How Learning Martial Arts Changed New York Woman's Life, PART 2

This article tells the story of New York legal assistant who began Brazilian Jiu-jitsu classes to step out of the shadow of her abusive ex-boyfriend and learn confidence once again.

Michelle Cohen* endured an abusive and often physically violent relationship with long-time boyfriend, Darryn*, for five years when she finally decided to take matters into her own hands. She signed up for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at New York-based academy, which she chose for its core principle that with the right combat technique you can take on an opponent of any size and strength, no matter how small you are. Since Michelle was substantially smaller and weaker than her boyfriend, she believed Brazilian Jiu-jitsu would be the perfect martial art form to train in.

She was right, but she never really thought that her martial arts skills would truly be put to the test....

* Names have been changed to protect the individuals' identity.

The Storm Hits

It was about three weeks after Darryn stormed out of the house in tears that I began receiving plaintive messages and calls from him begging for forgiveness. When I made it clear that I wasn't interested in reconciliation and that we should schedule a time to have him come by and collect all of his belongings, the messages turned ugly. He became more pugnacious than ever - if that were possible - and eventually I felt I had to notify the police of my situation. I wanted someone there on the day Darryn was to come and get his stuff, so I arranged with a local New York cop to drop by and ensure that the collection went smoothly.

Unfortunately, my ex was a day early and caught me by surprise.

I had just come back from my Brazilian Jiu-jitsu class at the New York gym when I saw Darryn's car parked outside my house. It took me several minutes to calm down, remembering my breathing techniques and adopting the meditative state of mind we had been taught in our Brazilian Jiu-jitsu classes. I don't know why I didn't call the cops right away, but a part of me wanted to show Darryn what I had become and that I wasn't a possession he could squash and suffocate anymore. I stepped out of the car feeling strong and yet calm. There was no anger. He saw me coming and approached me, looking me up and down salaciously in my sports gear.

"You started working out or something? Wish you could have done that when we were together. I would have enjoyed this new you."

"What do you want, Darryn. I've made myself perfectly clear over the phone."

"Yeah I know you have. I came to get my stuff."

"You were supposed to come tomorrow."

"What does it matter? Have you got someone new already? Do you want to hide your new boyfriend from me?"

"The only new person in my life is me. I want you to leave now and come back tomorrow as we arranged."

"I think I'll come in now and get my stuff, because I'm here and I'm free right now."

"Darryn, you don't seem to understand. You're not in control anymore. I am. And I'm telling you that I'm not available for you right now. You've got to leave."

"You? In control?"

He spat these last words out and with that, his face darkened… the face I'd seen a thousand times: the face that heralded a violent outburst and a Neanderthal display of strength. Only this time, his backhand seemed to come from miles away.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu: Engaged in Battle

Without knowing it, my martial arts training had dramatically improved upon my dexterity, alacrity and reflexes with the result that Darryn's assault seemed to happen as though it was under water. It took ages to reach me and when it did, I grabbed his arm and went with its momentum, tipping him off balance and throwing him completely over my shoulder in a move I had practiced again and again at my Brazilian Jiu-jitsu classes in New York. Instead of using the smooth rolling motion I would with a sparring partner, I made sure Darryn had a very bumpy ride and he landed back-first on the pavement, cracking the back of his head against the curb.

The violence of my action shocked me terribly and for an instant, I nauseatingly thought I might have killed the idiot. Instead of hanging around to find out, I fled for my car and raced off to the police station where I shakily explained to the sergeant what had happened. He followed me back to my house only to find that Darryn had left. We did a walk of the perimeter of my house and, much to my relief, discovered that he hadn't left anything destroyed in his wake. It's not often one gets to use Brazilian Jiu-jitsu or any form of martial arts taught in NYC in a real life situation, but when you do… well, let me tell you just how incredible that feeling is!

One Year Later....

I had to move out of my home. I wasn't prepared to wait around for Darryn to plan a counter-move, so I made quick arrangements and put the house on the market. Thankfully, I haven't heard from him since that day I threw him to the pavement; a move I never thought I would be capable of if it weren't for the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu classes at the local New York academy.

Learning martial arts changed my life; it pulled me out of my circumstances and out of my own head, which was as much a prison as my physical life. I don't think there is a better form of exercise or a life philosophy than what is taught in martial arts classes and I can't recommend them highly enough to one and all who find anything lacking in their life, whether it's a little social confidence or the basic human right of feeling safe and protected.

How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Changed Atlanta Woman’s Life, PART 1

This article tells the story of an Atlanta legal assistant who began Brazilian Jiu-jitsu classes to step out of the shadow of her abusive ex-boyfriend and learn confidence once again.

