Smitha Nair was returning home from work in an autorickshaw last month, when the driver turned around and asked her, “What do you think about sex?”

The Bengaluru-based graphic designer didn’t reply. Instead, she whipped out her mobile phone and made a mock call. “I don’t care if your mother is in hospital,” she shouted into the phone. “I want those designs when I get there. I will be there in 20 minutes. Is that understood,” she yelled. After hanging up, Nair asked the driver what he had said. He didn’t reply and quietly dropped her to where she was headed.

Terrorism has also heightened insecurity. Lawyer Pankaj Kumar (not his real name) was supposed to meet a friend for dinner at Mumbai’s Oberoi Trident Hotel on November 26, two years ago. He couldn’t make it, but his friend was killed by militants that night. It changed Kumar’s perspective on personal safety. “I decided that if I were ever to be in such a situation, I would be better equipped,” he recalls.

Kumar joined a KM course. “Now, I can fight and disarm anyone attacking with a gun or a knife,” he claims.

Not everybody believes that such fear is justified. Social scientist Shiv Vishwanathan, in fact, feels that fear is spreading a sense of insecurity and anxiety among the urban population. “The insecurity is targeted at the general other — which means, every stranger is perceived as a terrorist or a rapist. This is a recipe for turning into a paranoid society,” warns Visvanathan.

But for some people, self-defence courses are the way to conquer fear. Not surprisingly, the number of young professionals joining the KM course conducted by Krav Maga India (KMI), a private group affiliated to the International Krav Maga Federation, Israel, increased five-fold after the 26/11 attack, says Sadashiv Mogaveera, chief instructor for Maharashtra. “A wide mix of people — including flight attendants, businessmen and housewives — want to learn how to fight,” he says. KMI conducts courses in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi and has held workshops for companies.

Krav Maga is a form of martial arts that is used by some of the top defence agencies around the world. Find out how Bengaluru’s taking up this latest fitness fad.

Krav Maga, a form of martial arts from Israel is attracting a lot of attention in the city. With only one centre located in Richmond Town, people from all over the city, irrespective of age and gender are thronging the center to learn Krav Maga .

The techniques used in Krav Maga are derived from street-fighting, and makes the most to enhance one’s reflex action. Frank J, a Krav Maga instructor says the Israeli martial art is different from any other kind of martial art as it involves more real-life situations. “Krav Maga teaches you on how to use your muscles in the most efficient manner, using your own reflexes to fight back. Our body responds to all kinds of external attack, and it’s in our subconscious mind. The right utilization of your own reflexes can save you from a lot of danger.”

Frank feels fear can put one in a lot of danger. “When you have a tight working schedule, all throughout the week, you tend to follow a different lifestyle; it was the same with me when I was working for an I.T. company a few years ago. But then, it was after having met few officers from Indian Air force, who educated me about this free-form martial art, that I decided to work on it, which I thought was more productive than what I had been doing then,” said Frank.

It’s after six years of rigorous practice and hard work today Frank masters the art, and has been avidly working as a trainer at his institute in Bengaluru for almost two years now. He says, “I am really grateful to the officers from the Indian Air Force who made me acquainted with Krav Maga. I also thank Vicky Kapoor, Chief Instructor from International Krav Maga Federation, India, who had helped me to understand about this art of fighting.

Krav Maga Israeli Self Defense in Bengaluru

Krav Maga Israeli Self Defense in Bengaluru

Source : http://myBengaluru.com/article/1009/fighting-fit-with-karv-maga.html

We got to the point where in every major city in India we have Krav-Maga.
5 years back, no one believed, we could achieve this.
In our Krav-Maga family, we have something that I have seen in battle between my soldiers.
In Hebrew, the bible language it pronounced “re ut”.
It is describing as a unique bond in group.
You care more about your friend than you care about yourself.
And your friends interest coming always before your self interest.
You have “re ut” in Krav-Maga India.
It makes me proud to be part of it.
I can not finish without thanking the person who make it all possible
Mr Vicky Kapoor.
Thank you, my friend I will see you soon,
Best

Avi Moyal
International Krav-Maga Federation, Israel

Krav Maga India Team

Training qualifications:

