Krav Maga

It’s not a sport, despite the physical activity,
And it’s not a joke, despite the constant laughter.
You can see the bruises that bloom on our skin
But the real lessons we learn are hidden beneath,
Are hidden before all the flash and glamour.
Doesn’t matter how fast you can disarm a gun –
You should first learn how to never have to.

No, the lessons we learn are not what people expect.
You come in for one thing and leave with a thousand others.

You learn how to breathe, keep calm, and go on,
You learn on that shouted mantra of ‘keep going’
Until you find the force in the exhaustion,
As you push it away and jump to your feet.

You learn to use your voice, step up, and try,
You learn in the middle of that crushing circle,
Until you find the courage in the anxiety,
As you realize you know something worth teaching others.

And most importantly, most stunningly,
You learn to find yourself, stand proud and tall.
You learn it every day, in every tiring class,
Until you feel the kind pat on the back under the slap
As you find yourself having a second family, a second home.

It’s probably not every Krav everywhere, though I wish it was –
I wish you all knew how it was to have around
Such brilliant instructors, such amazing people.
It’s a strange feeling, when you find the persons
That you would confidently trust with your life,
And it’s an undescribable joy when you discover
That you can easily trust them with your soul too.

That’s what my Krav Maga is like –
A combat lesson for life, not for war;
Self defence against both outer and inner demons.

 

If anybody who reads this is in London and would like to give Krav a try, please let me know. I’d love to show you my ‘family’ 🙂