Anti Bullying

Here at Gracie Barra, our outreach programs work on several levels. We empower children to build self-confidence so that they can converse with bullies, empower them to speak up and not enable the attacks on their self confidence and we garner healthy relationships within our Gracie Barra family that promote a safehouse feeling in addition to the skills of self defense that empower the child. But there is an important fact that we must remember, we must also consider the issues and troubles behind the bullier and not just the bullied. Here is where martial arts comes in to provide some help to the bullier, not just the bullied.

In 2001 study was reported in the Journal, Adolescence, “An effective approach to violence prevention: traditional martial arts in middle school” (1) a study from the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. In this study, “juveniles at high risk for violence and delinquency showed decreased violence and positive changes in psychological risk factors after being required to take a school-linked course in traditional martial arts.” The juveniles scores improved significantly in several area: resistance to rules, impulsiveness, and inappropriate social behavior. Furthermore, there were successes in regard to the violence as teachers’ ratings showed that these improvements remained and in some cases increased even after four months after course completion.

Professor Carlos Lemos and his team from Gracie Barra Downers Grove continue to be concerned about bullying in our children’s lives. We are here to help if you our your organization are looking for assistance. We have given seminars at schools including topics of: ignoring and evading, talking ones way out of bullying and as the last resort physical engagement with Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu self defense techniques.

Professor Lemos has dedicated himself to serving Downers Grove and the surrounding communities. GB Downers Grove will continue to reach out to schools and youth groups in the area to positively impact as many of today’s young people as possible.

Prof. Lemos and his team from Gracie Barra Downers Grove rolled out the first installment of Project Anti Bully at Downers Grover High on December 18th who counted with two workshops for over 50 High School students.
Prof. Lemos and his team spoke about how dramatically bullying is affecting the USA’s school system and what can We do to prevent that from happening in our community. The seminar was divided in different sections: Ignoring and evading, talking its way out of bullying and as the last resort physical engagement with Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu self defense techniques. Bullying is nationally considered one of the greatest problems facing today’s youth. Project Anti-Bully’s goals are to provide resources and a social network that seeks to stop bullying in schools and beyond. Studies show that in in 2012 over 5 million children in America were victims of bullying. Prof. Lemos has dedicated himself to serving Downers Grove and the surrounding communities. GB Downers Grove will continue to reach out to schools and youth groups in the area to positively impact as many of today’s young people as possible. The seminar was a huge success and our professors had a very warm welcoming from all the students. We would like to thank the Downers Grove South’s principal, Athlete’s department and a very special thanks to the person who’s innovative and courageous approach made this all possible PE/DE and Health Ms. Lindsay Mulay. Also thanks to our collaborators: Miryan Samejima and Mr.Peter Buinauskas

Anti Bullying Program in Downers Grove South High School Round 2!

Another remarkable day to our school, Gracie Barra Downers grove was invited by the Downers Grove South High School to conduct the second Anti Bullying seminar on its premisses. This time Prof. Ominami and Prof.Lemos teamed up with a very special coach, Officer Jason Keeling who’s a Blue belt under Prof.Lemos, a police officer of the Forest Park Police Department and the newest addition to the GB Downers Grove Anti Bullying program team of instructors!

The seminar was divided into four sessions where our instructors addressed several points from how to identify a predator or bully, the verbal actions that can save lives, breaking free from an attack to finishing moves. Each session was ended with a “full speed” Self Defense demonstration and a skillful lecture from officer Kneeling.
Once again GB Downers Grove would like to thank PE/DE and Health Ms. Lindsay Mulay making it possible and officer Kneeling for his priceless contribution to the program!