A PARADIGM SHIFT. SELF-DEFENSE HAS CHANGED. FOR GOOD.

Mike is a seriously dedicated and driven instructor. His passion for teaching as well as learning self-defense tactics can easily be seen when training with him. In addition to Krav Maga, Mike is also a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. With experience in three different disciplines, his approach to teaching self-defense is both well-rounded and practical.

Courtney discovered Krav Maga in high school, and that was it really! Krav Maga has informed the bigger part of her life decisions ever since. When not on the mat, Courtney works as a corporate security expert, and has provided security, intelligence emergency & crisis management to high-profile companies around the globe. So it probably won’t surprise you that Courtney is a NY State Certified Crime Analyst and holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice -Criminology & Deviance & Police Administration. Power. Woman.

Jonathan’s Krav Maga journey started in 2017 when he had a life-threatening experience on the subway that shook his ground. Nobody understands the life changing impact of KMI’s self-defense training better than him. Or how the Krav Maga approach to awareness, discipline and confidence transforms your mindset and helps you regain power and control. Four years of intensive training later, Jonathan is a qualified KMI instructor with a unique ability to understand and empower his students and help them become their most confident selves.

Though a born and bred New Yorker, Kristi’s Krav Maga journey began in Sydney, Australia. Initially drawn to Krav’s focus on practicality and real-world application, she found that the knowledge and skills she gained while training instilled a powerful sense of self-reliance and strength–something she wanted to bring home, and now after joining KMI’s team of instructors, pass on to her students.

Kristi also found that Krav Maga offered flexibility that many martial arts lack; recognizing that techniques are often not one-size-fits-all, it was important that they could be effectively adapted to the practitioner. She strives to make her classes approachable and relevant for all ages, sizes, and abilities, and will meet her students where they are while challenging them to continually improve and grow in their skills and confidence.

Howard has been with the Krav Maga Institute for over 3-years. He was dedicated to practicing, even through the worst parts of the Covid-19 pandemic. KMI’s focus on practical self defense rather than vanity exercises and techniques drew him in.

He joined the Instructor program after getting to know the KMI team that make up the KMI family and their philosophy on self defense. Prior to KMI, Howard was at another New York based Krav Maga school for 5-years. Growing up in rough neighborhoods, Howard has had a life long obsession with self defense and dealing with sudden acts of violence.

Shownyay discovered Krav Maga On the Discovery Channel – literally! He was watching a show about the 25 top martial arts, and Krav Maga came in at number 3. He was already a driven self-defense expert and decided to give it a go. Fast forward 10 years, when a friend introduced him to KMI and he joined our pack. Today Shownyay has grown from dedicated student to dedicated instructor and plays an important part in the fellowship he says changed his life in ways he could never imagine. He brings to the table techniques from his previous training and life experiences relatable to students creating their own path in self-protection.

Jomar’s background is in Judo, having been part of the national Judo team in Puerto Rico. His curiosity about Krav Maga began after reading a story about someone surviving multiple attackers. As a merchant marine traveling worldwide and encountering dangerous situations, Jomar’s interest in Krav Maga grew due to its practical, real-life approach. Several years ago, he found KMI and started practicing regularly. In addition to his martial arts practice, Jomar is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, which has further deepened his understanding of combat and self-defense.

Gerardo is a dedicated and dynamic Krav Maga instructor certified by Tactica KMI in 2022. Drawing from his deep immersion in Muay Thai, Gerardo brings a comprehensive understanding of striking, kicking, and the devastating power of short-range weapons like elbows and knees to his students. His training with top self-defense experts across New York City has refined his approach, blending the precision of Muay Thai with the practicality of Krav Maga.

As an instructor, Gerardo is committed to empowering his students with the skills and confidence needed to handle real-world threats. His passion for martial arts extends beyond teaching—he continues to train and expand his expertise, constantly evolving to enhance his instruction and personal growth. Inspired by his desire to build his daughter’s confidence, Gerardo is on a mission to instill the same resilience and self-assurance in every student.

Outside the mats, Gerardo applies his analytical skills as a quantitative researcher in the finance industry, bringing a unique blend of discipline, focus, and strategic thinking to his teaching style.

Bruno is a life long practioner of Martial Arts, starting out with Karate back in High-School, followed by Ninjutsu, and Taekwondo. Bruno fell in love with the practicality and simplicity of Krav Maga while lecturing in France briefly before moving to NYC. In New York he continued his study of Krav Maga by joining KMI in 2016, eventually becoming an intructor in 2022. Bruno combines lessons and approaches from his previous martial arts experience to meet students at their level and help them grow their skills, self-confidence, and ability to defend themselves and their loved ones.

Iryna is a passionate Krav Maga instructor whose martial arts journey began at age 17 with kickboxing. Driven by a desire to master effective self-defense techniques, she discovered Krav Maga, drawn to its practical and powerful approach to personal protection.

Beyond the training mat, Iryna is a multi-faceted entrepreneur who successfully manages her family business while pursuing her creative passions. She is an accomplished pianist and children’s book author whose love for travel takes her to destinations around the world.

As a Krav Maga instructor, she combines her extensive martial arts background with her natural teaching abilities to empower others with essential self-defense skills, making a meaningful impact in her students’ lives.

Patrick is KMI’s founder and one of the most experienced instructors working in the USA today. He’s a second generation instructor of Imi Lichtenfeld, certified directly by Imi’s most senior instructor. Patrick was educated at the University of Cambridge, he has served in the military and worked as an attorney before moving to New York City and developing the system for modern urban living including the addition of conflict communication and strategy. Patrick has practiced Krav Maga and other self-defense and fighting systems for over 20 years. He was one of the original Krav Maga pioneers in NYC.