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

“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.

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.

Age: 30 yrs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Practitioner Levels (1-5) ;

Graduate Levels (1-5) ;

Expert Levels (1-5) ;

and Master Levels (1-3).

There is not much correlation to Belt Levels, however, with regular training it takes around 2-3 years to get G1, 5-7 years to get Expert1.

Unit 1: General Information and Theory (Including: history, explanations on the way and systematical & logical thinking of the KM, as we teach it; Principles of action and motion behind the attack, defense and release techniques; The essence and nature of confrontation, avoidance, prevention and de-escalation.

Unit 2: Teaching Methodology (including the teaching science of KM as taught by the IKMF).

Unit 3: Preliminary Considerations (including Safety in training, warm-up & stretching).

Unit 4: How to Handle Falls to the Ground (or towards large objects).

Unit 5 – Attacking with the Hands.

Unit 6 – Attacking with the Legs.

Unit 7 – Defenses against Punches.

Unit 8 – Defenses against Kicks.

Unit 9 – Releases from Grabs, Chocks & Holds at high level

Unit 10 – Releases from Grabs & Holds at medium level.

Unit 11 – Releases with Throws (When being pushed towards the ground/wall).

Unit 12 – Release from Holds & Dangerous Grabs on the Floor.

Unit 13 – Leverages & Takedowns.

Unit 14 – Defense against Attacks With a Stick / Club.

Unit 15 – Defenses against Attacks With a Knife & other Edged Weapons.

Unit 16 – Defense against Threats With a Knife & other Edged Weapons.

Unit 17 – Defense against Threats With Handgun.

Unit 18 – Defense against Threats With Rifle or Submachine Gun.

Unit 19 – Using Common Objects as Weapons in Defensive Tactics.

Unit 20 – Self Defense against Multiple Opponents (armed or unarmed).

Unit 21-25 – Military Material & Units of Training.

Unit 26-30 – Law Enforcement Material & Units of Training.

Unit 31-34 – Security and VIP and 3rd Party Protection Material & Units of Training.

Unit 35 – Correlations Integration Between Self-Defense and Fighting Skills.

Units 36-38 – Fighting Tactics and Applications, Fighting Drills.

Unit 39 – Fighting from Different Positions & in Different Locations/Places.

Unit 40 – 41 – Ways and applications of Mental Training.

Unit 42 – 46 – Training Methods for the Above Units.

Unit 47 – 48 – Simulations and Scenario Based Training. Analyzing of Past Incidents.

Unit 49 – Self-defense for Children – Applications and transformations of the basic techniques and training methods for children and Teenagers.

Unit 50 – Self-defense for Women – Applications and transformations of the basic techniques and training methods for women.

The terror attacks in Mumbai have sparked new fears, and new business opportunities, in India’s outsourcing capital.

By Saritha Rai – GlobalPost

India — During the week, Anoop Ramakrishnan, 25, an engineer in a Bengaluru-based outsourcing firm, provides technical support for telecom networks in Canada and Europe. On the weekends, Ramakrishnan joins a dozen others learning to dodge a flying grenade during a terror attack, to escape a shootout and to block a punch from a street mugger.

Bengaluru, a throbbing Indian city with 8 million residents, is known as the world’s hub for outsourcing. On its streets, the names of General Electric, Microsoft, Yahoo and Google adorn tall, gleaming buildings. In its far-flung suburbs, engineers and back-office agents toil in endless 24-hour cycles for companies such as AOL and Citibank.

Now, Bengaluru’s profile as a global outsourcing center is making it vulnerable. Six top outsourcing companies in the city received multiple emailed terror threats in the last few weeks. India’s intelligence agencies have warned that outsourcing companies could be the terrorists’ next target after Mumbai.

Bengaluru’s army of young Indian technology workers is naturally nervous.

Like Ramakrishnan, dozens of techies are flocking to a self-defense course in an Israeli combat technique called Krav Maga. “The Mumbai attack victims were helpless,” said Ramakrishnan, clad in black sweat pants, a T-shirt and protective gear for the lesson. “I want to be well-prepared.”

After a grueling two-hour combat session consisting of jumping, pummeling, rolling on the floor, kicking and throwing punches at imagined opponents, Ramakrishnan wiped off the sweat streaming down his face. The course was tough, he admitted, but “the real world is tougher.”

Fellow trainee Mrinal Khamboj, 30, an employee at the Indian unit of Oracle Corporation, said the practical, no-holds barred tactics would serve him well in any hand-to-hand combat situations. He had never faced any sticky situation so far. “The one time I almost got caught in a fight, I ran away because I’m a marathon runner,” he confessed.

