The Sunshine Coast Martial Arts Academy and instructor Shawn Phillips recently became certified to teach the Gracie Bully-proof system to local students.
In response to the near epidemic of bullying that goes on in today's schools, the Gracies have developed a program aimed at empowering children of any age to deal with all types of bullying. In fact, the program has been so successful that it has caught the attention of CNN and NBC.
Many martial arts programs rely on striking the attacker with violent punches, kicks, knees and elbows, but most schools have a zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior. The Gracie Bully-proof program takes a different approach. All the techniques are purely defensive and utilize no strikes. Furthermore, children are taught how to defuse confrontations with words and never to initiate physical aggression. If attacked, the techniques are used to non-violently neutralize the threat and gain control until help arrives. In the Gracie Bully-proof program, children are taught how to fight fire with water.
"The Bully-proof program is incredible. Not only does it give kids the confidence and skills to deal with bullying, it's done in a non-violent manner," Phillips said. "Through a series of games and fun drills, they develop self-defence skills that really work, and they have a blast doing it."
The program is being offered at the Sunshine Coast Martial Arts Academy in Gibsons, the only certified training centre in Canada that is authorized to teach Bully-proof. Kids aged five to 13 can participate. Call 604-989-2020 for more information.
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