In Krav Maga, we train to make the best of a bad situation. We use hard times to grow and improve and learn new skills that will benefit us.
Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating. Gyms have been forced to close and I have been without a classroom to teach in. I used to teach around fifteen classes a week and thirty-five private sessions. Suddenly, the entire industry collapsed and everything had to adapt.
It would be easy to list the bad sides to this, but I want to focus on what good it brought me and how those concepts can be applied, even after the quarantine is over.
I learned as a teacher that there are many ways to teach a subject. This COVID-19 situation forced me and other instructors to adapt to teaching when in-person training wasn’t possible anymore. As we know, necessity is the mother of invention. The need to remain connected to my students helped me learn many creative ways to teach online, focusing on different skills that are often neglected in the classroom.
One benefit is that many times, students don’t want to slow their partner down, so they rush through practice. Now, alone in their homes, they can take the time they need to train and drill and improve every technique down to the smallest part.
It also took students out of their comfort zone and forced them to work harder to train since they have to compensate for not having a partner.
I see how the students have had to put themselves into the mind of the attacker and really consider how the attack could happen. This will improve their ability to be more efficient partners and simulate realistic attacks when we return to the mat and train together again.
I think there is even some upside to new people having to train at home. Many people don’t want to come into Krav Maga, because they don’t think they are fit enough or feel too shy or scared to train in a group. These are the people who need Krav Maga the most and teaching online allows me to reach them. Now, they can train in the privacy of their home, where they feel less judged, and can develop the confidence they need.
I can also reach people outside of New York because my classroom at Krav Maga Experts is no longer limited geographically. I can be anywhere people have Wi-Fi, and if they can’t do a live class, they can do the video recording.
Also, since I’m only teaching one class a day, I’m really inspired to give that class my full attention because this is the only time I get to do the work I love most, and I appreciate every second of connecting with my students.
I also personally used the time to get healthier. Now, people are home more and they can use the time to improve their diets. Before the pandemic, I was so busy teaching and training that I used to eat way too much take-out food, which isn’t as healthy and is very expensive. My students also brought me lots of sweets and cakes, which is very delicious and pleasing to my sweet tooth, but not very good for me.
This time has forced me to slow down and really consider how I am fueling my body. I completely stopped eating take-away food, I only eat at home and cook my own food, making sure I treat my body correctly. I even gave up sugar for the most part. I feel a huge energy difference in my energy levels, in my health and in my body.
I really enjoy cooking, so it’s been fun to try new recipes and really listen to my body to know what it needs. I have been sharing these recipes on Instagram for my students, to serve as a personal example to them about how to live a healthier lifestyle. I can’t ask students to improve their diets if I am not willing to do it myself.
I also learned new skills in communication. If it wasn’t for COVID-19, I wouldn’t be blogging here. Once I didn’t have my classroom, I started blogging and got to reach out to new audiences who would never walk into a Krav Maga studio.
Some were afraid to try Krav Maga because they heard negative rumors about it.
Some, like I mentioned, felt they were not fit enough to try it.
Some might just be afraid of the entire idea of Krav Maga.
Now they got the chance to hear why it is a good idea to give it a try. Writing is a great way to express my technical knowledge. Every person is different and I’m excited to stretch and improve my skills to communicate with people who find reading the best way to learn about a subject. It’s not easy for me to write in English, which isn’t my native language, but I love a challenge.
Because of COVID-19, I even did my first podcast, Whistlekick which was a really great experience. I plan to do more in the future, but that podcast will always be extra special to me because of how it happened.
A few months ago, when the quarantine began, my students came up with the idea of organizing a letter together to get me on the show. They missed me and they wanted me to know they cared, even if they couldn’t see me.
I try to always be there for my students and invite them to reach out to me. It’s great to have that reciprocity and my students volunteer their time for me. They showed me how they believed in me, and helped me achieve my dream of sharing Krav Maga with a wider audience.
They also organized a birthday present for me by collecting money to donate to a charity that works with disabled veterans of the Israeli army, and sponsored a rehabilitation MMA training in my name, to share the martial arts I love with my brothers in arms. Even when far away, they made sure I knew they had my back.
I always knew I have the best students, but COVID-19 allowed me more chances to see how incredible they are. I am so grateful for their intentions and actions, and the only downside is that I miss them even more. I can’t wait to train with them as soon as safely possible.
Yes, the world is struggling, but martial arts and self-defense instructors can be a huge help to others. Our work is teaching people confidence and mental strength, encouraging people to get better.
Now, more than ever, we should use every opportunity to encourage as many people as possible to find whatever positivity they can to emerge from this time better.
Editor’s Note: For more insight into the lives of martial artist’s during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can read more Martial Journal exclusive articles here!
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- The Pursuit of Perfection - August 7, 2023
- Grace Under Pressure - March 17, 2023
Covid-19 has been horrible, but your classes were such a great help.
I still remember how awesome it was that you made sure we celebrated my 1000th class, even if it was on Zoom. Although my arms were sore for a week, you really made sure I didn’t miss out on the goal I worked so hard for. Thank you so much!
It is truly my pleasure to keep working and interacting with you and the rest of my students during this challenging time. I am very proud to witness your personal growth, persistence and improvements Elke.