It took an intimate relationship with the floor and the violence of shattered glass to finally convince Michelle Cohen* that she needed to get out of her abusive relationship. But she knew that simply breaking up with her boyfriend, Darryn*, would only be the start of her struggle and so she began Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at an Atlanta-based academy, which she found online. It was six months later that her classes would pay out in the most deliciously justified way thinkable.

* Names have been changed to protect the individuals’ identity.

Six Months, 27 Days Earlier…

We had been together for five stormy years, of which I probably only spent two being happy. The loss of self-esteem was something that happened over many years and it crept up on me so stealthily, I had no idea I was becoming less and less confident in all aspects of my life. Many of my friends drifted away because they couldn’t identify with me anymore and were frustrated with trying to get me to see the situation for what it was.

I was in an abusive relationship.

But it didn’t end with the mocking, not-so subtle put-downs and patronizing. Darryn became physically abusive sometime after our three-year mark. It didn’t happen often at first, but more and more, his violence found physical outlets that had me replacing more vases, plates, doors and windows than I would ever think possible.

One day, I found myself on the floor with a shattered glass inches from my head. The ‘me’ of five years ago suddenly came roaring back into my body and I found myself thinking with the most clarity I’d had in years: what are you doing here? Do you like it on the floor amongst all this broken glass and the teeth-chattering fear that you are literally going to die today?

No. It was right then and there that I decided to take control.

The Search for Martial Arts Classes in Atlanta Begins

It didn’t take me long to read up about martial arts. The Internet offered lots of information and suggestions and so it was only a week later that I signed up for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at a local Atlanta gym. I liked the sound of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu because I’m quite small and slim and my boyfriend towers over me at over 6 ft. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu teaches you how to take on opponents bigger and stronger than yourself by taking the fight to the ground. While I had no intention of actually wrestling my boyfriend to the ground during a fight, I did fantasize about landing a couple of well-placed kicks that would force him to think twice about getting aggressive with me.

I began rigorous training at the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu club in Atlanta and after only a couple of classes; I began feeling emotionally stronger and more confident. After four months, I split up with Darryn who never saw it coming at all! At first he was prostrate with tears and grief: apologizing for every bruise, every broken glass and every dented door. When I refused to forgive him, I left abruptly and I didn’t hear from him for two months.

The Eye of the Storm

I changed the locks on the doors and began to grow accustomed to life without an abusive thundercloud living in the house. I continued my martial arts classes at the Atlanta gym and was growing stronger, more muscular and more confident each week. But that wasn’t the last I’d hear from Darryn. Of course it wasn’t. He abused me physically, emotionally and psychologically for five years. I thought it was all over, when in reality, those three blissful weeks were really the eye of the storm…

Stay Tuned for Part 2…

“You? In control?”

“He spat these last words out and with that, his face darkened… the face I’d seen a thousand times: the face that heralded a violent outburst and a Neanderthal display of strength. Only this time, his backhand seemed to come from miles away.”

Krav Maga Takes Off in New York as Citizens Refuse to Play Victim Anymore

This news article reveals that increasing numbers of NYC citizens are becoming trained in the Israeli martial art form of Krav Maga; taking street protection out of the hands of the NYPD and into their own.

It has become one of the most popular forms of martial arts in New York and more and more of the Big Apple’s citizens are signing up for classes that are not only getting them into peak physical condition, but are also arming them with the skills necessary to defend themselves against attack. We’re talking about Krav Maga (pronounced krahv ma-GAH) and if you’re unwilling to feel like a victim at any time of the day or night whilst walking New York’s streets, this might be the martial art for you!

What is Krav Maga?

Krav Maga is a combat system that was developed by the military in a 1940’s war-torn Israel. Its name is derived from the language Hebrew and literally means "contact combat". True to its name, krav maga is an intense and full contact combat NYC martial art that focuses on training students to face very real world situations. In other words, it’s anything but fight choreography and what you learn in Krav Maga classes in New York follows you out onto the street, into the subway and anywhere else you may go.

Krav Maga Classes in New York

Not surprisingly, more and more New Yorkers are signing up for krav maga classes because they want to get in shape and learn the technique necessary to keep them safer on the street. The techniques taught in these classes include a suite of grappling and wrestling moves, as well as kicks, strikes and chokeholds. The emphasis, however, is on the kinds of moves students can use in an urban context involving an attack by a thug, gangster, thief or any aggressor.

Equally as important as delivering quick, decisive and debilitating strikes to an attacker is how to escape joint-locks and chokeholds, since this is often how assailants render victims immobile. By performing the quick and necessary maneuvers to escape being pinned down or choked, you can then turn around and deliver a sharp punch to the bridge of the nose, allowing you crucial time to escape.

