Homeschool students create deeper relationships at Renzo Gracie Spokane Valley

When the Puryears first stepped through the door of Renzo Gracie Spokane Valley, they weren’t sure what to expect. They only knew their friend trained Jiu Jitsu and loved the sport.

“We always wanted to do a martial art with the boys,” Alicia Puryear said. “Because Ansel was younger, we thought Brazilian Jiu Jitsu would be the best.”

Alicia’s husband, Jed, did research on the “gentle art” prior to their trial class.

“He did a lot of research into basic body mechanics and movements and the self defense aspect of it: no matter what your size is, being able to defend yourself,” Alicia said. “If you ever come across kids on the playground who aren't very nice, or bullies, it's good to know how to hold your own."

Ansel, then four, and Ronnie, then six, took their first intro class on May 9, 2023.

“Before we even started, we knew it was going to be a physical sport and it was going to be challenging,” Alicia said.

A COMMITTED BEGINNING

Before they became members, Alicia and Jed sat down to explain to the boys that Jiu Jitsu would be challenging and difficult—like all new things.

Alicia and Jed set a six-month no-quitting boundary for the boys. They could express their difficulties in class and their struggles, but for six months, they had to commit to the sport.

“I think having that conversation of expectations is important to have at the beginning of doing anything new, especially with littles, because they don't know what to expect,” Alicia said. “You're doing hard things…(and) they already know, we're not quitting.”

Though the Puryear boys have been coming almost every day for the past three years, it wasn’t always easy to get them to the gym.

“I remember the first week was a struggle,” Alicia said. “After that, they got more comfortable doing the warmups, and then things start to click in their brain…(after time) it becomes easier and then they start to enjoy it.”

Sometimes, the boys would want to stay home and play video games instead of going to class. If that happened, Alicia would tell the boys they could stay home, but they wouldn’t get to play video games.

Often, that was enough incentive to get them into class.

“Being able to schedule those priorities and not waver from them is so huge for kids, especially, to be able to see what healthy priorities look like,” Alicia said. “We all need physical movement and activity and things that challenge us mentally and physically in order to grow and be happy and thriving.”

THEIR HOMESCHOOL ERA

Soon, the Puryears were coming to class Monday through Friday at 4:45pm, not getting home until after 6pm, and not getting to spend as much time with their father as they would like.

“Coming every evening (to class was) getting a little overwhelming,” Alicia said.

Shortly thereafter, RGSV started their homeschool classes.

The classes fit perfectly into the Puryear’s schedule. They reclaimed two nights of their week and were able to spend more time with Jed after he came home from work without sacrificing their 6-days-a-week of training.

As the homeschool class grew, so did Ansel and Ronnie’s friendships.

“I think sometimes homeschooling can be a little isolating,” Alicia said. “Really, it's in the sports and music lessons and extracurricular activities where our kids can make friendships and develop relationships.”

A unique aspect of the RGSV homeschool class is that the classes are not a certain age group. Students from 4-years-old up until 11-years-old are all in the same class.

Alicia sees this as a benefit to her sons’ growth in the sport.

“You learn to help out kids who are younger than you, and also help kids who are older than you that catch on quickly and can soon be challenging you,” Alicia said.

The community at RGSV is one of Alicia’s favorite aspects of the gym. Whenever anyone is looking for recommendations to do a sport, she is quick to champion RGSV.

“​​I love promoting our community and watching it grow,” Alicia said. “We've had friends join us here, and also classmates that have become even better friends because we get to see them more.”

Whatever your schedule may be—whether you are a standard school or homeschool family—we have classes that can fit your schedule. For more information or to schedule your intro class, click here!