Business Standards :: Craving a Bit of Krav-Maga

Business Standard

Aabhas Sharma / New Delhi February 25, 2007

Martial arts, like the corporate sector, has its own glass ceiling. Women martial arts instructors are few and far in between and I wasn’t sure what to expect when I set out to meet Nirmala Bhanu, who teaches Krav-Maga.

For those of you who have come in late, Krav-Maga is a martial art form with a simple, effective self-defence system that emphasises instinctive movements, practical techniques and realistic training scenarios. It not only improves your fitness but also trains you in self- defence much better than any other form of martial art. And she has the distinction of training the likes of Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty. These actors are about as macho as they come.

Having done Krav-Maga for a long time, Bhanu insists that it is one of fastest growing fitness form of martial arts. Krav-Maga helps in toning muscles and improves body coordination. While it does help in burning calories, most people who take up Krav-Maga do so for reasons of self-defence. Says Bhanu, “Toning and losing weight is not the main goal but many women say they see results during the training.”

Bhanu, who also has a second degree black belt in karate, feels that while people tend to join Krav-Maga classes for fitness but, after realising the importance of self-defence, get hooked on to it completely. Unlike other self-defence and aerobic programmes, there are no required steps or rules in Krav-Maga.

Instead, Krav-Maga techniques are practiced in simulated, ever-changing attack situations. This form of martial arts has found favour with fitness freaks only in the last couple of years.

Vicky Kapoor, who has been training students for over two years, feels that it is one of the most effective forms of self-defence. It not only helps in improving physical fitness, but also covers aspects like tackling crime situations which might arise in an everyday setting.

“One thing that Krav-Maga does is that it helps one be in control of situations even if one is unarmed. It uses simple techniques that are part of natural body movements and reflexes,” explains Kapoor.

Kapoor, who has trained the likes of politician Omar Abdullah, actor Sanjay Kapoor, and Shewta Nanda, also conducts classes for the special security forces. Kapoor learnt the art in Israel and says that it is not a sport where you can have fun and is actually serious business. “People who genuinely want to learn and are serious about it should take up this form as it is no child’s play,” he cautions.

Well, it can’t really be given that this form of martial art has been officially adopted for training armies in 25 countries including Australia and Sweden. There is no doubt then that this sport has got to be serious business.

Krav-Maga training hones a person’s ability to react, even if caught by surprise. Techniques and training methods emphasise the ability to function from a poor state of readiness, and to move from a passive to aggressive state immediately in order to defend yourself. Students are taught to react effectively under stress and to move efficiently from a position of disadvantage to a position of advantage.

Not only in Delhi, cities like Mumbai and Chennai too are catching up with Krav-Maga. A martial arts training centre in Mumbai had a woman inquiring about the form which Jennifer Lopez showcased in the movie Enough. “Self defence is very necessary these days, be it for men or women,” says a fitness expert from Mumbai.

“And this being one of the most flexible forms of martial art, it helps in maintaining physical fitness much better than other forms,” he adds. “Because physical fitness is closely interwoven into the system, the workout includes a number of cardiovascular and strength building exercises, as well as stretching to increase flexibility,” says Kapoor. Emphasis is put on speed, endurance, strength, accuracy and coordination, especially for those who undertake intensive Krav-Maga training. Although if you compare it with other fitness sports like kick-boxing or taekwondo, this improves a person’s flexibility.

And if you are wondering if you should sign up for a Krav-Maga class, keep in mind that this is more for those who want to learn self defence and improve overall fitness. It’s not for those who want to burn those ugly calories and shed excess flab. You can’t win it all, all the time.

Source: Business Standard (http://www NULL.business-standard NULL.com/common/storypage NULL.php?autono=275743&leftnm=5&subLeft=0&chkFlg=)

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