christian education Archives

Faith That Overcomes Back-to-School Burnout

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Homeschool, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Uncategorized/by coachjody

It’s go time!! Everyone is back to school. Whether your child is away at school, homeschooled, or a mix of both, their schedule (and yours) just got crazy busy. But even during crazy schedules, your faith can play a pivotal role in keeping everyone calm.

You can give your children faith that overcomes back-to-school burnout! Here’s how:

When pressures are thrust upon your children, whether it’s grades or performance of any kind, take those moments and teach your child to distinguish between the pressures of this earthly kingdom and God’s kingdom. In this world, your child will be expected to earn his or her way to success. In God’s kingdom, their success is a free gift on account of the finished work of Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

God’s Math Matters

Don’t let those two worlds collide. When it comes to math homework, they must study, practice, and get good grades to advance. When it comes to their faith, let it be a sacred place in the goodness of God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense = GRACE.

Since we are on the topic of math, here’s a quick equation to illustrate God’s kingdom:

Jesus + Something = Nothing

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Heroes of Faith History Lesson

When you try to add “something” to Jesus (your performance), you’ll get nothing. But when you rely completely on Jesus and his promises, you receive everything (no performance required)! The heroes of the Bible were heroes of faith, not works. Read Hebrew 11 for a “heroes of the faith” history lesson.

Need more faith? Even faith is a gift:

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

And when God speaks, His word works. It is declared to you that you are receiving faith.

An SOS with no distress

This might be difficult to grasp, even for adults. When your children read passages that contain rules like the 10 commandments or language that talks about obedience, teach them the SOS rule. The commandments can serve two functions; First they “Show Our Sins” and most importantly they “Show Our Savior.” We are unable to keep the commandments perfectly, but Jesus did … for us.

God’s Kingdom

We are dual citizens. We live in this broken earthly kingdom and in God’s kingdom. When we walk by faith in Jesus, we follow the commandments and love our neighbor not to earn God’s love, but because we already have it.

So how then shall we live and teach our children about “doing good works” in God’s kingdom compared to the earthly kingdom?

I really can’t say it any better than this:

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17

Keep calm and keep the faith!

For more devotions from Coach Jody, visit www.thegreatflip.com/blog.

The Great Flip is online faith-filled martial arts for ages six and up. Learn self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment with steaming videos and lesson plans at The Great Flip.

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance

Three reasons kids don’t like P.E. class

/in Curriculum, Homeschool, Self Defense/by coachjody

P.E. class should be the favorite part of a student’s day! It’s the one place where they are not confined to a desk. But the top three reasons kids hate P.E. class are (Their quotes, not mine 😳)

“It’s only welcoming to athletic kids.”
“I don’t like sports and that’s all we do sometimes.”
“It becomes another place I might get bullied either in the locker room or in the gym.”

It’s hard to read these words. How can we make P.E. class fun, playful, and empowering for all children? As a parent and educator, I want children to be able to defend themselves, but I don’t want the experience to be scary or expensive.

This is why I created The Great Flip! It is an online martial arts resource filled with empowering self-defense videos and easy-to-follow lesson plans for students in 1st – 12th grade. You can make physical education fun, playful and empowering by teaching a martial arts unit!

Review Three Online Curriculum Plans

Educators understand the value-added benefits The Great Flip online martial arts program offers including this feedback:

My program gets students moving and active which improves physical and mental health.
The self-defense skills give students, parents, and teachers the opportunity to talk about the fears children are experiencing and apply faith in tangible ways. Bullies and bad guys don’t social distance. Students will learn how to apply confidence and courage to every situation.
6th grader at St. John Lutheran School
Adding a self-defense unit to your Physical Education (P.E.) class allows all children to enjoy P.E. class, not just the athletic kids.
Adding my program gives you another opportunity to talk about health and safety concerning social distancing, germs, and physical safety.
The Great Flip program can be used across ministries including youth events, family nights and PTO functions.
Use The Great Flip as an after-school program/club.
Use The Great Flip as a community event and a public outreach teaching kids about bully prevention and self-defense skills.

Shop all online courses here.

Students from 1st grade through high school are enjoying my program. Here are a few pictures of students at a local YMCA, Lutheran School, after-school club, American Heritage Girls, and a family at home utilizing The Great Flip.

Now it’s your turn to enroll in my online curriculum!

Click here to choose a curriculum

Click here to request a Free Video

Contact Coach Jody

The Great Flip is a national program alliance for American Heritage Girls

Empowering Parents to Teach the Top 12 Self-Defense Skills

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Homeschool, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Self Defense/by coachjody

I added two empowering products to every online martial arts plan here at The Great Flip! How can two simple PDFs be so exciting? These two documents will empower you to track your student’s training experience and master the top 12 self-defense skills.

First, shout out to my current customers who have offered feedback and amazing ideas for their online martial arts experience. These two ideas are from and for you!

A Progress Chart and a Certificate of Completion

Every plan now includes these two downloadable PDFs. The progress chart will encourage your students to practice each skill. It will give you a designated deadline to “test” your student’s progress and ability. Keep in mind each student’s age and development for testing the skill. A six-year-old skill will look different from a sixteen-year-old. Each year, your students can continue to advance in their skills.

