. If you told me right now that you’d deposit 30 million dollars into my […]

We all want our children to possess a healthy sense of confidence.  We hope that they will be able to make friends easily, display a bright, positive attitude, and to accept leadership opportunities.  But unfortunately, hoping is not enough. Many parents have children who are shy and passive.  Some of them have difficulty making friends […]

Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has reported […]

A parent’s work schedule never really syncs up perfectly with his/her child’s school schedule. As school lets out for the day, parents are usually wondering what options are in place for them to place their children in until they are out of work. Plus, they want to be able to put their children in programs […]

The Positive Effects of Martial Arts for a Child in School Grade school can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that […]

Let’s face it, money is a big part of our world. And a lot of people are absolutely terrible with it! That’s why it’s important to start teaching money lessons early. Here’s our 3 Part “mini series” on money lessons for kids: 1. It’s about making the right choice.  Developing the ability to assess and […]

Lots going on at the Academy in July! Check it out

Here are two quick tips to help your shy kid open up. ======== 1. Let them know it’s okay to be shy ======== Our society places a ton of value on being outgoing. It also places a lot of judgment on being shy. Shy kids are often made even more shy because they feel like […]

Our son turns 16 today. Here are 16 mantras we have tried to lead by and instill in our “boys” as they enter adulthood. 1 – Understand that everything worth wanting in this life is earned. Work for it. Earn it. Be proud of it. 2 – Do the hard work first. It will build […]

It used to be that for kids to have fun, you’d have to go outside and play. You’d end up running, biking and playing for hours. The time would just fly by. Now-a-days, there are more in-door games than you could possibly count. As a result, there are way too many kids who never get […]

You know, as parents, we have a very important tool we use on our kids all the time. In fact, we mostly use it without even knowing it. However, how we use this tool determines so much about how our kids turn out. It’s our attention. The way we give our kids attention – and […]

?Hi Friends! For the month of May, we are so excited to partner with Guiding Eyes for the Blind and all of you! Through our partnership with Guiding Eyes, we’ll be helping the blind by caring for their trusted guide dogs. Every 3 check-ins provides a bowl of food for a guide dog in training. […]

We all want our children to possess a healthy sense of confidence.  We hope that they will be able to make friends easily, display a bright, positive attitude, and to accept leadership opportunities.  But unfortunately, hoping is not enough. Many parents have children who are shy and passive.  Some of them have difficulty making friends […]

I get questions from parents sometimes about how martial arts improves your child’s grades… It seems some people think it’s just about self-defense and exercise 😉 Well, it’s actually very simple… In martial arts, we help children learn these three powerful qualities: – Respect – Discipline – Focus And we do it in a really fun way By learning enhanced self-respect, and respect […]

Hi friends, For the month of April, we are so excited to partner with The Autism Site and all of you for autism awareness and acceptance month! Every 2 check-ins throughout April will provide one minute of therapy to an autistic child and their family. We have partnered with The Autism Site for the last […]

Tampa Parents! Can you believe Summer is only 8 weeks away! Do you need a FUN, SAFE, & POSITIVE PLACE for your kids this Summer? 7 Reasons Why Parents Pick Gracie PAC: ✅1. Fun Weekly Themes for the Kids ✅2. Exciting Field Trips & Park Trips Every week! ✅3. Fun Martial Arts Training that develops […]

It might not seem possible, but summer is almost here. The kids will be out of school – and you’ll be wondering what you can do to help them fill their days with something other than endless rounds of video games. We have the ideal solution in our martial arts summer camp for kids. The […]

??Our new Thrive Training Program is launching in 4 weeks! The Thrive Training Program is a 4 Week Mentorship Program for children ages 8+. It will meet on Saturdays from 12PM – 1:30PM for 4 weeks starting on May 5th. Each week we will focus on a different Success Habit. Week 1 is all about […]

“Behave and I’ll buy you that new video game…”  “Do your homework and I’ll buy you ice cream…”  Sound familiar? 😉  Kids don’t come with a manual. And as parents, sometimes we get desperate. Bribes are pretty high on the desperate scale, too. But are they good?  Look, I’m not here to judge. Sometimes you need […]

Hey, Every parent experiences it at one point or another… the dreaded “call home” from school. It stinks. No way around it. Here are a few tips for how to approach your child after this happens: ========= 1. Vent your anger BEFORE you see your child.  =========  Hit a pillow, call your best friend – […]

With this fast-paced, high-intensity world, more and more parents have kids diagnosed with ADD and similar conditions.   What many parents DON’T know is that martial arts often helps these kids focus like never before.   Now, I’m not saying it’s a magic bullet that works for every kid – but for many it simply […]

Choosing a Summer Camp is a big decision, and there are few things you should keep in mind to ensure your child has a memorable, safe summer. Many times, starting out with a Day Camp is the best route.  The best camps always have someone who can talk with you before, during or after camp. […]

What do I put in my Journal? Part 2 of 2 Organizing Jiu Jitsu in your head can be very difficult,  so I like to use the analogy of your brain as a computer.  And when you right click, a drop down menu pops up with all of your Jiu Jitsu Positions such as Mount, […]

Why Journal? Part 1 of 2 I love to write. It was my favorite subject in school and it is one of my goals to publish a book before I am 35. Because of my passion for writing, journaling has always been something that has felt natural. I keep multiple journals (personal, business, & training). […]

Making friends and participating in school can be very difficult for children who shrink from the spotlight. Children who are socially awkward usually have a very hard time engaging with peers or defending themselves physically, mentally, or emotionally. Painfully shy children often suffer from anxiety and behavioral inhibitions in social situations. As a parent, you […]