Bengaluru Mirror

Crash course shows citizens how to stay safe on the streets

There was just one rule at the Krav Maga session organised by Bengaluru Mirror on Saturday: Don’t hesitate to kick butt if you want to be safe.

Krav Maga is the fighting technique developed by the Israeli armed forces. The Hebrew  phrase means ‘contact combat’.

As the city’s streets are becoming increasingly unsafe, the Krav Maga session was just what the doctor ordered. Even the torrential rains could not dampen spirits as people of all ages and sizes  turned up for the crash course in self-defence.

During the two sessions of two hours each, Franklin Joseph, a member of the International Krav Maga Federation, taught participants techniques to deal with situations ranging from chain-snatching to a headlock.

Joseph explained, “We are not training you to be vigilantes or attack machines whose first reaction is to beat somebody up. We are training you to be able to defend yourself in a situation and also get away without getting hurt. You can be thin, tall, fat, anything and still manage to defend yourself.”

He explained the psychological theory behind Krav Maga before moving on to the practical demonstration with 20 of his volunteers. Groin kicks, nose punches, thumb twisting, arm twisting – everything that was effective without being technically challenging – can be used in Krav Maga.

The ladies lapped it up. From school girls to middle-aged housewives, everybody wanted to know how to be safe. Fourteen-year-olds Sanjana Khinvasra and Tanisha Harsha wanted to be prepared for all the horror stories they had heard from college-going seniors about eve-teasing. Saroj Kunda, a 46-year-old home maker, wanted help to defend herself from road rage. She said, “I have had many instances, where people have walked up to my window and threatened me. I need to be able to defend myself.” Even Jalpa Joshi, a 6’ 1″ tall techie, said she needed help on the streets.

“It is not about how tough you look. These guys just won’t stop,” she said as she practised getting away from a choke hold. For Tracy Yach and her daughter Gabriella,  this was an essential skill. The South African family, living in Bengaluru for a year now, doesn’t have complaints about the safety of women on Bengaluru’s streets. “But you can never be too careful,” Tracy said.

Surprisingly, a majority of the audience were men. Anil Naidu, a 52-year-old stock broker in the city, said he wanted to learn Krav Maga as he was being followed for the last year by different characters. Gorde Ganesh was equipping himself against a repeat of a previous incident. The techie said, “I was attacked on Bannerghatta Road about five years ago and robbed. I don’t want that happening again.”

Whatever the story of each participant, the unifying thought was that they wanted to feel safe.

You can be thin, tall, fat, anything and still manage to defend yourself

Source: BengaluruMirror.com

Mumbai Mirror Newspaper

Women are getting increasingly vulnerable to assault and molestation in Mumbai. Here are some ways to protect yourself from the culprits.

Being a girl who is living and traveling alone in Mumbai can be exhilarating, frightening and enraging all at the same time.

While the freedom the city gives you is refreshing, with the number of rape and molestation cases on the rise, Mumbai is quickly catching up with Delhi as the rape capital of the country. Everyday we are subjected to being grabbed or leered at, at the least.

In such cases, it is important to always be on your guard and be prepared for any attacker. We give you some tips on how to train your mind and body and use some simple household items to ward off any unwanted attention.

Presence of mind

It is imperative to always be alert of your surroundings when you’re travelling alone, be it day or night. Sadashiv Mogaveera of Krav Maga India, an academy that trains in Japanese and Israeli forms of self defence and martial arts, says that awareness is your strongest weapon. “Most girls listen to music on IPods or MP3 players while travelling, making them oblivious to what’s happening around them.

This makes them a potential target as they can be caught unaware. Attackers usually look for weak, defenceless women who are unlikely to fight back; the surprise element is what they’re banking on.”

He explains that your body language must be confident so that the attacker realises that you won’t give up without a fight. Walk purposefully and never let your observation skills slip. Mogaveera adds, “You have to train your mind to be calm even if you know you have to put up a fight. Never get agitated as that betrays your nervousness and fear.

Yatish Bangera of the Bombay Judo Club insists that self confidence and fitness are the basic attributes a girl must possess. “Today’s girls are much more self confident, but implementing this in the required circumstances is what finally matters.” He further says that you must look the attacker in the eyes, which will surely throw him off.