Many outsourcing companies, including Khamboj’s employer, have sprawling, lush campuses and modern buildings with glass facades where vigilance comes in the form of metal detectors, camera surveillance and even physical frisking of employees and visitors. Some campuses have electric fencing around their perimeter.

But all this is hardly foolproof, for instance, against a suicide attack.

Morever, the world outside these establishments is a different place. The companies’ buildings and campuses abut crowded neighborhoods. Overworked and underpaid policemen patrol these neighborhoods carrying nothing more than a thin stick of bamboo, a lathi, to enforce the law.

Admitting the meagerness of the security arrangements, the chief minister of Karnataka state, where Bengaluru is located, has repeatedly petitioned the federal government to set up an anti-terror commando force in the city.

For many like Shyamanta Phukan, a dimunitive 25-year-old software engineer with Alcatel, the security is simply not good enough. “A Mumbai can happen anywhere,” he said. Last weekend, Phukan signed up for his first Krav Maga lesson.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru’s outsourcing companies are stepping up security. Some are providing employees with GPS-tracked vehicles and setting up command centers to kick in moments after a terror attack. Campus guest houses are stocked with essential supplies. In many ways, Bengaluru’s technology companies are doing the best they can.

Still, Krav Maga trainer JW Frank has been inundated with inquiries from anxious employee techies ever since November’s terror attacks in Mumbai. “People want to be better prepared to protect themselves, their family and their community,” Frank said. Two or three new students are signing up for the lessons every weekend.

Ashish Puri, a manager at Cisco Systems India, enrolled for the classes some months ago when he felt that war had landed at his doorstep. Neither the police nor the army commandos could be counted upon to take care of every situation, Puri said, and the training made him confident about tackling critical situations. “It changes the equation between the attackers and me,” he said.

In recent weeks Ramakrishnan, the telecom engineer, has learned many tricks at the self-defense course — how to have a low profile during an attack, how to fall to the ground and roll off to a corner in a shootout, and what to do during a bomb explosion.

He does not know about facing off with terrorists. But Ramakrishnan is confident that he is well-equipped to handle at least two of Bengaluru’s lesser evils – muggings and road rage.

Source: http://www.globalpost.com/

MUMBAI: In the times, when there may or may not be any security, self defense is the best defense and UTVi turns it attention to Krav Maga, which is an Isreali self defense.

Krav Maga, when translated literally means contact and combat. Martial arts has been around since quite sometime but what makes Krav Maga different, is that it has no difficult moves and works on your reflexes. It came to India in 2004 but it was only after the terror strikes that the art/sport got the attention.

Ajit Verma, Instructor said: “Especially after the unfortunate incident, there is a huge increase in number of people who want to join. But unfortunately, we had to wait for an event like this as a wake up.”

There are no hard-and-fast rules, and no distinction in training for men and women. It helps you to control your panic, pacify the attacker and then causing maximum damage and saving yourself. Special sessions to combat the firing or grenedes attack are also taught.

Paul, student said: “I want to be prepared for the worst. These days, snatching, robbery, sexual harassment of your wives, sister, daughter is quite common. I want to be prepared for that moment and not feel helpless.”

Mandar Mohitre, student said: “Krav maga is easy to learn self defense techniques and we are living in the times, where this can be a handy tool for any civilian.”

The guiding principles of Krav Maga techniques are:

• Not to get hurt
• Exploit the natural reflexes of your body
• Quick transition from defensive to offensive techniques
• Exploit all vulnerable points on the body
• Use any available objects as aids

Krav maga also helps in staying fit and building confidence.

It is a fast paced, high energy workout designed to tone, build, sculpt, and strengthen your body. Krav-Maga Cardio involves a full body workout from head to toe, incorporating the Krav-Maga style kicks and punches to build strength, shape and condition your body. One hour of Krav maga cardio can help you lose 800 calories.

So, if you want to be fit and fight back, Krav Maga is your calling!

Source: UTVi.com

June 14, 2008

At a Krav Maga class, Nandini Nairlearns that the best defence is attack

Beware! I might not be armed, but I’m dangerous. I’m just back from a Krav Maga class.

