We're Done With Bullying, Are You?

With so many stories of bullying and combative incidents involving kids and distraught parents, it is clear that bullying is still widely prevalent in our communities today.

Research shows that bullying peaks in the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades but can occur at virtually any time. Our goal is to minimize the effects of this negative behavior in grade school and middle school-aged children.

We firmly believe that no other group is better positioned to consult and educate about bully prevention than professional martial arts instructors. The act of training in the martial arts and developing a higher level of confidence decreases the chances of children being bullied in the first place. This confidence is visible in their stance, overall body language, and their ability to make eye contact. Collectively, it sends a message to bullies that says, "Don't mess with me." Additionally, children learn to use their voice in a powerful way to let bullies know that they mean business. These non-violent defensive strategies help kids avoid becoming targets of bullying or victims of other predatory behavior.

As we observe National Bullying Prevention Month, Kovar’s academies will teach curriculum that includes role-playing, small group discussions, and empathy training to educate, inform, and help eradicate bullying. We will also address the damaging effects of bullying, so that kids are less inclined to bully others. Our goal is to equip students with effective strategies and actions they can use to support others who are being bullied.

I created the MAAB (MARTIAL ARTISTS AGAINST BULLYING), an international association of over 1,000 martial arts schools from around the world dedicated to Bully Prevention. Collectively, this has enabled Kovar’s Satori Academy and other martial arts academies to reach as many kids as possible and address the issue of bullying.

As a free community service,