“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.

Tai chi

Spiritual balance is an important component of any martial arts form. Martial arts expert and celebrity fitness trainer Harshal Mehta says, “We begin tai chi by breathing in deeply and taking energy from the earth and air to cleanse the entire system.”

This practice not only helps to improve the respiratory muscle functions, but also helps the lungs remove toxins. He explains, “The blood flow is guided by the chi (energy). The tai chi movements guide the energy so that more oxygen enters the blood. Because of the continuous slow motion, fresh blood cleans, repairs and nourishes every part of the body. Also, the waist-turning movements of this martial art increases the flow of blood and urine through the kidneys and the tai chi breathing method delivers more oxygen and removes larger quantities of carbon dioxide.”

Krav maga

“The Israeli military combat regimen krav maga follows the Zen philosophical quest where the practitioner of krav maga is so engrossed in his performances that it’s only him and the combat. The concentration is so strong that it turns off the analytical mind for a few minutes, pumping in a fresh stream of blood, thus cleansing the central nervous system,” says Vicky Kapoor, a krav maga expert.

Yoga

People perform yoga but often forget kriya, which is a vital cleansing routine. Yogic kriyas like jal neti, sutra neti, vamankriya and shankhaprakshalan help in removing the toxins and wastes from the body.
“In jal neti, water is poured through one nostril and taken out from the other nostril. It is done using a special kind of neti pot. This helps cure sinus infection and allergies. Similarly, sutra neti, which is performed using a cotton thread, helps stimulate the nerves and is good for eyes, ears and nose,” explains Payal Gidwani, a celebrity yoga expert, who asserts that yogic kriyas have to be done under the guidance of an experienced trainer.

To improve the digestive system, shankhaprakshalan is very efficient. “It is effective for those who have a troubled stomach. It is comparatively difficult and needs days of practice to master. However, vamankriya is a simpler way of cleansing the throat and the chest, where salt water mixed with warm water is used for removing the mucus lining from the body,” she explains.

Source: Deccan Chronical

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

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.

Apart from offering a vigorous cardiovascular workout, most martial arts also increase your muscle strength, improve flexibility and strengthen the core. Thanks to the complex interplay of muscles involved in a martial art, you get a thorough full-body workout.

As Arjuna Awardee and Olympian judoka Cawas Billimoria says, “A martial art demands so much of you that you can’t really get bored of it.”

Karate

Most of us likely took karate classes in school. One of the most widely practiced martial arts worldwide, karate is not just a way to stay safe, but is also a great overall workout.

While there are slight variations in the katas or sequence of movements taught by the different schools of karate, they all emphasise the use of punches, kicks, locks and throws.

Since karate mainly involves striking and sparring with the hands, it makes for a great upper body workout. “Every punch and lock requires different sets of muscle groups,” says Rajeev Sabharwal, founder of the School of Shotokan Karate-Do in Delhi. “With time, your whole body becomes conditioned.”

Some styles like the gojuryu incorporate specific weight-training techniques called hojo undo that strengthen the wrists and forearms.

Most styles incorporate stretching exercises and breathing techniques. “You start with stretches and move on to punches and kicks,” says Sabharwal. “You don’t get bound to one kind of workout.”

Judo

For a martial art that means “the gentle way” in Japanese, judo features a lot of grappling, wrestling and knocking opponents to the ground. But the Olympic sport is safe enough for people of all ages to practice.

Unlike other martial arts which focus on using force to strike or spar with an opponent, judo hinges on using the opponent’s own strength to dislodge or topple him.

Naturally, judo both demands and contributes to a high level of physical fitness. “It is one of the most complicated sports to practice because it requires both power and muscular endurance,” says Billimoria. “Normally, when your power increases, your endurance decreases and vice versa. This training makes you very strong mentally and physically.”

T’ai chi

T’ai chi is for those who prefer a steady, unhurried pace of exercise, as it is made up of a slow sequence of movements that emphasise correct posture, better balance and coordination. Infused with balletic grace, these movements are also said to improve lymph and blood circulation. Since the movements focus on using the full range of motion of your joints, you can avoid creaky joints as you age.

Although t’ai chi does have a basis in self-defence, it is mainly practiced for its numerous physical and mental health benefits. “T’ai chi conditions your heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and spleen,” says Rakesh Menon, director of Flowing Wheel, an institute that offers training in t’ai chi.”It is also a very good stress buster,” adds Menon.

