Tag: KRAV MAGA

Krav Maga Is Better Than a Generic Gym Routine

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Do you want to make a dedicated effort at getting in shape and developing a regular exercise routine, but don’t know exactly how to do it? You can find answer in Krav Maga. Krav Maga, a martial art centered in self-defense techniques, offers up a very long list of benefits that a regular exercise gym does not. You don’t have the luxury of really becoming one with your body by cycling on an elliptical, running on a treadmill, or lifting weights. Martial arts offers a whole new dimension of physical activity that is not exclusive to ripping muscles, but included strengthening your brain and heart as well.

It’s hard to explain the exact feeling you get when pursuing a goal or an achievement. It’s a sort of internal drive; an energy inside that seems to provide your body with the needed power. There aren’t many exercises you can do at a gym that will make you feel like you really accomplished something. Sure you can complete your reps at the bench-press station, or get a new record when maxing out on squats, but you don’t actually get rewarded. In martial arts, you are directly rewarded by earning your way up a variety of different colored belts. These colors represent your rank and is what you can proudly show off. The color of your belt represents how much work, time, and dedication you put out. This is something that people at a regular gym are missing out on.

Other than the satisfaction of earning your way up an actual ranking system, the overall environment is better. When you’re on the mats practicing Krav Maga, everyone is there to help each other out. There are no egos that get in the way and that is why martial arts is such a down-to-earth environment. People all share the enjoyment together, and are there to work their way up and prove something to themselves and others. This makes for a strong connection or camaraderie that you will develop in the bonds between you and your fellow Martial Artists. Again, something that is missing for sure at a regular gym.

 

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978-745-8511

Or Visit our Website
www.DWMMA.com

Knowing self-defense empowers you with powerful techniques, strategies and confidence for life-long success!
CALL NOW TO SET UP YOUR FREE INTRO LESSON

Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
MMA Peabody MA, MMA Salem MA, MMA Beverly MA, MMA Lynn MA, MMA Marblehead MA, MMA Danvers MA, MMA Swampscott MA, MMA Nahant MA

Never Overlook BJJ as a Self Defense Art

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The popularity of the UFC and the massive growth of the tournament circuit has led many to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) as a means of taking part in competition. This is all well and good, but there was a day when BJJ was taught primarily as a self-defense art.

You always have to be capable of defending yourself in today’s day and age. Learning BJJ can prove to be one of the best arts you can study when dealing with the realities of serious self-defense scenarios. Remember in any self-defense situation, there is always the potential for a grave injury or even a fatality. When you are on the ground you will find yourself in a dire situation because you are prone to suffering from a blunt trauma injury to the head as the result of kicks or repeated punches. Such an attack could lead to the aforementioned fatality.

While there are definitely no easy answers or solutions to any self-defense situation, learning BJJ can definitely help you survive an assault that leaves you on the ground. The most obvious reason would be the fact that it helps you move on the ground effectively and efficiently.  You won’t have any wasted motion that does little more than tire you out. You also will be able to move with an eye on proper defensive maneuvers that are designed to protect you from any serious potential injury.

What further contributes to the value of BJJ as a self-defense art, would be the fact that it is an art based on leverage as opposed to strength.  You do not want to combat a bigger and stronger assailant with force, since you will likely lose such an encounter. However, if you use leverage and the law of physics, you will find it possible to address such a tough attacker in a manner that actually uses the opponent’s strength against him.

One other thing that does need to be mentioned would be the fact that BJJ puts a great deal of emphasis on chokes which are perfect for dealing with a larger and more powerful opponent. No matter how strong a person may be, if a choke is properly sunk in then the person is going to go to sleep – i.e. pass out.  BJJ will teach you how to choke someone out as well as get in the position where you actually can do so.

And yes, BJJ is an excellent art for getting someone under control without having to hurt them. In many self-defense situations, this approach would be the preferred one since not all altercations revolve around hurting someone.  For example if your older brother or spouse tried to pin you on the ground, you will learn and practice ways to remain safe and in control, without inflicting major injury.

