Martial Arts, it is refer to every scheme of training for combat. These different schemes or styles are designed for one principle, defending against threats and defeating opponents physically . In fact, the term “martial” is derived from the name Mars, Roman god of war. Ancient people are engaged in fighting, hunting, and war. If people hear about martial art, they usually think of Asia. Around the 600 B C, trade between India and China prospered and it is believed that during this period information about the Indian martial arts is passed to the Chinese people. There is a deep sense of spirituality within most martial arts; every scheme or style has different feeling that is embodied in martial arts. Street fighting differs from competitive fighting; street fighting is based on necessity and survival while competitive fighting is based on winning and public entertainment. The practicality of Aikido and Krav Maga are both effective compared to other fighting styles. Aikido is a non – violent and modern Japanese martial art developed in 1920s by O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba as the founder. In addition, Aikido is the way of harmonious spirit and the way of unifying life energy . The goal of Ueshiba is to create an art that use to defend them and to protect the attacker from injury. Master Imi Lichtenfeld is the founded Krav Maga or contact combat and he is a member of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in 1948. He has built the foundation of fighting principles that comprised of wrestling, gymnastic, boxing, and military training . Imi shared his knowledge and experience to the trainees to expand the style efficiently for defense and offense. Both Aikido and Krav Maga are more effective to learn compared to other style of martial arts.
Aikido has its principles; true victory is victory over oneself, principle of oneness, principle of circular motion, range of effectiveness, and principle of Ki. First thing to learn in Aikido is to control oneself before attempting to harmonize and control others. Through self – control, one can learn to enjoy a harmonious way of life with good balance. In order to harmonize with nature, learn to develop and maintain the right attitude; respect for all things at all times . The great attitude greatly affects the efficiency of the action and the concept of oneness makes it possible to anyone regardless of sex or age in performing the arts in an efficient manner. The foundation of all Aikido techniques is the spiritual circle. This circular movement synthesizes everything and resolves all problems freely. The techniques in Aikido are the combination of circular movements regardless of the way the opponent attacks, linear or angular; the circular motion is centered at the lower abdomen blend naturally with the attack to execute a controlling art efficiently. All circular motions are preceded by a spiritual circle; the spiritual circle is drawn within the mind before the execution of the physical circle. The best way to defend against an attack is to get out from the range of the opponent effectively . However, in order to control the attacker, one must remain within his own range of effectiveness and move out from the range of the attacker. Everything in the universe has Ki, Ki is the force behind all things, and it has the essence of the world. Ki is the basis of all matter, emotion, sense, every phenomenon, will, direction, conscience, and consciousness. In addition, Ki is an energy that is useful in daily life if it is used properly, a life of force, a binding force of mind and body.
The principles of Krav Maga vary in different styles and techniques; neutralize the threat, keep it simple, simultaneous defense and attack, continuous motion, use of weapons of opportunity, weapon defense, focus on vulnerable soft tissue and pressure points, and subduing techniques. Krav Maga is a tactical mixed – martial art, combative and self – defense with the combination of judo, jujitsu, aikido, and boxing. Krav Maga has its primary goal to neutralize the threat as quick as possible; the aim is to dominate and incapacitate the attacker . Krav Maga is designed to use it as soon as possible without any patterns, simply strike, hold, and block during the fight. Many martial arts threat the attackers in defensive and offensive moves in separate and discrete movements. In Krav Maga, the fighter looks into the combination of the defensive and offensive moves and the goal is to neutralize the threat as quick as possible. The continuous motion relates to the principles of simultaneous defense and attack. Its goal is to neutralize the attacker with a series of continuous aggressive defensive and offensive movements . In Krav Maga, fighter can incorporate firearms and knives, it teaches to improvise or use any object such as pens, belts, keys, and chairs. Aside from the technique to use weapon, Krav Maga teaches to defend from an armed attacker. One of the well – known principle of Krav Maga is the emphasis on the vulnerable attack to soft tissue and pressure point of the attacker; counter attacks involved eyes, groin attack, gouging, and throat. In addition, Krav Maga used the subduing technique to crash down violent confrontations. These are the various grabs and joint locks to control the attacker and end the threat.
Aikido and Krav Maga are effective martial arts because of the uniqueness of principles and techniques. Aikido emphasizes the unconditional acceptance and the blend of energy, the Ki. The focus of Aikido is to achieve the unification of mind, body, and spirit in one movement with full concentrations and goals. Aikido is a purpose – oriented martial art with a strong spiritual components and connectivity. A powerful martial art with a relaxed source of power rather to oppose the attacker; blends with motion of the attack in a redirecting force using the movement of the attacker to gain an advantage. Aikido is an effective martial art when practiced with dedication and full attention required in a true martial art. The goal is to apply the proper approach and being attentive with an open mind and heart that focuses on the principles. Krav Maga is one of the most effective self – defense techniques in the world of martial arts like Aikido. Krav Maga focuses on a natural stance adapting each user than to make the practitioners adapt the techniques. Most of the movements are natural and easier to accomplish. The emphasis is always on potential situations that face multiple opponents using different weapons. The styles are always evolves and adapts to its potential improvement of different moves. With its easy and simple learning nature and brutal efficiency, Krav Maga gives people the confidence to drift the uncertain streets and defend them from attackers. The effectiveness of Aikido and Krav Maga are very functional in terms of self – defense and safety.
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