• More than 34 years of experience in hand-to-hand combat training, Military Close Quarter Combat Tactics and specialist Law Enforcement tactics.
• Certified by IKMF, Israel, he became India’s First Law Enforcement Instructor, SWAT Instructor, Civilian Instructor and Military Instructor.
• Managing Director of Ultimate Tactical and Combat Pvt. Ltd., a firm catering to military and combat gear and training, equipment and various security related services.
• Certified Combat Krav Maga Instructor
• Certified S.W.A.T (Special Weapons and Tactics) instructor
• Certified Law Enforcement instructor
• Certified Military instructor
• 7th Dan Black Belt in Karate (KFI)
• 6th Dan Black Belt in Goju-Ryu (Okinawan, Japan)
• 5th Dan Black Belt by WKC
• 5th Dan Black Belt by IKKO

Kravmaga India Create Your Badge

Learning a self-defense tactic is always a good idea. Especially one that is also used by the Israeli military, Los Angeles Police Department, FBI,Krav Maga – Bengaluru Swedish SWAT Team, French Anti-terrorist group and Hollywood celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie. We are talking about Krav Maga, the Israeli self-defense technique. Hebrew for ‘contact combat,’ Krav Maga is an effective practical defense technique that teaches you how to deal with and overcome all kinds of violence and attacks. The best part is that every aspect of the technique is explained in detail, so that trainees are prepared for any surprise element out there on the street. Introduced in Bengaluru about four months ago, Krav Maga is gaining in popularity here. , Krav Maga’s instructor in Bengaluru, has been practicing and teaching it for the past five years after training with Vicky Kapoor, of International Krav Maga Federation, India. He tells MetroMela why Krav Maga is a great self-defense technique to learn:

Krav Maga trains students to use the body’s natural weapons as well as ordinary objects that may be close at hand.

Krav Maga mainly incorporates drills that take advantage of the body’s natural reflexes. While in a boxing ring, there will be rules and ample time to fight, on the street the attacker will not give you time. In fact, if there is a sudden attack the mind can shut down. The idea of Krav Maga is to teach people to defend such attacks in the minimum time required. This is also why each and every aspect of the drill is explained.

Some of the defense techniques students are taught include how to defend against a knife attack from the back, how to release an armbar choke (a choke from the back), prevent sexual assault etc.

Krav Maga teaches you quick thinking and quick moves. We train our students to be smarter and explain every action, why we are doing a particular move, using a particular muscle etc. Once they understand the core concept of self-defense, they can create their own solutions.

How does Krav Maga help women? The attacker knows his strength. To counteract the attack, we teach women to use the same tools he’s using in a different way. For example, if the attacker is trying to squeeze their neck, they can give it back to the attacker with a groin kick. Women can also use their muscle strength to counteract attacks. If the attacker is choking her from the back, instead of arms, she can use her full back muscles to push him back. It’s a surprise element and if used timely, she will be able to counteract and gain time. Keep in mind that you not only need to learn a combat technique for this but also consistently practice it well.

The best part of Krav Maga is that you have to constantly think about which move you are going to use. It helps in gaining confidence and changes your attitude. Its biggest strength is that it teaches you to think of solutions immediately.

’s self-defense tips for women

Be smart on the street. If the assault is verbal, ignore it. Being easily provoked by verbal abuse shows that you are low in confidence. Never challenge the attacker.

Women have the best instincts. Learn to trust your instinct, for example, when you feel you shouldn’t take a particular road.

If there is a bad situation, do not panic and think rationally. There’s a solution for everything.

Women have many tools in their purse like pen, keys, deodorant spray, mobile. You can use all of those as weapons. If in a room, you can use a chair to defend yourself.

When you are running, don’t scream ‘Help’. Scream ‘Fire’. It attracts a lot more attention than ‘help’!

Even if you know self-defense techniques, don’t try to attack immediately. Be smart and figure out the situation first.

In Bengaluru, you can learn Krav Maga at -

Doodle Den Rooftop, No.3, Curley Street,
Richmond Town, Bengaluru 560025.
Tel – 09886769281

Source: http://www.metromela.com/

MYCATPRESS

Q&A: Vicky Kapoor, Director, International Krav Maga Federation Aabhas Sharma / New Delhi April 19, 2008

Krav Maga, a martial arts form, has recently caught the fancy of fitness freaks – from Omar Abdullah to Shweta Nanda. Aabhas Sharma asks instructor Vicky Kapoor to demystify it.

