So you're eager to learn more about Krav Maga? Great! In this post, we'll be looking into what Krav maga is, where it comes from, the benefits of Krav maga, and… well, pretty much everything you need to know to get started with the sport!
So don't worry. It's a difficult martial art to want to be a part of, definitely, but that's what you're here for! The more you know about it, the easier it'll be to get into, and the better of a job you'll do once you actually get started. We've got you covered!
What is Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a self-defense system that was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, predominantly used by the Israeli military. It's a very practically-minded martial art that's meant to be used in real-world situations.
Krav Maga focuses on techniques that are easy to learn and that are intended to be used quickly in a fight. It's got tons of renown to its name, and it's one of the best martial art forms for self- defense.
Where Does Krav Maga Come From? What’s The Story?
Krav Maga has a rich and intriguing history. In the 1930s, Hungarian-Israeli martial artist Imi Lichtenfeld designed the martial art in an effort to protect the Jewish community from Nazi militia.
This was no easy task, but his background in boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, combined with his experience in street fighting, helped him immensely in this endeavor, eventually influencing the development of his famous system.
Fast forward to 1948: Israel has just been established, and Krav Maga has become the official self-defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Over time, the system has evolved to include techniques meant for military and law enforcement personnel.
By the 1980s, Imi retired from the IDF and dedicated himself to teaching Krav Maga full-time. He founded the International Krav Maga Federation to spread his beloved system globally.
Today, Krav Maga is practiced in over 60 countries and has become one of the most popular self-defense systems in the world.
Despite its military origins, Krav Maga is taught with a focus on practical self-defense for everyday people. Imi's system emphasizes simple but dauntingly effective techniques that can be used in all sorts of real-world situations.
So yes, it's mostly taught to soldiers and police officers, but no matter no matter who you are, Krav Maga has got a thing or two to teach you!
Benefits of Krav Maga
The immense popularity Krav Maga has received over the past few years is well-earned, and more and more people outside of the Israeli military are beginning to see just how practical and effective it can be.
Training in Krav Maga will not only increase your physical strength and endurance, but it'll also improve your confidence, situational awareness, and ability to handle stressful situations.
It doesn't just end there though. Krav Maga also focuses on practical techniques and realistic scenarios, so it's great for helping you prepare you for real-life self-defense situations.
You can also expect Krav Maga training to have positive impacts on your overall health and quality of life. As such, you can expect greatly reduced stress levels and vastly improved flexibility, balance, and coordination.
So there you have it: wonderful self-defense skills, valuable life lessons, and on top of all that, a darn great workout. There are tons of great options for martial arts out there, but kind of overarching usefulness and efficiency isn't always easy to come by.
How to get started in Krav Maga
Getting started with a sport like this isn't necessarily going to be easy, so we've mapped out a good way for you to get started with the martial art while minimizing the amount of unnecessary stress you'd have to endure.
- Research different Krav Maga schools, then find one that aligns with your goals and beliefs.
- Attend a trial class to see if the school and instructors are a good fit for you.
- Begin learning the basic techniques, principles, and forms of Krav Maga under the guidance of a qualified instructor.
- Practice consistently to improve your technique and understanding of Krav Maga principles.
- Challenge yourself continuously. Attending workshops and seminars, sparring with other practitioners, and seeking new opportunities for growth within the Krav Maga community.
- Watch and study Krav Maga masters to gain inspiration and new insights into the art.
- Approach everything you do in Krav Maga with humility and a willingness to learning.
You'll still face difficulties, of course. Even if you follow everything here, there is no one set path towards success. Everyone has their own unique challenges and will go through their own unique experiences.
So try out everything that you can, experiment, don't be afraid to fail every now and then, and figure out what's best for you!
Different Krav Maga Ranks, Levels, and Ranking System
Krav Maga has a graduated system of instruction, and it begins with the most basic techniques before progressing to more advanced methods. As you might expect, if you want to move up a level, then you'll have to demonstrate proficiency in the techniques associated with that level.
Level 1 is designed for people with no prior martial arts experience at all. Here, students learn the basics and how-to's of defending themselves against simple attacks, like punches and kicks. They'll also be learning how to deal with grabs and holds.
Level 2 builds on the skills learned in Level 1. Students will be learning how to defend themselves against more advanced attacks, such as headbutts and knee strikes. They'll also be learning how to deal with more dangerous grabs and holds, like chokeholds and armlocks.
Level 3 is where things start to get fancy. It builds up on what skills you learned in Levels 1 and 2, using them to learn about even more advanced attacks, like eye gouges and groin strikes. You'll also learn how to deal with even more dangerous grabs and holds, like hair pulls and wrist locks.
Level 4 is about as scary as it can get. This is where you apply everything you've learned in order to defend against armed attacks--yup, that means assailants with weapons. Freaky stuff.
The Importance of A Good Krav Maga Instructor
Krav Maga is an incredibly effective self-defense system, and you want to make sure that you're learning from as reputable of a source as possible.
You can expect a good Krav Maga teacher to have fairly extensive training and experience in the martial art, and they'll be able to pass on their knowledge to you clearly and easily. They should also be able to tailor their instructions to your individual needs and abilities.
It isn't just about you though. The right teacher will know how to foster a positive learning environment, one where questions are welcomed, focus is emphasized, and discipline is a given. Everyone will feel comfortable asking questions and providing feedback.
So don't just pick any instructor! Try and pay lots of attention to who you end up learning from, because trust me, it'll pay off in spades later.
Some Movies With Krav Maga
A martial art with this much renown means it's probably shown up in a movie or two... or well, six. Some of the best movies with Krav Maga in them are:
- The Bourne Identity (2002)
- Taken (2008)
- RED 2 (2013)
- Triple Frontier (2019)
- The Kingdom (2007)
- Salt (2010)
It's shown up in more than a few television shows as well, like Homeland, Strike Back, and Blindspot. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have also trained in Krav Maga for their roles in movies like Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
In addition to its use in entertainment, Krav Maga is also popular among law enforcement and military personnel for its practical self-defense techniques and efficient way of neutralizing threats. Its effectiveness in real-life situations is a testament to its value as a self-defense system.
Notable Figures Who Have Done Krav Maga
And, just in case you were curious, here are some notable figures who practice or have practiced Krav Maga:
- Natalie Portman, actress
- Jason Statham, actor and martial artist
- Tom Cruise, actor
- Bradley Cooper, actor
- Charlize Theron, actress and producer
The United States Secret Service and the Navy SEALs themselves also frequently make use of Krav Maga, as to be expected.
The Wrap-Up
And there you have it. That's Krav Maga, the scary-at-times, wicked efficient self-defense system that'll keep you primed and ready for any threat that might come your way. No matter what exactly it is that you're after, this martial art has got something to offer you.
So go ahead and feel free to try it out! If you do decide to take it, then you should be glad: Krav Maga will offer you a practical and efficient approach to self-defense... one that you can't quite find anywhere else.
Learn more about how beneficial Krav Maga is to self-defense here!
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