Fitness is an important part of any student’s life. In fact, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, students who are physically active during school have better concentration and memory.
One option that BYU-Idaho students have for fitness is jiujitsu in the John W. Hart Building.
Jiujitsu is a ground-based martial art that consists of grappling and submission holds. Some may confuse it with wrestling at first, but jiujitsu is more technical with its ground-based fighting.
Youbin Park, coach of the jiujitsu group on campus, has been practicing the martial art for about seven years. He is considered a blue belt and he hopes to get promoted to purple belt once he moves back to Korea.
“It doesn’t matter what size you are,” Park said. “Just show up and say, ‘Hey I’m here to learn,’ and we’ll get started.”
Park has been coaching the group since April of 2021, right after it restarted following the COVID-19 pandemic. During the class, he takes the time to rotate between all the individuals and he gives them specific feedback.
“The best way I learned was to have a coach rolling with me, and telling me what to do right there,” Park said.
After the lesson portion of the class, each student takes a turn rolling, or sparring, with each other. Park gets right in the rotation.
One suggestion Park gave to all newcomers was the importance of proper dress.
“Don’t try to wear baggy (clothes),” Park said. “As we roll, our toes and fingers might get stuck in the fabric.”
All men and women, of any skill level, are welcome to come try a new way to stay active. The jiu-jitsu group schedule is as follows:
— Tuesdays 9-11 p.m. — Hart Building, room 210
— Thursdays 8-10 p.m. — Hart Building, room 210
— Saturday 5-7 p.m. — Hart Building, room 210
Students can find more information on the group’s Facebook page.