Interested in learning?

Capoeira

At first glance, capoeira looks like an infectious combination of catchy beats and freestyle dance with a bit of football thrown in for good measure. There doesn’t seem to be anything aggressive about this fluid martial art that originated in Brazil. But once you start swaying to the rhythm too you simply can’t resist you will realise that capoeira is an efficient yet engaging way to stay fit.

All the elements of capoeira are geared towards strengthening your core and making you faster on your feet. Take the basic side to side movement or the ginga. According to Mumbai based capoeira instructor Reza Massah, “That movement itself is like doing a 1000 situps”. The 72 basic moves of capoeira incorporate dance moves, stretches and breathing exercises. Since most of these moves are done standing, you’re sure to get a great workout for your legs. In addition, the back flips and high kicks will improve your balance.

More than combat, reacting fast and avoiding injury is the focus of capoeira. “Capoeira teaches you to outsmart your opponent. You learn to protect your face, avert blows and fall better, without any strain on your knees and ankles,” says Massah.

Taekwondo

The Korean martial art taekwondo is one of only two martial art forms that features in the Olympics, the other being judo. In Taekwondo, the leg is the most important weapon of combat. You learn a number of kicks, including jumping, spinning, skipping and sliding kicks.

Apart from being an excellent lower body workout, taekwondo also improves your agility, speed, balance and stamina. It is both an aerobic and anaerobic workout, and stretching exercises on the ground form an important part of the training. Even if you don’t want to break wooden boards a test of prowess and mental discipline used in advanced training taekwondo is sure to give your fitness regime a kick-start.

“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.

Eyal Yanilov (born in 1959) studied Krav-Maga under the personal tutelage of its founder, Imi Sde-Or (Lichtenfeld), and has served as the Grand master’s closest assistant and foremost disciple since the early 1980s. Active in this field since 1973, he is now its most senior instructor. Mr. Yanilov is the only individual who carries the highest grade ever given by Imi (Master level 3/Expert level and holds the unique “Founder’s Diploma of Excellence” (This diploma was given only to two persons, the other – one of Eyal’s top students, Mr. Darren Levine, Expert level 6, of the United States).

Eyal Yanilov started his Krav-Maga training with Mr. Eli Avikzar (one of Imi’s top students at the time) and soon after- wards began to study directly with the founder himself. At an early age, Eyal was instructing at the training studio that Imi had entrusted to Eli Avikzar, and on many occasions assisted and substituted for the Grandmaster in lessons and preparations with students who were to be tested for grades of expert level. At a later stage, when Imi appointed him Head of the Krav-Maga Professional Committee, Eyal was responsible for preparing and updating the Krav-Maga curriculum. In this capacity Eyal had the task of imparting the new developments and accumulated knowledge, changes in techniques, and the latest training methods to the other senior instructors.

In 1984 Grandmaster Imi Sde-Or placed Eyal in charge of preparing the complete and comprehensive series on the Krav-Maga discipline (of which this book is a part). Since then, and until the system’s founder passed away in January 1998, the two were deeply engrossed in the task of writing down the principles of Krav-Maga and clarifying its various techniques.

Since directing the first self-defense instructors course for American citizens, in 1981, Eyal Yanilov has been teaching a large number of Krav-Maga and self-defense instructors courses in many countries around the world, under the auspices of the Israeli Ministry of Education and the International Krav-Maga Federation (IKMF). Eyal, together with his most advanced students who serve as local directors or chief instructors in their countries, are the key force in spreading Krav-Maga teaching throughout the world. Mr. Yanilov is currently serving as Chairman and Chief Instructor of the IKMF, and heads the International School of Krav-Maga. In this capacity, he is in charge of the development, definition, and dissemination of the system.

Mr. Yanilov is a graduate of the School for Trainers and Instructors at the Wingate Institute for Sport and Physical Education, and also holds a degree in Electrical Engineering. He has spent years training fighters of elite units and members of special anti terrorist squads, while teaching at colleges for physical education instructors.

Since the early eighties Eyal has been training different groups, in various seminars and courses: ordinary civilians coming to learn self-defense, military units, police units, executive protection personnel, special units, SWAT teams, and other security-oriented groups in Israel, Europe, South America, and the United States. Within this context, he specializes in improving the fighting skills and general abilities of members of these groups.

