What is Krav Maga?
I'd never heard of this before. I've seen Karate, is it like that? Well no. Krav Maga means 'contact combat', it is a self defence fighting system. Four years ago I began training and little did I know that this was the start of something wonderful.
My name is Sue and I'm a mom of two boys. They are my world. As a mom you want the best for your children. You want to protect them when they are hurt, to comfort them when they are upset and you want to share in their joy when they are happy.
Unfortunately a few years ago, we had a home invasion incident and we were lucky that no one was physically hurt but I was left scared for quite a while afterwards. I didn't want to go out, open a door or talk to anyone.
I started going to an exercise class to try and help with this but strange as it may sound I found out about a Krav Maga class literally in the same building. I was curious and apprehensive at the same time but I bit the bullet and talked myself into giving it a go. Sure what have I got to lose I knew nothing about it, never been to a martial arts class and seriously never tried anything like this before.
Krav Maga is a defence system that helps you hone into your natural instincts.
Well my natural instinct in my first class was to run. I felt completely out of my comfort zone and I have to hit pads. I feel that I'm an idiot because I need a lot of instruction but hey I don't give up. I am very grateful that the coach has endless patience to help me understand what I am doing. The only thing I'd ever hit before was Abrakebabra after a few social drinks. I can't believe I'm actually going to learn a skill. Apparently there is a way to make a proper boxing fist . Who knew?
As a beginner in a Krav Maga class, you don't need to know anything. Everyone wears black when training like a uniform but black is going to soon become my best friend as I've never worked out as hard in my life. Some women sweat and still look flawless like on a magazine cover. I don't!
Let me tell you how my first class went. The coach paired me with this lovely girl who had been training for quite a while. I was given instructions on how to make a fist and how to punch. It must be my Irish upbringing but each time my fists hit the pads I start saying sorry like I was hurting the pads or sending them to pad heaven.
Can anyone do Krav Maga?
The answer is yes. At four foot eleven inches I'd consider myself among the chosen few as vertically challenged. Yes I've heard all the jokes before like "Is it cold down there" or "Where's your pot of gold" but like any discipline there are advantages and disadvantages to train.
Krav Maga increases your fitness level.
It is physically demanding as any discipline should be but sometimes compared to rearing two boys it's like a break where you can use the pads to get out the frustrations of the day.
Krav Maga uses drills and techniques if needed in a life threatening situation.
No one tells you that you that sometimes you can get hit. Now this is not on purpose. As you progress you can train as easy or hard as you like once your partner trains similar but in the early days you are also learning control and distances and sometimes accidents happen. Sometimes contact is made. Remember this is a full contact sport and full contact does not mean hugs.
I never in a million years would have predicted that I would train Krav Maga yet alone enjoy it. I have a different view on the world and met some wonderful people that I call my second family. Only my Krav Maga family see the more aggressive side of me.
Krav Maga is my escape from day to day life. It has given me the confidence not to be afraid anymore. After four years of training I am still learning new techniques, meeting wonderful people and hopefully I am setting a good example for my boys.
KIDA