The Top 12 self-defense skills will increase your student’s confidence, courage and character. At the end of the training, you can reward your students with a personalized Certificate of Completion.

Win a Free Sticker

And of course, there is a fun incentive at the end of the training. Your students can choose two extra skills. You can video their technique and send the video to me for my evaluation. I will review the skills and reward your students with a free sticker! Yah!

To learn more about the top 12 self-defense skills and to choose a plan, click below. See you on the mat! – Coach Jody

Click Here to Shop Online Martial Arts Plans

Four Tips for Empowering Homeschool Martial Arts

The martial arts will accomplish the health-based and skills-based goals of your physical education requirements in your homeschool. In this blog, you will learn the four tips for an empowering homeschool martial arts class!

Physical education, aka PE, should be an important part of your homeschool routine. Giving your children physical activity of any kind will create a positive attitude toward fitness. This will cause them to value their health. Regular exercise reduces chronic disease and many health problems related to lack of exercise. Physical movement will improve cognitive function which promotes learning in other areas.

PE gives your child a place to explore skill-based activities such as team and individual sports. They will learn sportsmanship and competition while improving their social skills.

But the martial arts check every PE box plus some. Not only does it create positive health and exercise benefits, but it adds strong character development skills such as self-defense, safety awareness, and overall self-confidence. This confidence spills over into all aspects of life, for a lifetime.

Before you jump in the car and head down to your local martial arts academy, you can teach a homeschool martial arts class. Here are four tips to consider:

Choose a Martial Art

Not all martial arts are created equal. If you want a martial art that addresses self-defense, I recommend Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Bjj is a “grappling sport” which means there is a lot of ground movement, much like wrestling.

The overall strategy of Bjj is to control your opponent. It focuses on skills to take an opponent to the ground, controlling one’s opponent, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission.

Studies show that 95 percent of street fights end on the ground. The techniques learned in Bjj enable participants to escape, attack, or get into a more dominant position.

Bjj is also a martial art designed for a smaller, weaker practitioner to subdue much larger and stronger opponents. Participants use techniques and leveraging skills instead of relying on brute force. All martial arts provide confidence and courage, but only Bjj connects the sport to self-defense in a way that everyone, of all ages, can learn.

Create a Martial Arts Class at Home

You don’t need a large amount of space to train at home, but to protect the lamp and china, you might want to create a training/fitness space. I purchased interlocking mats. You can also find inexpensive three-fold gymnastic mats. If you want to get fancy and go all out, you can purchase professional BJJ mats. I spent $40 on two sets of interlocking mats. I have a basement/lower level in my house for my exercise space. Some people use their garage or a spare bedroom. Many homeschool families get together in their co-op and/or church to purchase mats and find a communal space to train together.

Here’s a glimpse of my little training space at home.

Here’s an introduction to a homeschool martial arts class structure.

Get a Training Partner

You can begin with a few “no-contact” movements and warm-ups, but in order to get the most benefit from the experience, you need a training buddy. Learning a martial art with your child can be a fun and rewarding experience. Inviting your child’s best friend and a group of friends enhances the experience.

Bjj is referred to as the gentle martial art. You and your child can simulate real techniques in real-time with a low risk of injury. Of course, there’s always some risk, but Bjj lends itself to learning real self-defense skills with low risks. My instructional videos focus on escaping, controlling, and submitting techniques inspired by BJJ movements. My teaching style is fun, playful, and empowering for everyone. Click here to request a free video.

Subscribe to a Professional Online Martial Arts Resource

I created an easy-to-follow online martial arts resource called The Great Flip. No experience is required. No high-cost uniforms or belts are needed to participate. Simply download the lesson plans, watch the videos, and train. Everything you need to run a martial arts class is at The Great Flip.

My daughters inspired me to develop an online martial arts experience. After seven years of training BJJ and earning my purple belt, I took a leap of faith to bring the martial arts to everyone with an online learning platform. My daughters appreciated the opportunity to train at home and feel empowered. Children as young as first grade through high school can benefit from my introductory approach. Make your homeschool PE class fun and functional for everyone in the whole family. Request a free video here.

More About the Author:

Coach Jody Token

Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, faith-filled online martial arts. Request a free video at www.thegreatflip.com.

Click here to choose a faith-filled online martial arts plan.

Click here to contact Coach Jody and/or request more information.

Click here to see this blog as featured on homeschool.com

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program partner.

Jesus and Jiu-jitsu. Finding Faith and Empowerment.

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Safety, Self Defense, Uncategorized/by coachjody

Where else can you find Jesus and jiu-jitsu in the same blog? Right here at The Great Flip, you will receive faith and empowerment! First, some Jesus, then jiu-jitsu!

Have you been hurt or confused by the church?
Do you still watch church online?
Are you trying to decide if the martial art called, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is right for your family?

You will LOVE this podcast! I discovered my guest, Donavon Riley at the intersection of Jesus and jiu-jitsu. Pastor Riley shares his journey from drugs to faith, lies to truth, lost to found, and faith to empowerment. He shares his 12-year-old daughter’s journey away from taekwondo and toward jiu-jitsu. This podcast is for anyone who seeks to strengthen their faith and increase their courage to walk onto the jiu-jitsu mats. Pastor Riley’s intellect and honesty will inspire you to do both. Pastor Riley can be found at the intersection of Jesus and jiu-jitsu and at a ministry called 1517. org.

