Aalijah Pineda is only 6 years old. She has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for nearly a year now, she competes (and wins!) at various Jiu Jitsu championships. We asked her father, Jeff Pineda, to tell us more about being a parent of a Martial Arts kid.

Q: Why did you decide that Aalijah should start training Martial Arts? How did you choose the right discipline for Aalijah?

Aalijah and I have a really close relationship. I watch MMA fights on TV and Aalijah likes to watch the fights with me. I decided to check out Gracie Barra Brazillian Jiu Jitsu in Cerritos, California which is Babalu's school. I wanted to join. When we got there, a class was in session. It was an open mat and Aalijah said, " I want to try that".  I looked at my wife and she said we can only afford one of you to join. We decided to let Aalijah try the free class. On the first day she learned a "key lock" and enjoyed the free class. When she got home she kept doing the key lock on me and I could tell she liked it. (more…)