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Alert in the Mumbai | Mid Day | January 2013 | Mumbai

Worried by the spate of horrific incidents related to women's safety of late? We took the matter by the neck, and enrolled for a Krav Maga self-defence workshop. Here's how you could benefit from it

Several people might be aware of the term Krav Maga, thanks to its mention in popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother. But comical situations regarding angry girlfriends aside, this Israeli combat martial art form of self-defence can benefit everyone from kids to adults. We decided to attend an hour-long women’s self-defence workshop by Krav Maga Global and ended up feeling capable of holding our own.

We rehearse the combat technique for a frontal attack at the self-defence workshop

Krav Maga: the Future of Defence | The Navhind Times | July 2012 | Goa

gc25-sticky 1 Krav Maga (KM), a system of self-defence known for its focus on real-life situations and efficient and brutal counter-attacks, was developed in Israel after having been conceptualised in Bratislava.

Today, though utilised by many special operations forces and some militaries a well as civilian military contractors, it is relatively young when compared to the ancient martial arts like Karate or Kung Fu. Initially conceived by Imi Lichtenfeld, a boxer and wrestler, as a form of defence against attacks from anti-Semitic forces in Bratislava in the mid-to-late 1930s, it was then incorporated in the syllabus of the Israeli resistance forces after he migrated to Israel. It later became a part of the Israeli Defence Forces before coming into the public domain and finally becoming a system by itself.

In Hebrew, Krav means ‘combat’ and Maga ‘contact’.

Eyal Yanilov, head of Krav Maga Global spoke to NT ZEST BUZZ WEEKENDER recently. Yanilov has practiced the art for 40 years and had the honour of training under the founder since 1974.

Krav Maga Saves Lives | Mid Day | June 2012 | Mumbai

This weekend, Israeli combat specialist Eyal Yanilov will be in town to conduct a workshop on this dynamic martial art form. In an email interview with Dhara Vora, the veteran takes readers through the motions and methods of Krav Maga and what separates it from the rest

Krav Maga’s programmes are divided into different sections for women, children and the military police. What makes Krav Maga versatile and how does training differ for each?
Krav Maga takes into consideration the sector (advantages, disadvantages, approach and characteristics, capabilities, equipment that one has), the risks that one might face, and with the techniques, principles and methods of Krav Maga we give those belonging to the sector the best preparation to deal with violent confrontations. This martial art form is based on natural way of behaving, natural responses and reactions, daily moves, logic, science and experience. It is a system with defined characteristics, principles, techniques and levels. There are three pillars in Krav Maga: self defense, fighting skills and protection of others (third party / VIP Protection). Each sector (Police, Military, Civilians, Kids, Women, Special Units, VIP Protection Team) gets its curriculum according to their needs, abilities and risk analysis. We teach students to follow the law to avoid facing criminal charges.

Here’s an example — if an attacker attempts to stab you with a knife, it does not matter if this assailant is a terrorist, a drunken teenager, a street criminal or an ex-boyfriend. Also, it doesn’t matter if you are an adult civilian, a young woman, a police officer or a member of an anti-terror unit. If an assailant is trying to spear your heart with a blade, we provide the best solution. Depending on the type of defender, we teach the civilian to move away from the danger zone as soon as possible, the police officer to disarm and control the attacker, the anti-terror officer to eliminate the problem as needed in order to continue to the next mission. The equipment and objects that one has during the attack also matters. A young woman may have a bag she can defend herself with; the military officer may have his rifle, (which cannot be used for shooting due to certain constrictions) to defend and counterattack with it or use it as a tool for impact.
Eyal-Yanilov1 Eyal Yanilov displays a move against an attacker

Goa is the first place Krav Maga was taught in S E Asia outside of Israel | The Navhind Times | February 2012 | Goa

krav maga-sticky 1 Krav Maga - the name in Hebrew means - hand-to-hand combat. Krav meaning ‘battle’ and Maga meaning ‘contact’ has come to be known as a brutally efficient fighting art used by the highly proficient and at times bloody Mossad and the IDF in their daily fight for the survival of the Jewish state.

Today, it is used by armies, including their Special Forces, and intelligence agencies throughout the world. Adapted for civilian use it has become a de rigueur for professionals in various fields, including professional bodyguards, due to its specific situational exercises and methods. The NT BUZZ speaks to Krav Maga instructor Elroy Vaz on the psychology and the essence of the deadly practical fighting style