Re-Posted on [cref get-defensive VickyKapoor.com]

Learning self defence tops any girl’s to-do list. And it needn’t be the hardest thing in the world. In fact, being the victim may not be such a bad thing…Baisakhi Roy attended a Krav session and came out learning more than how to get out of a choke hold

Not a martial art
Be it the Brazilian Jujitsu or the Filipino Kali, there are a set of rules and traditional moves that you need to remember and practice. Krav, on the other hand, teaches you to hone your instincts and be fearless. “There are no limitations in Krav. Whatever be the mode of attack, whatever be the size of the attacker, and whether he is armed or otherwise, Krav teaches you simple and effective split-second responses,” says renowned Krav Maga instructor, Rob Ferreira, who learnt to fight under Darren Levine, one of the highest ranked instructors in the United States.

Better than the gym
Krav teaches you how to strengthen muscles that you actually use and not just the functional muscles that are worked upon at the gym. The arms and shoulders need to be strong if one is up against a much stronger adversary. Thighs and legs have to be strong enough to put the two-headed approach to practice. This approach is about being able to cause damage to the face-eyes area and the groin area simultaneously, causing serious hurt.

Ideal for women
So why is being the victim good? The element of surprise! Women are perceived to not hit back, be afraid, and either give in or try to escape. The last thing they are expected to do is fight. When they attack the attacker, it comes as a surprise! Women have to capitalise on that one moment of shock to attempt to release themselves, counterattack, and flee.

Feeds aggression
Krav pumps up the primal gene in you to thundering heights. But anger is good if channelled and better still if used to defend oneself. “Everyone, man, woman, child, should have a fighting chance. Krav teaches you deadly moves that are very easy to learn. We feed the killer instinct in you by putting you through harrowing sessions of physical endurance,” says Ferreira. Krav is the official self defence system of Israel. This form of combat was developed for use in the street, the body being the only deadly weapon.

Don’t focus on weight loss
“A lot of women read about assault against women and other crimes happening in our society/environment. They realise that it is very important to learn some form of self defence for their own safety. However, once they join self defence classes, their attention shifts from self defence to either weight loss or fitness,” says Kapoor.

Krav is a full body workout, thanks to the endurance exercises that are taught before combat training. The focus is on constant practice and repetition, the most effective defences against surprise attacks and instinctive use of force under stress.

A history of Krav
Krav Maga is Hebrew for “contact combat”. In this system, a person is encouraged to adapt techniques and their special abilities. The system was originally developed by Imi Lichtenfeld during Israel’s War of Independence. It is taught in various Military and Law enforcement facilities all over the world.

Principles
To avoid injury
Devise drills that take advantage of natural reflexes
Defend and attack in minimum time required
Use of the body’s vulnerable spots Krav Maga teaches defence against punches and kicks, bear hugs and chokes, knives and clubs, guns, and multiple attackers
The only rule: no rules

Source: http://spotlight.femina.in/full-story/go-on-get-defensive

“Krav Maga is a form of self-defence that deals with realistic scenarios where there are no rules. It deals with prevention from threat, psychological buildup to empowerment, verbal self-defence, soft and hard tactical defence against eve-teasing, groping, molestation and rape. It is an instant realisation and reaction to an action or attack,” says Frank J Wolf, instructor, Israeli Krav Maga Self-Defence in Richmond Town. Wolf is the only Krav Maga instructor in Bengaluru.

According to Wolf, this art of close combat was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, a trained boxer and wrestler in Bratislava in order to help protect the local Jewish community during the German military invasion.

Krav Maga trains one to be ready for any lethal situation regardless of age, size, strength and fitness. “The common attack targets in Krav Maga are chin, groin, throat, eyes jaw and knee. If you are attacked from the back and choked, you will not waste time resisting, instead when pushed back you’ll raise your foot to attack his groin,” he continues.

Krav Maga is popular because there are no esoteric martial art techniques that are put to use. Instinctive punches and kicks used in natural self-defence are polished. Krav Maga is an excellent fitness routine and helps in building stamina, confidence and helps to burn those extra calories. Many law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies like the FBI have adopted it.