Mogaveera exemplifies the need to be alert with an instance of walking down the street. “Never walk on the side of the road where vehicles are coming from behind you, as this puts you at risk of being pulled into one.

Also, when you’re crossing a dark alley, remember to always peer into it before you cross. If there is an attacker in there, you will have seen his face and could then pick him out of a line-up. This will deter the attacker from approaching you.”

Finally, both instructors emphasise on the fact that a certain level of fitness is required to be able to take on a surprise attacker. Unfortunately, women cannot match up to a man in physical strength but she should be fit enough to at least tackle him, throw him off and run, if necessary.

Practical tips

First and foremost, it is important to know the vulnerable parts of your body. This will not only help you protect yourself, but also know where to inflict pain in case you are attacked. You may not match up to your attacker in terms of physical strength but every human being has the same weak areas.

Mogaveera explains, “The joints of your body bend only in one direction. If you try to bend them in any other, it will cause pain. Other such body parts are the groin, the eyes, the shin and the tissue on the side of the neck.

Suresh Kanojia of the Academy of Judo and Martial Arts has been teaching self defence for 25 years. He gives us some basic tips on how to tackle common attacks.

• If someone comes and grabs you from the back, spread your legs apart a little and bend forward till at least one of your opponent’s legs in between yours. Then with your palms, grab him in the shin, right below the calf, and pull it hard towards you. No matter how strong the man is, he will lose balance and fall.
• If someone comes and grabs your neck or collar from the front, aim at his fingers. Dig your nails into skin of his finger where the nail starts. This skin is thin and when pricked, hurts a lot.
• If someone comes and grabs you by the neck or collar from the back, grab both his little fingers with your palms and pry them apart as far and as hard as you can. This will cause him enough pain to let you go so that you can sprint off.

First time in South & Mid India in 2011, we are conducting  IKMF Krav Maga Israeli Self Defence Workshop & Test in Hyderabad. We invite all people to join us in this unique opportunity.

Ultimate Krav Maga India is proud to announce that we will be hosting a Krav Maga workshop conducted by Mr. Vicky Kapoor, an Indian legend, Chief Instructor of Military, VIP Protection, Police and Civilian Israeli Self Defense training in India in the city of Hyderabad invited by Mr. Ajit, local instructor of Krav Maga in Hyderabad

Krav Maga is a hand-to-hand self-defence system developed by the Israeli Defence Force and is widely considered to be one of the most advanced and effective forms of self-defence in the world today.

The workshops will include a basic introduction to Krav Maga and an introduction to Defense against Knife attack.

Space is limited so please book early!

Date: July 30th 2011 : Krav Maga Israeli Self Defence Workshop & Test in Hyderabad

Venue: Hotel Amogh, MLA colony, Hyderabad

Contact: Mr. Ajit Nathaniel 7702-897910 or email ajit(@)nathaniel.in

Time: 9:30 AM – 12 PM
Knife Defense
Cost: Rs 550.00 per person
Open Walk In: Anybody can walk in, any shape, any size, any strength. Especially good for small, big, young and old women.

Time: 1 PM – 3 PM
Knife Defense
Cost: Rs 550.00 per person
Open Walk In: Anybody can walk in, any shape, any size, any strength. Especially good for small, big, young and old men and women.

Time: 3 PM – 5 PM
Grading Test
Private: Only IKMF Hyderabad Students allowed

Workshop will include an introduction to Krav maga hand-to-hand self-defence and will cover topics such as:

• Why Krav Maga is different from martial arts & introduction to Mr. Vicky Kapoor
• Using your body correctly without using strength
• Hand-to-hand attack defence
• Knife attack defence
• Krav Maga strikes
• Simulations under stress

This hand-to-hand combat style packs in a lot of punches, literally. But more than that, it is an exercise that teaches one how to be on the guard in dark alleys. It started as a lethal combat training for the Israeli Army and is now a craze the world over in its fitness, aka boot camp avatar.

Move over karate as Krav Maga is the new ‘get fit-cum-self-defence’ fad in the town. And the list of takers is only going up, mainly, thanks to the chain-snatching and other incidents on the rise in different localities in the city.