Mr. Yanilov’s main objective now is to educate future Krav-Maga instructors around the world, and he always enjoys promoting any such initiative in this direction.

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.

Martial art techniques ranging from Jujitsu, Taekwondo and the novel Krav Maga ruled the roost on the second day of Vitalsport.

There was then Krav Maga, something you might have heard of if you have followed singer Jennifer Lopez closely. Closer home, Abhay Deol is learning it for his next movie.

Dressed in fatigues of a soldier is Frank, Bengaluru’s Krav Maga practitioner. Krav Maga is a system of self defence created by Israeli military and combines the various forms of martial arts. It is highly dynamic and street oriented. “There is nothing fancy. Instead, Krav Maga teaches you how to enhance your energy and protect yourselves and those around you,” he says.

It is also very situational. “The training we give depends on the situation you are under,” says Frank. So while some of his clients require him to train employees on how to escape from a building on fire, there are MNC companies who want him to train employees on anti-terrorist drills.

“There is a lot of demand for them and in these workshops, I give people basic information such as how to duck when a hand grenade is thrown at you, what to do when a car bomb explodes, and even when to cry or not to cry in front of a terrorist!”

With a self-defence technique to handle every possible danger you can think of, Krav Maga, Frank elaborates, is more about instilling confidence in the person. Tactical and martial arts are only a small part of it. It is about combining science, psychology and physical strength to protect yourself.

With even schools facing security threats, Frank also conducts workshops at schools , training kids in things such as identifying a bad guy in the crowd. With around 200 students learning the art from him, Krav Maga has definitely come here to stay.

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.”

Hello to all dear readers,

We, Indian Revenue Service (IRS)  probationers are at NPA [National Police Academy], Hyderabad…NPA has beautiful campus with greenery all around… It has huge manpower and vehicles…We are residing at senior mess [here hostels are known as Mess] with air conditioned rooms… Every room has separate attendant who does all the needy thing and even carry our clothes to the field..Since we have hectic outdoor activity, We need to change the dresses according to the occasion several times a day…We are doing activities like Drill [parade], Firing, Aerobics, Krav-Maga [Israeli self defense technique], jogging, sports etc… We start our day with a whistle for fall in at 5:30 AM and ends at 6:20 PM.. Though the schedule is a bit hectic but we all are enjoying our stay at NPA… We are also meeting with our Indian Police Service (IPS) batch mates who are very cordial and cooperative.. We had a football match with them but unfortunately lost by 3-0.. But we fought bravely [IPS probationers were expecting 10-0 win]…. In nut shell We are enjoying each and every moment being spent in NPA… keep blogging…

Source: Neutral Views : IAS Training http://neutralviews.blogspot.com/

The police say the number of attacks is declining, but there are still hundreds of cases every year.

New Delhi has long been considered India’s crime capital. Over 1,000 rape and assault cases were reported there last year. Not surprisingly, many parents are encouraging their daughters to join self-defense classes.

“Every single day you read the paper – you pick up the paper and you’re reading about rape here, rape there, 18-year old raped by two taxi guys,” says Anuradha Patni, mother of a young girl herself. “Every day! So I’m not saying that it will happen, but I’m saying that I need to be sure that we’re prepared for it, that’s all.”

Combat studios offer women self-defence training for $50 a month. With classes three times a week, Ultimate Tactical and Combat studio offers Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art which specializes in hand-to-hand combat.

“It gives people confidence to deal with threats. They’re educating themselves, because the police or people or parents cannot be with the girl, or child or women all the time,” says Vicky Kapoor, the Chief instructor of Krav Maga India.

The 22-year-old fashion merchandiser Avantika Chandra has been training for over a month. Now she finds her reflexes have improved, along with her confidence. Knowing that she can take care of herself allows her to live life without having to constantly look over her shoulder.

“It does build a lot of confidence to deal with the most common attacks,” says Avantika Chandra, “They teach you a lot of simple stuff. You just work on your reflexes and that will help anyone.”

More and more women in Delhi are choosing to protect themselves with self-defense training. With many young women now working long shifts and finishing at all hours, such classes will go a long way in making them feel secure in their own city.