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Hi
Was reading an article and it made me think?
Is the commercialism of Krav destroying it from within? I’d hate for Krav to be considered a watered down system… do you all think we will ever be in danger of losing some of the effectiveness of Krav Maga?
I suppose a student is only as good as the effort he or she puts in!! Happy new year to all!
Zvor
Re: Are we being true to the system?
Totally OT to the post, but watching the video was slightly disturbing. There seemed to be a lot of flailing and winding up on the hammerfists. Also appeared none of the students were really bringing their guard up or keeping it up when attacking.
– Kelly
Re: Are we being true to the system?
“Commercialization”, “watered down”, et al…what do they mean? Folks looking to criticize throw these terms around without giving any specifics. Be specific. What about that video was “disturbing”? A student in a level one class in some school in some city didn’t throw “perfect” hammerfists? Come on.
Look at these vids…don’t think you’ll find water down:
Re: Are we being true to the system?
Well I suppose I would throw some sloppy strikes if I was looking into a camera instead of watching my target too.
Looks like another post from some KMW basher who found a vid with poor editing and a bunch of L-1 students.
#1 it looks like they only taped an L-1 and a Kickboxing class.
(I know this because Renee only teaches L-1)
#2 you can see Mark and Rob giving instruction to those students in the background.
(I know this because Mark, Lynn, Rob & Renee are my instructors)
#3 there is nothing watered down about what I learn at that facility from those instructors.
(Renee’s classes are definitely fun but thereís also nothing easy about them either.
The vid totally fails to convey the reality of how we train here at KM-PDX
Don’t know who edited it and what light they wanted to cast on the piece but it was way too fluff and absolutely no buff, for why? I dunno?
I wish they showed up when I was there.
So first hand opinion from someone who trains at that facility under those instructors this is a bad video not bad Krav Maga.Re: Are we being true to the system?
I can see where the OP is coming from….
I see a lot of this type of Krav marketing/demonstration on talk shows/internet/news and it makes me sick everytime. The piece that was posted was clearly designed for it’s audience. As people who train Krav, we all know that not every class is that “loosey goosey”. However, I see more and more of these types of video floating around on TV.
I think what the OP is trying to point out is that by marketing the system to folks who want to get into a “fitness” routine, we are opening the system up to becoming less than it was originally intended. (I’m not saying KMWW does this)
With that said, gym owners have a business to run and if these videos attract a broader range of folks then more power to them….
Re: Are we being true to the system?
I think the major problem with growth is there is a loss of control on the “checks and balances” on what curriculum is taught. The only requirement to hold a license is to attend the KMW training and pay your monthly dues, after that the schools are on their own. There was a post here about a month ago about this problem. The student attended a KMW school that taught the KMW curriculum, he moved to a new area, found a KMW licensed school that didn’t teach the same curriculum.
Re: Are we being true to the system?
Well it all boils down to good instructors, doesn’t it? Good instructors won’t teach watered down Krav, and they won’t accept watered down technique – no matter how many news stories there are about Krav. Fortunately, my instructors are all the real deal. Not to sound insensitive, but I’m not particularly worried about what happens with other schools.
Re: Are we being true to the system?
Going to have to agree with Guitarded when it comes to all boiling down to the instructors. Maybe we are lucky in Atlanta, and have instructors who allow us to train, learn to defend ourselves AND have fun.
So maybe I didn’t start training to become a walking human weapon, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that I train 5 days a week and take what I do very seriously. Besides, the self defense aspect isn’t the only reason i take Krav. I happen to like the added bonus of getting in great shape.
And even further, I think KMWW does an amazing job with their phase/instructor training. I know that our instructors have had the opportunity to train under Ryan, Kelly, Michael, Darren, and AJ just to name a few and each time they come back with better drills and teaching points than before.
I guess it all comes down to the old tired cliche’: you get out of it, what you put in it. If you want to get in incredible shape– you will. If you want to learn how to defend yourself– you will. Just let people TRAIN!
Re: Are we being true to the system?
Hi
Thanks for the replies…
Inky, hope I haven’t offended you (it wasn’t my intention at all) and no I’m not a KMWW basher… I wouldn’t post here and read the forum if I was!
The intention of my post and the article is to highlight that very real scenario where a martial art becomes mainstream and the editing of the video (by the news channel reporting on KM) makes it look like a regular exercise class than KM.
It is a sad reality that as this system of ours becomes more popular, it might lead some to offer and promote the KM aerobic workout (which is a fantastic workout) and thereby dilute the real benefits of KM.
