krav maga

Historical background

Krav Maga, considered to be one of the most effective and popular self-defense systems in the world, traces its origins back to the mid-20th century. Developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, a Hungarian-born martial artist, Krav Maga emerged as a response to the rise of antisemitic violence in Europe. His experience in boxing and wrestling, which he shifted from sports to survival instruments, laid the foundations for a self-defense system that is faster to learn and highly effective for modern adversaries.

 

Krav Maga, meaning "contact combat" in Hebrew, became famous for its practical approach, which made it valuable not only for civilians but also for military and law enforcement officers. Although Krav Maga might not be considered a martial art in the way other systems are, like Karate, Gung-Fu, and others, nowadays Krav Maga includes much more than self-defense techniques. In the spirit of Imi’s motto, “So that one may walk in peace”, Krav Maga advocates a holistic set of principles and values, and in Derech, we emphasize four core values:

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• Non-violent conflict resolution – given its notorious reputation, it might seem paradoxical to discuss Krav Maga in the context of non-violent conflict resolution, but there is an underlying alignment between Krav Maga principles and the ideals of resolving conflicts without resorting to violence. It starts with the “last resort mentality”: the lethality of Krav Maga techniques demands the highest degree of caution, and hence it emphasizes the importance of using force only when all other options fail. Essentially, Krav Maga practitioners are encouraged to explore all peaceful avenues for resolving conflicts. For that, Krav Maga trainings focus on developing different levels of awareness, including environmental, situational, and interpersonal awareness, with the aim of recognizing potential threats before they escalate into violence. By using awareness-building exercises, developing proper communication skills, and teaching individuals to identify triggers and de-escalate tensions proactively, Krav Maga promotes non-violent conflict resolution.

• Pragmatism – Krav Maga was developed as a system that aims to provide effective tools for inexperienced, often underskilled individuals. As such, Krav Maga techniques are straightforward, economical, and effective in quickly neutralizing threats. It is tuned for developing instinctive responses and leveraging natural reflexes, resulting in simple and instinctive movements that are easier to learn and apply under stress. 

• