What Is Krav Maga?

If you're here, you're probably asking the question that we hear whenever we talk about what we do.

"So what is Krav Maga?"

Krav Maga (Hebrew for "Contact Combat") was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld (Sde-Or), a boxer and gymnast in Hungary. While anti-Semitism began to grow in Europe, Imi joined his boxing companions in defending his Jewish neighborhood from racist gangs. Through these fights he realized that training for sports and real life fighting had nothing in common and began developing a system of self-defense.

After moving from Hungary to Israel, he first began training the Haganah and eventually the Israeli Defense Forces after the creation of the state of Israel. After he retired from the

Valley Self-Defense is a proud member of the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF), the largest Krav Maga organization around the world. Headed by one of Imi's students, Avi Moyal, the IKMF has schools around the world and has Krav Maga divisions that include Kids, Women, Civilian, Military, Law Enforcement, and the newest branch, Adaptive to teach Krav Maga to those who are differently-abled.

Now that you know a little bit about the history, here's what Krav Maga both is and isn't.

Krav Maga is a system of self-defense - not a martial art:

While Krav Maga incorporates moves from traditional martial arts, such as jiu jitsu, aikido, and boxing, it doesn't consider itself a martial art. Traditional martial arts often focus on technique and competition. Now, Krav Maga also focuses on technique, but technique isn't as sacred as it often can be in other martial arts.

In the end, Krav Maga is about using your natural reactions to protect yourself from an attack by one or multiple people.

That's cute, but I'm not looking for a fight.

In Krav Maga, the first thing we emphasize is RUN! If you can avoid a confrontation, that is the best thing you can do. The best way to win a fight? Don't get in one! Krav Maga is for when you've done everything you can to avoid a fight, but you find yourself in one any way.

I've seen videos on YouTube of Krav Maga and it is terrifying. I don't think it's for me:

We've heard this multiple times and we understand - most of us don't grow up fighting. And depending on how you were raised, aggression may have been actively discouraged. We are here to work with you, no matter where you are on your self-defense journey.

For those who have experienced trauma and are looking for a way to empower yourself, all of our instructors have been trained in trauma-informed care and how to best help someone who has experienced a harmful and stressful situation feel comfortable at our gym.

I am not in shape. I can't do Krav Maga:

Krav Maga is designed specifically to be used no matter your age or your fitness level. One of our favorite things about the International Krav Maga Federation is that, if they find that a technique might not work due to someone's mobility, flexibility, or strength, they will change it to make it more accessible to as many people as possible.

Now, we'll still make you run - our main goal is to make you harder to harm - but all we are looking for is resiliency. Do you not give up, even if that means walking? If so, we know you'll fit in with our little Krav Maga community.

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Krav Maga near me? There is! If you're looking for a Krav Maga class near you, Valley Self-Defense is a proud member of the International Krav Maga Federation with schools located across the United States. To find a school near you, visit the IKMF USA website.

Is your real estate agency in Minnesota and interested in learning some Krav Maga? Valley Self-Defense can create a customized plan for your office and agents. To learn more, you can email us at valleyselfdefense@gmail.com.

Interested in a self-defense weapon? There are plenty of options on the market, but before you buy, make sure you know the legal status in your state.

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