Here’s the dealo:I landed not one, but two sweet jobs. Needless to say, I’ve been busy. Sadly, too busy to go to Krav.

I miss it so much. My Restless Leg Syndrome has slowly returned and my figure has started to return back to being soft and less toned.

As soon as life settles down a bit, I’ll be back.

In the meantime, let me know how your Krav Maga experiences are going!

kravazon [at] kravazon [dot] com

In any case, we’ll resume our regularly scheduled butt kicking shortly.

Personally, if I hold the bag for my partner first, I’m much more likely to be successful at the strikes and defenses.

I watch my partner as they strike the bag and focus in on how they move; how their strikes could be improved. Sometimes I feel things just click for me, like a light switch being turned on.

As I offer advice on how they could improve, things fall into place even faster. I think it’s something about explaining the strike or defense. It must activate a different part of my brain that helps me process the new information.

This means when it’s my turn to practice, I’m no longer over-thinking the moves. I’m able to just let my body work. Otherwise, I become sloppy, disorganized, and my body never moves quite right.

In short, I learn from my partner’s mistakes.

I highly recommend grabbing the bag first and holding it for your partner, especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to think everything through. Of course, if you practice with one person regularly, you might want to switch back and forth, so they can have the same opportunities you do!

That tip only took me six months to learn… (You’re welcome)

“Here’s what consistently happens to my knuckles with straight punches…” I told my instructor after class as I showed him my raw knuckles. “What gives?”

Two things, he explained:
1. You aren’t squaring up your knuckles when you punch. When you make a fist, the segments of your fingers between your bottom and middle knuckle should be square or rather flat. My middle knuckles tend to lift up a little.

Notice how my fingers are tilted upwards. They should be flat like...

this.

2. When I punch, I’m also swiping my hand against the pad. Not only do I lose power, but it also beats up my hands. I’ll just have to be more conscious of how I punch…

M suggested I start doing knuckle push-ups. It’ll toughen up my hands and make my fist square up a little more naturally. I’ve heard this before, but I never started. Guess this is as good a time as any…

Hand wraps make a really good stocking stuffer, because they’re relatively inexpensive (ranging from $5-10) and there are a ton of colors to choose from. Make sure you buy the 180″ wraps so there is enough length to properly cover both their hands and wrists.

Leather or gel hand wraps are an excellent alternative to the cloth hand wraps, because they offer protection and speed of application. Whereas it takes several minutes to put on cotton hand wraps, it takes just a few seconds to put on these. There is more protection and comfort, but with that comes a price. (Between $15-25.)

Sigg water bottles are a good bet too, because we all know Krav-ers need to replenish the gallons of water they sweat out during class. They are environmentally friendly and healthier because they don’t have any of those creepy chemicals like bisphenol A. (Ranging from $20-30.)

Workout clothes are always a welcome idea. I’ve had a few shirts stretch out from being the target of knee drills… so I could personally always use a few extra Krav Maga shirts.

Focus mitts are great to have for practicing punches, hammer fists, and open hand strikes. Plus, you have to get someone else involved to hold them for you! (Ranging from $17 and up.)

Tombstones (otherwise known as punching shields) are the medium hand-held size bags that are perfect for practicing strikes, including elbows and kicks. This is the bag we use most in my class. ($50 and up)

Kick shields are those big bags (about twice the size of a tombstone) that are great for throwing knees and kicks, not to mention all manner of other strikes. ($50 and up)

Punching bags are great if you have the space for it, because you can use it to practice nearly any strike you learn in class and you don’t need a partner to hold it for you. It does take up a bit of space though and these bags tend to be more expensive. ($60 and up, plus a stand if you don’t have a place to hang it from the ceiling.)

Note: These are not endorsements. All links are meant for illustrative purposes only. As always, do your homework before you buy any equipment.

How do I know?

I accidentally kneed Chris in the groin. Yeah…

When you spend 20 bucks on a protective cup, you should wear it.

I say that like it’s his fault, but really it was my own. I should have been more focused. He was able to recover quickly, but it just reminded me how important it is to concentrate on what’s going on. That’s how people get seriously hurt.

In other news, I did miss the Level 1 test on Saturday. I was pretty disappointed, but it was completely worth seeing my cousin achieve a dream of hers. I don’t mind putting my own aspirations on hold to see her accomplish hers.

