Krav Maga offers the practitioner the ability to cope both with situations where an attack comes with little or no warning and also with situations where the attacker(s) intent is obvious from the outset. As a system if focuses on techniques that are easy to learn, adaptable, efficient and above all EFFECTIVE. Techniques are practiced to deal with all possible forms of physical attack: punches, kicks, chokes, headlocks, hairpulls etc. Training emphasizes making an appropriate and instinctive response to a threat, neutralizing the opponent as quickly and effectively as possible and then making good one's escape. Avoiding dangerous situations and being aware of the possibility of attack is also stressed as of course the easiest fight to win is one in which you never participate.
Reality based training
Krav Maga was originally developed to help defend the Jewish communities against the NSDAP at a time when street fighting was common and the community needed practical defence. Over the years the system has been refined by its users based on their current concerns and experiences in using the techniques and is now used by organisations such as the Israeli Defence Force, the FBI and DEA. It is in no way a sport, there are no tournaments to be fought in or points for hitting someone in a certain place. Nor does it carry any mystical philosophical or mystical baggage and its users need have no knowledge of chi energy or the seven stances of the dragon! The reality based nature of the art also means it is comprehensive in its syllabus, building from basic core skills to more complex techniques which allow the user to confidently deal with all manner of attacks both be they punches, kicks or attacks with weapons, standing up or on the floor, against one opponent or many.
Fitness
Krav Maga offers a great workout for the whole body and has gained great popularity in recent times for precisely this reason. Lessons will typically being with a brisk warm-up of jogging, stretching, squats, punch and kick combinations etc and then move onto practicing basic core techniques in various situations before covering more technical aspects such as releases from chokes or defenses against weapons and finally finishing with more stretches.
Enjoyment
As well as being effective Krav Maga is great fun and builds confidence and discipline. It can be practiced by men and women and the young or the old.
