Learning Self-Defense: My First Four Months of Krav Maga Training

Why I Decided to Start Learning Self-Defense

Four months ago, I made a decision that would change the way I see myself and the world around me: I decided to learn self-defense.

Up to that point, I had no experience in martial arts. I wasn’t a fighter, not even someone who had taken karate lessons as a child. I was starting completely from zero.

For years, the idea of learning self-defense stayed in the back of my mind. I often thought about it, sometimes even researched martial arts schools online, but I never dared to take the first step. I told myself I was too busy, too unfit, or simply not the type of person who could handle a combat class.

That hesitation ended the day I was assaulted. A stranger punched me in the face, and I couldn’t defend myself at all. I froze. That moment left me shaken and angry at my own helplessness. I realized that in a real confrontation, I had absolutely no tools to protect myself.

After that incident, I searched online for solutions. I read articles, watched videos, and even asked AI for advice about what self-defense system would be best for a complete beginner. One name kept coming up: Krav Maga.

Discovering Krav Maga

Krav Maga is one of the most practical ways of learning self-defense, originally developed in Israel and now practiced around the world. Unlike traditional martial arts, it doesn’t focus on competition, rituals, or aesthetics. It’s about one thing only: surviving real-life attacks.

What made Krav Maga appealing to me was its practicality. The techniques are simple, direct, and designed to work under stress. It doesn’t matter if you’re young, old, big, or small — anyone can learn it.

I found Krav Maga Global Japan, one of the leading organizations in Tokyo and Yokohama. Their website explained their classes, levels, and philosophy. After exchanging a few emails, I signed up for a free trial class at their Nakameguro dojo.

That one trial class would mark the beginning of a challenging but rewarding four-month journey.

My Free Trial Class

Walking into the dojo for the first time, I felt nervous. The training hall was simple — mats covered the floor, a heavy bag hung from the ceiling in one corner, and stacks of pads and protective gear were neatly arranged along the walls. No fancy decorations, just an atmosphere of focus and purpose.

The class began with a warm-up: running laps, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and stretching. By the end of it, my heart was pounding and I was already drenched in sweat. Honestly, I wondered if I could make it through the session. But after a quick sip of water, I decided to keep pushing.

Then came striking practice. For the first time in my life, I threw punches against pads. The impact, the sound, and the shock running through my arms gave me an adrenaline rush. I loved it immediately.

The instructor introduced the fighting stance: feet shoulder-width apart,  knees slightly bent, weight balanced, hands up to protect the face. It felt awkward and unnatural at first, but I understood its purpose. This stance was the foundation of Krav Maga — the position that allows you to move quickly, defend effectively, and strike with power.

We practiced moving in the stance, combining steps with punches. Coordinating hands and feet at the same time was more challenging than I expected. I felt clumsy, but little by little, I began to get the rhythm.

First Taste of Defense

After striking, the instructor introduced the 360° outside defense. It uses instinctive arm movements to deflect attacks coming from any angle. Elbow bent at about 90 degrees, you can use this technique to block all sort of circular attacks, it’s simple and effective. 

At first, I wasn’t sure it would work. But after just ten minutes of practice with a partner, I was amazed by how effective it felt. Even with random angle attacks, my arms naturally intercepted the strikes.

The intensity increased when we applied the technique against a knife stab. The knife was plastic, but the tension was real. Watching the instructor demonstrate — blocking the stab, bursting forward, and unleashing counterattacks — was inspiring. I thought to myself: “I hope one day I can move like that.”

The class ended with a stress drill in groups of three: one person striking pads, another attacking with a knife without warning. It was chaotic, exhausting, and overwhelming. But it also felt real.

By the end, I was drained physically but excited mentally. I left the dojo knowing one thing: I wanted to continue.

The First Month: Becoming a Student

After that trial, I officially joined Krav Maga Global Japan and committed to training two classes per week: Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

The dojo quickly became a place I looked forward to. Classes usually had 10–15 students, sometimes fewer, which I preferred because the instructor had more time to correct me. The atmosphere was supportive. There were mostly Japanese students, but also a few foreigners.

The Class Structure

Each class followed a structure I grew to love:

1. Warm-up and conditioning — cardio, mobility, stretches and strength drills.

2. Striking practice — punches, kicks, elbows, or knees.

3. A self-defense scenario — demonstrated by the instructor and then practiced with a partner.

4. A final drill — adding stress, speed, or surprise to simulate real conditions.

This rhythm gave me both familiarity and challenge every time I trained.