Granted, it is still a good idea to study striking and even weapons based arts for self-defense like Krav Maga or Thai Kickboxing, but BJJ does fill in a host of gaps in your self-defense game. Most people just do not know how to properly defend themselves on the ground.  By practicing BJJ, you too can learn how!

Call Now!

978-745-8511

Or Visit our Website
www.DWMMA.com

Knowing self-defense empowers you with powerful techniques, strategies and confidence for life-long success!
CALL NOW TO SET UP YOUR  FREE INTRO LESSON

Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
MMA Peabody MA, MMA Salem MA, MMA Beverly MA, MMA Lynn MA, MMA Marblehead MA, MMA Danvers MA, MMA Swampscott MA, MMA Nahant MA

Bully Prevention Calls for Community

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Is your child having trouble with bullies at school?  Dragon Within Martial Arts helps many different kids learn about bullying and how it can be prevented safely and respectfully.  Bullying is most commonly seen as being physical, verbal and always confrontational. Whether it’s kids or adults, face-to-face confrontations are frequently the way bullies go after their victims.   But it’s not the only way. Cyberbullying through internet social networks, texting and cell phones can be just as damaging as physical showdowns.  Bullying will not cease to exist unless kids police themselves and their friends.  Here at Dragon Within we work with children to teach and motivate them to stand up for them selves and others facing a bully.  We show children how to defuse a bully by practicing a variety of self defense methods and movements.  We also conduct monthly “Mat Chats” where we sit together and discuss bullying and how to stop it.  It takes a sincere effort from both children and parents to successfully put an end to bullying.

Parent involvement and communication in their child’s life can also help prevent bullying.  Consistently providing a ride to and from class may be a good time where parents can address issues in school like bullying, and new friendships.  Parental presence should also extend into the digital world where new found “cyber bullying” can take place as well.  This new generation has proven that a iphone or laptop can become a weapon even in the hands of the most innocent-looking children.   The distant communication of the internet provides children with a way to hurt others at no physical risk of danger.  Kids who would never dream of shouting at another student or shaking a fist in someone’s face, can send threatening text messages or start vicious rumors on the Internet about another child.  One solution to cyberbullying could be that as a parent you must have them add you as a friend on Facebook and be permitted to follow them on Twitter and Instagram or they lose the privilege to the sites themselves.  You could also make it mandatory that you know the login information to their social sites.  Some other preventive steps that can avoid bullying can start at home with moms and dads talking to their kids, picking up on their conversations about other children, supervising their use of cell phones making sure that they become neither victims nor perpetrators of cyberbullying.  Some kids might find such intervention an invasion of privacy. Some parents might, too. But it’s like talking to children about drugs and alcohol. If you can save a kid’s life from ruin, your own or someone else’s, interceding is the right thing to do.

In order to stop bullying we have to understand why kids do it.  Some bully because they feel insecure.   At Dragon Within we help our students develop self confidence.  Building self confidence is very important because it strengthens your child’s integrity and self esteem.  These are building blocks to making good decisions outside of school like issues involving bully prevention and peer pressure.  Other kids bully because they simply lack self control and coping mechanisms to deal with anger and frustration.  We demonstrate the importance of being focused and controlled in class so that they may reflect the same self control when faced with a bully outside of class.  The positive social values like self control and self confidence may also be just what your child needs to not become a bully or cyberbully.

At our academy we teach our students that bullying is unacceptable. We help establish rules about bullying and we stick to them.   We also teach kids to treat others with respect and kindness.   Our institution houses a diverse student body and is great for children to learn how to treat all different kinds of people with the same respect and kindness.  In our monthly Mat Chats we discuss with our students, how to identify situations that may lead to bullying so that they can recognize and prevent it from happening.  If your child is being bullied or is getting in trouble at school for bullying, Dragon Within Martial Arts can help.

Call Now!

