EVERY MONDAY AT 5:30PM
Future Cultivators
Future Cultivators is where the journey begins. Designed for children ages 8-13, this class lays the foundation for confidence, discipline, and body awareness through the art of Jiu-Jitsu. In a fun, structured, and supportive environment, kids learn essential movements, practical self-defense, and how to navigate challenges with focus and resilience.
Much like the earliest roots of a tree, this stage is about planting seeds of growth - nurturing the mind, body, and spirit to help young students grow strong from the inside out.
More than Jiu-Jitsu
This class isn’t just about Jiu-Jitsu.
It’s about planting the seeds for something deeper - courage, confidence, respect, and resilience. Future Cultivators is for kids ages 8–13 who are ready to grow - not just on the mat, but in life.
We don’t just teach techniques - we cultivate character.
This is a space where every kid is seen, supported, and challenged in a healthy way. Whether your child is shy, bold, sensitive, or strong-willed - we help them channel who they are into something powerful.
What Sets Us Apart
We’re not a competition-focused school. If you’re looking for trophies or medals, there are plenty of places that offer that. But that’s not what we’re about. Our focus is self-defense - specifically, learning how to neutralize common behaviors kids face in real-life bullying situations. Whether it’s being grabbed, shoved, pinned, or teased - we teach practical skills that help kids stay calm, set boundaries, and protect themselves with confidence and control.
Sport Jiu-Jitsu is something we layer in later, once the foundations are in place. It’s a great way for kids to grow in skill and challenge themselves - but it never takes priority over personal safety, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.
Our goal is to raise capable, confident kids who know how to protect themselves, support their peers, and lead with strength and kindness - on and off the mat.
We talk about real things
We explore what it means to handle frustration without giving up, how to show respect even when it’s hard, and why falling down isn’t failure - it’s part of the process. These lessons go far beyond the mat. They help our students become more emotionally aware, more grounded, and more capable of facing life’s challenges with resilience and maturity.
Future Cultivators learn more than jiu-jitsu, they learn how to regulate their emotions, respect their peers, and approach challenges with a growth mindset. They learn how to fail without quitting, how to speak up without fear, and how to keep showing up - even when things feel tough.
Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most powerful tools for a child’s development - and science backs that up.
Research also shows that consistent training improves executive functioning - the brain’s ability to plan, focus attention, and juggle multiple tasks. Jiu-Jitsu creates structure, encourages goal setting, and reinforces progress over perfection.
Studies have shown that martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu can significantly improve self-regulation, focus, and emotional control in children. This is especially impactful for kids who struggle with impulsivity, attention, or big emotions. By learning to manage their reactions on the mat, they begin to carry those skills into everyday life - at school, at home, and in their relationships.
Children who practice Jiu-Jitsu tend to show increased self confidence and resilience. Instead of being afraid to fail, they learn how to try again. They gain a sense of mastery - not just by winning, but by working through challenges and seeing how capable they really are.
At Resilient Roots, we take these benefits even further by creating a space where kids can thrive - not by being the best, but by learning to be their best selves.
Martial arts supports physical health - improving coordination, strength, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. But it’s never just about physical ability. Jiu-Jitsu creates a mind body connection that teaches kids to stay calm under pressure and think before they act.
And perhaps most importantly - kids in Jiu-Jitsu programs report higher levels of social belonging and connection. They’re part of a team. They build friendships. They feel seen, supported, and safe.
Verbal Jiu-Jitsu Training
At Resilient Roots, we also teach something called Verbal Jiu-Jitsu - the art of using words to stay safe. Kids don’t just learn how to protect their bodies; they learn how to protect their boundaries. Verbal Jiu-Jitsu gives them simple, powerful language they can use to stand up for themselves without escalating a situation. We teach them how to respond calmly to teasing, how to speak with confidence, and how to walk away with self-respect. Because knowing what to say - and when to say it - can be just as important as knowing how to defend yourself physically.
What to Expect
All students are required to wear a Jiu-Jitsu gi (uniform), which helps create a consistent, respectful environment and allows us to safely practice grips and techniques andwe’ll help guide you through purchasing one once your child is enrolled.
Each class follows a consistent structure designed to keep kids engaged, focused, and progressing:
We begin with a warm-up that builds strength, coordination, and awareness. From there, we move into an interactive game that helps students work together and apply basic movement principles in a fun and creative way.
Next, we teach a specific Jiu-Jitsu technique - usually a simple, effective self-defense movement designed to help kids stay safe and calm under pressure. Then we transition into grappling rounds, where students safely practice what they’ve learned with a partner, under close supervision.
At Resilient Roots, safety is everything. Jiu-Jitsu can absolutely be taught in a way that’s safe and accessible for kids. We keep it age-appropriate, structured, and focused on control — not aggression. Our students learn how to stay calm in uncomfortable situations, how to protect themselves without hurting others, and how to walk away from unnecessary conflict.
What People Are Saying
“My family has been training Jujitsu for almost 3 years now across multiple gyms and many different instructors. That said, Jenn is the best teacher of the concepts as well as the techniques of the martial art that we have seen. She is an incredible communicator and experienced Black Belt which when combined with the Gracie Combative’s system gives a level of practical training I have yet to see anywhere else. She is also the only instructor that I know of in OKC that teaches the self-defense techniques as a core focus instead of just having a pure Sports Jujitsu gym. On top of all that she has built an incredibly diverse community of folks across all ages, backgrounds, and BJJ experience that makes it a special place to train as well as to just BE. The kids class is the right blend of fun and focus that my son has really thrived in and looks forward to going to every week. We can’t recommend this gym enough!”
Joe
“If you’re into Positivity and Good Vibes you’ll definitely want to come check out our instructor Master Jen. Our son EJ started at Jiu-Jitsu and almost immediately we noticed a change in his confidence. He looks forward to going to class and repeats the ideas he learns about respect and good citizenship at home throughout the week.
Our instructor is very good at explaining the moves that the children are learning so they can do them confidently and safely. I think if you are looking for a class to help build your child’s confidence and that also teaches good values of patience, respect and good citizenship, Resilient Roots is the right place for your child. I highly recommend it.”
Cindy
“I absolutely love this place! The best decision I made for my son and myself was stepping into Gracie Jiu Jitsu! Jenn is amazing!”
Carmen