Self Protection

Situational Awareness: The First Skill of Self-Defense

Food for Thought, Krav Maga / Joel Williams / September 19, 2026 / Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, Krav Maga, Krav Maga Instructor, Martial Arts, personal safety, prevention, Self Defense, Self Protection, Self-Defense, situational awareness, Train At Home

When people think about self-defense, they often picture punches, kicks, or escaping from an attacker. While physical skills certainly have their place, experienced instructors know that effective self-defense begins long before a confrontation ever occurs. It begins with awareness: paying attention to your surroundings, recognizing potential risks, and making decisions that reduce the likelihood of becoming a target in the first place. Situational awareness isn’t about living in fear or expecting danger around every corner. It’s about developing the habit of being present, observant, and prepared. Many times, that awareness can help you avoid problems altogether, making it one of the most valuable self-defense skills you’ll ever develop.

Situational Awareness: The First Skill of Self-Defense Read More »

Krav Maga’s Core Values

Krav Maga / Joel Williams / May 20, 2025 / Combatives, Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, Krav Maga, mindset, online learning, Self Defense, Self Protection, Train At Home, values

If you’re new to Krav Maga, welcome! You’re not just learning a proven and effective self-defense system—you’re adopting a mindset: a set of values that will shape how you train and how you carry yourself in everyday life. Read on to learn more about the core values of Krav Maga.

Krav Maga’s Core Values Read More »

Shotokan Karate: Self-Defense Applications

Shotokan Karate / Joel Williams / April 15, 2025 / Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, karate, Martial Arts, Self Defense, Self Protection, Train At Home

Shotokan karate is often recognized for its powerful stances, precise strikes, and disciplined training. While it emphasizes kihon (fundamentals) and kata (forms), it also provides effective self-defense techniques rooted in efficiency, speed, and strategy. Read on to learn more about Karate self-defense combinations.

Shotokan Karate: Self-Defense Applications Read More »

Situational Awareness: The Key to Staying Safe

Food for Thought, Krav Maga / Joel Williams / October 30, 2024 / Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, Krav Maga, Martial Arts, Self Defense, Self Protection, situational awareness, Train At Home

Situational awareness is a key element of personal safety. Self-defense and self-protection systems, like Krav Maga, emphasize situational awareness for preventing and surviving dangerous situations. By staying alert to your surroundings and recognizing potential threats early, you can avoid danger and react swiftly, if necessary. This article lists and describes fundamental examples of situational awareness

Situational Awareness: The Key to Staying Safe Read More »

Five Practical Situations Where Krav Maga Excels

Krav Maga / Joel Williams / June 28, 2024 / Combatives, Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, Krav Maga, Martial Arts, Military Combatives, Self Protection, Self-Defense, Train At Home

Krav Maga – military combatives originally developed for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – has been modified as an effective, and popular, civilian self-protection system. Krav Maga is known for its training to prepare individuals for specific scenarios. Those scenarios are listed and described in this blog post.

Five Practical Situations Where Krav Maga Excels Read More »

Military Combatives vs Civilian Self Defense

Krav Maga / Joel Williams / November 30, 2023 / Combatives, Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, Krav Maga, Martial Arts, Military Combatives, Self Defense, Self Protection, Train At Home

Combatives is a general term for hand-to-hand combat systems primarily used by members of the military. These systems focus on simple, proven, war zone survival and fighting techniques that can be learned in a short period of time. Some military combatives systems have been adapted for use by law enforcement, security professionals and civilians. This blog post provides an overview of military combatives and how they differ from civilian self-protection systems such as the GMAU Krav Maga course.

Military Combatives vs Civilian Self Defense Read More »