Sorry if i’ve offended anyone from that particular school as well with my post, I can sympathise with the way the media may spin things into what they want it to be and clearly this was intended to be a nice fluff piece to round out the regular news or whatever.
Re: Are we being true to the system?
Oh and for the record, those KM San Diego vids featuring Darren were really good!
Re: Are we being true to the system?
It should be noted that when a news crew or tv journal crew comes in to shoot a story on you and what you do, the only control you have is over what YOU say on camera. They will shoot hours of footage for 30 seconds of video, and edit and comment in whatever manner THEY believe will produce the best feedback from their viewers and advertisers, not on what accurately portrays the subject matter. Your only other option is to turn them away, wherein they will go to the nearest competitor and do the same story about self defense using a different system.
We’ve had lots of experience with this, as have many quality KM schools nationwide have. We’ve been mortified and horrified when we see the final product during airing, but I for one take solice in knowing that if it inspires even 1 person to contact us, I assure you they will see, feel, hear, and learn Krav Maga at it’s best. In fact, they may not even join our school, becuase it’s not what they expected from the broadcast.
Re: Are we being true to the system?
I am sure James is right. There would have been a certain amount of acting and editing by the news crew. I seriously doubt anyone has been hammerfisted for leaving the seat up. If so, recalling one of Kirsten’s posts, Oneness would be dead by now.rofl2
Re: Are we being true to the system?
No, no none taken. It’s just kinda funny to read a post header like that and watch a vid of your Facility and with your instructors. I do see where you were going sorry to derail, and I meant that comment to the OP not you sorry.
It just goes to show there is a main stream out there and thereís not much one can do. The piece in general came off to me like a sales pitch for soccer moms to come on in and bring the tweens se we can burn 800 calories an hour. (No offense meant to soccer moms) I Believe it’s good for the business structure as a whole yes, and I’m glad to see that so many People from any walk of life can find Krav Maga for what ever reason, Fitness, self defense, general baddassery but yes that means it’s going to be just like finding a good Mechanic it’s going to be up to the student to search out and query who they feel is the best fit for them. Letís face it the McDojo effect will run rampant no matter what Form or art it is in… Or governing body.
Just a bit irksome to see that whomever the news channels editor was has absolutely no idea what Krav Maga is Physically or philosophically and aimed the piece at a demographic thatís pretty far from the norm from most average peeps that seek out KM for there own reasons.
It was just a morel imperative for me to state that those instructors are top notch and even L-1 classes with 4+ complete noobs or trail class participantsí get more intensity and focus on form then what was portrayed.
Cheers.quote zvor:HiThanks for the replies…
Inky, hope I haven’t offended you (it wasn’t my intention at all) and no I’m not a KMWW basher… I wouldn’t post here and read the forum if I was!
The intention of my post and the article is to highlight that very real scenario where a martial art becomes mainstream and the editing of the video (by the news channel reporting on KM) makes it look like a regular exercise class than KM.
It is a sad reality that as this system of ours becomes more popular, it might lead some to offer and promote the KM aerobic workout (which is a fantastic workout) and thereby dilute the real benefits of KM.
Sorry if i’ve offended anyone from that particular school as well with my post, I can sympathise with the way the media may spin things into what they want it to be and clearly this was intended to be a nice fluff piece to round out the regular news or whatever.
Re: Are we being true to the system?
James is dead on.
Ok, so I’ve just been asked to be a guest on a new TV show in Charlotte. As a hardcore KM instructor, I’d like to show the meat and potatoes; give folks what’s “real”. As a business owner in a tough economic environment (who feeds his family by teaching KM), I realize I could never buy airtime like this. Look at the percentage of folks interested in fitness vs. the percentage interested in martial arts/self defense/fighting…it isn’t close. What happens on my mats, what I send my members home with at the end of the day is what matters. So what if it took a good looking woman with rock hard abs to get them there? To me, the ends justify the means.
Look, I get it (for the most part), I do, but to use terms like “diluted”, “watered down”, “true to the system”, etc., to me, is just BS. They are platitudes with no substance. Even a lot of the subsequent comments here have offered no real specifics. I’d like to know what about this particular video signals the demise of the Krav Maga system. I just don’t see it.
Oh, and zvor, no offense at all, my friend, and if this is what you believe, you’re certainly entitled to it.
Happy New Year!
Re: Are we being true to the system?
quote zvor:Oh and for the record, those KM San Diego vids featuring Darren were really good!That’s because both Krav gyms in San Diego are amazing! The reporter in the video is a student at my school and trains regularly. She has done a great job doing pieces on Krav Maga.
The OP’s video showed a reporter that obviously doesn’t train.
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