Click on the play button below to listen to this Podcast. Please subscribe to The Great Flip Podcast on your favorite podcast such as Spotify, Google, Apple, Anchor, etc. for more.

**Do you go to church to give or get gifts?**

I recorded this podcast in 2019. That was Pre-pandemic. That seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it? Many have not returned to church. There are many excuses people give for not returning but I venture to guess one primary reason is their lack of understanding of the true meaning of church according to God’s design.

Church is meant to be a place to receive God’s gifts.

If you go to church to give God your gifts then you are doing it wrong. There is nothing wrong with praising God and giving back to your church community, but that is a secondary response to the primary purpose of the church. Church is meant to be a place to receive God’s gifts. Yes, I know you can experience God in nature, at home, and anywhere you roam, but the Bible specifically promises the gifts of forgiveness of sins and faith nutrition in the church. In my church, we refer to this as the means of grace. God delivers his grace to us through his word and his sacraments. These are unmerited, unconditional gifts given to you through the crucified and risen Jesus. The church is where we can receive the gifts to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone (1517.org)

I hope the podcast gives you faith and empowerment to return to Jesus at church.
I hope it gives you the courage to try the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Welcome to The Great Flip!

I’m Coach Jody and I teach online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment. My online instructional videos are designed for children ages 6 and up (yes, mom and dad too).

Here at The Great Flip, you and your children can learn simple self-defense techniques in the comfort of your own home. Simply subscribe to my online instructional videos. Request a free video and lesson plan.

Why Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is the best martial art for your children

If you are not familiar with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, that’s okay. It was a new concept to me too. But after a lot of research, my husband and I discovered jiu-jitsu and learned it was the best martial art for our daughters because it addresses the ground game situation like no other martial art. Don’t get me wrong, karate and taekwondo are fun, but are not real to life when it comes to self-defense. And Krav Maga looks good in theory, but you better be bigger and stronger and probably faster if you want to be successful at it.

Six reasons BJJ is best for a children’s first exposure to self-defense, because:

BJJ allows students to live drill techniques with success.
BJJ empowers smaller-framed people to use techniques and leveraging versus force to overcome a larger opponent.
BJJ introduces children to physical contact in a safe environment.
BJJ is a “grappling sport” introducing girls to movements on the ground which is realistic to real self-defense situations. Most self-defense altercations (more than 80 percent) end up on the ground. No other martial art addresses ground situations like Bjj.
BJJ empowers, builds confidence, and increases mental and physical strength.
BJJ is referred to as the “gentle martial art” giving girls a positive martial arts experience.

Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Self Confidence
Bully Prevention
Positive Body Image
Teamwork
Trust & Respect
Strength & Flexibility
Fitness & Conditioning
Life Skill & Character Development

What is Brazilian jiu-jitsu?

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art where the main objective is to control a resisting opponent. Since gaining control over an opponent has been proven to be easier on the ground than in a standing position, much of the techniques of BJJ is centered around the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions. In its application in self-defense, I focus on control, defense and escapes for girls using BJJ principles. There is no striking or kicking in BJJ, but there is training to defend yourself from these attacks at an age-appropriate level. BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique. And students of the sport gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body. The Great Flip online curriculum will introduce students to foundational Bjj movements and techniques. Students who participate in the curriculum (and continue to revisit the movements year after year) will gain a basic understanding of self-defense skills, prepare for the martial arts environment and improve overall health and wellness. My coaching style is fun, playful and empowering.

Request a free video

Enroll in The Great Flip online courses

The Gentle Art.

“Jiu-jitsu” translates from the Japanese as “the gentle art.” The idea here is that practitioners can execute moves realistically and at full speed without having to worry they will injure their partner. If caught in a submission, practitioners are taught to “tap” their partner to signify discomfort, and the submitter will release the submission. Jiu-jitsu does not believe in strength, it believes in technique. It uses leverage to overcome muscle and weight.

What you will need to train BJJ from The Great Flip:

Whether you are training at home, at school or after school, you will need these items to get started.

Membership Plan with The Great Flip. Click here to find a plan that works for you.
Internet connection to stream the videos from Vimeo.com.
Comfortable exercise clothes
A designated training space with mats (interlocking mats, gymnastics mats and/or yoga mats.) Here is my workout space at home: https://vimeo.com/289726478
A training partner. (I do have a few “no-contact” modifications to get started, but eventually, you’ll need a training partner.)

Teach Martial Arts in your Homeschool PE Class. Click here.

Request a free video

Enroll in The Great Flip online courses

The Great Flip is a national program alliance for American Heritage Girls.

Here’s one of the devotions I wrote for True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh. Share it with your children!

New Strength

Learning self-defense is fun. It strengthens the body. But God’s power strengthens the body, mind and spirit. “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31 My daughters are small-framed young ladies. Girls, in general, are smaller and less muscular than our male counterparts. If my daughters were to find themselves in a self-defense situation and their adversary is stronger, no amount of their strength will win the fight. My husband and I chose a martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The training method in jiu-jitsu says a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent by using leverage and weight distribution, taking the fight to the ground and using a number of holds and submissions to defeat them. Jiu-jitsu trains the body and mind to not grow weary, outsmart the opponent and overcome the situation. When God spoke these words to Isaiah, his people were in exile. They had rebelled against God and overcome by a stronger advisory because of their sin. Yet, God in his mercy promised to rescue, redeem and revive them. Not because of their strength or ability, but because of his power, mercy and love toward them. When you feel weak, powerless, tired and exhausted, God has good news for you. Romans 5:6 says, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Wow! His death and resurrection power gives you new strength to overcome your toughest battles. Remember your identity and your power comes from Jesus!