The Bengaluru chapter of Krav Maga has trained around 300 people —among them men, women and children. For Kunga Uuangyal, 28, who is a student at the Krav Maga Academy of Self Defence, this art of close combat has pushed him beyond his limits, both physical and psychological.

“Learning this art form for more than two and a half years has been a huge help in building confidence. I now know how to react to situations that need quick thinking and action,” says Kunga.

“The fitness routine followed in Krav Maga is very intense. The workouts and exercises could be strenuous for a girl but constant resistant practice has equipped me with techniques to defend myself and I’m not scared of walking alone on the roads,” says Urvashi Raizada, 18, another student.

Stephanie Steiger, mother of a five-year-old is amazed to see drastic changes in her daughter Sanara’s attitude. “She is confident, she enjoys it and is ready to startle all the big boys with her defence moves,” says Steiger.

“Twist and turn …straight punch” — an instructor barks out these orders in a room full of women learning to kick and punch their way out of trouble.

It’s a place where young female professionals are undergoing training in Krav Maga, the lethal Israeli martial art. With an alarming rise in crime against women professionals, many firms have started offering self-defence training courses to their female employees.

The trend is more pronounced in the BPO industry where women often have to work on the graveyard shift. As more and more women swipe into offices, harassment is one of the issues they encounter as they step out of their homes.

Manisha Bedi (name changed), a 24-year-old executive, is thrilled about a session organised by her employer where she discovered the technique of how to kick, strike a blow and get out of an attacker’s grip.

Crimes against women, including sexual harassment and rape, have gone up 93% and 40%, respectively, in 2007 compared to 1996, according to National Crime Records Bureau and Home Ministry. A significant number of women are employed in the services sector — IT-BPO, airlines, hospitality, hospitals and retail.

Over 35% women comprise the workforce of the $60 billion IT BPO sector. A few years ago, the rape and murder of a call centre executive had rocked the industry, underscoring the lapses and loopholes in corporate security practices. To safeguard women’s interests, companies are conducting self-defence workshops on the campus.

A power-to-telecom corporate has arranged a post-lunch 90-minute session for its women employees to practise fist-to-face moves. Such initiatives help in promoting women empowerment and gender inclusiveness, said industry observers. At these  workshops, women are not only given training in the physical aspects of warding off an attack but are also taught to be mentally alert.

Hindustan Times Newspaper

Let’s face it — it is easy to tire of workouts. Running on the treadmill every day or following the same weight-training routine for a few months can become boring. It also ceases being challenging when your body gets used to it.

To mix things up a bit, take up a martial art. It’s a great workout that tones your body, jogs your mind, and also sharpens your reflexes, keeping you safe on the streets. Not only are there plenty of options to choose from, but you’ll also never have a dull moment in your workout.

Whether you pick a “soft” martial art like t’ai chi chuan, which focuses less on combat and more on holistic health, or a “harder” martial art like karate that teaches you how to protect yourself in everyday situations, you are certain to reap health benefits.

Krav maga

Less a martial art and more a system of hand-to-hand combat devised by the Israeli defence forces, Krav Maga isn’t for the weak-willed. The system combines grappling and wrestling techniques with street-fighting skills. You learn how to break the stranglehold of an attacker by going for his groin, face or knee. Unlike in martial arts where certain moves are not permissible, the focus of Krav Maga is crystal clear: be aware of threats and deal with them as effectively as possible.

Trust us, this ends up giving you as good a workout as any. “Krav Maga improves your cardiovascular strength to the highest level,” says Vicky Kapoor, chief instructor of Krav Maga India. “It also increases your muscular strength.” Apart from improving your coordination and flexibility, Krav Maga also helps you burn calories. “Each workout is an hour-long and can help you burn nearly 800 calories,” he says. A stress-busting workout that makes you think on your feet? Now that’s what we’d call a win-win situation.

Interested in learning? 
Delhi: Krav Maga India, 011-41764207

Often I have come across this sarcastic query, “Do martial arts really work in a street fight! Is it worth training at all!?”

That may be asking like why maintain a fire brigade since it is idle most of the time. Any physical activity is beneficial in some manner.

