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online self-defense for girls

A Homeschool Mom’s Review of The Great Flip

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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!

homeschool with moxie

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.

homeschool martial arts

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

 

Contact Coach Jody

 

 

homeschool martial arts

You Can Teach Homeschool Martial Arts

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You can teach a homeschool martial arts class!

Make your homeschool physical education (P.E.) class fun and functional with homeschool martial arts from The Great Flip.

No martial arts experience is required. I will equip you with everything you need!

 

Here’s how it works (It’s easy to follow.)

#1. Subscribe to one of my online plans.

#2. Designate a training area at home. Click here to see my at-home training space.

#3. When it’s time for P.E. class:

  • Sign into your purchased homeschool martial arts account at The Great Flip.
  • Gather your students to watch and train one or two martial arts skills per training session. Remember, no martial arts experience is required. Simply watch, train and have fun!
  • I recommend at least once or twice a week for homeschool martial arts. But you can do it as much as you’d like. Repeat the program each semester and each year to retain knowledge and improve muscle memory (Just like any sport, you need to practice!

You will replicate an authentic martial arts experience, just like going to a big gym, but you are in charge of the message and a positive experience. Each session can include warm-up exercises, stretching and conditioning drills.

Simply watch the streaming video (less than three minutes) practice together and train.

Want to try one now? Click here to request a free martial arts skill video. 

Read this homeschool mom’s review of The Great Flip

 

Homeschool Martial Arts Resources

You Can Teach Homeschool Martial Arts

How to Teach Martial Arts in Homeschool PE Class

Four Tips for Empowering Homeschool Martial Arts

 

 

The Great Flip is an online self-defense, safety and faith-filled resource for the whole family, age six and up.

Hi, I’m Coach Jody and I’m the creator of The Great Flip. When my daughters and I tried a big box martial arts academy, we were overwhelmed by physical contact, rough teaching style, and uncomfortable spiritual influences. So I created an at-home martial arts experience.

Learning a martial art will increase your child’s confidence and inspire courage. And bonus … Online martial arts puts you in control of a safe experience. No martial arts experience is required. I will equip you with everything you need to teach homeschool martial arts to your children.

The lesson plans and videos will introduce students to fundamental 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.

The primary objective of The Great Flip homeschool martial arts 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.

Who is using the homeschool martial arts lesson plans?

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

online self defense for girls

The Great Flip Online Martial Arts 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 homeschool martial arts 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 see what you’ll need for your homeschool martial arts training space. 

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.

Check out all my podcasts, especially the one called “Homeschool Martial Arts” at KFUO Radio. Click here.

 

 

Educational Outcomes

online self defense for girls

  • 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 martial arts, 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?

self defense from the ground up

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.”

Faith-Filled Empowerment.

Coach Jody equips parents to teach unique faith-filled empowerment resources to connect physical activities to social, emotional and spiritual growth. Children will discover their true source of power comes from God’s power (not girl power).

Jody Token is the coach and creator of The Great Flip, a self-defense, safety and faith-filled online curriculum for girls age six and up. Jody has spent twenty years working in the nonprofit industry inspiring young women to be tomorrow’s leaders. Jody intends to counter the culture by exposing “girl power” lies and proclaiming the good news of God’s power. The Great Flip is a national program alliance for American Heritage Girls (AHG). Jody writes content for AHG, True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh and various Christian ministries.  Jody’s daughters inspired her to develop an online self-defense experience to gain a basic understanding of the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu and improve overall health and wellness.

Download a free excerpt of My Anti-Bully Ebook.

Request a free lesson plan.

Read blogs to enrich your experience.

Listen to my podcasts to connect you to like-minded Christian leaders.

Gather your family and your friends and train together! Yes, you can share a subscription with a group of families or co-op. But please do not share outside of your group to protect your password and my hard work. Let’s get started!

See you on the mat! – Coach Jody

Click here to shop all plans

Request a free video and lesson plan

 

 

Anti-bully Handbook Coach Jody bullying-fear-germs

 

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance

To learn more about The Great Flip, click here for the home page

 

 

 

homeschool martial arts

You can teach a martial art with The Great Flip

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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.

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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.online self-defense for girls
  • 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.

online self-defense plan

#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.

