Will you be BRILLIANT or STUPID in a situation?

Moving out of COMFORT ZONE

Most of us with average intelligence, adequate skills can perform consistently at a socially acceptable satisfactory standard. When that comfort zone is yanked away suddenly, confusing chaos and numbing shock slice through our senses into our inner core like a vicious stab of molten metal. We have seen how people react in this crisis situation. Some become blubbering idiots. Some go into comatose shock. Some go in a blinding rage. Only some are calm and objective.So we infer, many are STUPID in a crisis. Only a few can be BRILLIANT under stress.

Performance under STRESS The scenario training with realistic visualization and familiarity building repetitions play a critical role in conditioning body and mind to function in a semi-automated state. This neuro-muscular zone of reaction cannot be achieved in short term. The experienced trainer will not hand hold the trainee but force him to learn by constantly pushing their complacency thresholds, till the technique f…

"Don't f$#@*%g glorify violence". - 3 reasons why

This is what I clarify upfront to those who step into my Chennai KravMaga self-defence class.

1. Violence is NOT an intelligent solution to your problems.
In fact in most of the occasions violence worsens the problem more vehemently, beyond repair. So always start addressing issues with civilized, polite tactics.
As someone observed "Most of the issues in this world is not due to the content of the argument, but more due to the tone of the argument."  

2. World respects the Brain, while it only fears the Brawn
As MGR advised the masses in one of Tamil movie song " Stop sharpening the Knife. Start sharpening your Mind." 
Too much of quality time spent on physical pursuits is a sign of misplaced priorities. Unless your profession depends on physical attributes don't spend more than 3 hours a week on physical past-times. Focus on the attributes which will make you a better professional or spend fun time with folks.

3. Violence is a double edged sword. It can cut bot…

The Love-Hate relationship with Police -Some thoughts on Police Commemoration Day, 21 October

400 to 500 policemen become martyrs every year in India, in their line of duty. Today is the day we have to recall their ultimate sacrifice and spend a few moments pondering about the role of police in our lives. What is their role?

Hero or Villain
Last year while in conversation with DGP about the deteriorating relationship of public and police, I told him " While driving to your office I saw posters of 5 different movies. In 3 of those the hero was a police officer! So, obviously there seems to be a grudging admiration for the men in khaki which is more visible in movies than on the streets!"
The reason for this anomaly could be because the occasional interaction with a policeman for the public happens only when they are stopped for traffic crimes or when they become victims of a crime. Obviously, the common man never interacts with a policeman when life is smooth and normal; so, his mental association of police is "Oh my God, Problem"!

Sheep-Dog Syndrome
Along with o…

10 WAYS "SUSTAINABLE FITNESS" IS BETTER FOR YOU - Sustainable Fitness - Part 03

The STARTING LEVEL FITNESS of the individual is taken into account.
This is critical, since the road map to fitness becomes more realistic. Also factor in the body types (refer earlier article for body types)MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES are fixed with phased TIMELINES, factoring in individual idiosyncrasies - like pre-existing issues
Please remember that whatever goes up fast can also come down faster.. So, phase your milestones so that you are running your race but not someone else's .The PHYSICAL EXERCISES are VARIED to impact various fitness parameters - Cardio-vascular, Structural strength, Flexibility, Agility and Balance. This will prevent Physical Stress and Mental Monotony.
Also, prioritize your schedule to customize for your objectives. The key variables are the INTENSITY and the FREQUENCY.INJURY PREVENTION is the guiding principle.
Please remember Injuries can be major setbacks - sometimes for months . I know many who haven't resumed their exercises after an injury, and lost ev…


3 Reasons - Muddled Objective, Peer Pressure and Instructor Apathy. 1.The first and main issue is the folks' "MUDDLED OBJECTIVE" in pursuing their passion. Most start their fitness regimen to lose weight and reduce flab. But this clarity gets muddled once they start seeing the initial positive results. They assume the graph of growth will keep on going upwards perpetually and they shift their gear to over-drive. They get obsessed and start training as if they are preparing for Olympics! 2. The second issue is "PEER PRESSURE". Most folks join a gym or fitness program after hearing raving testimonials from their friends. They immediately jump and get swept off their feet as a neo-convert. Their anxiety is to fill their Facebook timeline with massive deadlifts, running marathons and doing box-jumps, without giving adequate time and effort to condition their body, which had languished in hedonistic abuse for two decades. 3. The third issue is "INSTRUCTOR APATHY&q…

2 Reasons Why People Drop Out of Fitness - Sustainable Fitness Part 01


The two main causes are STRESS-INJURIES sustained in their practice and the BURNOUT at both physical and emotional level.

The injuries and burnout happen due to the unsustainable intensity of workouts and concentration in one nature of exercise activity monotonously, day after day. The tragedy is, some even end up in a worse shape than they started with!

This got me worried, as I had also taken up fitness seriously only when I was 45, twelve years back. After years of analysing and researching on the subject, I understood this unsustainability can be rectified with some simple common-sense implementations.

For convenience sake I call it 'SUSTAINABLE FITNESS', which is the concept of pursuing your passion in a phased manner without setbacks, so that aligns …

7 Criteria to plan your diet

Since I am an Instructor and my hair is grey, most assume I am wise and ask my advice on many subjects, even outside the ambit of KravMaga - It can range from career-choices, love life, ideal side-dish for brandy and so on. Since I am accommodative and like to hear my own voice, I squeeze my grey cells and spout wisdom unabashedly!
Of late, after I lost lots of weight, many students ask about dieting. Since they come in all shapes and sizes it is obvious that a standardized diet plan wont fit everyone. So what is the criteria when deciding a diet plan?

Criteria 1 - What is your objective? 
Is it weight loss, weight gain, cosmetic body sculpting, build power, preparing for a competition? Be specific of your primary desire.
Criteria 2 - What is your current status?
Are you extremely obese, just over-weight, under-weight and so on? This is to indicate the time and effort needed to close the gap between your present and ideal.

Criteria 3 - Do you have any identified or suspected medical iss…