Interviews With Successful People - Raphael Yadgaroff - Krav Maga Instructor

By Patricia E. Beeson


Krav Maga mainly focuses on self-defence. It was designed in such a way so that the teaching part can be done quickly, and both trainers and trainees do not have to invest a lot amount of time. This is still used by Israeli forces. This technique makes one efficient in self defense skills which is based on natural movements of the body and can be used in everyday's life, and it helps to deal with attack in the fastest and effective manner. This technique got its origin from street-fighting skills and with time it got refined for civilian, police and military applications.

Raphael is an Instructor based in the Kent area. Periodically he holds classes and seminars in Canterbury and Whitstable, and he has also been able to travel to other areas in Kent.Raphael began his martial arts training at the age of eight by taking up Shotokan Karate for three years. When he started these trainings at the age of 16, he decided to back up the knowledge he had acquired with other martial arts. Currently, he has trained in Jui Jitsu, Nin Jitsu, Muay Thai and Chinese Freestyle Kickboxing, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Brazillian Jui Jitsu (BJJ), Shoalin Kung Fu and S.P.E.A.R. (Spontaneous, Protection, Enabling, Accelerated, Response) System.

Raphael made the decision to train in Krav Maga since it offered a more evolved and practical approach to dealing with realistic confrontations, including situations involving weapons and multiple attackers.Raphael is a recognised instructor with the British Combat Association and is presently teaching his main class at the Fighting Lions Centre of Excellence in Whitstable. He has taught members of the British Army and Police Force, as well as Door Security Staff. He has also taught a seminar for girls at Spires Academy in Sturry. In addition, he has taught the control and restraint portion of the Task International Close Protection Course. Questions

These Training classes are incomplete without personality training. The course focuses on the holistic development of the persona, which aims to prepare him/her physically and emotionally. At the end of the training, the person acquires a physically fit body, controlled mind and a set of tactics that helps him face any challenge that comes on his/her way. The classes are categorized on the basis of different belt levels. The first four levels - yellow, orange, green and blue - focus on over hundred joint lock and chokehold variations. The most advanced level is the black belt that gives the necessary training to prepare the candidate for professional security jobs and/or military appointments.

You Have Competed In Cage Fights And Grappling Competitions, How Did This Come About?The chances are that if you name a martial art, I have done it. I have studied Karate, Brazillian Jui Jitsu (BJJ), Nin Jitsu, Krav Maga, Muay Tai, a different style of Krav Maga, Shoalin Kung Fu, Boxing, Kick Boxing, S.P.E.A.R system and other reality based systems, I think there are a couple more in there, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.I have always found that MMA, linked with Krav Maga, works very, very well, especially because, at the end of the day, MMA is still very all around. It's stand up grappling and groundwork. With Krav Maga and its movements and ideas, they together make a very effective system. That's why I keep doing it, the cage fights, the grappling competitions and the training.

Also, realize that many martial arts centers have KM classes, but may not have "Krav Maga" in the name of their school. Fitness clubs or gyms may have KM classes as part of their programs as well.Another good resource for KM schools are the association web sites. Check out Krav Maga Association of America and look under "locations." You will find over 240 training centers across the country. You can also do a similar search at the Krav Maga Federation site. And the Worldwide Directory of these Clubs has an excellent listing of classes and studios.

If there is not a studio close to you, try attending a workshop that is traveling to a nearby city. Commando Krav Maga led by Moni Azik has workshop dates all around the country. It might be a great way to learn a few moves in an intensive weekend that you can practice for months to come.Another alternative to a physical studio is a KM training video. While not as optimal as a live class, it may be your only option due to location and price concerns. There is even a KM BootCamp that is a private membership site online if a physical institute is not a viable option.Besides location, other factors that affect your training are schedule and cost. Most KM schools will post their schedule on their website, but it is always a good idea to call first before you drop in. Schedules change over time, and you may be looking at an old KM schedule from a previous semester.Most centers will also post the price on their web site, but again call to verify. Lots of studios will offer free introductory classes to make sure Krav is for you. The costs of KM classes vary widely according to whether they are live classes, videos, or traveling workshops.

Where Does Your Drive And Passion Come From? My drive is the idea that it is something that I am good at and also that any day and at any moment, I could be fighting for my life. I don't want to be caught off guard. I am not ready to die. I love my life.Do You Believe In A Higher Power?No, not really. That is a very different question. I don't believe in a god, but the idea that something could be out there. yeah, fine, but I am not religious.Where Does Your Inspiration Come From?It's just from myself. I have always wanted to do it for me. I never wanted to do anything in my life related to my martial arts just to prove something to someone else or for someone else; I will only do it if I want to. Because I am a driven and motivated person, I have always achieved my goals. I said I would have a cage fight, and I have had one. Now I am training for another one. I will do it because I want to. People don't force me to do things that I don't want to because it is not a good mentality through which to live your life.

What Do You Think Are The Most Important Elements To Being Successful? Drive. As long as you're driven to do it, and you put your mind towards it. Go for it. Give it a go. There is nothing stopping you. If you want something to stop you, you'll come up with the excuse. If you want to do it, you'll come up with a way to do it.What Are Your Future Plans? At the moment, I plan to pass my driving test and try to teach Krav for as long as possible, even try and get it to be a bit bigger in the area. Since I seem to have a very good business going on at the moment, I am going to try and improve on that.Interview By Oliver J R Cooper,I had seen Raphael in a few pictures, but this didn't fill my mind with too many impressions. As I had met three martial artists already, I was curious as to what this Krav Maga instructor would be like.

Is There an Age Limit? The System is designed for the life or death situations, as a result the defence techniques, training drills and are very adult in nature. It should not be confused with sports based martial arts which parents often seek to enroll their children in to build basic self defence and confidence skills. In general course participants must be over eighteen, however exceptions can be made in particular circumstancesIs it good for fitness.Classes can be a great workout. The training philosophy is that being fit is part of your self defence strategy. Classes generally begin with a ten to fifteen minutes warm up followed by lots of practical exercises and drills, classes usually finish with a high energy exercise designed to build the students ability to operate under pressure. All of this combines to make a Krav Maga class and ideal part of a fitness routine.Krav Maga is a modern approach to martial arts for Self Defence and Fitness, it's focus it to teach people how to protect themselves quickly in a professional environment and help with fitness.




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