Glossophobia is basically speech anxiety or the fear of speaking in public. It is believed that 75 percent of people have this phobia in some form, making this one of the top fears of people around the world.
Public speaking is a needed skill for effective communication, leadership opportunities, interviews, and even relationships, yet the number of people that fear this seemingly common task is staggering. How can we help our children to get over this fear of public speaking that apparently they will inevitably have? You guessed it: Martial Arts, specifically Jiu-Jitsu.
Jiu-Jitsu, more so than other martial arts, encourages kids to develop their individual character to impact and influence others in a positive way. Most martial arts are rigid and come from a culture that says things are right and wrong. Jiu-Jitsu offers concepts and allows the individual to explore and perform based on their own personality and creativity.
Many of the fears and issues relating to public speaking stem from a lack of confidence or a character development need. We may lack confidence in the subject matter or confidence in the ability to effectively portray the information so we tend to get stuck or freeze in front of the bright lights and crowds.
Martial Arts, specifically Jiu-Jitsu, approach these deficiencies head-on in a number of ways. Experts have noted a direct correlation between the confidence martial arts have provided to children who practice martial arts versus the children who were not exposed to it at all. Martial Arts allow you to problem solve, analyze data in real time, and determine what is the best possible action to take on the form of a technique. These are some of the same traits and skills needed by a public speaker, as well. A public speaker must have the confidence to perform, the problem-solving skills to engage a crowd, and the means of determining the best way to deliver the next lines based on the activity of the crowd.
Want to find excellent public speakers? Visit a champion Jiu Jitsu program like WMB MARTIAL ARTS; find the head instructor and watch this individual navigate the class and work the room as he/she explains the details of a position with conviction and actively problem solving to keep their attention and having the confidence to do so in front of all the parents watching. That’s public speaking.
If you ever need to or want to become a better public speaker. Give martial arts, specifically Jiu-Jitsu, a try.
Confidence, social intelligence, problem-solving, analytical skills, and more: all of these skills that are found in public speaking are also a staple in the martial arts curriculum.
In another article, we will also examine the breathing and meditation exercises a public speaker would go through and how martial arts incorporates those same mental exercises on a higher level, further proving my theory about how martial arts is an amazing start in the public speaking of life!
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Javill Byron is an accomplished martial artist, entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist based in Miami. As the owner of Top Shot Miami and WMB Martial Arts, Javill strives to serve as a valuable resource for individuals who want to improve their physical abilities and learn to protect themselves. Javill is especially passionate about helping children with disabilities and children who are bullied.
As a philanthropy-minded person, Javill Byron devotes much of his time to his nonprofit, WMB Foundation, Inc., which provides services to families and children diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, or Autism and aims to promote academic success and generally enrich their lives.