What Is Krav Maga?
Krav Maga literally means “contact combat.” It is a system of defense created in Israel. It combines elements from several systems like grappling, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, muay-thai and boxing. Krav Maga involves powerful counter-attacks and focuses on situations that can occur in the real world. The philosophy of Krav Maga emphasises aggression, offensive and simultaneous defensive moves and neutralizing threats.
The Power Of Krav Maga
Krav Maga is about tuning the body naturally for fighting responses. The technique for take-downs, blocking, kicking and counter attacks is built from natural reactions. Psychology is included in the class so that you can think like the attacker and use this to your benefit. This martial art is tailored to the practitioner rather than the practitioner being tailored to this art.
Krav Maga Vs. Karate
Sometimes a question arises about which system of learning is better – in this case Krav Maga Vs. Karate. They are similar in that both systems require a great deal of practice to master. Both systems require great physical and mental capability. One of these forms of practice isn’t necessarily more powerful than the other.
Both systems utilize blocking for defense and precision attacking for offense. Karate is a total package for re-tuning the mind and body. It involves discipline, respect and science for total transformation. Krav Maga generally isn’t considered a martial art – rather it is seen as a self-defense system. Krav Maga is about minimizing pain to the person and maximizing pain to the enemy.
Karate is very rigid in study and application while Krav Maga offers more freedom in both. Ascending the ladder of Krav Maga is also more loose than rising up the belts of Karate. Both these disciplines have their strengths.
Krav Maga Vs. Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do means “foot,” “fist,” and “discipline.” There are several differences between Krav Maga and Tae Kwon Do. Krav Maga is taught to the Israeli forces. In addition certain agencies in the United States are taught this as well. It is not traditionally a martial art as it does not incorporate ritual and stylized movements. It emphasizes practical self-defense.
Tae Kwon Do emphasizes the connection between body and mind and is a traditional martial art. It is regarded as a way of life. Krav Maga uses the elbows and knees for self-defense in addition to the fists and the feet. Krav Maga is both offensive and defensive and does not contain spiritual element like Tae Kwon Do. If you want to learn self-defense without excess aggression try Tae Kwon Do. If you want to learn powerful, aggressive self-defense try Krav Maga.
Krav Maga Vs. Muay Thai
Muay Thai is about strengthening the whole body and mind. It involves quickly subduing the opponent without putting oneself in much danger and this is where it is like Krav Maga. The difference is that Krav Maga is about the moment and using whatever techniques and materials are available to defeat the attacker. Muay Thai is today a sport as well as a fighting technique. Krav Maga is purely a system of self-defense.
Krav Maga Vs. Aikido
These are two extremely different martial arts. Aikido is a mixture of physical development with spiritual harmony. It is about using the opponents force against him. Krav Maga, unlike Aikido uses simple techniques which can be mastered quickly. Both provide for ways in which a smaller practitioner can defeat a much larger one.
Krav Maga Vs. Jiu Jitsu
Both these form of fighting rely on applying force as a deterrent rather than making it fatal. Krav Maga is about protecting yourself while remaining calm. Jiu Jitsu also is about using the opponents force against him. Which martial art you choose from these two would depend on how you intend to use it. Krav Maga is quickly learned and applied while Jiu Jitsu takes more practice.
Every martial art is different in theory and application. While Krav Maga is a fighting system that emphasizes practicality, others emphasize spiritual discipline. In practical application – in a street fight perhaps Krav Maga is as good or better than another martial art. This is because of the way and purpose with which it was developed.
Final thoughts? Krav Maga is becoming an increasing popular form of self defense nowadays and there is a very good reason.
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