978-745-8511

Or Visit our Website
www.DWMMA.com

Knowing self-defense empowers you with powerful techniques, strategies and confidence for life-long success!
CALL NOW TO SET UP YOUR  FREE INTRO LESSON

Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
MMA Peabody MA, MMA Salem MA, MMA Beverly MA, MMA Lynn MA, MMA Marblehead MA, MMA Danvers MA, MMA Swampscott MA, MMA Nahant MA

Martial Arts Is Not About Fighting

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Here at Dragon Within we take pride in our philosophy and practices of Martial Arts.  We make it our mission to improve mental and physical wellness of our members.  We help our students gain self confidence and self control through a series of healthy exercise and self defense knowledge and practice.  Our Martial Arts program is designed to teach students patience and discipline through the journey within the Martial Art to a black belt.

We believe that within the structured Martial Arts classes our students develop self confidence, motivation to set and reach goals, respect, discipline, and self control.  Our class is taught at a pace which allows students to advance in their belt over time.  The time and work it takes to stay in class and earn a higher rank is what grows character, self discipline, and patience.  We understand that it is a difficult thing to stay motivated towards, which is why it is such a great achievement when they receive that next belt.  We stay focused on the Art and the way our curriculum is designed, helps develop positive character in our students over time.

The self defense skills taught in our class are specific to defending and escaping from a bully or attacker.   The skills are taught as a set curriculum within the specific Martial Art.  These practices are great to utilize as a cardio and fitness program.  Socially the class is great for people to stay motivated towards reaching their goals because it becomes a fun positive workout where you make friends and learn together.

Our students and staff practice and believe in compassion and patience when training.  We teach and understand our training at Dragon Within as a fun uplifting activity we do with our friends.   It is a place where you can forget about the stress of your workday and really focus on Martial Arts with your best buddies!

Dragon Within Martial Arts is specifically a Martial Arts academy.  Our school is structured with students, teachers, and the golden rule; “Treat others the way you would like to be treated”.  Our classes are taught in a fun and friendly manner.  Our classes teach children to be patient, confident, focused, and steadily working toward their next belt.  Our classes teach adults to be patient, confident, focused, and steadily working towards their next belt respectively.  Every one has their own journey to their black belt and so our instructors stay motivated to helping you at any speed you feel comfortable with, to earn it and meet any other goals you may have!   Come learn with us today! 🙂

Call Now!

978-745-8511

Or Visit our Website
www.DWMMA.com

Knowing self-defense empowers you with powerful techniques, strategies and confidence for life-long success!
CALL NOW TO SET UP YOUR  FREE INTRO LESSON

Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
MMA Peabody MA, MMA Salem MA, MMA Beverly MA, MMA Lynn MA, MMA Marblehead MA, MMA Danvers MA, MMA Swampscott MA, MMA Nahant MA

3 Tips for Success in Martial Arts!!

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The New Year is here!   Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, and Thai Kickboxing classes are turnt up for the New Year, New Body Fitness Program.  Goals have been set, and sweat has been dripping.  The intensity is there but the question remains; what does it take to keep it there all year long? What will it take to follow through with your New Year’s Resolutions?

1.) BE FOCUSED.  Tony Robbins says, “there is power in clarity.”  Most of the New Year motivation arises out of being focused on what you truly want.  More importantly, knowing why you want it.  You must develop clarity if you are going to follow through with your goals.

It’s been said, “Discipline without direction is drudgery.”  You have to be clear on what you are trying to accomplish, and why you want to accomplish it.  Many people don’t accomplish their goals because they become distracted.  They become caught up in what Stephen Covey calls the “thick of thin things”.  They become distracted by the busyness of life.  They don’t mean to do this, but many times urgent pressing matters takes precedence over things we think can wait till later.  The problem is that we never get around to those things.  We tend to deal with the urgent things of the moment, things that wont matter in five years,  and we never get around to following through on things that will have an impact on the quality of your life five years from now.

If you want to follow through on those goals, I mean really follow through and make this year your best year ever, then step one is to develop clarity. Questions you should write down are:  What do you want to accomplish?  Why do you want to accomplish it?  Be specific.  Don’t just say you want to get in better shape.  How many pounds do you want to lose?  What do you want your body fat to be?  After answering these questions on paper you can show your instructors and together we can help keep you and your fitness program stay focused on accomplishing these goals.

