Jiu-Jitsu teaches wellness in all forms

BONNERS FERRY — Master Sylvio Behring from Brazil returned to teach another seminar at the local Bonners Ferry Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studio (BJJ). Owner and teacher, Sam Brown, invited his mentor Mastor Behring to conduct teaching seminars to each age group, children, young adult, and adult students.

Master Behring has been a student of BJJ since he was four years old. His father was a grand master and black belt, and introduced him and his siblings to the art at an early age.

“I fell in love with it since I was a kid, and ever since the first class,” said Master Behring. “I loved it.”

Not only is practicing a martial art such as BJJ a physical workout, but it can be mentally tolling as well. Master Behring made sure to point out how self-discipline holds a key role to his classes.

“What we offer in Jiu-Jitsu is complete physical activity that brings a better life quality, with healthy habits and self-defense, which brings self-confidence and self-esteem,” said Master Behring. “Aside from good physical conditioning, the mental strength that you get introduced by learning to control someone else, and in the end, control yourself better in some situations, I think they are the main benefits we can offer.”

“Having the knowledge and training in self-defense not only offers the opportunity to have the upper hand in a physical attack,” said Brown. “But it gives students the mental discipline to calmly trap and incapacitate an attacker so they can avoid injury and hopefully conduct a conversation, assess the situation, and avoid further incident. Thus, empowering them to determine the outcome of the situation, not the attacker.”

Behring advises those that wish to be introduced to the practice to make an evaluation of where you are planning to go before jumping in and risking getting hurt or frustrated with that experience.

“Go, watch a class, experience it, feel the atmosphere, see if the place is clean, see if the people have good manners, if it is a safe environment,” said Behring. “They should feel comfortable and feel welcome, respected, and that it is demanding as well, because if it is not demanding it’s not good. It must be demanding, and it must put you out of your comfort zone.”

Behring fully supports the Bonners Ferry BJJ, saying, “When I see someone to recommend it makes me feel really good. Here, I recommend one hundred percent.”

Traveling all the way from Brazil, located in South America, the landscape and culture is much different to that of Boundary County.

“Besides the landscape, which is amazing, it is pleasant to be around these people. The people here make me feel so welcome and at home,” said Behring. “For me, it’s always a pleasure, even if it is a short trip with a very dense schedule, I feel very energized after leaving. And I take home the local honey from here, it’s great honey.”

Local residents of all ages can view a local class and decide if pursuing the art is beneficial to them.

“Jiu-Jitsu is a very interesting martial art, it is a complete sport, it is a one of the great options we have for a better life quality,” said Behring. “The way they do it here, they do it the proper way, preserving the cultural aspect of Jiu-Jitsu.”

The local chapter, Bonners Ferry Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has taken their teams on the road to tournaments, where they have progressed as a team, and won several competitions.

“It is a very strong program that covers all the aspects of Jiu-Jitsu, not just the sports and such, but just the competition,” said Behring as he spoke about bringing a competitive spirit to the team.

Being competitive doesn’t consist of just trying to win, but trying the best that one can, and having a positive attitude.

For those that are interested in BJJ, visit www.bonnersferrybjj.com.