PROTECT YOURSELF

In May, the Career Management Committee hosted a Krav Maga workshop, in which CFA Society Toronto members had the opportunity to learn tactics and techniques to help them cope with potentially dangerous situations. Krav Maga is a self-defence and fighting system that was created for the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli security forces. It draws on practical techniques from other fighting styles such as boxing, karate, and judo, and emphasizes simultaneous defensive and offensive manoeuvres.

The workshop was engaging and interactive and led by Christopher Gagne of the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF). The session kicked off with an icebreaker that pushed everyone to move around and attempt to tap others on the shoulder, while attempting to avoid having others doing the same to them. Once participants were fully warmed up and acquainted with one another, they were ready to learn the techniques and get moving.

Prevention and avoidance techniques were taught first, which involved participants learning to be aware of their surroundings, knowing where exits were, and thinking about how to use objects around them. Next, they learned various moves to escape holds, grabs, and chokes along with finer points, such as ways to deal with an attacker’s potential height difference. After seeing several demonstrations by the instructor and an advanced-level member, participants had the chance to practise with one another and receive feedback from the instructor.

This hands-on workshop was an effective way not only to learn and apply the skills, but also to retain the knowledge for future use. It was a unique educational experience to learn very important and practical life skills that many participants wouldn’t typically have had the chance to experience elsewhere.

If you’re interested in learning more about self-defence and Krav Maga, go to IKMF Toronto’s website at http://www.ikmftoronto.com.

TABLE TENNIS, ANYONE?

In June, CFA Society Toronto hosted a pub night, as well as a joint event with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators, at SPiN Toronto. This ping-pong social club, located on King Street West, is 12,000 sq. feet in size, with two fully licensed bars and 12 ping-pong tables.

As with a number of past events organized in conjunction with other organizations, this event was a great opportunity to meet other financial services professionals, particularly in a casual and relaxed setting. The ping-pong tournament featured plenty of friendly competition and some truly memorable matches that went on for hours. For those who fell out of the tournament along the way, or were simply on the sidelines watching and cheering, there were plenty of canapés supplied by CFA Society Toronto and drinks to enjoy.