 

American Heritage Girls flex leadership muscles with The Great Flip

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Callie’s story

Callie, a Pioneer in an American Heritage Girls (AHG) Troop in Oregon, wanted to share her love for martial arts with her troop and earn the Harriet Tubman Level Award. When she heard about an AHG program alliance called The Great Flip, she found a way to flex her leadership muscles (and her self-defense skills too)! 💪🏼🇺🇸❤️

The Great Flip is online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resource designed to give girls a fun, playful and empowering introduction to the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Girls can also earn the AHG Martial Arts Sports Pin using The Great Flip online videos and lesson plans.

Callie’s AHG troop leader, Karrie said about Callie’s leadership;

“I was very impressed by her ability to keep the girls focused, encouraging them to show her the skill, and willingness to show them, individually, how to perform some of the moves.  It was a fun day and very informative.  It was great to see our girls stepping into leadership and mentoring roles.  What a great example to the younger girls in the Troop.”

Callie took a few moments with Coach Jody, creator of The Great Flip to answer these questions:

What is your name, charter and troop number? (I have deleted personal information for her protection ❤️)

Her name is Callie. Her “charter” is the church that sponsors her AHG troop. Her “troop number” includes her home state of Oregon and her troop number). To learn more about starting an AHG troop click here. 

What is your AHG troop rank?

“I am a Pioneer, which is the second oldest unit.”

How did you use The Great Flip online self-defense program with your AHG troop?

“I used it for my Harriet Tubman level award.”

Why did you decide to use The Great Flip for your leadership project?

“It sounded really fun when I first heard about it. My troop had already been planning to do it but none of the leaders knew anything about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ). I did. I have been training in BJJ for almost a year. When I taught The Great Flip, I was a white belt with four stripes. Since then I have been promoted to a first-degree gray belt.”

What did you do to prepare for your project?

“I watched the videos and practiced them with my mom until I felt comfortable enough to teach them.”

Who participated?

“Almost all of the girls in the troop (and a few of the leaders, who paired up with the girls who didn’t have a partner) participated.”

What did you like the most about teaching self-defense to your troop?

“It was really fun. The girls did really great. They came ready to learn and were open to advise and correction.”

What was most challenging about teaching self-defense to your troop?

“None of the girls knew anything about BJJ, so I had to start with the basics.”

What would you say to a girl who is afraid or nervous about learning self-defense?

“The more self-defense you know the less likely it is that you ever have to use it. However, if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation, you will be prepared.”

How would The Great Flip make the learning experience better or easier until they are ready to go to a martial arts academy?

“It familiarizes BJJ and teaches some techniques that are used during live matches at an academy.”

 

Thank you, Callie! I’m so proud of you! – Coach Jody

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

American Heritage Girls values alliances with like-minded organizations and works to establish relationships in order to offer additional resources and benefits to its members. The Great Flip is an AHG program alliance focused on teaching girls life skills. The Great Flip offers online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resources. AHG Troops and families subscribe to The Great Flip, gain access to simple self-defense videos inspired by the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Creator and Coach, Jody Token is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor and Christian girl influencer. She teaches girls to seek God’s Power instead of girl power. To learn more about The Great flip and request a free self-defense video at www.thegreatflip.com

Want to use The Great Flip in your next AHG troop meeting? Click here to get started.

Click here to learn more about The Great Flip and request a free self-defense video.

online self-defense for girls

 

More shots from AHG troops across the country training with The Great Flip!

Share your action shots with me on social media @thegreatflip on Instagram or Facebook #thegreatflip

See you on the mat!

 

Six Ways To Get Faith

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Cross-eyed And Cross-eared For Jesus!

Six Ways To Get Faith Into Daughter’s Eyes and Ears.

When it comes to reading the Bible, do you ever feel like the words go in one eye and out the other? Or what about in church when the pastor is preaching (on and on and on. LOL) Do his words go in one ear and out the other?

If you struggle, imagine how our children might feel? I have good news; it’s okay to be a little “crossed-eyed or cross-eared” for Jesus! Get it “Cross-eyed, Cross-eared?” (Sorry, not sorry, mom joke.)

It’s okay to acknowledge the difficulty you have when reading the Bible. When your children come to you with questions, it’s okay to admit you don’t have all the answers. But God has great news for you and your children. He gave you this amazing, supernatural promise;

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

Did you catch that promise? How do you get faith? First, let me tell you how you do not get faith. Faith does not come from your studious pursuit of knowledge. Faith does not come by hours of work. It doesn’t even come by your own understanding.

Look at that verse again. How does faith come? Faith comes by hearing through the word of Christ. The words of Jesus (He is the Word) will enter into your eyes, your ears, or your fingers (if you are blind and reading by Braille) and plant a gift of faith inside of you (It’s all a gift).