Krav Maga on the Streets of New York

Anyone who has spent any amount of time in New York will likely have felt threatened by another person at some time or another. Knowing that you have krav maga classes behind your name does wonders for the confidence and self-esteem with which you might handle such situations. But this is not to say that krav maga classes encourage New York residents to seek out fights! Quite the contrary, the primary rule of this martial art form is to avoid combat unless it is impossible or unsafe to do so. The next rule in line is to debilitate your attacker quickly and mercilessly and then to escape.

Another great benefit of this form of NYC martial arts is that people of all shapes and sizes are able to participate and that, no matter how small or short you are, you can learn the physical skills and combat techniques necessary to protect yourself.

Kickboxing News Chicago: Love of Muay Boran Reignites in Tumultuous Thailand

This news article discusses the resurgence in the popularity of Muay Boran, the predecessor to Muay Thai and how it’s helping bring together a Thailand torn by political instability.

Thailand has been quite heavily featured in the news recently, and it’s not for its gorgeous beaches, surfside resorts and tourist attractions. It’s because of the political turmoil that has engulfed the country, knocking it off the top of the list as one of the world’s most desirable holiday destinations. In spite of the unrest, light urban warfare, demonstrations and blockades, however, Thailand recently held its first ever annual world championship in a martial art form that previously seemed to have faded from media attention.

“Most are familiar with Muay Thai kickboxing,” say Chicago martial arts experts. “It’s national sport of Thailand, but muay boran? Not so much, even though the former is essentially the basis of the latter.”

The recent annual world championship was held in honor of this ancient form of martial art, which has made an astounding comeback in recent years.

About Muay Boran Kickboxing: In Chicago News

“Muay boran is the soil out of which muay thai sprang,” explain kickboxing experts in Chicago. “It is an ancient martial art that is performed without the use of armor or weaponry. The key concepts behind muay boran are very similar to muay thai and not surprisingly since muay thai has borrowed much of its techniques from muay boran. In particular, students are taught to make use of eight ‘limbs’ or contact points for striking: their left and right hands, elbows, knees and feet.”

About the Muay Boran Kickboxing Championship

The recent championship was held in March in the ancient capital city of Thailand – Ayutthaya – and it went off beautifully in spite of the political turmoil that roiled on at the time. At this event, martial arts fighters from more than 15 countries went hand-to-hand at venues located along the banks of one of Thailand’s great rivers: the Chao Phraya River.

“Each fighter is carefully weighed and then divided into classes so that fights are fair and evenly matched,” explain martial arts experts in Chicago. “These divisions also take age into account so that experienced fighters of the same weight aren’t pitted against much younger and less experienced fighters. In addition, all contestants are made to wear special gear to protect their shins, chest, head and elbows. Mouth guards and gloves are also required, while the younger divisions are prohibited from kicking and punching their opponent in the head.”

Kickboxing Tournament Sends Message to the World

Muay boran grandmaster, Chinawut Sirisompan, came out with the following statement: “This tournament is important because people only see bad information in the news about Thailand.”

And he is absolutely right, especially considering the attitude of the returning contestants: “We had heard quite a bit about the political problems Thailand had been having, so we were all a little wary when we arrived for the tournament. However, all we did see is the country’s incredible beauty and a culture of people who are so peace-loving and generous,” says one kickboxing contestant from Chicago. “I only wish I could have stayed longer to see more of Thailand; I will definitely be back again!”

Meridian ATA Martial Arts School in Idaho

Jim and Heather Neitzell are the co-owners of Meridian ATA Martial Arts facility in Idaho. Though they have a number of martial arts schools, but currently putting all their efforts in this facility in Meridian, Idaho. The school serves a number of areas including Boise, Nampa, Eagle and Caldwell. More than 200 students have enrolled in this facility and boasts of advanced infrastructure and amenities. When it comes to trainers and instructors, it has an experienced crew to impart self-defense techniques to both adults and kids. Learners can choose from three diverse disciplines including Taekwondo classes for adults and children, and kickboxing and Krav Maga solely for adults. Pay a visit and look for yourself.

Karate Experts in New York Explain Why Martial Arts Should be a Part of Your Child’s Education, PART 2

This two-part article series explains the many ways martial arts classes can prove to be an extremely beneficial part of any child’s education at school.

Welcome to the second half of this two-part article series on just why it is karate experts in New York believe that children nowadays could stand to benefit more from lessons in the martial arts than they could from most other courses taught in the standard school syllabus. In Part 1, the following important points were made about martial arts classes for kids:

• Discipline and respect are extremely important,
• They teach self-control and focus,
• They encourage students to live in harmony with the internal and external,
• They help kids to cope better with stress,
• Mastering a martial art cultivates greater mental stoicism,
• They arm students with the physical skills to defend themselves.

