Explore popular martial arts styles like BJJ, Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, and Muay Thai. I break down key techniques, origins, and what makes each one unique.
Most people have heard of Aikido, a martial art with a highly spiritual and peaceful philosophy. Critics say it’s not good for self-defense, but recently, I saw a book about a fighting style of Aikido and wondered: what is Combat Aikido? Here’s what I discovered: Combat Aikido, unlike traditional Aikido, focuses on self-defense. It applies … Read more
You’re familiar with some martial arts and self-defense systems and probably know that Krav Maga is one of the most effective ways to defend yourself. And you might even know it originated with the Israeli military. But is Krav Maga deadly? Here’s what I’ve seen over the years: Krav Maga is deadly because it is … Read more
The odds of being attacked while you’re pregnant are low, but it’s also nice to have a physical outlet to help manage that baby weight. So you may have wondered, can you do Krav Maga while pregnant? Here’s what I found out: Krav Maga can be safely practiced while pregnant by training slowly and carefully … Read more
Almost all martial arts are of Asian origin, while Krav Maga is an Israeli system. And contrary to what many often think, self-defense or fighting is not the essence of martial arts! So is Krav Maga considered a martial art? Krav Maga is not a martial art. It is an Israeli self-defense system whose purpose … Read more
MMA is a rules-based sport where the goal is to win. The fighters are highly conditioned and have studied a few martial arts styles that give them an edge in the Octagon. But why is Aikido not used in MMA? Here’s what I know from having practiced extensively with an Aikido black belt: Aikido is … Read more
When people first think of martial arts, Karate is often the 1st thing they think of. Judo, on the other hand, is lesser-known but has been an Olympic sport far longer. But in case you find yourself in a dangerous situation, let’s explore Judo vs. Karate for self-defense: which is better? Here’s what I know … Read more
You’ve heard that Krav Maga is probably the deadliest and most effective form of self-defense in the world. But the most successful MMA fighters rarely train in Krav Maga, so is Krav Maga allowed in the UFC? Krav Maga is not officially banned in the UFC, but many of its deadliest and most common techniques … Read more
Aikido is a fantastic martial art. While not designed for fighting, it has elements similar to Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and a strong philosophy behind it. But how long does it take to master Aikido? Here’s what I know from extensive training with an Aikido black belt: It takes 2 years to master the basics of Aikido, … Read more
Everyone knows MMA, otherwise known as Mixed Martial Arts, as popularized by the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). These are often the best of the best martial artists, being experts in several different styles. But I wondered can Krav Maga beat MMA? Here’s what I know from practicing with an MMA artist: In most cases, a … Read more
Everyone has heard how lethal Krav Maga can be. But there’s no denying a Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali, and their boxing skill would be a formidable match for anyone. So let’s look at Krav Maga vs. Boxing for self-defense: Here’s what I know from doing a small amount of both: Krav Maga is better … Read more