No doubt, "The Dark Knight" opening this summer will rival if not exceed box office sales as well as the "buzz" of the first film, given the success of "Batman Begins."  This film introduced many, myself included, to a new fighting system known as KFM or Keysi Fighting Method.  But what about this system caught the attention of Hollywood and why is it seen as such a great compliment to the Batman character and franchise?

KFM was founded by Justo Dieguez and Andy Norman and is the result of their own personal journeys and investigation over 20 years.  While www.keysikfm.com carries a great deal of information as to the method and philosophy of KFM, here are some points of "uniqueness" I personally found when coming into KFM from a traditional martial arts mindset.

First, KFM readily admits it is not a "Martial Art" in the traditional sense of the word.  KFM is utilized in health clubs, on university campuses and by (health) personal trainers throughout Europe just as much as by martial arts schools and martial arts instructors.  It sees itself as a "curriculum," not necessarily a "school" in and unto itself.  Therefore anyone, martial artists or non-martial artist, can learn KFM and teach the curriculum however they wish in whatever environment they wish.  It is simply a street defense system designed to give those who are looking for more "practical" solutions to their concerns regarding personal safety and survival versus extended years of training with belts, tournaments, etc as part of the experience package.

Second, KFM is unique in its 360-degree approach to street defense.  By that I mean that KFM assumes that if you are attacked, the attacker will not be alone.  Too much time given to one direction or one opponent in this scenario can be deadly.  Additionally, too much time spent tied up on the ground with one opponent can prove equally dangerous.  For this reason, Day 1 in KFM begins to train the practitioner how to move and observe others in a 360-degree environment through the "Predator Alert."

Third, KFM sees that a true street defense situation is not always an either/or of standing or ground fighting.  They see the positions of kneeling also as possibilities in a conflict, before possibly going to the ground or while transitioning back up to the feet.  KFM therefore feels the practitioner needs to be comfortable at all four levels.  To that end, all movements are executed utilizing all four levels including kicking, punching, knees and elbows (as well as many other tools).

Fourth, and finally, KFM is seeking to redefine the terms "predator and prey" in the mindset of their practitioners.  KFM seeks to unleash the predator instinct that dwells in all of us via the "fight or flight" syndrome as coined by famous psychologist, Hans Selye.  Knowing that primal instinct lies beneath the surface of all human beings when confronted, KFM wishes to reclaim this tool and teach the practitioner how when confronted the choice is theirs to be either predator or prey, even against what seems to be greater numbers or armed assailants.  Obviously this philosophy was a perfect fit to the Batman story of a young Bruce Wayne who started his life as "prey" only to become the ultimate predator of the criminal underworld.

Improvisation versus memorization is what KFM stresses to its students, knowing that when a dangerous situation arises it will be the instinct, not the mind, that what will react in our best self-interests of survival.  After all, it is the instinct that has kept human beings alive for so long as opposed to other animals on the planet.  Batman himself learned to release his "inner animal instinct" via his association to the bat, hence another great story fit for KFM as it is connected to the franchise.

Not unlike Batman, KFM offers a great deal of fun.  But while one is intended for fantasy, the other was developed for real life and the streets. 

KFM is offering a number of opportunities over the next year to learn more about the program and become a certified instructor.  Check their website for further details and learn more about the "buzz" behind the Bat!