The Hindustan Times

Posted on 23 Apr 2006 # IANS

New Delhi: An Israeli martial arts system, Krav-Maga, which includes special anti-rape and anti-assault techniques for women, was demonstrated in the capital in an effort to pass the self-protection tools to civilians.

The system used by Israeli forces is practised in 45 countries all over the world, including the US, Britain, France, Japan and Thailand.

“The basic instinct is to survive, be it on a battlefield or street, and that is what Krav-Maga is dedicated to,” said chief of Israel-based International Krav-Maga Federation (IKMF) Eyal Yanilov at a seminar here Saturday.

Based on human reflexes and mental alertness, the art can be learnt quickly by people of all age groups, he said.

An IKMF instructor in Delhi, Vicky Kapoor, said: “What prompted me to bring the system to India was its simplicity and sophistication.”

“While oriental arts like karate, judo and kickboxing follow rigid rules, this one is more sophisticated and in tune with modern times,” he added.

Apart from tailor-made techniques for women, it also has anti-carjacking tactics in any area be it a car parking lot or a staircase. Women are trained in jabs, kicks, floor exercises, ground wrestling and games.

Women are also trained to sharpen natural reflexes and use purse, pen, comb or even shoes as weapons.

“Our biggest weapons are the punches and kicks,” said Avi Moyal, a former law-enforcement commander and director at IKMF, Israel.

At higher levels, the training of military-based fitness is given, including cardio kickboxing and heavy bag work, which can burn up to 800 calories in one session.

Krav-Maga was developed by a Czech, Imi Lichtenfield, who learnt the fighting tricks to survive street fights with gangsters in 1930s. Later he became a self-defence instructor in the Israeli army.

Krav-Maga is also taught to sky marshals and commercial airline crew to combat plane hijacking. In India it is being taught to Tihar jail’s police force, Tamil Nadu Special Police and NGOs like Nari Niketan and Ritanjali.

Source: Only Punjab.com
http://onlypunjab.com/fullstory2k5-insight-news-status-5-newsID-97148.html