Henry is a Graduate level 5 (G5) certified Krav Maga instructor. He has been trained in Israel and Canada by some of the best Krav Maga practitioners in the world including Avi Moyal, Tamir Gilad, Amon Darsa and Haim Sasson.
As an instructor he has been able to participate in the “magic” of Krav Maga and how it can help reach and heal people who have experienced assaults or threats. This “magic” extends to reaching autistic or at risk kids.
Chi is a mild-mannered accountant who started his Krav Maga journey in his late 30s and became an IKMF instructor in his mid-40s – proof that anyone can be good at Krav Maga. He has trained with distinguished teachers such as Avi Moyal and Tamir Gilad.
Chi also enjoys training in Muay Thai.
Nicholas de Kruyff has taught Krav Maga at such varied institutions as as the University of Toronto, IKMF Toronto, Krav Maga Nation, the Miles Nadal JCC, and at local high schools in Scarborough and Pickering. Involved in the martial arts for over twenty years , Nicholas has trained with direct students of Imi Lichtenfield (the founder of Krav Maga) — such distinguished teachers as Avi Moyal, Tamir Gilad, Shlomi Moyal, and Marcus Togerson. He is interested in finding ways for those at risk of harm to be able to defend themselves and walk in peace.
What is Krav Maga?
Krav Maga is Hebrew for Contact Fighting. It is the most effective self-defence system offered today. Krav Maga is easily learned and implemented quickly. This system is accessible to anyone interested in learning self defence techniques in order to protect themselves and those with them.
Krav Maga was founded and developed originally by Imi (Lichtenfeld) Sde –Or. Imi created Krav Maga for the purpose of improving the combat abilities of Israeli IDF soldiers in the early 50’s. Over the years the Krav Maga was further developed by Imi to provide self defence solutions for other sectors as well. Today Krav Maga is providing self defence solutions to the:
What do the letters IKMF mean?
IKMF stands for the International Krav Maga Federation. It is the premier organization offering Krav Maga. IKMF is headed by Avi Moyal, its chairman and head instructor as well as Imi’s direct student. IKMF headquarters are located in Tel Aviv, Israel. It is IKMF’s ongoing desire to reach out to as many individuals around the world to provide them with self defence tools so that everyone may walk in peace.
What are some of the threatening situations that Krav Maga deals with?
To name a few… chokes, bear hugs, punches, sticks, knives and guns. There are a number of variations in each of these categories. For example, chokes on the ground or in a standing position; from the front, side or behind. Students learn the self defence principles for each of these categories. The particular techniques grow out of these principles. Students practice the principles and techniques until they become automatic. In other words they become “muscle memory”.
What are the specific skills that one learns from Krav Maga?
Krav Maga techniques prepare students to function in all circumstances and fighting environments according to their particular needs and situations. Students learn Krav Maga techniques and principles which include:
How is it different from martial arts?
Krav Maga is not martial arts. There are no tournaments, competitions, fighting rings, point system or katas. Krav Maga focuses on self defence principles and techniques used in particular threatening situations. For this reason it is very practical. In a very short period of time a person can learn to defend themselves from a wide variety of threatening situations whatever their physical condition.
I am not athletic. Will that stop me from learning Krav Maga?
Krav Maga is meant for the ordinary person. The techniques leverage natural body reactions to threatening situations. These natural reactions are developed into self defence techniques that are very effective. Krav Maga is not just about punching and kicking. It is also about avoiding threatening situations and how to defuse escalating situations.
I have a hectic schedule. How often do I need to attend to develop effective self defence skills?
Krav Maga is known for the speed in which one acquires self-defence skills. This goal can be achieved by participating in one or two classes per week. In many cases what starts out as a desire to learn basic self-defence skills in the civilian stream turns in a passion for the topic. For these situations IKMF has programs designed to accommodate those who want to go much deeper. There are specialty streams such as law enforcement, 3rd party protection etc.
Does Krav Maga use a belt system like martial arts to measure progress through the ranks?
No, IKMF uses a patch system. After passing a level test students will receive a patch and diploma. The patch is worn on the pants to identify their training level. IKMF manages a grading system based on the following levels:
New students start with the P Level and can work their way through the levels. G levels are usually veteran Krav Maga students who often instructors. Krav Maga Experts are few. They are highly professional instructors who have dedicated their lives and careers to Krav Maga instruction. Each element of the curriculum is based upon real life attack – defence scenarios. Every P or G level includes self defense solutions and counterattacks that derive from such scenarios. As one advances in grading the scenarios become increasingly complex. In addition to the classes for the different levels, IKMF also offers extra curriculum qualifications for Krav Maga students such as seminars & workshops that focus on specific topics such as home invasion or abduction. IKMF makes every effort to keep the syllabus up to date so it is always contemporary and effective.
How long will it take to get proficient? How long will it take me to get to the next level?
