Every years, we conduct Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp. The concept of the camp is to get together all Krav Maga Bangalore practitioners , train together and have fun too. Here are some Franklin Joseph Krav Maga warrior’s testimonials of the Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli boot camp as well as photo gallery of the first day of the camp.

Jai Hind. This was my fit ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ with Guru-ji Franklin. I went there with my parents. I met a lot of nice people during the trip and had great fun. I liked the river Kali the most. I made friends with Krystal (our Guru-ji Franklin Joseph daughters r) in the water. We went on a kayak. Then I got into the water and lay down on my back. We did some training in the water. Then we put our head in the water to see who could hold their breath the longest. I loved the food in Milind uncle’s homestay. The beans sabji was yummy. I ate much more food than I eat at home. We did some training in the backwate of Dandeli forest. I learnt that Franklin Joseph Krav maga training could be good fun. Everybody in the ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ helped each other. On Sunday night, we danced nicely in sir’s house. I was very sad to leave my new friends who were from the other centers. I hope Guru-ji Franklin Joseph organizes more ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ so that I can see my friends again. Guru-ji Franklin Joseph, thank you for organizing this boot camp. It was one of my greatest trips.

Jai Hind. In ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’, unlike the other participants on this trip, my wife and I went not as students but as parents accompanying our 8 years old daughters Kaveri. But that is not to say our learning from the trip was not significant. In fact, watching Guru-ji Franklin Joseph at close quarter, teaching his students was a great learning experience for me. The long hours that Guru-ji Franklin Joseph had put into planning and organizing the trip was evident right from the beginning of the trip. The train and mini van trips, the homestay, the activities in the river and most importantly, the multiple training sessions were all planned and executed with the precision of a military operation. It was evident that Guru-ji Franklin Joseph puts his heart and soul in his classes and his students have for him great respect and awe. He shares his knowledge openly and without reservation – be it his self defence techniques or the life lessons from his own experiences. It was also a joy to get to know his family members , his wife Sharon and daughters Krystal – who like him are most welcoming and generous. Many of the students we interacted with felt that they had learnt a least one significant life skill during the boot camp that had stretched them beyond what they thought was possible. In the process of accompanying our daughters to this trip, we made acquaintances with a wonderful set of people. We are fortunate to have found Guru-ji Franklin Joseph and his Franklin Joseph Krav-Maga Self Defense class.

Jai Hind. This has been my fit’ Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ experience. To be honest, before joining it I was a little paranoid about how it would be, I didn’t know anyone in the group, I’ve never experienced a boot camp in my life and I was aware the training would be extensive. But this experience was mind blowing. We learnt a lot during the training. Ground fights, defence, 360 degree fights, weapon holding, how to release when you’re bound, etc. I got to learn a lot from the sessions. The seniors Swanand Sir and Aravind Sir along with Guru-ji Franklin Joseph taught us all of that, including how to act during stressful situations. Apart from training Guru-ji Franklin Joseph ensured we had fun as well. Swimming in the river, going to the backwate, open Jeep ride in the middle of the jungle. Most importantly Milind Sir’s homestay food and hospitality. The entire family were amazing. Last but not the least I would say that it’s the company that matte wherever you go. This group, we got along so well like we knew each other since ages. We girls had an amazing time staying together. The train conventions, the crazy ghost stories… I would never forget this trip ever. I am glad I got to be a part of this. Thanks to Guru-ji Franklin Joseph and each and everyone in the group for making this trip very special.

