Update #1: Krav Maga

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the time has come for the first update of My 12- Month Journey. For the month of January I decided to take up Krav Maga. Krav Maga (pronounced ‘krahv muhGAH’), means ‘contact combat’ in Hebrew.  It is the official defensive tactics system of the Israeli military. 

I want to preface this by saying thank you to everyone who's reached out and shared your thoughts about My 12-Month Journey. I hope you enjoy this and get a kick out of my video.

Why Krav Maga?
I was inspired to do Krav Maga rather than another form of fighting because of a trip I took to Israel this past summer. When I visited Israel, I gained a lot of respect for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and wanted to learn how they were so efficient in their fighting approach. So far, I could not be happier with my choice as it has not only allowed me to learn from amazing trainers, but also because it has allowed me to reconnect with several people I met in Israel.
 
Where to Train?
One of the biggest decisions I had to make at the beginning of the month was where to train. Luckily for me, it didn’t take long to find a local place that fulfilled my main requirements: A+ training, great people, and a fun and challenging atmosphere. After a short period of time, I decided to train at Strike Krav Magawhich is located in my hometown of Santa Clarita, CA and is the exclusive affiliate of the Krav Maga Alliance in the Santa Clarita Valley. The team is absolutely incredible and is impacting the lives of many people, children and adults alike. One thing I love about Strike Krav Maga is their desire to help people stay safe. Bonnie, the founder and one of the lead trainers, has done an amazing job building a gym that is a safe place for people of all ages to practice Krav Maga. I highly encourage anyone interested in learning how to fight to visit Strike Krav Maga.   
 
As of this post, I am halfway through my training and let me tell you, this is no joke. I show up each class for an hour and by the end of it I am completely wiped. Not only am I learning Israeli self defense, but I am getting an incredible workout. Talk about a 2 for 1 special!!! :)
 
3 Skills I’ve Learned from the First Half

1. How to protect myself from being choked
2. The groin kick is your best friend, especially for the ladies.
3. Breathing is one of the most important factors in increasing strength of punches and kicks.

 
3 Observations I’ve Made

1. Looks can be deceiving. Sometimes the best fighters are the ones you’d least expect.
2. Patience is vital to becoming a master of Krav Maga.
3. Safety is the number one factor talked about at the gym.

 
People That Should Attend Strike Krav Maga

1. Children, especially junior high and high school students as this is a great place to learn how to defend yourself and get ready for college
2. Adults who want to get in shape and not be stuck on the elliptical for hours at a time
3. That one friend in your friend group who thinks they can kick everyone’s ass. Try challenging a trainer a see what happens.

 
Before I conclude with Update #1, I want to tell you a story. There once was this young girl about 13 years old walking home from church. On her way home she was jumped by 5 teenage boys and took a brutal beating. However, instead of letting that experience bring her down, she dedicated herself to learning Krav Maga. Today, she is the founder and owner of Strike Krav Maga. The reason I tell you this story is because you CAN’T control what life is going to bring, but you CAN control how you react. Bonnie took a terrible situation as a child and now, has made it her life goal to help protect people from the violence that occurs outside the gym. Thank you Bonnie for your incredible courage and dedication to making everyone who comes to Strike feel safer and more confident. 

You can connect with Strike Krav Maga on Facebook or visit their website at www.strikekravmaga.com.

​Jake Kelfer is a bestselling author, high energy inspirational speaker and career elevation coach. He aims to inspire people on their journey to personal success and happiness. His first book, Elevate Beyond, provides a framework for gaining an advantage in school, work and life. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. ​​​