At the start of training, students learn the basics which build the foundation for everything else. The first level takes 3-6 months. Each level after that is about 5-6 months, depending on the level of mastery. The goal of Krav-Maga is not becoming a Master; the goal is learn to learn how save your life. Students will most likely leave the first class with something that could save their lives!
I have years of martial arts experience. Can I join the advanced class?
Everyone starts at the beginning. Due to the unique nature of KM, techniques that you have known for years may be slightly different. Even a punch is very specific to KM. Starting at the beginning will build that strong foundation that will enable you to advance through the system knowing that you are learning and absorbing what is being taught.
Am I required to wear a Gi?
No. In Krav Maga the clothing is meant to be as close as possible as to what you would normally wear every day. The official Krav Maga training attire is black pants and Krav Maga t shirt. These are required before the first test.
Do I need to go through the ranking process?
No. You do not have to go through the ranking process. Krav Maga is about learning self defence. Some students benefit from the ranking process as it provides them with specific goals. Other students just want to learn specific self defence techniques. Our schools accommodate both types of students.
Can I get personal training?
Yes. This can be taken at your selected location or at the Krav Maga school. The training content will be determined by your specific needs and goals. Semi-private training is also available, for example with your family, friends or coworkers.
What is Krav Maga for Kids?
The Kids Program enables children to learn self defence techniques in a relatively short period of time. The program has been carefully adapted to their age, physical and emotional levels. Through Krav Maga training children are taught how to recognize threats ranging from bullies and kidnappers. They learn the difference between being threatened and bullied by a classmate or by an unknown adult; their options in each situation and what is the appropriate response.
Krav Maga for the younger kids is mostly taught through games. Games help children develop coordination; follow directions and foster assertiveness. Through games kids are taught how to avoid confrontation and how to defend themselves and escape when necessary. As the children get older training includes fewer games and resembles more the adult curriculum. Children who are trained in Krav Maga learn about commitment and endurance, improve their self esteem, build confidence, respect and discipline. Krav Maga teaches them to appreciate and be proud of their achievements when learning a new technique or passing their grade test.
How old does a child have to be in order to start classes?
Children should be at least 7 years old.
Founder: Imrich (“Imi”) Sde-Or Imrich (“Imi”) Sde-Or (Lichtenfeld) was born on May 26, 1910, to a Hungarian Jewish family in Budapest in the Austro-Hungarian Empire . He grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, with a father who provided him quite an unusual childhood.
Samuel Lichtenfeld, his father, was a chief inspector on the Bratislava police force and a former circus acrobat. With his father’s encouragement, Imi engaged in a wide range of sports, such as swimming, boxing, wrestling and gymnastics. He trained at a Gymnasium owned by his father, who taught self-defense. Imi excelled in wrestling both as contestant an as trainer, Also winning several awards in these fields.
In the mid thirties, Fascist and anti-Semitic groups appeared in Bratislava, threatening to harm the city’s Jewish community there. Imi led a group of former boxers and wrestlers to defend his Jewish neighborhood against the fascist gangs. This group attempted to block the anti-Semitic gangs from entering the Jewish quarter. Encountering as many “street fights” as he did, Imi quickly realized that sport had little in common with real combat and began developing a system of techniques for practical self-defense in life threatening situations.
In 1940 Imi fled the Nazi occupation of his homeland, and boarded the last immigrant ship that succeeded in escaping the Nazis’ clutches. He boarded the vessel “Pencho”, which shipwrecked on the Greek Dodecanese Islands, and arrived to Palestine in 1942. At his arrival, Israel’s early leaders recognized Imi’s fighting abilities and in 1944 he began training fighters in his areas of expertise: physical fitness, swimming, wrestling, use of the knife, and defenses against knife attacks. During this period, Imi trained several elite units of the Hagana and Palmach (striking force of the Hagana and forerunner of the special units of the IDF), including the Pal-Yam, as well as groups of police officers.
After the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the formation of the IDF he became Chief Instructor for Physical Fitness and Krav Maga at the IDF School of Combat Fitness. Imi served in the IDF for about 20 years, during which time he developed and refined his unique method for self-defense and hand-to-hand combat.
In 1964, Imi retired from the Israeli military, and began adapting and modifying Krav-Maga to civilian needs. The method was formulated to suit everyone – men and women, boy or girl, who might need it to save their life or survive an attack while sustaining minimal harm, whatever the background of the attack – criminal, nationalistic, or other. To disseminate his method, Imi established two training centers, one in Tel Aviv and the other in Natanya. He trained teams of krav maga instructors, who were accredited by him and the Israeli Ministry of Education. He also created the Israeli Krav Maga Association in 1978.
Even during his last years, Imi continued to personally supervise the training of those who have attained high ranks in Krav-Maga, and to spend time with the instructors in Israel and abroad. Imi monitored the trainees’ progress and achievements, captivating them with his personality and imparting them with his knowledge and unique personality.
Imi, a most valued teacher and fighter, passed away on the 9th of January 1998, at the age of 88.
