The Krav Maga logo consists of the Hebrew letters K and M. (Internet file photo.)

Krav Maga is not a martial art. There is absolutely no art to it at all. It’s a self defense system developed in Israel, designed to be efficient in dealing with dangerous real life situations. The objective is to get you out alive and in one piece, but not before you’ve neutralized your enemy. Apart from being used by the Israeli Defense Forces, it’s also been adapted by law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world.

[YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpMGfOTCXFM]

Krav means “battle” and Maga means “contact”. It is brutal. Think UFC without any rules. And, yes, for most situations, a kick to the groin is the answer.

The few lessons I attended last year showed us how to deal with close quarter attacks (- strike with your elbows and knees) and how to get out of a stranglehold while on your back.

There’s a lot of information to absorb and one has to practice constantly to develop the muscle memory for it.

[YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7I-v9zIYXo]

Eyal Yanilov visits the Philippines from time to time to conduct Krav Maga seminars.

One of the most useful things I learned from Krav Maga is to be mindful of my surroundings and the people around me at all times. I’ve had to adapt this after leaving the kettlebell/Krav Maga classes. Walking the streets of San Juan after dark to find a cab is not the most pleasant of experiences. There are a lot of homeless people and scavengers in the area and I have to be hyper-aware of everyone passing me by. I am also conscious of where my bag is at all times (- I clip it close to the body on the side away from the road, lest it interest thieves on motorbikes) and turn off my mobile phone so that I am not distracted by it.

Krav Maga Philippines instructor, Fred Nogales, pointed out yesterday that the Krav Maga fighting stance is different from boxing in that it has the body facing towards the enemy at all times. It is not twisted to the side in a defensive stance. It should be ready to attack and deliver non-stop blows until the enemy is neutralized and one can get away safely.

While all of this is very interesting and exciting, I must admit to being intimidated by the simulated violence of it all. For instance, when we had to try to pull off a guy from a bag he was pummeling, he was going at it so violently that I didn’t want to go anywhere near him. Last year, I sat out all the grappling exercises. I guess it’s all fine and dandy when we’re watching a demonstration or we’re simulating an attack in slow motion but, when it comes to enacting a situation, I find any sort of violence directed at me, even if it is merely simulated, to be quite unnerving.

I guess it’s something I’ll have to get over. And quickly too.

Krav Maga Checklist:

• Comfortable workout clothing
• Comfortable shoes and socks, optional
• Knee bands, optional – If, like me, you like wearing shorts, then your knees may get scuffed when you do exercises that require you to kneel.
• Water bottle
• Small towel
• Toilet paper, optional – If you intend to use the scary toilets at the San Juan center.

Main Training Center:
Asuncion Badminton Center
20 E. Maclang St. cor. P. Guevarra St., San Juan, MM
Landline: (+63-2) 726-5021

Makati Training Center:
c/o 360 Fitness
7th floor, 107 Dolmar Gold Tower, C. Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Landline: (+63-2) 940-9575
Mobile: (+63-917) 860-0360
Email: 360fitness@completethecircuit.com