Krav Maga Takes Off in New York as Citizens Refuse to Play Victim Anymore

This news article reveals that increasing numbers of NYC citizens are becoming trained in the Israeli martial art form of Krav Maga; taking street protection out of the hands of the NYPD and into their own.

It has become one of the most popular forms of martial arts in New York and more and more of the Big Apple’s citizens are signing up for classes that are not only getting them into peak physical condition, but are also arming them with the skills necessary to defend themselves against attack. We’re talking about Krav Maga (pronounced krahv ma-GAH) and if you’re unwilling to feel like a victim at any time of the day or night whilst walking New York’s streets, this might be the martial art for you!

What is Krav Maga?

Krav Maga is a combat system that was developed by the military in a 1940’s war-torn Israel. Its name is derived from the language Hebrew and literally means “contact combat.” True to its name, krav maga is an intense and full contact combat NYC martial art that focuses on training students to face very real world situations. In other words, it’s anything but fight choreography and what you learn in Krav Maga classes in New York follows you out onto the street, into the subway and anywhere else you may go.

Krav Maga Classes in New York

Not surprisingly, more and more New Yorkers are signing up for krav maga classes because they want to get in shape and learn the technique necessary to keep them safer on the street. The techniques taught in these classes include a suite of grappling and wrestling moves, as well as kicks, strikes and chokeholds. The emphasis, however, is on the kinds of moves students can use in an urban context involving an attack by a thug, gangster, thief or any aggressor.

Equally as important as delivering quick, decisive and debilitating strikes to an attacker is how to escape joint-locks and chokeholds, since this is often how assailants render victims immobile. By performing the quick and necessary maneuvers to escape being pinned down or choked, you can then turn around and deliver a sharp punch to the bridge of the nose, allowing you crucial time to escape.

Krav Maga on the Streets of New York

Anyone who has spent any amount of time in New York will likely have felt threatened by another person at some time or another. Knowing that you have krav maga classes behind your name does wonders for the confidence and self-esteem with which you might handle such situations. But this is not to say that krav maga classes encourage New York residents to seek out fights! Quite the contrary, the primary rule of this martial art form is to avoid combat unless it is impossible or unsafe to do so. The next rule in line is to debilitate your attacker quickly and mercilessly and then to escape.

Another great benefit of this form of NYC martial arts is that people of all shapes and sizes are able to participate and that, no matter how small or short you are, you can learn the physical skills and combat techniques necessary to protect yourself.