2.) BE FIRED UP!  Motivation gives us the emotional gas in our tank to continually follow through with our goals.  Attitudes are caught before they are ever taught.  The best way to stay motivated is to be around other people who are highly motivated.   By coming to class you are doing this first step by surrounding yourself with other motivated people.  Many people will become discouraged when go home and their motivation to stay fit wears off.  They think something is wrong with them because they don’t “feel” motivated.  Motivation is like taking a warm bath.  Naturally over time, the bath cools off unless you keep adding hot water.  By consistently coming to class and being around highly motivated people, that is like constantly adding hot water.  It charges you up and refuels your emotional tank.

3.) GO THE DISTANCE.  Starting is good. In fact, it’s very good.  The journey to achieving your black belt starts with your first step of showing up to your first class. After coming to class, day by day you begin to realize that finishing is even better.  You have to set your mind on the distance of the race.  Accomplishing your goals is not a sprint.  Its not about how fast you can get there.  Its more about consistently taking specific action over time.

Plan and prepare for the distance of the race.  What adjustments do you need to make in your schedule so that you can CONSISTENTLY be in class over a long period of time.  What adjustments do you need to make in your lifestyle so you can CONSISTENTLY follow through with new eating habits.  You must set your eyes, mind, and spirit on the longevity of the race.   Learn to develop a steady, methodical pace.  Many people who “go all out” on their goals never end up following through, because they commit to a pace they simply can’t maintain.  Realize that accomplishing your goals is more like a long distance race than a sprint.

Martial Arts class is designed to keep you learning new skills so that over time you will move up by achieving a new belt.  Wether its Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, or Thai kickboxing you will earn a higher rank (belt) by regarding the fitness program as a long distance race and consistently coming to class over time.

Let’s go the distance and make 2014 your best year ever!!! 

Dedicated to your success,

-Dragon Within Martial Arts 

 

Call Today!

978-745-8511

Or Visit our Website
www.DWMMA.com

Knowing self-defense empowers you with powerful techniques, strategies and confidence for life-long success!
CALL NOW TO SET UP YOUR  FREE INTRO LESSON

Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
MMA Peabody MA, MMA Salem MA, MMA Beverly MA, MMA Lynn MA, MMA Marblehead MA, MMA Danvers MA, MMA Swampscott MA, MMA Nahant MA

Change Your Life, Take Martial Arts

On By Forged Bjj Krav MagaIn BJJ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, DWMMA, DWMMA - Dragon Within Mixed Martial Arts, Fitness, Kickboxing, Krav Maga, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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There is so much more to gain from Martial Arts classes than you could ever gain from a typical gym. Instead of mindlessly picking things up and putting them down, Martial Arts increases your physical fitness by stimulating your brain and coordination to target, and work muscles. Martial Arts classes will keep your muscles constantly learning new moves which ultimately burns body fat faster than ever.  Our instructors provide the motivation and new self defense tactics to keep your mind active while your body works hard towards your goal weight.  This mind and body combination alleviates stress, and helps provide a mental space for you to vacate your problems and focus on Martial Arts.   The benefits you gain from Martial Arts class could change your life forever.  Plus it looks great on a resume!

Martial Arts is significantly more valuable than a generic gym routine. It looks great on college and career applications.  It provides an organized hobby that directly shows employers and colleges that you are a disciplined, hard working, and dedicated individual.  Employers understand the time and commitment it takes to earn a black belt in Martial Arts.  This hobby also reflects a solid sense of mental wellness, and in the work force today, that is exactly what they are looking for.   The belt progression and ranking systems reflect the amount of time and commitment you have put into the hobby.   By saying that you are a black belt in Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or Thai Kickboxing, essentially you are telling your employers and colleges that you are goal orientated and you can stay focused and committed to working hard to reaching your goals.  Ultimately your belt provides proof that you can put down on paper that you are not mindlessly spending your time goofing off but you are voluntarily learning and even exercising in a productive environment. Colleges and employers really are impressed to see that Art under your Skills or Activities section of your resume or applications.  If you cant get the career you have always wanted,  start by taking Martial Arts for a few months, and then see how you feel about going after that position.