How different is Krav Maga from other forms of martial arts?

Krav Maga is a martial art form with a simple, effective 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

Who are the kind of people taking up Krav Maga? Is it more for self defence or as a fitness booster?

A majority of people take it up for fitness as Krav Maga helps in toning muscles and it also improves body coordination.

While it does help in burning calories, people have realised that it is more suitable for self defence. Toning and losing weight is not the main goal but many women say they see these results too during training.

How exactly does it work? As in, are there any sets of rules that are applicable?

Unlike other self-defence and aerobic programmes, there are no required steps or rules in Krav Maga. Instead, here techniques are practised in simulated, ever-changing attack situations.

One thing that Krav Maga does is it helps one be in control of situations even when one is unarmed. It uses simple techniques that are part of natural body movements and reflexes.

Where did you learn the art and how popular is it globally?

I learnt the art in Israel and realised that it is not a sport which has martial arts but it is actually serious business. I always tell my students that if you genuinely want to learn and are serious about it, you should take up this form. It is no child’s play.

Probably, this is a reason why it has been officially adopted for training armies in 25 countries including Australia and Sweden.

What is the USP?

Krav Maga training stresses the ability to react when one is surprised. Techniques and training methods here emphasise the ability of the individual 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.

Source: Business Standard

April 2nd, 2008

The Israeli Defence Forces have a gift for the world. Sanjeev Bery takes a closer look at the spread of Krav Maga martial arts in India

Israeli’s Arms sales may capture the headlines, but they aren’t the nation’s only export to India. In south Delhi’s upscale Saket neighborhood, a small but growing number of residents are learning Krav Maga, the hand-to-hand combat system of the Israeli Defence Forces.

A big man with a gruff demeanor, Vicky Kapoor is the one responsible for bringing Krav Maga to India. He describes the martial art in clipped phrases: “Combat fighting — a system which is quick — easily retained.” Kapoor himself came to Krav Maga after decades of experience in karate, judo, and other martial arts. “What I saw was that Krav Maga is the most practical self-defence system,” he says.

Since Krav Maga’s arrival in 2004 in India, some 600 students have undergone Kapoor’s training. New programs have started in Gurgaon and Bengaluru. And classes will soon begin in Mumbai, Kolkata, and other cities. “Krav Maga makes you more aware of the threats around you,” says south Delhi resident, Nitin Bhasin, one of Kapoor’s students. “You are better prepared to handle situations that might arise.”

At Kapoor’s Delhi studio, a sign quotes Krav Maga’s founder Imi Lichtenfeld: “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Another shows a stylised graphic of soldiers, presumably Israeli, descending from military helicopters. According to Krav Maga’s promoters, what sets it apart from other martial arts is its focus on immediate self-defence. Absent are the yoga-like movements found in East Asian martial arts. Also missing are any rules against striking the groin, eyes, or other vulnerable parts of the body. In class, though, steps are taken to keep people safe.

Krav Maga began in the 1930s, when Lichtenfeld organised European Jews to defend themselves against Nazi militias. Israeli military trainers further developed the martial art into something they could quickly teach new troops. In Hebrew, the name literally means “close combat.”

It is definitely not a pursuit for the common man. In Bengaluru, a two-and-a half week course with 10 hours of instruction costs Rs 2,800. In Delhi, the monthly fee is Rs 3,000, plus Rs 2,250 in startup costs.

In the Delhi studio, the military images compete for attention with pop star Jennifer Lopez throwing a punch. Most women, however, attend the studio’s kickboxing cardio classes, not the martial arts sessions. “They are more concerned about weight loss than their safety,” Kapoor says.

The low turnout of women is true of the Bengaluru studio as well. “Mr. ,” as the instructor calls himself, blames Indian gender roles. “Women are always told from childhood to be nice to men,” he says. “They should not talk back or fight back. Suddenly, they find themselves confronted by a sexual predator, and it is difficult to erase the years of training they have received.” But he points to a new attitude in his female students. “They can do something to protect themselves. They don’t have to rely on boyfriends or brothers to protect them all the time,” he says.