Activity Point: Pretend and fly around the room like a soaring eagle thanking God for new strength through Jesus! To learn more about your identity and power in Christ, read Colossians 2. To learn about Brazilian jiu-jitsu contact Coach Jody at her online program www.thegreatflip.com. Contact me and I’ll send you a free video!

Bio: Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up at www.thegreatflip.com

A Homeschool Mom’s Review of The Great Flip

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Safety, Self Defense, Uncategorized/by coachjody

I was blessed to share The Great Flip with Abby Banks, the host of Homeschooling with Moxie Podcast. If you are a homeschooler, you will LOVE Abby’s resources at 4OneMore.

Her criteria for any homeschool resource is that it must be easy to follow for homeschool families. The Great Flip met her standards.

Abby is a former classroom teacher, and now a homeschooling mom of five. She loves to equip and encourage homeschooling families. Her goals on her website and on her podcast Homeschool with Moxie Podcast are to inspire and encourage with actionable strategies to take you from overwhelmed to confident in your homeschool adventure. Her podcast is a great place to listen to interviews with amazing influencers in the homeschool world and beyond.

Abby’s goal was to make sure The Great Flip is easy to use by homeschool parents and worth your time and investment. Here’s what she said in her blog over at 4OneMore.

Jody’s program comes with easy-to-follow lesson plans that you can use at home with your immediate family. Or gather other families from your local homeschool group and use the video lessons together. Another great idea that Jody shared in today’s episode was for your older teen girls to work through the lessons on their own and then use Jody’s plans to teach the curriculum to the younger girls.

Of course, your boys can join in The Great Flip program too even though it was originally created specifically for girls.

In the podcast, you’ll learn about The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment;

how it works for a homeschool PE class,
how easy it is to teach (no martial arts experience is required),
how it gives your children usable self-defense skills and
how you can weave your Christian worldview in homeschool PE class!

Click here and listen to the podcast for more fun details!

HOW TO TEACH MARTIAL ARTS IN HOMESCHOOL PE

Learn more about The Great Flip and watch some of Jody’s videos to get a feel for how you could teach martial arts and self-defense in homeschool PE.

Self-defense not only is a great skill for your girls (and boys!) to learn but working a Christian worldview into the curriculum is what sets Jody’s program apart from others. If this is important to you in your homeschool, you’ll love The Great Flip.

Click here for more information about “Homeschool Martial Arts.”

Click here to request a free video and lesson plan.

Click here to review costs.

Abby wrote an excellent blog featuring practical tips for making your homeschool PE easy and structured whether you do it yourself or outsource it according to your child’s interests. This is a must-read!

WHAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN A PE CLASS?

PE, or physical education, can be thought of in two broad categories. PE instruction can be health-based or skill-based. If you think of these aspects, it will be more clear as to what you can plan to teach in a homeschool PE class.

Of course, PE includes things like:

developing motor skills
learning sportsmanship
physical fitness
working up endurance
growing coordination, speed, and strength

Sometimes it is easiest to have your kids join a local sports team to “cover” homeschool PE easily. Other times, your child might enjoy a more independent sport, like ice skating or gymnastics. Many high school boys enjoy weight lifting to fulfill their homeschool PE requirements.

For many years, we joined the homeschool gym and swim class at our local YMCA to have that organized “gym class” time with other kids and then to enjoy a splash in the pool.

HOW TO TEACH HOMESCHOOL P.E.

Of course, when you think of the aspects of health and skills that homeschool PE targets, you can also just do homeschool PE in your backyard.

You can set up obstacle courses and have your kids work to improve their time. Go on family bike rides to increase motor skills and endurance. Organize a weekly kickball game with your homeschool co-op. All of these things are easy ways to teach homeschool PE.

Another simple way to teach homeschool PE is to find online fitness videos to use in your own home with your kids.

HOMESCHOOL PE IDEAS

Think of the team sports that your children might join as they grow older. Now work on individual skills related to those team sports.

For example, if your kids might like to join a basketball team, figure out the foundational skills they need to learn and use your homeschool PE time to practice things like dribbling, shooting lay-ups, passing the ball, and such.

HOMESCHOOL PE CURRICULUM

I know that sometimes it’s just easier to have a homeschool PE curriculum planned out for you. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to today’s guest on episode 175 of the Homeschool with Moxie Podcast.

Jody Token is the creator and coach of an online curriculum for girls called The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith. Homeschool and Christian school families subscribe to her online training videos and learn fun, playful and empowering self-defense skills.

The Great Flip is part of the National Program Alliance with American Heritage Girls.

Listen to my conversation with Jody on episode 175 of the HWM Podcast.

Click here to get started with Homeschool Martial Arts from The Great Flip!