Learning Step by Step

I appreciated the teaching method. New techniques were always broken down step by step: first the hand movement, then body movement, then footwork, then the counterattack, and finally speed and intensity.

This gradual buildup helped me as a beginner. Instead of feeling lost, I could see myself improving piece by piece until the whole technique made sense.

Learning to Make a Proper Fist

One of the earliest lessons I learned was something that at first sounded almost trivial: how to make a proper fist. I had always assumed it was simple — you just close your hand and swing. But I quickly discovered that there’s a right and a wrong way to do it, and the difference could mean walking away from a fight or breaking your own hand.

The instructor explained that if you punch with the wrong part of your knuckles or if your wrist isn’t aligned, you can injure yourself badly. In real life, unlike boxing, you don’t wear gloves or hand wraps to protect your fists. That means your bare hands are exposed to the full impact of striking.

We practiced closing the hand correctly, making sure the thumb was tucked outside, and learning to strike with the two big knuckles — the index and middle finger. These are the strongest parts of the hand and can absorb impact much better than the smaller knuckles, which are fragile and prone to injury.

Alongside fist strikes, we also practiced open-hand strikes (palm strikes). At first, this felt strange, almost less “serious” than a punch. But it made perfect sense when the instructor explained: palm strikes are much safer for the hand. In a high-stress situation, when adrenaline is high, technique often gets messy. A palm strike lets you hit hard with a much lower risk of injuring your own hand.

That was a revelation for me. I had never considered that self-defense wasn’t only about hurting the attacker — it was just as much about protecting your own body.

Defending Common Attacks

Another eye-opening lesson was defending against shirt grabs. At first, I instinctively focused on the grabbing hand. But the instructor made it clear: the real danger usually comes from the other hand — the one ready to punch, slap, or hold a weapon.

The correct reaction was to raise my hands quickly to protect my face, try to de-escalate verbally if possible, and if that failed, strike hard to break free and create distance.

By the end of the first month, I had also learned defenses against:

• Frontal chokes

• Straight punches to the face

• Basic knife stabs

• Kick to the groin

Each class left me physically tired but mentally energized. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had practical tools to protect myself.

The Second and Third Months: Building Skills and Confidence

As the weeks went on, training became more intense, more varied, and more realistic.

Expanding Strikes in All Directions

I learned to strike in all directions — forward, sideways, and backward — using not only punches but also elbows, hammer fists, kicks, and knees. These techniques felt brutally effective. Unlike flashy martial arts moves, Krav Maga strikes are simple, sharp, and designed to end fights quickly.

Elbows became one of my favorite techniques. At close range, where punches are hard to execute effectively, elbows feel powerful and natural. Knees, too, felt devastating, especially when targeted at vulnerable areas like the groin or midsection.

Learning to Stop a Haymaker

One especially important lesson was defending against a haymaker punch.

The instructor explained that this wild, looping punch is extremely common in street fights because it feels natural and powerful. “Most street fights start with a haymaker,” he said. That fact alone made me pay attention.

We practiced reacting instinctively: raising our arms high, bursting forward to intercept the swing, and counterattacking immediately with knees or kicks to the groin. At first, it felt unnatural to move forward into the attack, but after some practice, I realized how effective it was. Instead of backing away and risking another punch, you smother the attack before it gains power.

That drill stuck with me. It gave me confidence that I could defend against one of the most common — and dangerous — attacks I might face in real life.

Facing Attacks from Behind

We also trained defenses against attacks from behind, such as rear chokes and headlocks. These attacks were especially stressful because of the pressure on the neck. The pressure makes it difficult to breathe and creates immediate panic. It becomes very difficult to think about what to do in such situations, so it's important to develop automatic responses so your body reacts instinctively.

I quickly realized this was exactly the point: real attacks don't announce themselves or wait for you to get ready. In those terrifying moments when someone grabs you from behind, you don't have time to think through your options. Krav Maga taught me to bypass that mental freeze entirely. Through repetitive drilling, I learned to react automatically: protect my airway, create space, turn into my attacker, and strike back hard before escaping.

First Lessons in Ground Fighting

Another milestone was learning ground fighting basics.

We practiced falling safely, protecting ourselves on the ground, and most importantly, getting up quickly without leaving ourselves exposed. Until then, I had never thought much about what happens if you get knocked down. But I realized how vulnerable you are when lying on the ground — and how crucial it is to have a plan and master some techniques.

Krav Maga doesn’t ignore these scenarios. The goal is always to survive, get up, and escape.