Your get faith by hearing. God gives faith simply by hearing through the word (the Bible) of Christ. I’m not telling you to nod off in church, but when the preacher speaks God’s words, he’s delivering faith to you, whether you know it or not. What a relief for you and your children as you grow in your knowledge of God’s word. Another reason to bring your children into the church. Trust God’s gift is being poured out even when everyone has the wiggles.

You might not understand what you are hearing or reading (yet!) but keep listening and studying. The seed of faith will cause a desire to want more. Trust God to give you this unending gift of faith as you study His word. When your children have questions, that means faith has been planted. Together you can seek answers and grow in your faith together.

Here are six practical steps you can take to make reading the Bible more enjoyable and most importantly, steps you can take to increase comprehension for you and for your children while resting in his promise as the faith-giver.

Get a children’s Bible. girl reading Bible

Research age-appropriate children’s Bibles. My favorite children’s Bible is Sally Llyod-Jones “The Children’s Storybook Bible.” I like this one because the Bible stories are written to lead the reader to discover Jesus throughout all of scripture. She says, “The Bible isn’t a book of rules, (the Bible has rules in it that show you how life works best) or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure.”

Get yourself a good study Bible.

There are so many options and translations to choose from. Ask your pastor and friends what they recommend. A good study Bible might have cross-references, historical summaries, and a Concordance of definitions and meanings. If you already have a Bible, you might consider getting a separate Concordance to aid with comprehension. I have the “Strong’s Concise Concordance and Vine’s Concise Dictionary of The Bible.” Many denominations have additional study resources such as small catechism, prayer books, etc.

Read the Bible aloud with your children.

Choose a time of day that works best for you; morning devotions, meals, bedtime, etc. Keep it short and simple but read the words out loud. The Psalms are a beautiful way to begin and end each day.

Play an audible Bible app.

Play the app while driving in the car and/or at home. I have Bible Gateway, You Version, Bible Hub apps on my smartphone.

Encourage Bible verse memorization.

Write, paint, chalk, (have fun) to aid with memorizing Bible verses. Practice saying the verses out loud. Turn the words into a song and create hand motions to help with memorization. There are many resources for this too.

Join a Bible study.

Of course, in-person conversations and community is best, but life is a little crazy right now. Most importantly, join a community of believers for help and prayer. Hundreds of years of theologians have gone before us to guide us in our studies. We can look to them for guidance.

 

Next time you hear or read something you don’t understand, take notes, circle or underline it and put a date by it. Ask God for wisdom. Explore your Bible resources for answers. Remember, scripture interprets scripture! Trust that the gift of faith is working in your heart and mind. When you finally understand that portion of scripture (it’s okay if it takes days, weeks, months, or years; God is at work through faith), put a new date on it to celebrate the gift of faith!

Now, go find a favorite Bible verse and share the gift of faith with others! Here’s one of my favorites:

“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

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. Request a free video at www.thegreatflip.com

 

Here’s a devotion to share with your daughter. It is one of many featured in the True Girl Summer Subscription Box. I give girls a simple promise from the Bible on how to get faith. Check it out!

Cross-eyed and cross-eared for Jesus!

Reading the Bible can be intimidating. Sometimes I feel like I’m reading words that go in one eye and out the other. And other times at church, the words of the pastor go in one ear and out the other.  

I have good news; it’s okay to be a little “crossed-eyed or cross-eared” for Jesus! Get it CROSS-eyed, CROSS-eared? (Sorry, not sorry, mom joke!)

It’s okay to acknowledge the difficulty of reading the Bible. It’s okay to admit you don’t understand. But God has great news for you. He gave you this amazing, supernatural promise;

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17.

Did you catch that promise? How do you get faith? First, let me tell you how you do not get faith. Faith does not come from your studious pursuit of knowledge. Faith does not come by hours of work. It doesn’t even come by your own understanding. 

Faith comes by hearing through the word of Christ. The words of Jesus (He is the Word) will enter into your eyes, your ears, or your fingers (if you are blind and reading by Braille) and plant a gift of faith inside of you (It’s all a gift). That’s how you get faith. God gives faith to you by simply hearing through the word (the Bible) of Christ. 

You might not understand what you are reading (yet!), but keep studying. Faith will cause a desire to want more and understand more. Trust God to give you this unending gift of faith as you study His word. 

Action point

Next time you read something you don’t understand, circle or underline it and put a date by it. Ask God for wisdom. Explore your Bible for answers. Scripture interprets scripture! Trust that the gift of faith is working in your heart and mind even during uncertain times. When you finally understand that portion of scripture (it’s okay if it takes days, weeks, months, or years; God is at work through faith), put a new date on it to celebrate the gift of faith!

