KRAV MAGA HISTORY
The words Krav Maga mean “contact/close combat” in Hebrew. It’s a complete, practical and modern reality-based self-defense system originally developed in the Israeli Defense Forces by Imi Lichtenfeld for use in the military. Lichtenfeld subsequently developed it into a form of self-defense for use by civilians and kids. It is the world’s most complete and effective reality-based self-defense system.
In the late 1930s, a Hungarian-born professional athlete named Imrich (Imi) Lichtenfeld assembled a group of Jewish boxers and wrestlers and brought them out to the streets of Bratislava to defend the Jewish neighborhoods against fascist and anti-semitic groups. However, Lichtenfeld realized that self-defense was very different from competition fighting, so he re-evaluated his ideas and developed a set of principles, practical skills and techniques that would help almost anyone survive threats and attacks. His goal was to create a complete and effective self-defense system that would ensure survival in any situation that could be learned quickly and easily retained.
Our 75 minute induction class is the starting point of your journey to build confidence, strengthen your mental fortitude and develop technical & tactical skills, through our game-changing method.
Start with an induction class. Choose your day and time.
Krav Maga is a modern self-defense and hand-to-hand combat system. Read more
We are a safe place, where like-minded people come together to learn. Read more
Designed to build physical and mental resilience giving you confidence. Read more
75 minute mini-masterclass that teaches you the essentials to getting started. Read more
Learn a complete reality-based self-defense system. Learn practical, effective and battle tested skills from some of the country’s leading instructors.
Start with an induction class. Choose your day and time.
KMI is unique in that all of its instructors are professional instructors, hand picked and built from the ground up. Candidates are interviewed, tested, retrained and supervised carefully for several years. Instructors undergo full background checks, they are carefully vetted and tested in all aspects of the Krav Maga system and their ability to teach. They all undergo personality tests and teaching assessments .
If candidates pass their instructor certification, they undergo a 2 year probationary period during which time they must complete a minimum number of teaching hours, KMI continuation training, certification and testing.
KMI NYC holds some of the highest instructor and training standards in the world. A KMI, IKMF, KMG or other reputable Krav Maga Instructor Diploma is not enough to become an instructor at KMI. All team members are carefully selected after many years of training, testing and screening.
Instructors are also required to have an instructor license obtained by regular training, teaching hours and they also need to have completed all continuation training and education obligations. KMI’s lead instructors have between 10 to 30 years of training and teaching experience and are vetted at the highest levels in Israel and the US.