Self-defence for the street, is how S. Sreeram describes Krav Maga, the Israeli method of tackling violence. Sreeram is the founder and chief instructor of the Tamil Nadu chapter of Krav Maga. “The combat system of the Israeli military is designed to equip soldiers to survive in war-zones. We focus on training in anger management, handling stress and being aware of a crisis situation and how to avoid it. At workshops for women we address issues such as tackling sexual harassment. We tell women that they are not helpless. We build confidence and will power,” he says.
Sreeram says anyone with average fitness can learn Krav Mag.
“In a crisis situation if the victim is being strangled, he can escape by hitting the attacker on the vulnerable parts of the body.” People should be especially alert in areas such as a lonely car park. They should identify the body language of a criminal, and also be quick enough to fling something at him or blind him with something as simple as mud, water, or even a perfumed deo.”
Sreeram says logic is important. “Use your legs to defend yourself. They are the longest and strongest part of your body. We train people to get out of a hand-hold, hair-hold, etc. and teach them how to get up from the ground when they are knocked down. We also teach them how to defend themselves against sharp objects like a helmet or a knife.”
The basics are taught in a 20-hour course. “Institutes like VIT have made it compulsory for their final year students to learn Krav Maga. We visit Thirumarapaakam near Kanchipuram to help women deal with domestic violence, sexual harassment and alcoholic husbands. We teach them practical forms of martial arts that keep them stay safe. We especially want to help those in the economically backward sections too. We conduct classes for one hour every week in Corporation schools in Chennai. We plan to tie up with big educational institutes in Coimbatore as well.”
Sreeram worked as an art director, and later as brand manager in IT field before he became a master “I was interested in karate right from my college days, I googled about Krav Maga and learnt it. Every year, I go to Israel for a two-week residential programme. I feel happy when people thank me because their self defence skills helped them deal with some crisis. That is the biggest perk of my profession.”
The science of martial arts
Bruce Lee inspired Kyoshi K.S. Sekar to learn karate. Today at 52, he says he is still learning. With 40 years of experience behind him, he now masters karate, kung fu, tai chi, judo, akido, jujitsu, boxing, silmabu, kalari, varmam, khushthi. Sekar is also one the first persons in India who holds the prestigious 8th Dan black belt from Japan grand master Kaicho Dr. Tetsuhero Hokama. “Learning any form of martial arts in an experience that will last a lifetime. It gives you the confidence to achieve anything, reach greater heights and most importantly understand your capabilities,” says Sekar.
Understand the science behind martial arts, he says. “The Chinese and Japanese stay healthy even at 90 because they learn and master the science of martial arts. These art forms put the focus and energy on your entire body. In Tai Chi, the slow movements are synchronised with breathing. As you breathe in and breathe out, your body also moves. Such movements have the power to cure illness. My family members have never visited a doctor. Once you learn scientifically it helps you stay fit physically and mentally.”
He also points out that it doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman in marital arts. “What Jhansi Rani did with her sword is traditional martial art. Personalities like Tamil Nadu Chief Minister have learnt silambam as did the late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. You learn a lot about yourselves. You will learn to be a good human being,” he says. While basic self-defence skills can be taught in three to six months, the learning never stops, says Kyoshi Sekar, who has travelled to 13 countries in South Asia showcasing his skills. The classes would be offered through SS Sports, an initiative by Jose Charles Martin to revive traditional martial arts among today’s youngsters and build awareness on self defence skills.
For more details on the classes, call SS Sports at 7811986986/9791811885
