It’s about 14 months since I started training Krav Maga with my local club ARKRAVMAGA and thought I’d put pen to paper to share my thoughts on this exceptional experience and club.
The first time I heard the words ‘Krav Maga’ was from extended family in Yorkshire some years ago. My wife’s side of the family have strong military backgrounds and my brother-in-law (over a few drinks), was telling me about Krav Maga and a club he’d joined in Leeds. He showed me some YouTube video’s and to be perfectly honest at the time I was shocked. The shock initially was the perceived level of violence; there were knife disarms, gun disarms, defending multiple attacker scenarios- basically all the sensational stuff which when your immersed in training you realise your being taught to avoid.
Best I start from the start. So, my background is not one of violence or trauma. In fact, I work in mental health nursing for the NHS so, if that adds context for you, I am definitely not looking for trouble or a fight. The club does not accept people haphazardly, if Tony (I’ll come onto him in a bit) feels your intentions are not in the interest of self-defence you will not be invited to join. He has created a safe environment which uniquely caters for all abilities and experience in a single class. I was intrigued by my brother-in-law’s stories of training and eventually I started searching for my local Norfolk club- ARKRAVMAGA.
I attempted to rally some mates to join me, the reception was mixed; ‘what the hell is crab mango?’ and ‘Are you mental? Why on earth would you voluntarily do this?’ My reasons for joining were firstly wanting the knowledge of this self defence system, the challenge in being able learn to defend myself and the fitness aspect. The format for joining has changed slightly from when I joined but fundamentally the culture is the same. So, I signed up for trial classes, so I could see for myself if I was up to it and if it was for me.
I’m not going to lie, I attended the Thorpe training location for the first time on a Tuesday night and to politely put it I was fending off the brown adrenaline! The trial class was to take place after the main class and members volunteered their time to stay on and help Tony run the trial class.
I arrived early so caught the end of the main class through the glass windows of the gym doors… The members were engaged in what I now know to be a summative drill; taking the evenings learning and drilling it as realistically as possible. To a novice outsider it appeared to be an all-out brawl but with closer inspection you could see the control involved and pace variation from member to member. I’m not afraid to admit I was scared but also intrigued. These people were kicking each other in the groin!!! But aside from that everyone was smiling at the end and the camaraderie was in bucket loads! I suppose the fear also was that there were 20 plus people, all in slick AR Krav Maga uniform, all looking like they know what they’re doing; where was I going to fit into all this!!!
That initial trial class was awesome, there is no other word for it really. I wasn’t the only trial member there, but the welcoming and support was unreal.
Now I come onto Tony, I won’t run on too much or he won’t get his t-shirt over his head next week! Anthony Robinson is the club leader and main instructor. I guessed pretty early he was ex-military, there is a confidence and assertion gained from service which I’ve picked up from family members who have also served, it’s crucial to say though this is without arrogance or superiority. He has a way of teaching where you realise you need to take it seriously without making light of the process but in a way that you find yourself fighting back the giggles from the jokes and the fun.
It’s not just Tony though, throughout the club all members do not hesitate to help and guide you, whatever their experience level. There is no ego’s, no macho personalities, throughout a typical night you will train with everyone at some point; whoever you are with, works with your level and teaches. I truly think it’s unique that this environment has been created. My impression is that this is possible due to the fact this isn’t martial arts, this isn’t sport, we’re all united in a common goal of feeling able to defend ourselves if necessary, in any environment, situation or attack.
We’re all exposed through the media how knife crime and other sinister crime is on the increase. Any violent situation is unpredictable, Krav Maga doesn’t pretend to ensure your outcome but it gives you the training to know fundamentals in defence. Yes, there are flashy knife and gun disarm techniques, but you will very quickly learn through lessons that the overriding message is early detection and avoidance. Since training I truly approach any environment in a completely new way, I know my exits, I read peoples body language, I’m aware of being engrossed on my phone in public, in short, I am aware of risk and how to give myself maximum chance of a positive outcome if the worst happens.
So, after a few months of being totally hooked with the concept, the club, the members and the exceptional training I saw a message on the ARKRAVMAGA closed Facebook group asking if any members would be willing to help at the kids Krav Maga lessons the club offers. I have children and am a family orientated man, my job role involves working with children and honestly, I really like working with kids (probably because I still act like one myself!) so it’s not much of a surprise that I jumped at the chance!
This to me is the most exciting part of the club, that the message of appropriate self-defence is installed from an early age. Schools tend to give out a blanket message to children that it is unacceptable to retaliate to assault; ‘come and find a teacher’ is the usual retort. That’s fine if it’s a little push, or light level verbal abuse but not so easy if you’re being physically bullied and intimidated. Kids Krav teaches that under common law you have a right to defend yourself from assault if your honestly held belief is, you’re in danger. It is instilled that any reaction must be proportionate, reasonable and necessary to the level of danger. Some adult club members are police officers and give talks to the children regarding this. On first glance you may think; ‘Why would I encourage my child to get into fights’, but you would be missing the essence that this isn’t fighting, fighting isn’t encouraged, fighting is the last resort and defence/safety is the priority.
The kid’s classes are so much fun, age ranges from (my estimate) 5-14 and they all support each other. There are enough volunteers that pupil to leader ratio is second to none. I’ve been labelled ‘iceman’ (thanks Tony!) as I follow the wim hof method and part of that is regular ice baths. It’s really humbling when the kids are asking you to train them and so appreciative of the support; only last week a new member came up to me after the lesson and made a point of thanking me. These are great kids learning crucial survival skills in a fun environment. There is also lots of focus on recognition of knife threat and evading danger, this is potentially lifesaving skills these kids are learning and having fun while doing so.
As the months have now turned into over a year, I am as hooked as ever. You train at the level you’re ready for, I am now at the stage where I’m enjoying an increased level of contact. To paraphrase a film reference, ‘once you realise, you’re not made of glass it actually becomes an adrenaline rush’. But equally if you are not comfortable with full contact there is no expectation of this.
It’s a family atmosphere at ARKRAVMAGA, no doubt about it. It is diverse also because there are four locations to train over a week so you can work it to the inevitable life sagas and location of where you live. I’ve discussed with the Yorkshire contingent of my family the experience I’ve had, and they’ve unanimously said it sounds like a well-run professional outfit. That’s how it feels honestly, I don’t know everyone on first name terms but that does not matter! Everyone treats me with respect and if I’m struggling with anything then people are jumping in to help. Family.
It’s a decision I’ve never looked back on and I encourage anyone to join us! Keep fit, get safe, make friends and have a laugh!!!
Will. (iceman)
