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Channeling Your Children’s Energy: Genesis Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu. Something that until yesterday evening was foreign and even a little bit intimidating to me. I’ve seen people post about it, I’ve heard of it, I even have friends who do it or have dabbled in the past. I had no idea that when I walked into Genesis Jiu Jitsu’s gym yesterday that I would be totally blown away. I have two boys, ages 6 and 7. They are pretty athletic kids, love to rough house and wrestle, and are generally just your typical boys. I have broken up my fair share of fights in my almost 8 years of being a “boy mom”. I haven’t, however, been able to find the right outlet for this. My husband and I have been searching for something for our oldest that would help him improve his confidence in himself and give him a little tough love. He needs something to toughen him up a little bit and allow him to feel as though he can stand up for himself when faced with bullying. When I walked into Head Black Belt Albert Hughes’ gym yesterday, I walked into a whole new world of raw strength, self confidence, and respect.
Jiu Jitsu is a ground fighting martial art similar to wrestling and judo. The goal is to gain dominant position on the ground and to be able to control and submit from this position. There are no punches or kicks thrown, which leads to safer training and more peaceful and effective self-defense methods. The techniques children learn here are proven to work against bigger, stronger kids. I want to stress that this class is intense, but it will over prepare your child for anything a bully will try. Above the trophies and medals, your child will gain life-changing self confidence. They will be able to approach any challenge more confidently, knowing that they have been successful in tough training situations.
Neither one of my boys was interested or had ever even heard of jiu jitsu until now. I told them we were going to go try something new, and they obliged. My younger was thrilled to try on the perfectly fitted gi, while my older was reluctant. After a little pep talk and possible bribery of a promised pizza for dinner, he put on his gi and and hit the mat. After less than 20 minutes here, I could already feel that this place was like a family. All of the parents on the sidelines were incredibly warm and welcoming to us. I was able to pick their brains and ask all my ridiculous mom questions to get honest feedback on their journey here. The first two families I spoke with said they had tried multiple gyms in the area and knew when they found Genesis that this was the right place for them. I totally get that – I felt it too. The kids here love their sport, truly love it. Most kids attend class 3 days a week. Two kids I spoke with went 5 days a week – they love it that much! These kids are gaining so much self-esteem and confidence in themselves. They are kind, respectful of each other, and hard-working. They are tough but sweet, confident but not arrogant. It’s truly hard to even put into words the energy that radiates from this gym, but I urge you to go check it out. After one class, both of my boys are hooked and are begging me to go back. We will be signing up for class immediately and hope to make it back this week for their second class.
Genesis Jiu Jitsu has been in business since 2009 and in their current location since 2011. There are men’s and women’s locker rooms, showers available and even a toddler play room for siblings. Head Black Belt Albert Hughes has taught kids jiu jitsu for over 10 years and actively competes around the world. You won’t find a better environment for your children to learn martial arts and gain life-changing self confidence in themselves. They also offer an all-women’s class, kickboxing, and have a weight training room available to all members.
Genesis Jiu Jitsu
5512 River Oaks Blvd
River Oaks, TX 76114
Classes 6 days a week
Monday–Friday – kids classes at 5:00 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Saturday class at 10:00 a.m.
Genesis has added a Sunday kids’ class at 5:45 p.m. Now they have classes seven days a week for adults and children!
Classes start at $69 a month for once a week and go up to $149 a month for unlimited monthly classes.
There is a one-time enrollment fee, which is a mandatory gi purchase. Kids’ gis cost $100 and are required.
They offer family discounts, military, student and police/fire discounts.
Angela Weaver is a native Texan, raised in Keller, but she got to Fort Worth as soon as she could. At 17, she joined the Marine Corps and served four years active duty. After her military service ended, she went to work for a hedge fund and then a whiskey distillery, both in Fort Worth. Her most important role started in 2009 when she became a mom. She lives with her husband and two boys in Fort Worth and spends as much time as possible on fun adventures with her kids. She loves to spend her time with her boys outdoors getting the full Boy Mom experience, even if that means being covered in dirt, catching fish, or shooting BB guns. She loves the sense of community she has found in Fort Worth and can’t wait share that with our readers.
My 6 y.o. Has been going to Genesis for the past 9 months and it has been awesome to watch. He went from reluctant to determined. He likes to play rough so it was great for him to get pinned by the little girls in his class. I can’t say enough good things about the instructors and environment at Genesis.