Builds confidence

“I decided to join the classes after my bag was snatched outside a multiplex. My self-confidence levels plummeted and I wanted to get mentally strong. I came across Krav Maga in Delhi. It was a boon when the classes started in Hyderabad. A friend of mine had his laptop snatched in Gachibowli in broad daylight and he is learning Krav Maga too,” says Dhara, a lecturer.

A visit to Krav Maga instructor Ajit Nathaniel’s class in Jubilee Hills on weekends showcases a cross section of people – students, IT professionals, businessmen and home makers – taking keen interest in the boxing regimen, sprints and the works which leaves them tired and confident the same time.

Burn 800 calories

“Self defence is an attitude. Krav Maga is been taken up largely by people who want to learn self-defence or threat response. One also burns 800 calories in one session of the high intensity class. It is a down-to-earth, no-frills regimen for people focussed on self-defence and fitness,” says Ajit. While all military professionals in Israel are given combat training with hand-guns and special tactics, Krav Maga bare hands training is chosen for civilians, he says. In India, his organisation Krav Maga India headquartered in New Delhi, founded by Vicky Kapoor, trains the Prime Minister’s SPG, various law enforcement and special tactic groups such as Punjab Police SWAT team and more.

The significance of the combat training in present scenario is proven by the fact that Krav Maga found its way in the training programme for IPS probationers at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel National Police Academy here.

“One should be able to defend oneself. I did have an orientation towards Judo and Karate and joined Krav Maga one month ago. I find myself more alert and in a better shape to tackle any situation. Krav Maga is helpful for civilians to know self defence. My work takes me abroad and such training is useful,” says Nayan Choudhary, a software professional working with an IT firm in the city.

Training under safety guidelines such as usage of shin guards and gloves makes Krav Maga stand apart. “We are accountable to an international organisation in Israel where we also undergo constant training as instructors and have our knowledge updated,” says Ajit as he is contemplating on opening a centre in Secunderabad as well soon.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/

The workshop will be conducted by Amnon who’s from Israel and is RKC Instructor i.e. Russian Kettle Bell certified.

The details of the course are as follows:
Days: 14th and 15th May 2011
Duration : 10am to 1pm, break for lunch, 2.30pm to 5pm.
Fees: Rs 12,000/- inclusive of taxes.
Venue: Delhi

Please note:
Payment must be made in advance to book your seat.
Fees includes lunch for both days
Kettle Bells will be provided for the training, if however you wish to procure your own you must place an order atleast 2weeks in advance.

Pre-Admission Form

—————

Name:
Age:
Sex:
State:
Country:
Email:
Mobile:
Occupation:
Why you interested in learning Kettle Bell?:

—————

Contact Us

Send your submissions to ‘Info(@)KravMagaIndia.in’.

New!!! Krav Maga orientated Kettlebell!!

Kettlebell is a full body training system with a dynamic approach that provides the trainee a full body workout.

A Kettlebell workout enables the trainee to strengthen and develop all body parts simultaneously, using a lot of muscle groups just as you might in day-to-day routine.

Therefore, Kettlebell’s connection to Krav-Maga is only natural, since Krav-Maga is a self-defence system that implements the idea of natural, coherent movements , and maintain a fit body and a “ready – to – go” mind once attacked. I assure you the combination of Krav Maga & Kettlebell training will build a very good fighter.

In an aim to keep fit; The Kettlebell system is the best way to achieve a fit body in a short period of time and in the healthiest way.

On the other hand, the Krav-Maga trainee shouldn’t look like a body builder, and Kettlebell keeps you lean yet strong in ways you can’t imagine.

Type of activity

Self-defense martial art

What to expect

A Krav Maga course is divided into 18 levels, and by the end of it you’re supposed to be able to defend yourself against knives, sticks and batons. Needless to say, it starts hard: You arrive, you choose a partner and start kicking. You can see these leg-kicks reflected in the mirrors, but as the momentum builds and you attack and defend yourself by crouching and cowering, jutting out your shins and elbows and kicking your partner/attacker, you forget all about the mirror. In the first class, you use a technique called “touch game”, where your partner tries to mess with your hair, your shoulders or butt, to see your reaction. The reaction, whether it’s the lift of your hand or a cringe, is turned into a defense tactic.