So here we are. At the beginning of December. The Level 1 test looming over me… And I’ll be outta town.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t have to go away this weekend, but I’m choosing to go see my cousin graduate from boot camp.

True, I could chose to stay home and take the Level 1 test. But I have some good excuses… no really. I do.

• It’s really important to me to support my cousin as she makes this big transition in her life. Plus, it gives me a good excuse to see a state I’ve never been to AND see some of my family.
• I’m not ready. This should be fairly obvious in my lack of posts about classes lately. I’ve been struggling a little and it’s been hard for me to openly admit. One day I’m feelin’ great and the next I’m not on my A game… I know I’ve been going to Krav for almost six solid months, but I’m not consistent in my defenses. To me, consistency is a true sign of how well I know the material. So, I just need the extra time to really perfect what I’m learning.
• And if you promise not to call me a big chicken, I’ll even admit that I’m a teency weency bit scared of the Level 1 test.

Have no fear, I still plan on taking it in a couple of months when I’m more prepared. I’m in this for the fitness, the self-confidence, and the knowledge of how to defend myself. There’s no reason to rush into a day of torture test I’m not prepared for.

I’ve been fighting bouts of depression for a few months now (who hasn’t in these economic times, right?). There are nights when I don’t want to go Krav Maga. I want to stay at home and bum around.

But when I go to Krav Maga and get in a really good workout, I’m more focused. I feel more successful and creative and I just feel so much better about myself.

Half the battle is wanting to exercise. As many of you may know, I hate gyms. I hate treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, weight lifting… yeah. I hate it all. I always feel like a hamster in the exercise wheel—going nowhere real fast.

Krav Maga gives me the motivation to go, because not only am I getting in some valuable exercise, but I’m learning something useful and making friends at the same time. It’s a win-win-win!

And Krav Maga doesn’t just boost endorphins, it also decreases stress and helps release muscle tension. Think about it. What better way to de-stress about that obnoxious client/co-worker/boss/spouse/friend/
family member/stranger-who-cut-you-off-on-your-way-home-and-
nearly-killed-you-because-they-were-on-their-%!@*ing-cellphone, than by beating the crap out of a punching shield?

Thank you Krav Maga for:

1. Educating me with the knowledge and self-confidence to defend myself. That alone is pretty priceless.
2. Providing me a place to blow off steam. The economy has been in the crapper and unfortunately I’ve felt the effects. I’ve been frustrated and angry these past few months and Krav has given me an appropriate place to manage those frustrations.
3. Helping me cope with depression. I know this is similar to giving me a place to blow off steam, but really it’s very different. I’ve been fighting mild depression off and on for a few years now. One way I treat it is through exercise. As you have probably read over and over, I hate gyms. So the fact that Krav has given me a place where I actually want to exercise is a miracle all on its own.
4. Getting me into shape. I don’t mean to brag, but… wait… yes, I do mean to brag. I made several health decisions this year that led me to losing 12 pounds (I became a pescatarian in April and started Krav Maga in July). Don’t get me wrong. I’m not overweight, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been making healthy decisions. Since going to Krav Maga my arms, butt, and tummy are toned. I feel better. I look better in my clothes! And I’m really proud of myself.
5. Giving me a place to make new friends. Moving all over the country was fun, but it killed my social life. I’ve met a bunch of really great people by going to the gym-sponsored events…
6. Encouraging my expressive self. After I go to Krav Maga, my creative juices start flowing and I get in “the zone”. I’ve started writing, designing, photographing, and constructing more for myself. It’s a great feeling.

In what ways do you have to be thankful on this delightful Thanksgiving?

Sometimes, it’s hard to recognize the implications behind the defenses when they’re in a controlled environment. Especially when your “attacker” is a middle-aged woman who looks more likely to bake you a fresh batch of cookies than put you in a headlock. But once you adjust your thinking and employ your imagination, it’s easy to become furious.

I think my partner can always tell when this connection happens inside my brain. I’ll often hear “Woah!” or ” Wow, you hit hard!”

I think their reaction says more about the energy I put towards Krav Maga, because I allow myself the right to become angry. Anyone can learn this. In fact, learning the defenses are shockingly easy once you get the hang of it.

You just have to want to learn it and be willing to put all your energy into it. But mostly, and I think this is key for women, you have to allow yourself to get mad.

So, go on. Get angry!