Contact Coach Jody

Christmas in July and Servant Leadership Devotions

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Safety, Self Defense, Uncategorized/by coachjody

Enjoy two summer devotions with your daughters! I wrote these for True Girl’s subscription box resource. The first devotion is about celebrating Christmas in July and the other one is about servant leadership.

When I read this Bible verse it reminds me that peace is more than a feeling to pursue. Peace is a gift to be received.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Christmas in July

Have you ever considered hosting a “Christmas in July” party? When I read this Bible verse it reminds me that peace is more than a feeling to pursue. Peace is a gift to be received. “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given.”

So why not celebrate the Prince of Peace this summer?

Decorate an outdoor tree, sing Christmas carols, read the Christmas story in Luke two, and make homemade ornaments, popcorn garlands and glitter pinecones. Make Jesus, the Prince of Peace the center of your celebration!

ACTION POINT: Tell us about your Christmas in July party. What is your favorite Christmas carol? Mine is “Go, tell it to the mountains!”

To Lead is to Serve

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14

Have you ever washed someone’s feet? It’s kinda gross; especially if the feet are dirty, smelly or sweaty.

You’d think the disciples would have washed Jesus’ feet. After all, Jesus was the leader. But Jesus modeled a new way of leadership. Instead of commanding his disciples, he served his disciples by washing their stinky feet.

Next time you are put in charge as the leader, how can you be a servant leader? Instead of commanding everyone, serve with them to accomplish your goals.

ACTION POINT: How can you be a servant leader? How about washing your parents’ feet? Or plan a service project?

JODY TOKEN is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls ages six and up. Request a free video at www.thegreatflip.com

Online Self-Defense Training Begins Here

Are you training with me this summer using my online self-defense videos at The Great Flip? How’s it going? Do you know how to escape when someone grabs your wrist? Do you remember what to do when someone grabs you from behind?

My streaming videos are simple, safe and empowering! Request a free video. Click here to begin your self-defense training experience. See you on the mat!

Coach Jody

Six Reasons Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is the Best Martial Art for Girls

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Safety, Self Defense/by coachjody

Parents tell their daughters to play nice. We instruct them to never hit, kick or hurt people. But the minute she faces a bully, panic sets in. And for that matter, panic strikes the heart of every parent. How should we teach our daughters to defend themselves? Here are six reasons Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the best martial art for girls.

Don’t worry, I couldn’t pronounce it either. Most practitioners go with “BJJ.” Go with it. Now back to my story.

A common reaction to fear, anxiety, low self-esteem, and bullies is a bee-line to a martial arts academy. But which martial art is best?

When my daughters were in high school and soon into college, panic hit my heart. Soon, daddy nor I would be near our little girls. We began to research martial arts.

First, we researched Krav Maga which is a military self-defense and fighting system developed for the Israeli military. It requires a lot of strength, precision, and aggression. Three attributes many girls do not possess especially at a young age. And when confronted by a larger opponent, a girl will not be able to out-muscle the opponent. This style of training might be okay for adults, but not for children.

Two popular martial arts are Karate and Tae Kwon Do. These sports focus on movements and high kicks. These martial arts are fun and will definitely improve coordination skills, but they are not realistic in situational self-defense, especially when the fight goes to the ground. In these martial arts, the “game” is over when someone hits the ground. And in real life, the game is won or lost on the ground. Research reveals that more than 80 percent of altercations land on the ground. A high karate kick might be cool on the mat, but not on the streets.

Then we found Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).

I discovered the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I’ve been a fan ever since. The resources and training at The Great Flip are inspired by BJJ.

Six reasons BJJ is best for a child’s first exposure to self-defense, because:

#1 BJJ allows students to live drill techniques with success.

#2 BJJ empowers smaller-framed people to use techniques and leveraging versus force to overcome a larger opponent.

#3 BJJ introduces children to physical contact in a safe environment.

#4 BJJ is a “grappling sport” introducing girls to movements on the ground which is realistic to self-defense situations.

#5 BJJ empowers girls to build confidence, and increase mental and physical strength.

#6 BJJ is referred to as the “gentle martial art” giving girls a positive martial arts experience.

Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Self Confidence
Bully Prevention
Positive Body Image
Teamwork Trust & Respect
Strength & Flexibility
Fitness & Conditioning
Life Skill & Character Development

What is Brazilian jiu-jitsu?

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art where the main objective is to control a resisting opponent. Since gaining control over an opponent has been proven to be easier on the ground than in a standing position, much of the techniques of BJJ is centered around the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions. In its application in self-defense, I focus on control, defense and escapes for girls using BJJ principles. There is no striking or kicking in BJJ, but there is training to defend yourself from these attacks at an age-appropriate level.

BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique. And students of the sport gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body.

The Great Flip online curriculum will introduce students to foundational Bjj movements and techniques. Students who participate in the curriculum (and continue to revisit the movements year after year) will gain a basic understanding of self-defense skills, prepare for the martial arts environment and improve overall health and wellness. My coaching style is fun, playful and empowering.

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Enroll in The Great Flip online courses

The Gentle Art.

“Jiu-jitsu” translates from the Japanese as “the gentle art.” The idea here is that practitioners can execute moves realistically and at full speed without having to worry they will injure their partner. If caught in a submission, practitioners are taught to “tap” their partner to signify discomfort, and the submitter will release the submission. Jiu-jitsu does not believe in strength, it believes in technique. It uses leverage to overcome muscle and weight.