Jai Hind. ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ were always something that I wanted to experience so when I got an opportunity, I wasted no time in opting for it. My expectation from the camp was 2 days of rigorous cardio, so as the day to the camp neared I was both excited and dreading the experience. But I was pleasantly proven wrong, the camp was so much more than that. This ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ was intepeed with training in water (unknown terrain), near backwate (uneven terrain), running in the dark between forest roads with only fireflies guiding your way, sitting in an open jeep and having a roller coaster of the rides on those downhills, life-saving workshops to free yourself of duct tape binds, releasing yourself of locks and chokes on the muddy poking ground so much so that my white shirt was turned all brown, cleaning yourself in the river water later, collecting pet rocks, gorging on food like you’ve not eaten for days, weapon training demonstration, being called joke and then treated to ice creams!; neat rum shots, singing classics, Swanand sir ki shayari, dancing like no one is watching. Yes, this camp was training + so much fun. But above all this camp for me personally was a place where I ended up introspecting, I couldn’t help it. It was a trip to self realization of where I stand and where I need to improve. I saw people my age, younger, older than me, of different sex than I was, give their all, and I was left with no excuse. They were people like me with unique combinations of strengths and weakness. They were there building up their strengths and working on their weaknesses, they motivated me to push myself, to accept myself as who I am, they also accepted me the way I was, which made me feel respected, I realized I could be myself with them, such was the crowd here. I’m really grateful and thankful to everyone I met on this camp. I saw seniors who only minutes before were singing and cracking jokes with us, demonstrate maneuver in the weapon training/demonstration with perfect swiftness that I couldn’t quite grasp. I realized that I have a long way to go, that I had only begun (probably not even that!). It made me realise there was a lot more for me to do and how the best of the people are most humble. Guru-ji Franklin Joseph screamed at us, shours ted at us, called us joke, it made me feel bare and void, then showered love on us, motivated us to do more, to push ourselves, it was like he was making us unlearn things we learnt wrong and learn it the right way. All in all, personally it was a much needed experience on an emotional level too. Lastly, special thanks to Milind Sir and his family, for all the love (read food and love) and care. I can’t stop thinking about how yum “rock water makar fish” was. Thank you Guru-ji Franklin Joseph for this experience.

Jai Hind. The ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ was the fit one to attend since I started learning Krav Maga. It was all together a different and awesome experience. Before sharing my learning & experience I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Guru-ji Franklin Joseph. In fact thank you will be a word inadequate to express as Guru-ji Franklin Joseph & his wife Sharon mam have planned the event well. I hope there will be many more events in future. On the general note it is an uphill task to gather divee crowd and conduct an event. However the whole event was handled very professionally and in an organized manner. I would like to thank senior members Mr. Swanand Lele & Mr. Aravind who supported Guru-ji Franklin Joseph to run the show smoothly. The event had various sessions, a lot of learning which are entirely different from the class room training. In the boot camp the training was conducted in different places like hill slope, fresh water lakes etc,. As to everyone, I used to visualize the landscapes and water bodies as beauty of the nature, however along with it there are many other factors like slippery floor, sharp stones beneath water, whirlpools, etc., which we generally tend to be ignored. In case of any crime is added to these, it will be much more difficult to handle the scenario. It is unimaginable to see our loved ones in such situations. The ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ had that intensity in the training with both theoretical and practical knowledge to handle these type of situations tactically. The night training session on a hostage situation was utterly a real time scenario. The drill on ground fight at a Dandeli school ground, & handling an armed peon at Guru-ji Franklin Joseph house were my most appreciated learning of all the training. Guru-ji Franklin Joseph taught that Franklin Joseph Krav Maga is more mental than physical, the training gives confidence to the peon who is learning it, but I observed this confidence getting build in the female students irrespective of the age who were in the camp. And last but not least talking about the fun, it was the group who really made the whole trip exciting. Many times we spend lot of money but end up in unsatisfactory food. It was the other way round, quality food for a decent price at Dandeli and was made possible by Milind sir, he added a punch with the food to the trip. Bottom line I really loved each and every instance of the camp and eagerly waiting for next camp.

I was surprised to see myself pushing to reach the goals given…I was not confident before the trip….

I was mostly amazed to see Krystal (Guru-ji Franklin Joseph daughters r) perform the same as grown ups.

