ROLL THE DICE ON FUN Has Monopoly caused one too many fights? Are you tired of stockpiling resources in Settlers of Catan? Maybe it’s time to introduce your family to a new kind of game, one where you control the story and a single roll of the dice can change everything. This is the world of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), where players embark on epic adventures under the supervision of a central Game Master. There are a lot of RPGs out there to choose from; here are a few your whole family can get into.
TURN FAMILY GAME NIGHT INTO A REAL ADVENTURE
Fly into Halcyon City where your family can take on the role of a team of young superheroes. Create your own hero and work together to make the world a better place. Fight supervillains, rescue citizens, and ultimately determine who has the best superpower. SOLVE A MYSTERY: BUBBLEGUMSHOE Did you grow up reading “Nancy Drew”? Are your kids all about BBC’s “Sherlock”? Then Bubblegumshoe is the game for you. This teen sleuth adventure is geared toward younger players, so it’s easier to start than other games on this list. Don’t worry if you’re not a mystery writer; the game comes with prewritten stories for your brilliant characters to solve. The villain might have gotten away with it if it weren’t for your meddling kids!
GO ON A QUEST: DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS The first. The biggest. The king of tabletop RPGs. Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) has been around since 1974, though shows like “Community” and “Stranger Things” have only recently helped the fantasy game gain mainstream acclaim. There are a lot of rules involved in the gameplay, so D&D can seem overwhelming to new players. But once you become familiar with the game, there are limitless options for characters and quests. How will a human fighter, an elf wizard, and a dwarf cleric save the world? Roll the dice and find out. BECOME SUPER: MASKS If your family has ever had a long conversation about who would win in a fight between the Hulk and Superman, then Masks is the RPG for you. THE HISTORY OF JIUJITSU FROM THE AGE OF THE SAMURAI TO THE 21ST CENTURY Brazilian jiujitsu is steadily becoming the most popular martial art in the world. People from all walks of life practice jiujitsu for many reasons, whether it be for fun, self-defense, stress relief, or creating close friendships. The history of jiujitsu can be traced back hundreds of years to Japan in the age of the samurai. THE ORIGINS OF JIUJITSU The samurai were Japanese warriors who typically fought on horseback with swords or spears and learned jiujitsu as a last resort. Their jiujitsu skills allowed them to effectively face enemies in hand- to-hand combat. Over the years, jiujitsu evolved as the practice became more widespread, and its purpose changed from a combat technique to a self-defense tactic. JUDO Jigoro Kano, a student of traditional jiujitsu, developed the judo we know today. He created his own practice based on what he believed were the most vital aspects of jiujitsu. Kano founded a martial arts school in 1882 called Kodokan, where his students learned the
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methods of his specialized jiujitsu practice, including joint locks, chokes, takedowns, and throws. These moves can be seen in some forms of Brazilian jiujitsu today. Nearly 30 years after judo was founded, one of Kano’s top students, Mitsuyo Maeda, traveled to Brazil where he met Gastao Gracie. Unbeknownst to them, this meeting would have a major impact on jiujitsu history and eventually make jiujitsu accessible to everyone. THE GRACIES Mitsuyo Maeda accepted Gastao’s eldest son, Carlos, as a student, and he eventually taught jiujitsu to his two brothers. Helio Gracie, the youngest, had a difficult time managing the strenuous techniques of judo due to his small stature and weak body. Instead of giving up on the art, Helio changed the techniques he learned to allow anyone, of any size or strength, to perform them. These changes made Brazilian jiujitsu what it is today. Olson’s Martial Arts Academy is proud to teach Brazilian jiujitsu to all interested students. To start training today, call our offices to speak to Master Amanda or Master Glenn about joining our academy!
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