When we begin talking about our force first value, misinterpretation can occur, so we want to clear the air. In no way is this demanding, or even encouraging, members to put Force first in their lives, so what exactly are we talking about when we say “Force first”?
World Class Environment
Putting Force Jiu-Jitsu first when we walk through the doors is a no-brainer, right? Understanding in order to keep a clean and respectful environment, your average person understands we must first take the individual initiative to keep it clean and respect one another. But here at Force, we want to take it further than just having a great environment. We want world class, which we have managed to achieve and our members are currently thriving from. However, in achieving this, we must understand it starts off the mats. It starts with members having respect for the coach, respect for other members, respect for the practice of jiu-jitsu itself, and essentially even caring for one another.
Outside of the gym, this is reinforced through open communication between members and staff in an online group where the coach and other staff can update and inform members of news, events, and sudden changes involving the gym. This keeps members informed and not left “out of the loop.” Inside the gym, the office door is always open: for a pep talk, advice, or speaking to a child about any issues that may arise on the mats or even a behavioral issue at home or school. It makes for a homey and familial-like feel. Throughout kids’ classes, our parents are chatting and getting familiar and invested in each other on more than just a surface level, and within our adult classes, bonds are formed during rolling and laughs are sure to follow!
As for cleanliness, shoes off the mats and shoes on in the common gathering areas or bathrooms are a necessary and enforced practice everyone is expected to abide by. This helps prevent bacteria from tracking onto the mats. On top of our shoes on/shoes off policy, we offer members a tub to sanitize their bare feet and a cloth towel to dry them prior to stepping on the mats. Our mats are also swept off and mopped clean as needed and our bathrooms are frequently cleaned. This helps us keep a clean and safe environment for our members to enjoy and not stress over.
Reflection
Being a reflection of our world class environment on and off the mats is necessary to our culture and helps other values fall into place. We believe a good environment helps aid in a good mindset and vice versa, helping our members overcome physical and mental hurdles. What does it mean to be a reflection of Force JJ?
On the mats, being a reflection of the gym means being respectful of others when drilling and being controlled in your movements. Sometimes, we get in members struggling with emotional control, children and adults alike, and it shows when they first get on the mats. Whether it comes out in aggressiveness, arrogance, insecurity, or just plain shyness, it comes onto the mats with them, and over time, they learn how to control that aspect physically during rolls which leads into their mental ability to control them. This is when major growth happens, and is a reflection of Force Jiu-Jitsu. It also depicts what not only Force, but jiu-jitsu is really about at the end of the day: strength and self-control, mentally and physically.
At this point, if these same teachings get reflected in their everyday personal lives off the mats, members stand to gain serious benefits. Not only could they now defend themself in the real world through learned techniques FJJ teaches, they have the power to control their mentality more, reflecting the core value of “Force first.” Force first before exhibiting uncontrollable emotions, Force first before getting your ass handed to you, and Force first in being confident. Putting those same values we teach before their own negative emotion and refusing to act out is a reflection of what we are all about. Growth on the mats is amazing but nothing beats the mental growth of an individual. Excuses become motivations, anger becomes passion, and insecurity becomes the driving force of one’s courage, ultimately developing into confidence. That’s Force, and that’s why we’re first.
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