Find a favorite Bible verse. Write in on a postcard. Memorize it. Try this one:

“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9

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. Request a free video at www.thegreatflip.com

Coach Jody offers online self-defense videos, lesson plans and anti-bully resources for girls!

Click here to review online courses.

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance. Click here to learn more.

online self-defense for girls

 

 

 

5 Surprising Ways To Teach Your Daughter To Care For Her Body

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As featured on the My True Girl Blog.

Teaching your daughter to take care of her body is important. Eating whole food instead of processed food, drinking water instead of soda, getting enough sleep and exercising instead of prolonged screen time are four amazing ways to decrease obesity and increase our immune system.

But God’s word says something else brings health and nourishment to your body and bones. Check out this proverb:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

Why trust God? Because he loves you!

“For this is how God loved the world (put your name here): He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

This is a trustworthy promise for you! Let that sink into your body and bones.

But how does it make us healthier?

When you trust in the Lord, you have less stress. When you have less stress, your anxiety reduces. When your anxiety reduces, your body becomes healthy and your bones grow strong. When your body and bones are healthy, you desire to trust God, seek after the life Jesus has intended for you through the power of his Holy Spirit.

I offer this proverb, not to increase your list of things to do. (I know you have plenty of that) Instead, I offer the proverb as a promise from God. When he says “trust in the Lord…”, remember He is trustworthy.

My favorite children’s Bible is “The Jesus Storybook Bible.” The author says it best. “Some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn’t do. The Bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn’t mainly about you and what you should be doing. It’s about God and what he has done.”

Jesus lived a perfect life … for you. He trusted perfectly … for you. His Holy Spirit lives in you and gives you faith to believe his word is  … for you. Even faith is a gift.

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

Now read this passage of Scripture again and instead of hearing a “to-do” list, read it as a promise for you and receive faith.

Because of Jesus’ great love for you, you can joyfully:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

What are five ways to bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones:

  1. Trust in the Lord

  2. Don’t lean on your own understanding

  3. Submit to him

  4. Do not be wise in your own eyes

  5. Fear the Lord and shun evil

Okay, so technically, there are six points there, but I put five and six together.

Now, go get your daughter! Review the five ways to bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Grab a journal and/or calendar. As you set wellness goals for you and your girl, be sure to include a way to reduce the stress and increase your trust in God!

Jody Token, along with Dannah Gresh, Staci Rudolph, and other women who love tweens, writes daily devos for True Girl subscribers.  Jody 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.

Looking for more ways to bring wellness into your daily lives?! Check out the all-new True Girl subscription box! This month, we are shipping THE WELLNESS BOX! It contains all the great stuff you need to complete a simple but life-changing month of mom+daughter wellness!

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

online self-defense for girls

online self-defense curriculum

No contact self-defense?

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I know, what in the world is “no-contact” self-defense? It doesn’t make sense. But if you think about it, it can. As your girls warm up to the idea of physical interaction or if COVID-19 protocols linger, a no-contact approach can be extremely beneficial. And there are several “must-learn” skills to be learned in a no-contact training experience.

My online self-defense program is meant to be fun, playful and empowering. So what better way to introduce self-defense and martial arts than with a no-contact approach.

Six new no-contact self-defense lesson plans are now available in every online self-defense plan!

I have six new lesson plans with a no-contact approach to introduce first through 12th graders to a martial arts experience.

And bonus … No germs. No fear.The Great Flip break fall

The Breakfall

In the first lesson, you will learn my favorite self-defense technique called the Breakfall.  When you learn the Breakfall, you learn how to fall and prevent serious injury. I hope you never get pushed down in a self-defense situation, but I can almost guarantee you will accidentally slip and fall in your lifetime. Everyone should learn this life skill.

The lesson plans also include safety tips empowering girls to use three critical no-contact self-defense assets:

You voice
You body language
Your distance

the great flip break fallAnd my favorite, I connect faith to the physical activity, giving you the opportunity to share the love of Jesus! 


If you have a subscription to The Great Flip, your no-contact modifications can be found in the video notes and lesson plans.

Shop Plans

Would you like to review a lesson plan and video? Please contact me at my personal email jody@thegreatflip.com or reach out through my website at www.thegreatflip.com

See you on the mat! – Coach Jody

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girl national program alliance! 🇺🇸

online self-defense curriculum