How in shape you need to be

You can be an absolute couch potato whose favourite martial art is playing Mortal Kombat. Krav Maga was invented on the presumption that the person defending herself is ten times more fragile than the attacker. Yes, after the first class your muscles will feel shattered but the classes are staggered to help your body bounce back for more.

The verdict

It’s high on sloth loss: right after the first class you feel an electric energy flooding your body. Not only will this extensive session of bashing and kicking cut the extra fat on your body, it’ll leave you street-safe.

Shweta Upadhyay

Delhi Address

Krav Maga India, M-6, lower ground floor, M Block, Saket (4176-4207). Mon, Wed and Fri 7-8pm. Tue,Thur 7-8am. B-7, Club Xcell, GK-I (98104-12442). Mon, Thur 7.30-8.30pm. ` 3,000 monthly.

Source: http://www.timeoutdelhi.net/

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

2) No Holds Bar / Anything goes – i don’t like rules & boundaries (this is what i was looking for) while fighting in particular & in life as well. I like dirty fighting (hitting on the vulnerable parts), cause i m short in height & not have much of muscular strength, so i need something as an equalizer. I have been practicing Krav Maga for the last 3 years, i m confident, that NOW i can handle any guy, of whatever height & strength (cause Krav Maga as mentioned above, has no rules which means, I can do anything & use anything 4 SELF DEFENSE), before doing Krav Maga I didn’t have this confidence.

3) One can learn a lot in small amount of time.

4) Very easy to remember as based on based on natural reflex.

5) Last, but the most imp among all the reason(s) : KRAV MAGA gives meaning to my life / existence, this is what i wanted do to from childhood (Martial Art), parents didn’t allow me, when i was kid, they wanted me to follow the “rat race” an M.B.A / M.Tech / or some officer (which is quite understandable, as every parent wants to see their children, well established in life), but since childhood my interest was more towards Martial Arts than in any other thing, since as now i m not a kid & as i can take my own decision(s), I decided to pursue that thing, which makes me happy, so I left my job & switched to the best form of martial art in the world today “KRAV MAGA”, though a little bit late, at the age of 28, but now i am on track & my search for something which completes me is over , though majority of my friends & relatives are against my profession & few even make fun of it, but i m very happy in my chosen field & love my work, if i wasn’t happy, i wouldn’t have been doing it, will always be thankful to sir who brought this Martial Art form to India, he has made my dream come true, i m living my dream only because of VICKY SIR.

SITUATION 1

You are walking on the road and suddenly a car stops, few men grab you and try to pull you in….

If they grab your hands

• Do not get into a push-pull situation as they would be stronger than you and could overpower you.
• Bend down a bit and stand on your side with your legs little wider apart so that they would take more time to pull you in. Do not face them or away from them where you are most likely to lose balance.
• Use your other hand to grab your own fist and push your elbow towards him, twisting your hand.
• After you are free, you can hit him on his face with a closed fist.

If they hold your clothes or purse

• Use your knuckles (like you are knocking on the door) to hit the palm of the person.
• Do not try to hold on to your duppata or purse if they grab it, let go of them and run away.

If they hold you close

• Hit the groin if your arms are caught up.
• Stomp his feet.

SITUATION 2

If the men have managed to bundle you into the car and pin you down…

• Always try rolling to your side so that you will be in a position to kick the culprits.
• Keep kicking and try to crawl out of the other side of the door.
• Use the seat inside the car as the tool to lie down and kick hard repeatedly while look for things like pen, rolled-up magazines or anything hard inside the car that can be used as a jabbing tool.
• Aim for the driver’s eyes or try twisting his head or pressing his nose so that he could stop/slow down the vehicle.

SITUATION 3
When you are walking on a busy street and two men try to grope you.

• Always keep your purse or bag closer to your chest while walking through a crowded street.
• If you manage to catch the person, always shout and scream, but do not hurl abuses at him or slap him else it would just create a scene and you might end up in a worst situation.
• If he is in front of you and you can see a hand approaching, you can immediately use your palm to push against his neck’s cervical esophagus area, which is very soft, which can choke up the person.