It could be games, yoga, swimming, cycling, dance or anything. It could improve some element of total fitness – either cardio-vascular, muscular endurance, flexibility or atleast co-ordination and quick thinking; which help in a crisis. But, if you are in a job prone to confrontations like security, policing, hotel bouncer etc., learning fighting arts is definitely a plus.

Or if your life style makes you vulnerable, like living in a crime prone locality, commuting late or transporting valuables.

But a word of caution, look out for these inherent failures in any fighting art before signing up. These system weaknesses make you victim and at worst a casualty. So choose carefully. Your life depends on it.

What are the signs that a martial art is NOT street-smart -

1) CHOREOGRAPHED MOVEMENTS – That is nice in dance. In the street it can make one look ridiculous. Because the most shocking realization in the street is the ‘unpredictability’. Choose a fighting method like KravMaga, which constantly exposes you to attacks from different directions, angles and timings, which makes one adaptable.

2) NO AGGRESSION TRAINING – Having an obliging partner who holds back his punches politely, stands still till the partner goes through all the movements makes one complacent. Choose a method which teaches you the basic skills, then escalates physical and mental stress. KravMaga classes have some energy sapping aggression training.

3) TRAINING IN A SINGLE METHOD LIKE STANDING STYLE OR GROUND STYLE The reality is, one could be standing, sitting or on the ground when attacked. Or it could be even an attack by more than one. Or it could be in a suffocating crowd. If you are training in a martial art which says punching & kicking will solve all problems, or just grappling will do, start praying in a street fight. Better still, choose KravMaga which trains one in kicking, punching, grappling, restraining with locks / holds. And to face street weapons like sticks and knives too.

4) COMPLICATED AND EXOTIC TECHNIQUES Looks great in movies. Or in a demo to school kids. On the street it’s quick and decisive movements which count. Fancy kicks and locks fail miserably in reality, unless you are facing a still dummy. And they take years of repeated practice to be effective. Leave that to the grey-haired masters.

5) PHILOSOPHICAL MUMBO-JUMBO IN CLASS Philosophical nuggets went along with the movie Karate Kid. A self-defense class is about facing a rapist, a mugger or a bunch of drunken goons. Learn that first before worrying about self-actualization.

New Delhi, December 14, 2009

Abay Deol learning Krav Maga

Interestingly, Akshaye Khanna was to play the lead in the film initially, when director Navdeep Singh was to direct it for Nikhil Advani’s production company. But the two parted ways due to differences and Deol stepped in to back his director ofManorama Six Feet Under.

Deol is so fascinated by Krav Maga that whenever he got time off  between shots while filming Aisha with Sonam Kapoor, he’d practise it with his trainer. Basra, which sees Deol in the role of a RAW officer, has extensive action sequences. And Deol wants to ensure that he does his stunts perfectly. Singh is planning to start the film early next year with a schedule in Iraq.

Indiainfo.com

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 10:48 [IST]

Mumbai: The different Deol boy, Abhay, is going all out to prepare himself for his home production Basra that will see him do action for the first time in his career. After Hrs has learnt that the actor has started training in the Israeli hand-to-hand deadly combat tactics Krav Maga. By doing this he joins Akshay Kumar, the only hero in India who can perform the art and international faces like Angelina Jolie, Michelle Yeoh and Keanu Reeves.

This deadly skill will see Abhay hit a variety of fast crippling attacks to vulnerable body parts of his enemies. He has to go through a mixed aerobic and anaerobic workout and has to also use heavy pads to protect his body from damage while training.

“The film will see me fight like a street fighter and I’m learning really fast. It is fun and I have to learn many things if I have to convincingly play an action hero. Plus, it’s my home production, I cannot take any shortcuts,” Abhay told DNA.

Sources close to the film reveal that the young actor has also set up a training area where he would look to challenge his body reactions and defense skills through simulated attacks. This will make him faster and agile at offense and defense. Abhay has been called a perfectionist by many critics and this clearly shows his diligent approach to cinema.

“I always believe that you have to know something to perform it with ease and convince people. Nobody buys a fake and if you are not good at something you are doing, it always shows. I know I have to perfect myself in action because that’s never been my USP,” he says.