CURIOUSLY, CIVILIAN Krav Maga is still affected by Israeli military concerns. “We are restricted not to teach the Palestinians or the Iranians,” Kapoor says. No individual is turned away at the door, but Krav Maga does seem to have official friends and enemies.

Even so, promoters are reticent to discuss Krav Maga’s potential role in the controversies of actual Israeli military practice. “We don’t mix those things with politics,” says Eli Ben-Ami, Co-Director of the International Krav Maga Federation, based in Israel. “It has nothing to do with the occupation or what is happening in the Occupied Territories.”

Ben-Ami, a former Israeli soldier, stressed that he was speaking as an individual. “Those soldiers who are dealing with the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories mostly don’t use hands,” he said, implying the use of a firearm. But they do use Krav Maga to “catch or bring someone into custody.”

Kapoor himself studied under Krav Maga experts in Israel, and his sympathies are clear. “War is in Israeli blood. War is not in Indian blood,” he said. “We are more peace-loving. If we had war in our blood, no one could enter Parliament and do the shooting.” He later added, “Nobody dares to mess with Israel.”

From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 5, Issue 13, Dated April 5, 2008

Source:: http://www.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=hub050408Tel_Aviv.asp

Source:: http://sanjeevstravels.wordpress.com/2008/03/30/tehelka-1-tel-aviv-tango/

MYCATPRESS

January 28th, 2008

Desperate Housewives? Nah, you go for Fear Factor. At the Hallowe’en Ball, you dress up as Catwoman. And your party purse essential is not perfume but pepper spray.

Sign up for Krav-Maga. The Israeli self-defence technique equips you for every sudden-danger sitch — and gives you a super-toned bod in the bargain.

What do you do when you’re pinned to the ground? Or someone holds a knife to your throat? How do you fight back when someone grabs you from behind? Our Trendy Adventurista found her answers at the Bengaluru premises of the International Krav-Maga Federation.

Hebrew for ‘contact combat’, Krav-Maga roots itself in realistic scenarios, no-rules fighting and the instinctive reactions of human reflexes. It calls for mental agility, attitude and confidence, enhancing the natural strengths of your mind and body.

Krav-Maga also makes for a super-effective cardio workout, which targets fat and slack muscles (the instructors say it can burn upwards of 800 calories every hour) with the accuracy of a well-timed kick. Her first session helped our Adventurista realise she needed to make this a regular habit.

Because all enemies don’t wear human faces.

Source: http://www.trendy.in/2008/01/28/the-fit-and-the-fearless/

MYCATPRESS

Varanasi, February 25, 2007

To RAISE  awareness about Israeli combat system, Krav-Maga (the self-defence technique preferred and popularised by the Israeli defence forces), a two-day training camp was organised at Gandhi Bhawan in Town Hall on Saturday and Sunday.

Head instructor/chairman of the International Krav-Maga Federation (Israeil), Eyal Yanilov gave valuable tips of this Israeli technique of self-defence to the learners on Sunday.

Yanilov, the senior most Krav-Maga practitioner in the world, exhorted the students to work hard. He said that Indian culture was very rich. “Be proud of being an Indian,” said the living legend and guru extraordinaire of Krav-Maga, amid applause from the students. Yanilov, who started learning Krav-Maga at the age of 14 and became an instructor at the age of 17 and toured more than 200 days in a year across the world to spread the self-defence system, also gave a brief note about the history of Krav-Maga.

“Krav-Maga does not look at the tradition and beauty of art but focuses on safety in a simple manner,” said Eyal Yanilov, who holds unique founder’s diploma of excellence.

Lion Academy of Martial Art and Bhartendu Academy had jointly organised the training camp in which around 70 trainees, including around 35 jawans of 39 Gorkha Training Centre and students of Army School and civil schools participated.

Country head of the International Krav-Maga Federation, Vikram Kapoor, who brought Krav Maga to India and is India’s only internationally qualified instructor, said one could achieve nothing without hard work. “Continue to work hard you would definitely achieve your goal one day,” said Kapoor.

Eyal Yanilov and Vikram Kapoor were also felicitated on the occasion. Head of Varanasi, Gopal Ji Seth introduced Yanilov to the trainees and conducted the programme. Convener, Rajander Trivedi welcomed the guests.

Source: Hindustan Times, Lucknow Edition