What you will need to train BJJ from The Great Flip:

Whether you are training at home, at school or after school, you will need these items to get started:

Membership Plan with The Great Flip. Click here to find a plan that works for you.
Internet connection to stream the videos from Vimeo.com.
Comfortable exercise clothes
A designated training space with mats (interlocking mats, gymnastics mats and/or yoga mats.) Here is my workout space at home: https://vimeo.com/289726478
A training partner. (I do have a few “no-contact” modifications to get started, but eventually, you’ll need a training buddy.)

Request a free video

Enroll in The Great Flip online courses

The Great Flip offers faith-filled empowerment interviews, blogs, and podcasts! Click here.

The Great Flip is a national program alliance for American Heritage Girls.

Coach Jody is a contributing writer to True Girl, a Dannah Gresh ministry, Christian Parenting.org, and Homeschool.com.

New Strength

Learning self-defense is fun. It strengthens the body. But God’s power strengthens the body, mind and spirit. Enjoy this devotion and activity with your daughter. (As featured in the True Girl subscription box.)

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

My daughters are small-framed young ladies. Girls, in general, are smaller and less muscular than our male counterparts. If my daughters were to find themselves in a self-defense situation and their adversary is stronger, no amount of their strength will win the fight.

My husband and I chose a martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The training method in jiu-jitsu says a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent by using leverage and weight distribution, taking the fight to the ground and using a number of holds and submissions to defeat them. Jiu-jitsu trains the body and mind to not grow weary, outsmart the opponent and overcome the situation.

When God spoke these words to Isaiah, his people were in exile. They had rebelled against God and overcome by a stronger advisory because of their sin. Yet, God in his mercy promised to rescue, redeem and revive them. Not because of their strength or ability, but because of his power, mercy and love toward them.

When you feel weak, powerless, tired and exhausted, God has good news for you. Romans 5:6 says, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”

Wow! His death and resurrection power gives you new strength to overcome your toughest battles. Remember your identity and your power comes from Jesus!

Activity Point: Pretend and fly around the room like a soaring eagle thanking God for new strength through Jesus! To learn more about your identity and power in Christ, read Colossians 2. To learn about Brazilian jiu-jitsu contact Coach Jody at her online program www.thegreatflip.com. Contact me and I’ll send you a free video!

Bio: Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up at www.thegreatflip.com

#thegreatflip

The Great Flip Online Self-Defense Curriculum

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Safety, Self Defense/by coachjody

Thank you! My online self-defense, safety and faith-filled resources have become a big hit for families.

Shout out to American Heritage Girls and True Girls everywhere for becoming faith-filled empowered girls! 💪🏼

It’s time to spread the word to more families so they can incorporate my online resources into their homeschool, in school (for P.E. class) and after-school enrichment activities!

Refer a friend and receive a free gift for yourself and your friend! Click here to learn more.

There’s a plan for every budget. Click here to pick a plan.

Why teach self-defense to children age six and older?

Confidence. Courage. Control.

Learning self-defense will increase your students’ confidence and inspire courage. And bonus … Online self-defense puts you in control of a safe experience.

The curriculum and videos will introduce students to fundamental self-defense movements and techniques inspired by the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. You will introduce elements of a martial arts experience to your students including bowing, teamwork, discipline and respect.

Who is using Self-defense Curriculum?

The online self-defense curriculum is now available for 1st – 12th grades. The curriculum is being used by educators to meet physical education and extra-curricular goals in the public, private, parochial and home school environments:

Mom & Dad
Physical education (PE) teachers
Athletic directors
After-school program directors
Homeschool educators
Youth leaders
Directors of Christian education
Camp directors
Team-building directors
Self-defense instructors

The Great Flip Online Self-defense Curriculum includes:

A total of 32 videos
Online curriculum PDF
Eight lesson plans PDF
Eight Talking Points PDF
Class Structure Video
Warm-up Exercises Video
Stretches Video
Animal-inspired Conditioning Drills Video
Jiu-jitsu-inspired Games Video
20 Self-Defense Technique Videos
Seven Bonus Self-Defense Technique Videos
A total of 27 Self-Defense Technique Videos

The curriculum is complete with downloadable lesson plans, talking points, and online videos for every segment of your class experience including warm-up exercises, stretches, conditioning drills, jiu-jitsu-inspired games and of course, empowering self-defense techniques and movements.

There’s a plan for every budget. Click here to pick a plan.

What you need to provide:

Mats
Training space
Strong WiFi
No experience is required
A teachable spirit

Click here to read my “Welcome” blog for more information.

Click here to request a free video and lesson plan

The Great Flip Approach

The Great Flip Curriculum is a non-combative approach to self-defense. The student will not be taught to strike, kick or use aggression or force. They will explore movements in a safe and positive environment. They will learn life skills such as falling safely to the ground. They will learn discipline, teamwork and trust. They will learn about distance management, situational awareness, punch protection, and techniques to de-escalate and escape situations. They will be challenged mentally and physically while learning foundational Bjj movements without fear.

The primary objective of The Great Flip online self-defense curriculum is the exploration of physical movement for self-defense inspired by the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. They will grow mentally, physically and emotionally with this curriculum.