Not happy with your current job or lifestyle? The self confidence you gain from class will allow you to step up to the plate and make those risky decisions it takes to move up in the world.   Martial Arts will bring you to a higher level of awareness and wellness so that you can see the changes in your life you need to make.  The confidence you gain from the classes may provide that boost it takes to make those transitions in life much easier for you to control and manage.  After taking a Martial Arts class you simply know your self better.  Wether you are kicking higher in Thai Kickboxing, or throwing a bigger jab hook combination, the classes show you exactly what you are physically and mentally capable of.  You will be surprised how much you can grow in a single month of taking Martial Arts classes. You become more flexible and as you see the changes in your body; you may then begin to see the changes you need to make in all aspects of your life to continue growing in a productive, happy, and energetic environment.

Your entire life can turn around when you consistently show up to Martial Arts class.  Wether you have a good day or a bad day, by simply showing up to class you are getting that much closer to another belt, and a better body.  The fact that you continue going to class even on days you don’t feel up to it, you are positioning yourself to build character and self discipline.  The good effects Martial Arts has your mental wellness are endless.

If you just can’t stick to a diet or exercise plan, call Dragon Within today.  Our instructors take the time to motivate you to stay committed to reach your goal weight.  If you don’t feel like you are getting the recognition you deserve at your current job, take Martial Arts classes.  The confidence you could gain from Krav Maga classes will make you stand out from the crowd.  The mental efficiency you gain may send you soaring above your fellow coworkers and into that new position you have been working so hard for.  It will give you self discipline it takes to wait for the opportunity.  It will give you the self control it takes to make decision to make the change you really need.  Your life could completely change for the better by consistently coming to Martial Arts class.  From exercising, to learning self defense, you are expanding your mind for greatness.  If you need a change in your life now is the time to start.  Make this year one for the books, and try a class today!

Call Today!

978-745-8511

Or Visit our Website
www.DWMMA.com

Knowing self-defense empowers you with powerful techniques, strategies and confidence for life-long success!
CALL NOW TO SET UP YOUR  FREE INTRO LESSON

Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
MMA Peabody MA, MMA Salem MA, MMA Beverly MA, MMA Lynn MA, MMA Marblehead MA, MMA Danvers MA, MMA Swampscott MA, MMA Nahant MA

Martial Arts Classes Over A Generic Gym Routine Any Day

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Martial Arts training is a significantly more effective fitness program than the generic gym routine.  Who wants to sit on a treadmill for hours when you can get the same cardio workout from a martial arts class like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thai Kickboxing, or Krav Maga?  These self defense methods create a full mind and body workout. They also provide life long valuable skills you can share with your friends and family.  It boosts your overall energy level, and as a result leaves you feeling confident and accomplished.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uses grappling techniques, choke holds, and joint locks to submit your attacker. To correctly pull off these moves you will find every muscle in your body working to its fullest capacity.  Thai Kickboxing uses fists, elbows, knees, and feet as focal points for defending yourself.  This art involves a lot of American Boxing and a lot of kicks to get that cardio started. Krav Maga is the most realistic and practical form of self defense to date.  It derives from Israeli military tactics and will be sure to teach you to defend yourself in any threatening circumstance.  From positioning your toes, to ducking your head, every inch of you is tested and trained for success.

Never tried Martial Arts before?  Don’t worry, the classes are broken down by experience level so that every one can learn their respective skills at their own speed.  The conditioning within the classes are highly effective regarding weight loss and personal fitness.  You may walk in thinking you have learned it all about fitness, but no matter how much you already know, you will leave sweaty and intellectually satisfied.   Every class you show up to, you are ultimately strengthening your body and your brain.

Within learning your new self defense skills, you will see a great difference in your self esteem and self confidence.  Walking down the street may not be as scary if you have been training hard all week.  All of the social activity in the Dojo may also lead to improved activity in your social life.  You may find that you have that extra boost of confidence to ask that special someone out.   After training hard, sweating, and working with your friends at the Dojo your feeling of accomplishment will shine far after you leave.  The improvements in social life are so significant you not only look better but you truly feel better.

