It is always better to be safe than sorry. There is heightened awareness among people about self defence mechanisms, and the rise in the different institutes teaching such martial arts just proves the point.

However, apart from defence and fitness, people choose to learn martial arts for other reasons too.

Says Muthappa, a taekwondo trainer, “A lot of people come here for physical fitness. We have many people who prefer this to a regular gym session. Learning any martial art helps not only in building muscles and toning your body, but also improves your entire system and flexibility.”

But it is not only the fitness factor that counts. What is important is the fact that martial arts help calm the mind. Says Asha, who has been learning Kalari, a martial art form from Kerala, “Initially, it was I started learning it because of the fitness regime. But throughout the learning process, I have noticed is that it helps you emotionally as well.”

Muthappa agrees, “It improves one’s confidence levels too and helps in concentration. We have many school children who come here and they themselves have said how it has helped improve their concentration.”

For many, it is a way to acquaint themselves with different cultures too. Asha adds, “I always had an interest for this art form when I was in Kerala. So when I got to know about the classes here in Bengaluru, everything just fell in place.”

Another person Kripa, who learns Aikido, a Japanese art form says, “I know karate so self defence was not the reason why I started taking this course. It was mainly because I love learning new things and this is a good way to know about the culture of other countries.” But one needs to know everything there is about the different martial art forms.

Says Frank, who teaches Krav Maga in Bengaluru, which is an Israeli form of self defence, “In all types of martial art, the basic requirement is that you should have good fitness level, strength and flexibility. And learning any art will require a minimum of six to seven months. So this is not practical if you confront a tough situation during that time. And there other constraints too. You cannot perform some tactics in confined spaces or if you are on the heavier side. So one should know what martial art suits them and how effective it is in reality.”

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.

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

Vicky Kapoor is driven by three goals. Propagating Krav Maga as a weapon against terrorism, a fitness regimen and a system that is equally good for kids.

His organisation has made packages specific to these goals. Besides security personnel attached to Government organisations, Vicky’s team works increasingly with the hospitality industry. Vicky considers Krav Maga most relevant to situations in hotels, because it sharpens a practitioner’s mind and trains him to size up people.

Vicky calls Krav Maga a holistic health solution and is excited by its growing popularity among corporates whose work-force is largely deskbound.

His third goal of reaching the system to children often leaves him frustrated. “Krav Maga is not a sport, but a system. Schools don’t show interest in anything that does not lend itself to competition.”

A fter gruelling drills in the dojo, Vicky Kapoor sits his students down for a talk. With that, the curtains come down on a two-day session of Krav Maga in the city; Vicky is now more of an older friend offering general advice than a coach cracking the whip. He tells his students to be greedy for knowledge. “Knowledge is one thing that can’t be stolen from you.”

During the free-wheeling interview that follows, he explains how infected he is with this form of greed. “In August, I’ll complete 36 years in martial arts,” says 46-year-old Vicky. “I have learnt quite a number of martial arts and done many fitness courses, but I have not lost the appetite for knowledge. Only recently, I completed the Spinning Instructor Certification course offered by the U.S.-based Mad Dogg Athletics.”

For Vicky, Krav Maga provides the opportunity to synthesise a diverse range of marital arts and fitness regimens. When Vicky makes Krav Maga packages for specific problems, he consciously or unconsciously runs through techniques of Okinawan gojuryu karate, judo, taekwondo, akido and kubudo. He also draws upon his experience as a fitness trainer.

“While devising defence techniques based on Krav Maga, we have to assume that the attacker is trained in all the traditional martial arts. Our techniques must be effective in combating threat from such a person.”

Since Krav Maga is a highly flexible combat system, Vicky has licence to constantly innovate and evolve new techniques or refine old ones. Krav Maga India, which Vicky heads, is credited with creating a technique that could be used when an attacker places a knife under the victim’s nose. “This technique was shared with the Krav Maga bodies in other countries. A Krav Maga technique evolved in one part of the world is shared with practitioners in other parts,” says Vicky. “Krav Maga is a dynamic system with a wide scope for improvement. A solution to a problem leads to a new problem. There is constant research and learning.”