Educational Outcomes

Introduction to, and basic understanding of the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).
Introduction to, and basic understanding of a typical martial art class experience.
Introduction to self-defense techniques and physical movements inspired by Bjj.
Improved physical fitness by learning and executing movements and techniques.
Improved confidence and courage in executing self-defense techniques.
Increased control of physical, emotional and mental self.
Increased confidence in gaining positive body language skills.
Improved situational awareness learning how to assert, assess and take action.
Improved character development skills understanding self-defense as a holistic approach to life.

Click here to request a free video and lesson plan

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is best for children’s first exposure to self-defense, because:

BJJ allows students to live drill techniques with success.
BJJ empowers smaller-framed people to use techniques and leveraging versus force to overcome a larger opponent.
BJJ introduces children to physical contact in a safe environment.
BJJ is a “grappling sport” introducing children to movements on the ground which is realistic to real self-defense situations. Most self-defense altercations (more than 80 percent) end up on the ground. No other martial art addresses ground situations like BJJ.
BJJ empowers, builds confidence, and increases mental and physical strength.
BJJ is referred to as the “gentle martial art” giving children a positive martial arts experience.

Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Self Confidence	Bully Prevention
Positive Body Image	Teamwork
Trust & Respect	Strength & Flexibility
Fitness & Conditioning	Life Skill & Character Development

What is Brazilian jiu-jitsu?

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art where the main objective is to control a resisting opponent. Since gaining control over an opponent has been proven to be easier on the ground than in a standing position, much of the techniques of BJJ is centered around the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions.

BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique. And students of the sport gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body.

The Great Flip online curriculum will introduce students to foundational Bjj movements and techniques. Students who participate in the curriculum (and continue to revisit the movements year after year) will gain a basic understanding of self-defense skills, prepare for the martial arts environment and improve overall health and wellness.

The Gentle Art.

“Jiu-jitsu” translates from the Japanese as “the gentle art.” The idea here is that practitioners can execute moves realistically and at full speed without having to worry they will injure their partner. If caught in a submission, practitioners are taught to “tap” their partner to signify discomfort, and the submitter will release the submission. Jiu-jitsu does not believe in strength, it believes in technique. It uses leverage to overcome muscle and weight.

A brief history.

In the last days of the 19th century, some jiu-jitsu masters emigrated from Japan to other continents. Mitsuyo Maeda was one such master. Maeda arrived in Brazil in 1915, and settled in Belem do Para, where he met a man named Gastao Gracie. The father of eight children, among them five boys and three girls, Gastao became a jiu-jitsu enthusiast and brought his oldest son, Carlos, to learn from the Japanese master.

For a naturally frail fifteen-year-old Carlos Gracie, jiu-jitsu became a method not simply for fighting, but for personal improvement. At nineteen, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with his family and began teaching and fighting. In his travels, Carlos would teach classes, and also proved the efficiency of the art by beating opponents who were physically stronger. In 1925, he returned to Rio and opened the first school, known as the “Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu.”

Coach Jody offers video-only plans called the Empowered and Strong Plans

Curriculum plans are called Confident and Courageous Plans.

Click here to shop all plans

Try a self-defense skill inspired by Brazilian jiu-Jitsu.

Now watch this curriculum-inspired video.

About Coach Jody

Coach Jody is a certified Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor and mother of two daughters. Her daughters inspired her to develop an online self-defense experience to gain a basic understanding of self-defense skills, prepare for the martial arts environment and improve overall health and wellness.

The Great Flip is a nationally-recognized program alliance for American Heritage Girls, a national Christ-centered character and leadership development organization for girls 5 to 18 years of age. Coach Jody has spent twenty years inspiring young women to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Coach Jody

Now it’s your turn

Click here to request a free video and lesson plan.

There’s a plan for every budget. Click here to pick a plan.

You can teach a martial art with The Great Flip

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Safety, Self Defense/by coachjody

You can teach a martial art to your children using my online resources from The Great Flip!

Adding a martial art unit to your homeschool schedule and/or afterschool enrichment will fulfill your child’s physical education requirements and add a ton of value to your child’s character development. Instead of going out to a big box martial arts academy, bring the martial arts experience home. Here are a few reasons why:

It’s a fun and healthy outlet to release energy
It will improve focus on schoolwork
It will boost your child’s confidence
It will develop strength and flexibility
It will empower your child to overcome fear of bullies
You control the schedule and expense
It offers real-life application to self-defense
It’s a fun activity the whole family can enjoy
It puts you in control of the experience

Let’s begin with the last point, first:

“Mom & Dad, you are in control of the experience.”

This was the most important benefit to me. Let me preface this with the fact that I have daughters. I was ultra-sensitive to the messaging at a particular martial arts academy. The environment was male-dominate, built for disciplining boys, and lacked emotional intelligence for motivating different personalities.

I wasn’t looking for a participation trophy for my girls, but I was looking for a place where girls could thrive safely. Depending on your child, he or she may not be ready for a co-ed training experience. As a homeschool parent and coach, you get to control the situation and the talking points. You know how to motivate and discipline your child. When you bring the martial arts experience home, you can teach the skills and motivate your child as you see fit. And of course, you get to control the cleanliness factor too; just saying.

Four tips to begin your online martial arts experience:

#1. Choose a martial art.

