Krav Maga is a belted system, as are many martial arts systems, but is different in many significant ways. Krav Maga is an open system, that is, it grows and changes as new ideas and methods are developed, tested, approved and disseminated. It incorporates useful methods from other martial systems.

Krav Maga is very attractive to men and women of all ages and in various states of physical fitness. It depends on speed and leverage over brute strength. It uses natural instinctive reaction over complicated choreography. Krav Maga is focused on the needs of ordinary people in real-life circumstances. It teaches reality self defense, not what you might see on TV or in movies. In your first 8-week session, you will learn many ways to avoid trouble, defend yourself if needed and safely evade dangerous situations.

As a beginner, you will learn the very basics, like how to make a fist and how to punch, to more complicated actions like defending against choke holds and headlocks. You will learn hard techniques, "combatives," as well as some soft techniques. You will learn to use your fists and elbows, feet and knees as well as common objects like keys and coffee (this is Seattle, after all), but most of all you will learn to use your head.

Avoiding trouble is the best policy. You do this by being aware of your surroundings, moving purposefully within those surroundings rather than just schlepping along unconscious to who and what are around you. The First Rule of Krav Maga is "Don't get hurt!" Krav Maga teaches situational awareness as a means of avoiding problems.

Intermediate and advanced classes teach further fighting skills, additional defenses against personal assault, ground fighting techniques and weapons defenses. Training is conducted using realistic, but fake, knives and guns, as well as sticks. (NEVER use real weapons for training!)

Who Teaches It In Seattle?

Jay Pachl has taught Krav Maga since 19??, and has taught in Seattle since 1998 (?). You can find out more about Krav Maga Seattle. Jay holds a 1st degree black belt, and is certified as an instructor through the Wingate Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel. He has trained XX students from all walks of life including police and security personnel, school teachers, housewives, office workers, software engineers, (ADD MORE). His youngest student was 15 years old, his oldest ??.

Jay was primarily trained by Jonathan Pascal in LA. You can find out more about the National Training Center. Jonathan was trained by Darren Levine, the leader of Krav Maga in the US. Darren trained directly under Imi. So, Seattle's Krav Maga training is pretty closely to the founders in Israel!