SITUATION 4
You are traveling in an auto rickshaw in a secluded stretch and suddenly the auto-rickshaw stops and two men barge in.

• If two men are trying to get in, immediately start kicking one of the person’s knees or groin. Use your hands to jab the other person’s eyes or throat. Use your palm to hit his chin.
• If the auto-driver grabs you from his seat then roll to the side and use your legs to kick his face.
• If they have a weapon, and are asking for money, give them what they want. Do not abuse them and do not plead, beg or cry. Put up a confident front, but don’t try to threaten them.
• Try to isolate these guys and then plan your escape by attacking one of them.

SITUATION 5
You are the last passenger traveling in your call center cab. The driver suddenly stops and pounces on you.

• If the driver grabs you from his seat, then use your legs to kick his face. There is enough space in the backseat of the car for you to lie down and kick with much force. Scream loudly as you are hitting him.
• Lie down on the side which will prevent him from jumping on you.
• If he grabs you, use your legs to kick his groin or knees
• If he’s managed to get on top of you, use your hands to jab his eyes or throat.
• Avoid sleeping in the car. A driver would notice that and would use it one day against you. Avoid calling or talking too much about your personal life — first you are giving away too much information about your life and he might assume few things about you which might not be true and secondly, while talking on phone you are not aware of your surroundings.

SITUATION 6
You are working late in the office and there isn’t a soul around. Suddenly somebody creeps up on you…

• Scream as loud as possible. If he clamps your mouth shut, use your strength to pull the hand down by leaning onto his hand with your body weight.
• Bite hard.
• Bend down slightly so that you can stamp on his feet with the heels of your shoes and then run.
• If he tries to grab you by the waist then or smother you from behind, bend down slightly so that he cannot lift you easily.
• Stomp hard on this feet and then hit him on the groin. When folds up in pain, use your elbows to hit hard on his chin.
• Use any tools you might have like pen, keys or umbrella to hit him in his eyes, throat or ribs. Scream and shout seeking attention from others.

SITUATION 7
You see your friend being dragged into the car by three men…

• Do not try to grab your friend’s hand which would only prevent her from fighting back. Instead attack the guy. Go for his eyes, throat, thumb and groin areas. Do not hurl abuses or try to slap.
• Try to concentrate on the facial features of the attacker like scar, the shape of his moustache and eyes brows. Write down the car number. Avoid crying or panicking as that would erase or cloud your memory. Call the cops.

Remember this…
Dr B L Gangadhar, HOD, Psychiatry, NIMHAMS and krav-maga instructor Frank J ‘Wolf’ say:

• When you are being attacked, scream and create a scene to attract attention.
• Instead of screaming ‘help, help’ scream, ‘rape, rape’. The latter invokes more sympathy of the bystanders.
• If someone grabs you, you can’t (possibly) beat them with strength, but you can do it by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker between the elbow and armpit or the upper inner thigh.
• After the initial hit, always go for the groin.
• When the guy puts his hands on you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure.
• Take a crash course in self-defence, martial arts or boxing. Carry pepper spray.

Profile of a rapist
When women are attacked they face moderate or high levels of involuntary paralysis during the assault, as it happens suddenly. It is violent and very stressful to her, thus shutting her mind down. “To some of the assailants, this action acts as an acknowledgment of consent from the woman,” says Ottilie Anban Kumar, Psychological Counsellor, Life Coach and Motivational Speaker. Assailants can generally be grouped into following categories:

POWER ASSERTIVE
Around 44 per cent of all accused are in this category, where they will use a weapon to ensure the victim’s co-operation.

ANGER/REVENGE
Here perpetrator is actually out to punish women as they hate women in general. Around 30 per cent of them belong to this category.

CRIME-RELATED
This is done in conjunction with another crime such as burglary, robbery or kidnapping. Around 10 per cent.

DANGEROUS MOTIVE
The most vicious type, this type of culprits want the victim to be hurt or killed after rape. Fortunately, only five per cent fall into this category.