Military-style fighting class teaches real-world self defense
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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Step 10: Run!