During each kids class at Mountain Jiu Jitsu in Squamish, the high-energy classes take a three to five minute breather, where the talking begins. Head coach Kenny Blicharski gathers his students for what he calls a mat chat, a conversation focused around a single word, last month it was fairness, this month, discipline.
It’s part of a new program they’re implementing all about child character development. It’s called Powerful Words, and it was developed by child development specialist Dr. Robyn Silverman.
“Kids can learn how to punch and kick anywhere,” says Mike Nasu, one of the gym’s founders. “But one thing we found they were missing was the whole character development side… not only having martial artists in here, but outside of the mats too.”
Mountain Jiu Jitsu, which has been open in Squamish for three years, has quickly grown to nearly 300 students, most of which are new this past year, said Nasu. From the beginning, Nasu wanted to create a clean, welcoming, and non-intimidating environment for his students. The gym runs free weekly women’s self-defense classes and caters to everyone from young children to working adults who, as Nasu puts it, “just want to come in and get in shape, not get hurt.”
“This is like a second home for a lot of people,” Nasu said. “I’ve made my living in this community, so I want to give back changing lives through jiu jitsu and character development.”
Coach Blicharski said he learned about Powerful Words through a connection with a gym in Maple Ridge. What he observed in class stuck with him.
“All the kids over there were super respectful, the way they communicated, the way they acted in the room. I knew that was something I wanted for the kids I coach here,” Blicharski said.
Dr. Silverman’s curriculum provides a monthly focus word, weekly lesson plans, and age appropriate take home worksheets for children from ages four through to young teens. Kenny leads each mat chat, encouraging kids to connect the word to their lives at school, at home, and on the mats.
“Even if we don’t get a ton of conversation out of the kid, just the fact that they’re hearing it and being around it, it’s starting to trickle into their own thoughts,” Blicharski said. ” When you see them work differently in class after a chat like that… you know you got through them.”
With Squamish among the fastest growing communities in B.C. for families, Nasu sees the timing as meaningful. Kids here are enrolled in many extracurricular activities, he said, but the character development his gym offers sets the program apart.
The worksheets kids bring home are part of the design. When parents engage with them, the conversation continues beyond class. “If they hear it here, then they’re working on it at home with parents, that’s how it really gets into their life,” Blicharski said.
Even though the gym just started the program last month, Blicharski said the signs are already there. Parents linger on the sidelines during mat chats, perking up from their books and phones, and kids leave class with worksheets tucked under their arms, talking about the word of the month. Blicharski said he notices a difference watching his students on the mats too.
“I want kids who care, as a community,” Blicharski said. “That’s what I saw at that gym in Maple Ridge, and that’s what I want here.”