Do you spend hours at the gym just for mediocre results? Time to stop that same boring routine and start taking Martial Arts.  The skills you learn in a Krav Maga class may save you or your friends from a street attack.  The conditioning in Thai Kickboxing will make you sweat, and the self confidence will make you shine.  The friends you make in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu may last forever.  So what is stopping you?  Step out of your comfort zone and into the Dojo.  Do yourself a favor and try a class today!

www.dwmma.com

(978)-745-8511

Knowing self-defense empowers you with powerful techniques, strategies and confidence for life-long success!
CALL NOW TO SET UP YOUR  FREE INTRO LESSON

Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
MMA Peabody MA, MMA Salem MA, MMA Beverly MA, MMA Lynn MA, MMA Marblehead MA, MMA Danvers MA, MMA Swampscott MA, MMA Nahant MA

Maximize Physical Fitness, Learn Krav Maga.

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The Superior Fitness Program behind Krav Maga Training

Are you getting your money’s worth at your local gym? Chances are you’re doing your cardio and your weights, plus trying some high-tech equipment. You may feel toned and even have a bit of spring in your step. The question is – how fit are you? You might feel a new power, but the reality is superior fitness can be found in the fighting techniques of Krav Maga. Krav Maga will expand your physical range and turn you into a specimen you might not recognize. Find out how much power is contained within this bold fitness-training program.

Train like a World-Class Fighter

The training boxers and wrestlers go through is known as the most physically demanding work for athletes. Martial artists take a similar approach in dedication and vigorous practice. Krav Maga incorporates Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, (BJJ), Boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Karate; which together, transforms average people into skilled and composed street fighters every single day. From balance and agility to resistance and sheer ferocity, the Krav Maga routine will make you forget about any fitness program you’re following. It is the ultimate training program for self-defense and fitness.

It begins with a sharpening of reflexes and heightening of the senses. Imi Lichtenfeld, inventor of the Krav Maga technique, began practicing this system out of pure necessity. It was either “defend or vanquish” on the streets of pre-WWII Slovakia. Lichtenfeld learned how to disarm assailants coming at him with knives, sticks, clubs and superior numbers. When you train in self-defense on this level, you are engaging in fitness of the highest level.

To withstand an attack of multiple aggressors with weapons, you must be able to slide, dive, block, kick, jump, swing and catapult with abandon. Krav Maga prepares students to take the most comprehensive approach to self-defense. In fact, the idea is to withstand the attack and make sure the aggressor does not have the chance to make a second move. It is self-defense that hits back harder.

Incorporating Fitness Techniques into Warrior-like Presence

Lichtenfeld and his crew in Slovakia had no choice but to become modern warriors when faced with the terror of Nazi gangs. Modern Krav Maga helps you develop your strength, your endurance, your balance and your mental toughness. That is a part of any fitness program. Then you learn how to take it to another level. Krav Maga practitioners do not give up; they do not hesitate; and they do not waiver. If your life is ever challenged, you will know exactly how to respond.

Superior fitness becomes an element of your personality. When you walk down the street, everyone will be able to tell that you are a superior athlete. To challenge a fighter with Krav Maga training, you have to go “all in” or face the wrath of a warrior unleashed. The technique was invented as a means for survival, and it remains a way to learn and practice the fastest and most effective form of self-defense. It also is a way to reach the peak of your physical form. Before you waste another minute in the local gym, try a Krav Maga session and step into your true physical fitness zone.

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Krav Maga: Civilian Self-Defense with Military Roots

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In the tale of Imi Lichtenfeld and his staunch defense of Bratislava turf in the 1930s, we see an athlete adapting to the times by perfecting street fighting. Later, when Lichtenfeld was advising the Israeli Defense Forces on his “contact combat” techniques, the focus was on soldiers who carried weapons and traveled in battalions. Upon retiring from the army in the 1960s, Lichtenfeld refined his technique and brought it back to its roots from the days in Bratislava. Today’s Krav Maga represents a hybrid of military and street fighting tactics.

The Struggle for Eastern Europe

As Slovakia and other parts of Easter Europe fell to Nazi and fascist forces, the Jewish ghettos became warzones. Lichtenfeld’s hand-to-hand combat technique was pure survival: when he saw a knife exposed, he learned to dodge and when he saw a pack of men, he learned to evade and advance to keep them off-balance; and when he had the opportunity, he struck hard and fast so assailants never got a second chance. This approach was the essence of Krav Maga: street fighting to survive one of the ugliest periods in history.

Birth of an Israeli Nation

The country of Israel was the UN’s answer to the need for a home for exiled and displaced European Jews. Lichtenfeld had been in the country since the 1940s and became a fixture in paramilitary organizations. As the IDF emerged, he remained one of the key forces in training soldiers in self-defense and rapid response to aggression. His “contact combat” technique was military-ready. Soldiers could disarm opponents carrying weapons of all times and attack even when helmets and other protection were in place.

Return to Civilian Self-Defense

When Lichtenfeld retired from the IDF, he used his experience from his Bratislava days as well as his time in the military to perfect a technique that civilians could use for everyday safety. The Israel of his time was as insecure as the modern nation, forcing every civilian find a way to protect him or herself. Instead of advising how to take a machine gun from an opposing solider, Lichtenfeld showed students how to take a knife away and how to block punches and expect advances.

The system of Krav Maga in practice around the world is a product of this final refinement by Lichtenfeld after his military days. Physical fitness and mental toughness remain the cornerstones of the technique. From his early days as a boxer and wrestler, Lichtenfeld knew the importance of stamina, endurance and stubbornness in the face of long odds. Every Krav Maga fighter learns how to make his or her way out of a tough situation. Every Krav Maga fighter knows how to stop an opponent from coming back a second time.

In some ways, the approach of the IDF and regular civilians is the same. Though civilians are typically alone and do not face assailants carrying heavy weapons, the need to stand up to danger and overcome it is the same. Krav Maga fighters know how to come out on top and survive in the toughest possible spots.

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Knowing self-defense empowersyou with powerful techniques, strategies and confidence for life-long success!
CALL NOW TO SET UP YOUR  FREE INTRO LESSON

Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
Peabody MA, Salem MA, Beverly MA, Lynn MA, Marblehead MA, Danvers MA

Martial Arts, Top 10 best Styles to Get Fit while learning to defend yourself!

On By Forged Bjj Krav MagaIn BJJ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, DWMMA, DWMMA - Dragon Within Mixed Martial Arts, Fitness, Kickboxing, Krav Maga, Mixed Martial Arts, Self DefenseLeave a comment

Reference: FLAMEHORSE MAY 15, 2010

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Martial arts are great as spectator sports and a good way to get fit, but they really come into their own when they are used in self-defense – undoubtedly the ultimate result for many of them. This list looks at ten of the best martial arts for if you are especially interested in defending yourself against attackers.

10. Kickboxing

9. Karate

8. Aikido

7. Wing Chun

6. Jiu Jitsu

5. Jeet Kune Do

4. Western Boxing

 This hybrid mixes Jiu-jitsu’s standing throws and strikes with ground fighting, which emphasizes joint manipulation and overall control of the opponent, effectively ending a fight very quickly. The larger the attacker, the more easily he can be grappled off his feet, using his center of gravity against him.

2. Keysi Fighting Method

 It is Israel’s national martial art, developed largely by Imi Lichtenfeld,  for the purpose of street survival. It incorporates Western boxing punches, Karate kicks and knees, Greco-Roman wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu ground fighting, Jiu-jitsu throws and grappling, and most importantly, “bursting,” adapted from Wing Chun. This is a simultaneous defense/attack: instead of blocking an attack and then delivering a response, you block the attack and deliver a response at the same time, i. e., block with the left arm and push forward with the legs, striking with the right fist to the throat, all simultaneously.

Also stressed are attacks to vulnerable body parts: the eyes, throat, and groin.  Emphasis is also placed on disarming attackers with both knives and handguns, and turning these weapons on the attacker. It also exclusively trains hand-eye coordination, until defense becomes second nature and does not require thought. And a good Krav Maga instructor can teach all of this to anyone, regardless of athletic prowess.

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Dragon Within Martial Arts, Salem MA, provides the most realistic and practical self-defense programs for Massachusetts and North Shore Area including:
Peabody MA, Salem MA, Beverly MA, Lynn MA, Marblehead MA, Danvers MA