Sports Two Ways

By Noah Camarena

When you think about sports, you probably resort to thinking of the main sports that have become commercialized such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. Now while those sports definitely are alive and well in Little Tokyo, there are other options for the residents of the area.

Some people prefer sports to be more recreational. That could include making a softball team with buddies from college, or just going out bowling with your colleagues after a long week. That being said, other people can use it as a way to get some good exercise or learn a new skill.

One of the most popular ways for people to get some exercise is a sport that does not necessarily involve any competition, unless you like to compete with yourself that is. Located in Little Tokyo is Krav Maga Unyted. This establishment is a place where people of all ages can learn how to fight, learn self-defense or just to get in better shape through the technique known as Krav Maga.

Krav Maga is a martial arts system that was originally created during World War II by Imi Lichtenfeld. Lichtenfeld grew up in Israel and had to defend his Jewish neighborhoods from anti-Semitic riots while he was growing up. He would eventually work for the Israel Defense Forces as the Chief Instructor for Physical Fitness and Krav Maga, where he helped refine the Krav Maga technique to be applicable for the everyday citizen. Since then, it has been used by groups ranging from police enforcement to the general public.

“I started Krav Maga when I first moved to the city a few years ago,” said 32-year-old mother of three Becky Cunningham. “I’ve never really felt unsafe in this part of town, but I would much rather be prepared then run into trouble, especially with my three kids to take care of.”

A lot of people who take these classes do so for their own safety. Little Tokyo is in close proximity to Skid Row and the reputation of the area makes residents feel as if they should be ready for anything, considering many are out and about late at night. This preparedness of the residents is not only good for their safety, but it is good for the business in general.

Most classes at Krav Maga Unyted focus on self-defense and everyday scenarios but there are also some classes that are geared toward those who just want to get a good workout.

One of the most effective ways for users to lose some weight and improve their overall fitness is through a class taught at the facility called SpeedX. This class focuses on muscle development and endurance and has even won awards for its effectiveness.

The programs are not the only thing at the establishment that have been critically acclaimed however. The co-founder of the program is someone who has been around the art form for a good part of his life. Jarret Waldman started Krav Maga in 1983 and he now holds a Fourth Degree Black Belt. Waldman was actually one of the first to be taught by the founder of the art form. Lichtenfeld used to travel to Los Angeles to teach classes, and Waldman stood out among his peers in the early days. His excellence in the trade allowed him to travel to Israel to train directly with Lichtenfeld.

The thing that makes this business stand out among the other different martial arts facilities in the area is that it is not just another way to fight. The skills taught at Krav Maga Unyted focus on real-world scenarios. It is also a hybrid of sorts because it takes aspects from wrestling, boxing and other more traditional forms of fighting.

“Training with Jarret helped me physically but more importantly it just helped me with my peace of mind,” said 42-year-old construction worker Johnny Gomez. “I’ve used the skills I learned in my classes to just keep me in good health. I really don’t think there’s a better way to workout and stay calm all at once.”

There are obviously more conventional sports that take place in the area for traditionalists that want to kick a ball around and there are less physically challenging games for large groups of people, but Krav Maga offers a fun way to stay fit while also learning valuable skills for the rest of your life.

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