I was seeking a martial arts experience that would have a strong self-defense application for my daughters. I picked the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu (Bjj). Bjj is a grappling sport which means there is a lot of ground movement, much like wrestling.

The overall strategy of Bjj is to control your opponent. It focuses on skills to take an opponent to the ground, controlling one’s opponent, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission.

Studies show that 95 percent of street fights end on the ground. The techniques learned in Bjj enable participants to escape, attack or get into a more dominant position.

Bjj is also a martial art designed for a smaller, weaker practitioner to subdue much larger and stronger opponents. Participants use techniques and leveraging skills instead of relying on brute force. All martial arts provide confidence and courage, but only Bjj connects the sport to self-defense in a way that everyone, of all ages, can learn.

#2. Create a training space.

You don’t need a large amount of space to train at home, but to protect the lamp and china, you might want to create a training/fitness space. I purchased interlocking mats. You can also find inexpensive three-fold gymnastic mats. If you want to get fancy and go all out, you can purchase professional Bjj mats. I spent $40 on two sets of interlocking mats. I have a basement/lower level in my house for my exercise space. Some people use their garage or a spare bedroom. Many homeschool families get together in their co-op and/or church to purchase mats and find a communal space to train together. Here’s a glimpse of my little training space at home: https://vimeo.com/289726478

#3 Get a training partner.

You can begin with a few “no-contact” movements and warm-ups, but in order to get the most benefit from the experience, you need a training buddy. Learning a martial art with your child can be a fun and rewarding experience. Inviting your child’s best friend and a group of friends enhances the experience.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is referred to as the gentle martial art. You and your child can simulate real techniques in real-time with a low risk for injury. Of course, there’s always a risk, but Bjj lends itself to learning real self-defense skills with low risks. In my instructional videos, I focus on escaping, controlling and submitting techniques inspired by Bjj movements. Click here to request a free video.

#4. Subscribe to a professional online self-defense/martial arts curriculum.

My husband and daughters inspired me to develop an online martial arts experience inspired by Bjj. After seven years of training Bjj and earning my purple belt, I took a leap of faith to bring martial arts to everyone with an online learning platform. My daughters appreciated the opportunity to train at home, train with trusted family and friends and feel empowered. Before launching The Great Flip, I did peek at YouTube, but all I found were sweaty guys filming from their garage. Most videos were designed for older boys and girls encouraging violent and aggressive self-defense tactics. I’m not opposed to aggressive behavior, but for my daughters, I wanted a level-headed approach to their training. Again, Bjj offered the best approach. Children as young as first grade through high school can benefit from my introductory approach. My teaching style is fun, playful and empowering. See you on the mat! – Coach Jody

Check out my streaming videos on Vimeo. Click here.

Contact me for a free lesson plan and videos. Click here.

Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls ages six and up. Request a free video at www.thegreatflip.com

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance.

Coach Jody is a contributing writer for True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh.

Click here to read devotions by Coach Jody.

I ❤️ homeschooling. Share The Great Flip flyer with a homeschool family.

/in Curriculum, Empowerment, Motivation, Nutrition, Recent Blog Posts, Safety, Self Defense/by coachjody

Are you a homeschool family? Do you know any homeschool families? I ❤️ homeschooling!

I’m honored to support the courageous moms and dads who are taking a leap of faith to homeschool their children this fall. The great news is the abundance of materials out there.

My online self-defense resources at The Great Flip qualify for your homeschool PE credits and offer a fun after-school enrichment opportunity for the girls in your community.

Would you take a moment and share my online self-defense resource with all your homeschool connections?

I have a free flyer to download and share.

Click here to download the PDF The Great Flip flyer to share

You are welcome to share it on your social media too! Add #thegreatflip to your post!

What is The Great Flip?

The Great Flip is online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up. I offer online self-defense instructional videos and lesson plans to guide girls through a series of simple self-defense techniques inspired by the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Each video is 3-4 minutes in length, easy to watch, learn, drill and master!

My coaching method is designed to be fun, playful and empowering.

Bring online self-defense training to your homeschool!

No martial arts experience, required!

Hi homeschool friends! I’m Coach Jody. Thank you for considering The Great Flip as part of your homeschool experience. I have everything you need to equip you to teach self-defense skills inspired by the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. You can create a mini martial arts dojo/academy at your home or church, including my streaming videos, lesson plans, weekly blogs and/or podcasts.

I know what you want.
I know you are on a tight budget.
I know you have high expectations!

I offer a plan to meet every budget. Yes, you may share the online plan with your homeschool families, in co-ops and larger groups. Please do not share your account outside of your group to protect my hard work and your passwords.

Follow these three steps to get started

#1. Choose a Plan

For details about each plan, click here.

Click here to request the homeschool discount code.

#2. Enroll

Once you choose a plan, CLICK SHOP and complete the purchase process. You will receive a registration email to create your username and password. I will send a personal email to welcome you and begin the training process. Got questions? Contact me.

#3 Watch Videos and Train

I designed the videos so anyone can watch, learn and train together. I equip you to set up a safe, designated training space. If you need additional help, I’m happy to set up a Zoom call and live training as part of your membership. Request a free video.

Need some inspiration?

Check out my blog filled with examples of self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment success stories and tips. Click here.

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance.