Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 173 total)
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  • #30798
    miriam
    Member

    After enjoying reading about everyone’s different backgrounds and experiences, I’m curious to know: How did you get into training in Krav Maga?

    #63331
    trish
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    I was really interested in some sort of martial arts that put an emphasis on self-defense. After months of searching I decided that traditional martial arts are just that – too artsy for me. I wanted something I could learn quickly and that was a little more kick ass. A friend told me about Krav Maga and I was sold within 5 minutes of my first class.

    #63332
    stevetuna
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    I was at the police academy at 40 years of age, thinking what will keep me fit and ready to keep up with the challenges of my new career. I talked with a couple of the defensive tactics instructors that seemed to have their stuff together. They heard that I was from Nantucket and said, “Hey – there’s a great Krav Maga instructor on Nantucket. Nothing better for cops!”

    The instructor, John Hallett, is a guy that I knew a little bit. I knew he was doing some wild form of martial arts but had no idea exactly what. So… upon my graduation, I marched right over to his studio and signed up. That was all it took! I had found a great instructor teaching a great system. I was hooked.

    I quickly saw that the reality based nature of Krav Maga was perfect for cops. And for women. And men. And kids. I love the fact that it’s all business and urges aggression when confronted. It’s given me many more weapons to use in a bad situation than my previous experience did (I boxed for years). Plus, I think that my 46 year old self could whup my 21 year old self!

    #63339
    giant-killer
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    I’ve done some Judo as a kid, but it was pretty much a boring class. I suppose I’ve always wanted to learn some real streetfighting, weapons and all. However, I didn’t so anything for years. Then I started taking classes at a Taekwondo place. Horrible place, mix of old Russian ladies and little kids with Black Belts. I tried a Karate place next. That one was nice, but they wanted me to pay for the whole year at once, which I couldn’t afford. I was still thinking about what to do, when I saw an LA Times article about the then newly opened KMNTC in Los Angeles. I went to check it out and the first thing I saw through those large floor to ceiling windows, were a bunch of people doing rifle drills. I knew then I was home and signed up right away. That was 11 years ago and I’m still going strong! thumbsup

    _________________
    Giantkiller

    #63340
    jay99
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    Truth be told I had been looking for way to meet you, Miriam. After several miserably failed attempts, including one incident where I hid in a giant birthday cake I turned to Krav. But rather than share all the ugly details I will use the version I came up with for when such a question was asked of me….

    After finishing school I made a promise to myself to take some of my new found free time and do something that was fun and all for me! I decided a martial art or MMA training would be a fun way to spend my time so I poked around a little as I neared graduation. When I expressed my intention to a good friend one afternoon he mentioned that they opened a Krav Maga place in my area. I had never heard of Krav and did not know anything about the training but the way he made it sound intrigued me. Over the next week he told me a bit more so on a whim one night I dropped in and ended up meeting Jarrett Waldman. I was impressed by how friendly everyone was, how little ego I felt in the room and by the explanation of the training. We spoke for about 20 minutes about the classes, the benefits and of course the financial obligation. Since I often live by the creed of “Go big or go home” I signed a year contract at that end of our conversation and went on my way.

    I figured I would use the classes as a compliment to a gym schedule I was trying to stick to and my plan was to go two, maybe three times a week. Just for fun, ya know? After my first class I was sore for two days and just had to have more!!! Two times a week turned into three. Which turned into every Level 1 class I could make. Then fitness classes started. Then came the 2 hour nights once or twice a week. Then 2 hours were the norm. Before I knew it I was making time for 3 hour nights and thrilled to see Friday evening on the schedule two add in another night of training. I just could not get enough!!!

    Then it happened… It was day 1 of Phase A… and guess who I was in a room with after all this time… MIRIAM!!!

    So there it is… that is my story. Where it goes from here. Who knows… but at least I got to meet Miriam = )

    #63341

    Re: Why Krav?

    No fighting in my background except a little bouncing, some amateur boxing. When I saw The Human Weapon episode with Krav, I was blown away at its simplicity and effectiveness. So far, it has not disappointed in the least. And it’s actually been a springboard for me to start taking other disciplines as well.

    #63342
    kmcat
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    quote stevetuna:

    … Plus, I think that my 46 year old self could whup my 21 year old self!

    Lets not do that, I think it would cause a rip in the time space continuum …

    #63347
    lcash
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    In 2003 I was sent on a project in the jungles of Nigeria. I am in the oilfield and instruct the local enegineers in new technologies. During my month in the Jungle I was taken hostage. No harm came to me but it taught me a lesson about personal safety. I vowed then and there to never get into a situation like that again and as soon as I got home, found the nearest Krav Maga studio and began. My wife and son also joined and we made it a family afair. I would not trade that time with my wife and son for anything. Since then my son has had to use his new skills twice. One in which he was hit from behind in the bathroom. He put the man down quite fast and that was that. The other case was a road rage incident in Houston. A lawyer tried to muscle in front of him in traffic and when he didn’t allow it the lawyer bumped his car from behind. He got out of the car to see if there was damage when the lawyer grabbed him by the tie and began screeming in his face. Of course grabbing his tie was a big mistake. The lawyers wife had to come a pick him up after the police got through with him and his face stopped bleeding. My son called me at the airport and wanted to know if he was going to be in trouble. I reasured him that he would be OK as he had witnesses. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

    Lcash

    #63358
    stevetuna
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    quote Lcash:

    In 2003 I was sent on a project in the jungles of Nigeria. I am in the oilfield and instruct the local enegineers in new technologies. During my month in the Jungle I was taken hostage.

    Yikes!!! Man, I can’t even imagine what that was like! Talk about motivation to train hard!

    Great stories, Lcash. I’m glad to hear that you and your family have found something that you can do together.

    #63359

    Re: Why Krav?

    When I was active duty, this guy in our mortar section was a beast with combatives and was ******* everyone up. I asked him where he learned to inflict so much pain upon me and he said “Krav Maga”. After being assured that Krav Maga wasn’t some magic words he uttered before a fight that gave him super-human ability, I stored the reference in my mind till I got out and moved back to LA. A few of my friends invited me to go down and check out the NTC with them. I went and signed up that day. I’m still trying to get them to go. Flakes.

    Wow Lcash. I don’t mean to go off topic at all or bring up a sore subject (you can tell me to mind my own business if you wish, I understand), but was the situation you got into in Nigeria something that Krav would have helped with directly? Or maybe as far as situational awareness is concerned? Just curious as to exactly how that experience brought you to want to learn Krav. Forgive the curriosity… I’ve always been really big on hearing other peoples’ “lessons learned” to avoid having too many more of my own!!!

    #63362
    lcash
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    quote downforlife76:

    Wow Lcash. I don’t mean to go off topic at all or bring up a sore subject (you can tell me to mind my own business if you wish, I understand), but was the situation you got into in Nigeria something that Krav would have helped with directly? Or maybe as far as situational awareness is concerned? Just curious as to exactly how that experience brought you to want to learn Krav. Forgive the curriosity… I’ve always been really big on hearing other peoples’ “lessons learned” to avoid having too many more of my own!!!

    No Problem 76. Krav would not have helped in that particular situation as of course the better way to handle that is to be patient unless you are being directly threatened with violence or being forced to move into an isolated place. Since I was in a jungle and there was no way out, they could not move me and I had a little inside info that worked to my advantage. The jungle was not nearly as threatening as the streets in Port Harcourt Nigeria. It is sort of like the wild west without the manners. Krav would have helped with the situational awareness. I had armed escorts everywhere I went but I did not know who these people were either nor did I know what their level of experience was. It was a place where you could not trust anyone at any time. I swore that I would never be defensless in those situations again. Since then I have had assignments in over 20 countries mostly third world and have not had a situation like that since except for last year in Ecuador about 2 miles from the Colombian border.

    It motivated me to learn krav for the self confidence in a violent situation. When folks are running around with AK47’s and pointing them at me I want to be able to handle the adrenalin rush and respond with more control. I am going back to Nigeria next month for a 3 month stint and am not looking foward to it. It has become much more hazardous than it was in 2003.

    Lcash

    #63364
    old-grappler
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    I was looking for something that would acheive 2 goals….1. I’ve always wanted to learn a martial art that kicked a$$….not some watered down stuff. I hoped it would provide a secure feeling for me and my family…as CJ said..I want to walk in “pieces.” 2. I was looking for something to replace the aggressiveness I developed in 25 years of wrestling. Darts, Bowling, and Golf are all wonderful..but hardly filled the void.

    I had looked at Krav Maga a couple times but never actually took the leap….now that I have….WHAT A RUSH!!!!!!

    #63365
    kmman
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    In my search for Jeet Kune Do which I always felt was an effective street arm without uniforms and ranks, I ran across a Krav Maga school. I remember seeing a TV piece on KM years ago (I wish I remember the show) and I researched it and found it had everything I was looking for in Jeet Kune Do with a better (in my opinion) curriculum with a federation that oversees it for quality control (KMWW) so there is consistency. The problem with JKD is anyone can put up a sign and mix up some martial arts and call it Jeet Kune Do. Krav is more straight forward.

    Obviously both have ranks but no funny looking uniforms, no kata or forms that waste time to extend tuition and no mystical death touches.

    #63366
    la-revancha
    Member

    Re: Why Krav?

    September 11th, for the most part.

    #63367

    Re: Why Krav?

    I am learning to lose weight and mostly being done for my own health, as well as re-connect with my jewish roots.

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