When not fighting in the arena, Abhay is traveling the world visiting film festivals in Venice, Toronto, Cannes, Tribeca where he has also lectured on cinema. The actor is ecstatic that even though he has not done the so-called Bollywood masala movies, he has managed to rub shoulders with Hollywood icons like Martin Scorsese, Robert de Niro, Jodie Foster, Matt Damon among others.

“Hollywood is very excited and appreciative of Indian cinema. Whenever I have met people who are greats in their own rights, they have been very inquisitive about our industry. This just shows that Indian cinema has a global presence and it is a huge achievement. There is scope for everyone to get the spotlight even if you are not a traditional Bollywood movie star. That’s a healthy change for our industry,” he ends.

Shruti Badyal

With crime against women continuing unabated in the city, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, recently appealed to women to join self-defence training courses offered by the government and private agencies. While safety has been a major concern of the Delhi Government, women have started equipping themselves with self-defence training lessons. Experts conducting such training sessions at various places in the city say that the number of women seeking self-defence classes has rapidly increased in the last few months.

[stextbox id="info"]Vicky Kapoor, chief instructor, Krav Maga India, says, “There has been a drastic increase in the number of women wanting to be able to protect themselves. A major reason triggering this attitude of self-safety among women is that they don’t really rely on any security system. They want to be equipped to deal with challenging situations on their own.”[/stextbox]

Jaipreet Joshi of FITCOMB feels that self-defence training includes 90 per cent psychological defence, and 10 per cent physical training. According to Jaipreet, corporate hubs in Delhi and the NCR are encouraging their employees to take up self-defence training sessions. “There is a great demand for these classes among corporate officials. A major reason for this is that the girls don’t think guards and cabbies can really protect them from an unpleasant situation. So they want to be self-sufficient when it comes to protecting themselves. Also, more than the physical training, we focus on the philosophy of psychological safety,” says Jaipreet.

So what is the most common fear that grips girls who seek training on self-defence? “Many girls have gone through some kind of trauma which haunts them time and again. So, when we enroll students, we always ask them to narrate their story and suggest that they share it with others in the group,” says Jaideep.

Some feel, that instead of complicated measures, and encouraging the use of mere gadgets, women should be taught simple techniques to save themselves. “Simple and easy techniques are always taught rather than asking them to depend on fancy gadgets during an attack. We focus on the fitness aspect and building a positive attitude with some simple and workable techniques, which one can use in various circumstances no matter which situation you are in or how you are dressed. For instance, you should be able to defend yourself even when you are wearing a sari or a short skirt,” says Dr Rajnish Jawas, chief instructor with Martial Arts Academy of India.

For others, awareness about physical training sessions is still lacking. “The frequency of these classes should be increased and they should be made available in all schools and colleges. NGOs and the government need to push the need for these classes in educational institutions,” says Rajat Mahajan, a gym instructor.

Age: 30 yrs

I first heard about Krav Maga from Ajit sir and Paul Devassy.

I would like to thank them and the Mumbai Krav Maga team to have given me a chance to fulfill my childhood dream of learning some kind of Martial Art form. I had almost forgotten about that for the last 20 years, but have always been fascinated by the thought of techniques to use one’s body as a weapon.

I have always been athletic by nature, but it is during the classes that I understood how much more fitter I could make myself. It’s a huge kick to surpass your own physical abilities.

Also, to learn some basic facts about our body’s natural movements, like all-round and 360 degrees defense, freeing oneself from chokes or executing perfect punches and kicks which can be fatal or atleast can shock the opponent.

I have always been a person who would like to stand my own against wrong doings and unfortunately some of that may lead to fights as well. But just the righteousness is not enough to defend. Now I know that I’ll be able to stand up for my beliefs and fight it out if need be. Conditioning of my body will surely help in self defense or rather a counter attack full of stamina would help me spring a surprise over the attacker.

I had read that Krav Maga was different from other forms of Martial arts. But now I know how effective it is, in it’s quick, minimal and lethal implementation.

Once again a big thanks to dedicated trainers and participants of this team. I see everyone in my class as a teacher and they help me learn something new each week.

Every chance I get, I would suggest my friends and relatives to learn and practice Krav Maga for the benefits that it offers.

