NDTV.com

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 (New Delhi)

Aasheesh Sharma

Krav Maga, the Israeli military’s hand-to-hand combat system, is fast gaining popularity across the globe. Matt Damon uses it in The Bourne Ultimatum and Jennifer Lopez used it in Enough.

And just like pop star Britney Spears, who is taking lessons in Krav Maga, now people from all walks of life are signing up for classes such as this group of professionals training under Israeli instructor Avi Moyal. Moyal, who claims to have guarded celebrities like Madonna and Michael Jackson, says its the simplicity of Krav Maga that appeals to Hollywood. ”It’s simple to learn. The actors have to learn all the material by heart. They prefer to learn something that is simple, which convinces the audience. You take some kind of kick that makes three circles in the air. It is nice, but the audience is not convinced it can be.” ”When you are using Krav Maga defence, the person who is looking at the movie says. Ah, this is a nice idea, this is reality and it can be done,” said Avi Moyal, Krav Maga instructor. In Krav Maga, there are no hard-and-fast rules. It’s all about countering potentially lethal attacks by inflicting maximum damage, or to put it simply, hit where it hurts. No wonder a number of women vouch for its effectiveness. ”I have learnt to defend myself from a front choke, back choke, side chokes, bear hugs, hair grabs. I’ve learnt to defend myself if I am brought down on the ground and if say an assailant is on top of me, which is unfortunately, a very imaginable situation in the city.” ”I’ve learnt a variety of techniques that are useful for any woman to know,” said Anamika, Research Scholar. Banker Ajeet Verma also says that Krav Maga works well as street defence. ”You may always find yourself walking back from office, travelling back from work and in a lonely road, dark alley and you are faced with someone who wants to mug you, snatch your purse away, that is an ideal situation where you can put yourself to test and make use of Krav Maga techniques,” said Ajit Verma, Executive, Standard Chartered. Clearly it seems that Krav Maga does pack a mean punch.

Source: NDTV.com