Physical and Mental Changes

By the third month, I began to notice real changes in myself.

Physically, my stamina improved. I could complete the warm-ups without collapsing. My strikes became sharper, faster, and heavier. My coordination — once clumsy and awkward — smoothed out week by week.

Mentally, I felt calmer and more confident. Even outside the dojo, I carried myself differently. I wasn’t looking for fights, but I wasn’t afraid anymore either. Just knowing I had some tools gave me peace of mind.

The Fourth Month: Preparing for the First Grading

By the fourth month, the word “grading” became common in class. Senior students explained that after several months of training, beginners could attempt the Practitioner Level 1 (P1) test, the first official rank in the Krav Maga Global system.

The idea of testing made me nervous. It wasn’t just about showing the techniques — it was about endurance, tactics, and mindset. The instructors emphasized: grading isn’t about looking good. It’s about proving that you can stay effective under stress, fatigue, and pressure.

That idea motivated me. I started pushing harder in every class, reviewing all the techniques I had learned: striking combinations, 360° defenses, defenses against chokes and grabs, knife attacks, and ground escapes. I wanted to be ready.

The Grading Day: Earning P1

The grading took place in July.

The test lasted around two hours but felt like much longer. We went through everything: basic stances, striking combinations, defenses against punches and grabs, knife defenses, ground techniques, and multiple stress drills.

By the halfway mark, I was exhausted. My arms and legs were heavy, my lungs burned, and my shirt was soaked. But that was the challenge — to keep fighting when your body wants to give up.

When it was finally over, I was drained but proud. I had passed. I officially earned my Practitioner Level 1 (P1) certificate. Holding it in my hands felt like a true milestone — proof that I had started something and followed through.

Conclusion: The First Step of a Long Journey

Looking back, the transformation is incredible.

From someone who could barely survive a warm-up, I became someone who can defend against common attacks, strike with power, and stay calm under stress. I learned not only physical skills but also mental resilience.

Of course, this is only the beginning. Passing P1 is the first step in a much longer journey. I feel motivated to keep training, to move toward the next levels, and to keep growing in both skill and confidence.

Most importantly, I feel different in everyday life. The helplessness I once felt has been replaced with assurance. I walk taller, I react faster, and I know that if I’m confronted again, I won’t freeze.

For anyone considering learning self-defense, I can only say that starting this journey has been one of the most rewarding choices I’ve ever made.

I started Krav Maga because I didn’t want to feel powerless. Four months later, I can confidently say: I am no longer the same person who walked into that trial class.

“The first step is always the hardest — but once you try your first class, you’ll see how much progress you can make. Book a free trial today and start your journey toward confidence, fitness, and safety.”

Tips for Complete Beginners in Learning Self-Defense

Starting out and learning self-defense can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never practiced martial arts or combat sports before. The good news is that everyone begins at the same place — with zero experience. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

1. Wear Comfortable, Fitted Clothing 

   No special equipment is needed at first except a groin guard and mouth guard. A fitted t-shirt and athletic shorts or pants are usually sufficient. Later, as you progress, you can invest in additional protective gear like shin guards and training gloves.

   
   

2. Focus on Learning the Basics 

   Before worrying about complex moves, concentrate on fundamental skills: how to maintain a stable stance, how to strike correctly, and basic defenses like the 360-degree block. These simple techniques form the foundation for everything else you'll learn.

   
   

3. Don’t Rush the Techniques

   It’s natural to want to copy advanced students and move quickly, but speed without control can create bad habits — or even injuries. At the beginning, focus on correct form and understanding the movement. Speed will come naturally with time.

   
   

4. Train Consistently, Even Once a Week

   Progress comes from regular practice, not perfection. Even one class per week can make a big difference over time if you stick with it.

   
   

5. Practice outside the gym

   Set aside time at home or in a park to review what you've learned through shadowboxing. Practice your stance, basic strikes, and defensive movements.

   
   

6. Ask Questions

   Instructors expect beginners to be curious and unsure. Don’t hesitate to ask if you don’t understand a movement or situation — that’s how you progress faster.

   
   

7. Stay Calm and Open-Minded

   Self-defense is about awareness and mindset as much as physical skills. Stay patient with yourself and enjoy the journey — every small improvement counts.

   
   

8. Take the Grading Test

   Once you’ve trained for a few months, consider taking the P-Level grading test. Preparing for a test gives your training a clear goal, motivates you to review techniques carefully, and gives you a real sense of achievement when you pass.