Not the Biggest in the Room

Being a small woman, most rooms I walk into there is normally someone I have to look up to see. I’m not the biggest or the strongest. Does that make me cower? No, not in the slightest. I am confident, self assured, and respect myself. I will not apologize for taking up space. I refuse to make myself small so others can feel better. I trust my training. I focus on technique, body placement and body control when I train Krav Maga. I can’t rely on my strength in most places that won’t get me far. Krav Maga can work for everyone and why it was invented.

Ready? History lesson! Krav Maga is an Israeli Self Defense Program made for the Israeli Army. The founder Imi came up with a hand to hand combat that utilized the best from each martial arts, wrestling, boxing, and other fight techniques. It uses speed, aggression and technique over strength and power. Everyone in Israel has to serve in the military regardless of gender or size. It was made for people not to get held hostage. Imagine living in a place that if you are not prepared you could be kidnapped and held for ransom. You could loose your life. It is aggressive, intense and, in my opinion, exciting. We teach techniques then ramp up in intensity. If it’s not pressure and stress tested, how will you be able to utilize it when you are stressed and under pressure in a self defense scenario. Think of it like this, you know when you’re watching a scary movie and the girl is trying to get her keys in the car while the killer is coming after her. You have anxiety for her to see what her outcome will be. When you are stressed and under pressure the tunnel vision sets in and your fine motor skills decrease. That’s why you want to yell at the television “JUST DO IT, WOMAN! GET THE KEYS IN THE DOOR!” (I am a passionate and invested movie watcher. ;)) She didn’t train. I guess it is what it is. Krav is a principal based system. Meaning that each level builds upon each its self. You can learn one technique that can be recalled in multiple different situations. You are able to get tons of reps in, so you are able to have it become muscle memory and can be recalled in stressful or dangerous situations.

So for me, every class I take is training for a real life situation. I have my why of what I fight for. I analyze body placement, movement, and preciseness. I have to, I can’t muscle my way out of a situation. I have to raise my intensity and work on technique. I believe that is why Krav Maga is so empowering for me. It has worked countless times in difficult situations. I love partnering with all different sizes and shapes of people. It gives me the unique opportunity to understand how different bodies move. It helps build my confidence and show me the areas I need to work on. I have a few training partners that I love working with. I have come to the understanding I can learn from anyone makes me grateful to have the opportunity to work with anyone of the over 100 students at our school.

Krav Maga has given me confidence to stand strong, meet new people, be aware of my surroundings, bartending and close bars on my own, standing up for what I want, and walk in peace. You don’t have to the biggest or the strongest, but you do have to have faith in yourself, know your limits and keep training. KIDA!