As a promotion of self-defense and self-confidence on the Oklahoma Christian University campus, the Dub now offers a new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class.
According to its promotion in the student announcements, the goals for the class are to “promote fellowship, fun and fitness through the art of Jiu-Jitsu.” Each class will begin with a short Bible study led by one of the coaches of the course.
Arianna Gillham, the Fitness Center director at Oklahoma Christian University, plays the role of administrator for the fitness classes offered. Gillham makes sure the classes get exposure and run smoothly. She said the Jiu-Jitsu class originated when one of coaches, Shawn McElroy, approached her about starting the class.
“Shawn approached me with the idea, and once we had all the details straightened out, we were able to offer it to our campus,” Gillham said.
McElroy said the idea came from a conversation he had at his church about shared experiences and the goal of outreach in Christianity.
“The idea is to get together and spend a bit of time in Bible study—about 10 minutes—and then spend time together,” McElroy said. “The hope is that this is something that could be used as outreach, connect people intergenerationally and just build relationships in our congregation and community.”
Gillham described the class as not only a physical workout, but also as something used to build mental fortitude.
“Not only will you get a physical workout, but you will also get a mental workout with the principles of self-defense and being able to face the world and its daily challenges for all of us,” Gillham said.
According to Gillham, the class is structured in a way to give people who are not ready to go to a church a chance to have the ideals and the Scripture of Christianity shared with them.
“This class is designed to be an outreach for those who may not be ready to step into a church building or traditional Bible study environment,” Gillham said.
McElroy leads the Bible study at the beginning of class and also helps teach the Jiu-Jitsu itself. He has trained at an MMA gym for five years and has taught classes at the gym.
McElroy said the benefits of the class help people to put everyday challenges into perspective through the training and also lets people have a new way to get into shape.
“The ability to keep your head and execute a strategy while someone is literally trying to choke you is an amazing skill to have,” McElroy said. “It has a tendency to put other challenges in perspective. It’s also great exercise.”
McElroy said one of his favorite parts about being involved with classes like these is seeing people improve with time and training. He said the best part is the relationships which come from the training.
“I really enjoy the training, and it’s really cool to teach someone a new skill and see them improve, but the best part is just the relationships,” McElroy said. “You get to know people quickly when you train with them. It also tends to bring in people who aren’t afraid of a challenge and who are interested in self-improvement.”
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is offered Sundays from 2-3 p.m. in the Dave Smith Athletic Center (the Barn.)
“We are a group committed to growth in our faith, our relationships, our fitness and our ability in Jiu-Jitsu,” McElroy said.
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