There are many other reasons why learning a martial art form can become such an integral part of your child’s education, so let’s take a look at those before concluding this two-part article series.

Martial Arts Classes Can Help Bullies

Yes, you read that correctly. According to karate experts in New York, learning martial arts can help kids who are routinely bullied as much as it helps to rehabilitate the aggressors.

“Children who bully are frequently burdened with some sort of psychological pressure, such as instability in the home, which can go as far as violence and abuse. Learning a martial art encourages NYC students to meditate and to become more introspective. It nurtures a much greater harmony between body and mind so that the child thinks before he or she simply reacts,” karate experts in New York.

“Additionally, the exercise and meditation done during a martial arts class can help aggressive kids - who are aggressive because they are stressed - to deal more effectively with stress. So, in many ways martial arts classes can actually help to eliminate the pressures and blind behavioral reactions thereto that may cause an essentially good child to become violent, disobedient and rebellious.”

Physical Benefits of Martial Arts

Martial arts offer NYC students an excellent and really fun form of exercise, which can help them to:

• Get fit and lose unhealthy weight,
• Learn co-ordination,
• Improve balance
• Improve whole body strength and muscle tone,
• Develop speed and dexterity
• Develop flexibility.

Don’t Martial Arts Lessons Encourage Kids to be Violent?

It’s a common misconception that learning martial arts will teach kids to become violent or that it is dangerous because it might encourage them to test out what they have learned on each other. This understandably causes concern, because the last thing a parent wants to hear is that their kid has high-kicked a peer into the hospital, especially if they were just messing about and having a bit of fun.

“The first and most important rule or philosophy taught to students is to never seek a fight and, when possible and safe, to escape danger before confronting it,” explain martial arts experts in NYC. “Martial arts teachers never encourage children to fight or to use their skills against each other. A part of any lesson on how to use your physical power is the message on how to respect it, too.”

“Harmony is of utmost importance and through meditation and lessons in self-control, respect and discipline, children will learn the grave danger behind misusing the combat techniques taught in martial arts classes,” explain karate experts in New York. “In any case, you’ll find that lessons help to alleviate aggression and stress, so kids are far less likely to seek trouble.”

Jiu-Jitsu Experts in NYC Explain Why Martial Arts Should be a Part of Your Child’s Education, PART 1

This two-part article series explains the many ways martial arts classes can prove to be an extremely beneficial part of any child’s education at school.

Mathematics, science, biology, language, history, geography, economics: the subjects taught in primary and secondary schools today are all meant to provide our children with the appreciable intellectual and informative platform necessary to start life as a young adult. But there may be an integral component missing in all of this…

According to Jiu-jitsu experts in NYC, children nowadays could stand to benefit more from lessons in the martial arts than they could from most other courses taught in the standard school syllabus. The reality is, only a fraction of children in New York go on to study mathematics and the sciences at university. The rest will forgot they ever learned about atoms, molecules and Newton’s laws of motion. Martial arts classes could be benefitting them in so many more ways.

So, what does martial arts offer New York’s youngsters that a high school education in physics, geography or chemistry doesn’t? And why might this education be even more beneficial?

The Benefits of Martial Arts for NYC Kids

“Learning a martial art is about infinitely much more than simply learning a couple of cool moves. Any martial art form is a tradition, a philosophy and a corresponding suite of combat techniques,” explain jiu-jitsu experts in NYC. “The children will first and foremost learn the importance of respect, of discipline and of mental stoicism before learning how to take down an opponent. They are taught the importance of applying self-discipline to all aspects of their life and in applying oneself fully and passionately to all of one’s endeavors.”

“In essence, the martial arts are religions without the dogma or judgment. When you fail or fall down, you are not admonished, but rather encouraged to learn an important lesson. Dedicating yourself to mastering a martial art form, whether it’s taekwondo, karate, judo or aikido, nurtures a different world view and one that is more harmonious for yourself and for others around you,” say jiu-jitsu experts in NYC.

On Issues of Respect, Discipline and Self-Defense

“A lack of respect and discipline in school is perhaps one of our country’s biggest problems and it’s one that often begins in home for one reason or another. The martial arts offer New York residents a way to teach their children invaluable life skills that will encourage them to respect their elders and their peers more; to become more focused in class and to learn to cope with stress more effectively,” explain jiu-jitsu experts in NYC.

“Then, of course, there’s the obvious benefit of your child’s ability to defend him or herself against physical threat. This might be experienced at school as a result of bullying or it could be experienced outside of school as your child makes his or her way home using public transportation. Either way, with sufficient training, they will have the combat skills, speed and dexterity necessary to protect themselves against assault and hopefully to escape harm.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To learn more about the valuable lessons your children can learn from taking martial arts classes in New York, stay tuned for the second half of this two-part article series.