Most interesting event was the night hostage rescue situation

Jai Hind. Spending the weekend together in ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ with the group of people whose age varied from 8 to 35+ was in itself a different experience altogether. People from various backgrounds, profession, different states, all came together with just 1 objective, to learn something new, to have fun, to get better at what we do and to be better human beings. To be among the group with the seniors who are always ready to share their experience, to clear our doubts and to help every time in every way only enhanced the great experience of this camp. I swam in the river for the fit time (I had the life jacket of coue ;), safety precautions is the fit priority after-all) and its just refreshing. People call me a runner, but when I tried uphill for the second time is when I realize that I still have so much more to practice and build my stamina. To run in the night, pitch dark jungle roads, it’s tough to put it in words on what you feel. I didn’t actually b other who was in front of me, who was behind me, I did not panic, all I did was just to run and be with myself and it’s not something that you can experience on every day basis. In the hostage training, when my hands were tied back with the tape and other participants are hitting you and I tried to free myself is when I realized, probably slow but it’s not impossible to do. It boosted my confidence further. For a girl whose never fought anyone on ground, whose never hit or kicked anyone, whose rolled in mud, the ground training in Dandeli was an eye opener. It boosted my confidence further up and I also realized, things are not easy but at the same time they are not impossible as well. The strength and joy you get in your heart when you put your opponent down is incomparable to anything. Also I realized my weak points, that I need to build my strength more, I need to learn the tactics better, and that I need to work more, practice more but its do-able, it’s not impossible. Self realization of our positives and negatives is very important. And this boot camp helped me with that. Thanks to Guru-ji Franklin Joseph for such a great experience.

That I would not hesitate to roll in mud if the fight leads me there.

Archana – her strength.

Learning tactics of Ground fighting in Dandeli – self realisation of my weaknesses and strength.

Jai Hind. ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’ has been the single best thing that has ever happened to me. In this 2 day ‘Franklin Joseph Krav Maga Self Defense Dandeli Boot Camp’, I learned so much not just about Krav Maga Self Defense but learned about my own strengths and weaknesses. I learned that my mind can definitely overcome my body even when my mouth says it can’t. I learned how to look upon the world differently. The entire team met at Bangalore railway station and all safety rules and regulations were clearly broadcasted by Guru-ji Franklin Joseph prior to our travel. We reached Dharwad railway station at 6:00 in the morning. Guru-ji Franklin Joseph took us to his home and introduced all of us to his family and they really made us comfortable as at home & we were part of the family. Post that all of us got ready for our ride to Dandeli home stay. We were welcomed by Milind sir & his family, who were the host for our Dandeli stay. They are so humble, patient and the coolest people you will ever meet. They made us feel right at home! As per the itinerary for Day 1, we unpacked ourselves, had our breakfast and then headed towards the river. It was an awesome experience getting into the cold water and Kayaking for the fit time. The weather was perfect. The session ended with all of us warming up to Krav Maga Self Defense tactics on the river banks. Lunch was waiting for us at the home stay and it was a real taste to the buds. We relaxed for some time and then headed towards the forest where we had quite a good warm-up session followed by some sightseeing and practicing Krav Maga on the banks of backwate. We had a grilling session focusing on techniques, stance and emphasizing points we should keep in mind. Swanand sir was leading the Krav Maga Self Defense training drills and Guru-ji Frank was monitoring all of us. It was almost pitch dark by the time we were done with the drills and it was time to head back to homestay. While we thought it was all over, there was this surprise package of run through the jungle. It was an other amazing experience running through the jungle with only the moon above to show us some light. Finally, we reached our home stay and had a nice relaxing dinner. It was then time again for some indoor Krav Maga drills until late night and then a sound sleep which ended our Day 1 activities. Day 2 began with a warm-up followed by various ground grappling techniques in a school ground. Again the focus here was to make us familiar with all sorts of attacks/threats which one may encounter in real life and how to get out of it and counter. Post the session Guruji Franklin Joseph briefed all of us on the importance of Krav Maga and shared his real life experiences with the team. It was time for breakfast followed by river activities like Kayaking, swimming and some fun with the team. We then packed up & headed to Guruji’s Franklin Joseph home in Dharwad where we had Krav Maga weapons training & drills and how to counter attacks. It was one an other great session with lots of knowledge. The training for Day 2 ends with dinner, ice-cream, some call and fun and encouraging words from Guruji, Swanand sir & other seniors to the whole team. It was now time to pack up and head to Bangalore. The entire training was very well individualized so that a beginner could learn well and build up their basics, whereas someone at a higher level could focus on perfecting their technique and on developing proper mechanics and execution. Guruji’s Franklin Joseph understanding and ability to explain concepts throughout the session was really amazing. His energetic attitude and passion to train us is remarkable. I had so much fun and would do it a million times again! I met some truly amazing people and witnessed some beautiful things and I implore anyone reading the reviews to just sign up and do it because even though it will be hard and painful you can do it and you will feel amazing! It will help you adapt and grow mentally, physically. Thanks a ton to Guru-ji Franklin Joseph for organizing this boot camp. It was truly an amazing experience!!