It is the official self-defence system of the Israeli Defence Forces. It emphasises instinctive movements, practical techniques, and realistic training scenarios. It might be the domain of bodyguards and elite military units, but it’s relevant for every person on the street. Vicky Kapoor, CEO, Ultimate Tactical and Combat Ltd and the pioneer of Krav Maga in India, looks me in the eye and asks, “Are you safe when you are walking, talking, sleeping, sitting?” I hear myself mumble “No”. “That’s why you need to know this form of self defence,” he retorts, removing the rings on his finger, with his teeth.

There can’t be a policeman for every person. So, it’s important to be one’s own leader, as Kapoor says. While Krav Maga is practised in groups, I get the honour of a personal class with him.

It starts with a warm-up session, “to lubricate the joints,” he explains. The exercises are not the usual sit-ups and push-ups as, “This training is not to be body builders. But to be fighters.”

USP

After some basic warm-up exercises like rotations and squats, Kapoor asks me, “What would you do if you suddenly realised that your auto driver was going the wrong way on purpose.” I reply proudly and almost smugly, “I’ve a pepper spray in my handbag.” Kapoor tries to suppress a giggle of scorn. “By the time you get your pepper spray out, he would’ve done what he wanted,” he tells me. I feel chastened. And stupid. “Krav Maga is about making smart fighters, not stupid fighters,” he asserts. He then elaborates that the first thing to do is to pull back the hair of the driver. This will force him to apply the brakes. And you run for your life. He tells me to supplement my pepper spray with a fistful of coins. Throw the coins in the attacker’s face and it will be like a canon of pebbles. Sizing me up, he adds, “Small and big is immaterial. It’s important what you project. Even if you are fus inside – you should walk with confidence.”

The USP of Krav Maga is how to deal with stress under pressure. “It doesn’t teach what’s not real,” says Kapoor. The benefits of it are both mental and physical. While physically it increases flexibility, coordination and speed, it also makes one mentally stronger. In a situation of threat it’s crucial not to freeze and to maintain eye contact. Engaging in a verbal dialogue helps to disengage the attacker from his intentions.

Believing that the best defence is attack, Krav Maga teaches how to adapt the situation to one’s advantage. Keys can slash and pens can jab. The chin, neck and groin are the most vulnerable points. The torso itself can take punches but an attack on the sensitive parts can debilitate an assailant. Kapoor demonstrates how to elbow the chin and to knee the groin.

After one class, I’m inspired to be my own leader.

(To know more – www.kravmagaindia.in. Or call Vicky Kapoor at 9810412442) ( nandini@thehindu.co.in)

Source: The Hindu

March 11th, 2008

Learning KM has been one of the major decisions that I have taken in life and I can safely say that, it has been the best decision of all.

One may ask, is a military based martial art relevant to a common man?? The answer is a big YES. How?? I shall tell you that. With a lot of untoward incidents happening all around us, the issue of safety has become paramount. Everyday we come across a few incidents that have resulted in loss to property or even worse, loss to life. A lot of those could have been avoided/minimized, with the knowledge of self-defense. That is where KM comes in handy, in real scenarios (more than any other martial art).

Krav Maga can be called as a fusion martial art with a few basic principles.

• Neutralize the threat.
• Avoid injury to the maximum extent.
• Go from defense to attack ASAP.
• Use the body’s natural reflexes.
• Strike at any vulnerable point
• Improvise with available resources.

As , our instructor, always emphasises, the above principles are to be used only in the case of life-threatening situations, either to oneself or one’s loved ones. The most important principle of all is- DO NOT INITIATE/PROLONG A FIGHT. It is always advisable to try and diffuse the situation and only if necessary, do what needs to be done and escape.

Although Krav Maga shares many techniques with other martial arts, it is very very unique. It stresses fighting under worst-case conditions or from disadvantaged positions, for e.g: Against multiple attacks, when protecting someone else, when one of your hands isn’t free, when inside a car etc. The basic idea is to deal first with the threat and then prevent the attacker from re-attacking, by neutralizing him.

The trainings are usually fun sessions with a lot of cardio and self defense techniques in it. They include heavy drills, lots of punches, kicks, elbows etc and at times, some grapelling and sparring too.The best part is that, KM doesn’t require the learners to be in perfect physical condition. Rather, training in KM will tone your body and build your fitness levels from scratch and make you fit as a fiddle.

Now that I too am a full fledged KM practitioner, I have seen the difference it has made in my life. My attitude and my self confidence have truly increased and knowing all the pros and cons of self-defense and attacks, I have learnt to respect life even more than before.

So guys and gals, my advice to all of you is- JOIN KM and become a better human being.It is always better to be SAFE than WORRY !!!

MYCATQUOTE