Self defense could save your life
Could you protect yourself if you were attacked? FoxNews.com’s Meg Baker learns some self-defense moves called krav maga, which was developed by the Israeli military
How would you protect yourself if a stranger attacked you?
Krav Maga, which is an Israeli military fighting-style of training, stresses that you are your first line of defense, offering civilian real-world themed classes.
Krav Maga, hand-to-hand combat techniques, is being adopted by “civilians who feel they need to protect themselves against violent situations to give themselves a better edge against any violence that may come their way,” said Matan Gavish, founder and chief instructor at the Krav Maga Academy in New York City.
It’s a life-fitness class for civilians who cannot always rely on a weapon or other forms of defense as support, but can arm themselves with the Krav Maga self-defense skill set.
The Krav Maga Academy offers self-defense classes for civilians, open to male and female participants, who wish to learn how to handle violent situations in the most street-effective method known.
It is a total-body work out. The classes work off instinct and are meant to improve strength, speed, flexibility, agility and balance.
Classes teach various strikes using kicks, elbows and knees that can be used against an assailant. You learn how to defend yourself against chokes, grabs, holds, bear hugs and take-downs.
Gavish said, anyone, no matter their size, can easily be manipulated by targeting soft points such as the eyes, nose, ears or throat – and more.
“A soft point, or a strategic point is any point that by using mild force can cause severe injury or death to an opponent,” Gavish said.
The academy also offers specific classes geared towards women. You can sign up to take a class in high heels, or in other street clothes like jeans, simulating real-life situations.
“When a person attacks a woman, he is very confident of his strength. Krav Maga overcomes this power,” Gavish said.
FoxNews.com got a one on one lesson on how to get out of a choke hold.
Step 1: As hands are around your neck, take a small step backwards.
Step 2: Left hand is going to go over the assailants arms and grab the writsts.
Step 3: Right hand goes straight up.
Step 4: At the same time, pivot sharply to the left, causing the attacker to lose hold of the choke.
Step 5: “Now it’s payback time,” Gavish said. Drop your elbow on both wrists, breaking the aggressors hold on you.
Step 6: Elbow to the face.
Step 7: Hammer fist to the attacker’s ear.
Step 8: Take your front knee to the groin and let go of his hands/ wrists.
Step 9: Continue attacking soft points, “use everything you have to knock him out.”
Step 10: Run!
Stay up-to-date on the biggest health and wellness news with our weekly recap.