Krav Maga
Push-ups, squats, kicks and stretching, after an intense 30 minutes of cardio and fitness training, the students are already grunting in pain and lying listlessly on the ground. Welcome to the world of Krav Maga, the Israeli system of self-defence and fighting, which teaches you the art of street survival. The system which means “contact combat” in Hebrew has devout followers who want that added confidence in their stride. Sadashiv M, a Krav Maga senior instructor, Mumbai says, “What is unique about this system is that it uses the body’s own reflexes. It works on instinct and natural movements. The body’s centre line — the imaginary line running though the centre of the body is the focus for defence and attack.” Ajit Verma, an instructor says, “Krav maga is a total fitness solution in itself. You burn about 800 calories in an hour.”

Capoeira
Brazilians have become famous for more than just their football skills and samba. Capoeira, the national sport, a mixture of dance and martial arts, is quietly catching up with children and adults alike. The class resonates with thumps, loud singing and the sound of a pandeiro (tambourine) and a berimbau (percussion instrument). Capoeirists of all age groups learn the fast and tricky movements in these classes. Trainer Reza Massah says, “This is the only sport which combines the co-ordination of a dancer, the strength of a martial artist, the flexibility of a gymnast, the endurance of a marathon runner and the beat of a drummer in a friendly, non-violent manner.” With its origins in African slavery in Brazil, the deceptive defence moves are light, but precision based. They build strength and balance, evident in the fluid cartwheels, kicks and twirls. Model Rosa Catalano has been practising Capoeira for a while now. “While living in Switzerland, I saw Capoeirists perform acrobats on streets and ever since I have wanted to learn. Capoeira is about rhythm and hardcore exercise. It is not about hurting somebody,” she says.

Jeet Kune Do
Bruce Lee may have died but his legacy lives on. Jeet kune do or the way of the intercepting fist is a street fighting concept and works on evolving according to the needs of the individual. Dr Komal, an exponent of this art says, “JKD helps in physical fitness, stress management and dealing with life’s problems.” It has no set fighting technique. It builds speed, power and co-ordination and involves kicking, punching, knee-elbow or trapping and grappling. Anjali Bhimrajka, a student, says, “In one-and-a-half years, I have lost 15 kgs. I had a ruptured ligament in my knee so any type of weight loss was not possible. But this was the answer to my problem.” Ritesh Reddy, who has been practising for the past six years adds, “I lead a sedentary lifestyle and started these classes to manage stress. I wanted to do tai-chi but found JKD more to my liking.”

Kalaripayattu
“There are 18 secrets in kalaripayattu, of which the highest is hitting your opponent and moving away. At this level, you are assured of your skill and do not need to show off,” reveals Pradeesh Raj, who has been teaching since the past 20 years. Originating in Kerala, the 3,000-year old martial art has three styles to it — one which focuses on weapons training apart from empty hand combat; another which teaches empty hand combat; and the last, which is a mixture of both. The master in this art also needs to understand the pressure points in the body and healing. One learns to wield the mind as adeptly as the sword, as you begin with training your body, then move on to weaponry, and ultimately spiritual training. Actress Upasana Shukla says, “The level of discipline kalari inculcates in you is great. This has helped me in theatre as well and I really look forward to these sessions.”

The security set-up of business houses have been a source of concern. Most business houses engage private guards. In order to overcome this problem, more than 50 lakh security guards across the country will now undergo training developed by the Israeli defence forces called Krav Maga.

Ultimate Tactical and Combat Private Limited (UTCPL), a company which also provides training to specialised forces like Tihar jail police and SWAT teams, will train the guards. “One cannot deploy policemen at each and every house but since there are a large number of security guards who are engaged by private business houses, they can be trained to be more professional in case of any attack from terrorists or criminals. They can act as first line of defence,” said Kunwar Vikram Singh of Central Association of the Private Security Industry (CAPSI).

“Krav Maga emphasises training that will enable guards to execute appropriate tactics and defensive techniques in a timely manner with or without the use of force,” said Vikram Kapoor, MD of UTCPL. Experts claimed that the programme has been designed in association with the Security and Protection Training School in Israel and the guards after screening will be trained by Israeli commandos. The training will be devised according to the unit’s operation purpose.