Vicky says he has many options in life, but chooses to stay dedicated to Krav Maga because the system constantly challenges the student in him. “Not only Krav Maga, anything that challenges me to keep going further draws me. I can’t resist a challenge.” Tasks that seem impossible attract him more.

As a mountaineer, he has scaled an impressive number of peaks in the Himalayas. He undertakes four-wheel drive expeditions in this massive mountain range. And, he is into power lifting for the sheer difficulty of the sport.

Krav Maga classes in Hyderabad

Being bullied as a kid wasn’t fun. Neither is being mugged or eve-teased.

You so much want to kick the offender’s butt, but you hold back coz you’re unprepared.

Krav Maga, an Israeli system of ‘contact combat’ is just the thing you need to equip yourself with to tackle such situations. It’s all about riding out your reflexes and turning your opponent’s weak spots against him.

Ajit Nathaniel, an IKMF (Int. Krav Maga Federation) certified instructor at 360º Fitness says, this system of self defense is easy to pick up and is great under high stress situations as it’s based on your natural instincts.

Get into shape with intense power drill to build stamina and agility and the best thing about Krav Maga – it doesn’t matter what your body type is.

Practice real life scenarios like being mugged or attacked with a knife and put your body to the test. Eye gouge, rabbit punch, groin kick… the only rule here is to sustain the least damage yourself.

The classes are offered every Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 am and 11:00 am.

This is a weekend’s worth of ‘kick ass’ fun!

360º Fitness,
Croma Building, Road No. 36,
Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.
Ph: +91 – 77028 97910
For the history and details of Krav Maga, log onto www.kravmagaindia.in

Source: http://www.cluburb.com/

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.

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.

Krav Maga India Photo Gallery

http://KravMaga.co.in

[cref article-airlines-security-who-will-protect-our-air-hostess-crew-members 03 Oct 09:: Krav Maga Chennai Israeli Self Defense Workshop by Mr. Vicky Kapoor]

——————–

[cref video-fight-quest-krav-maga-a-fight-to-the-death 18 Aug. 09 :: MOU signing for Krav Maga training amonst CAPSI members ]

——————–

[cref cic 15 Aug. 09 :: Civilian Instructor Course New Delhi]

——————–

[cref student-of-combat 26 July 09 :: Delhi Police Special Weapons & Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Unit training in Krav Maga ]

——————–

[cref video-fight-quest-krav-maga-full-episodes 14 May 09 :: Krav Maga India tour & training in Israel]

——————–

[cref news-krav-maga-mumbai-two-new-centers-in-chruch-gate-bandra 08 May 09 :: Mr. Vicky Kapoor visit to Krav Maga Mumbai Chapter ]

——————–

[cref event-special-knife-defense-class-in-saket-krav-maga-headquarters 26, April 09 :: Krav Maga Civilian Instructor Course in New Delhi by Krav Maga India]

——————–

[cref mumbai-event-fear-factor-girls-try-krav-maga 2009 :: Krav Maga Bengaluru Chapter]

——————–

[cref news-vickykapoorcom-new-blog-for-kravmagaindiain 09 Feb. 09 :: Bengaluru Visit by Mr. Vicky Kapoor]

——————–

[cref video-fight-quest-krav-maga-full-episodes 16 Nov. 08 :: Krav Maga Civilian Instructor Course, New Delhi]

——————–

[cref event-special-knife-defense-class-in-saket-krav-maga-headquarters 13 Oct. 08 :: Kabadi Match by Krav Maga India :: New Delhi]

——————–

[cref press-vicky-kapoor-talks-with-the-nation-talk-blog 13 Oct. 08 :: Krav Maga Mumbai Workshop by Mr. Vicky Kapoor, Chief Instructor Krav Maga India]

——————–

[cref event-special-knife-defense-class-in-saket-krav-maga-headquarters 30 Sept. 08 :: Bengaluru Workshop by Mr. Vicky Kapoor, Chief Instructor Krav Maga India]

——————–

25 July 08 :: Civilian Instructor Course in New Delhi by Krav Maga India

——————–

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.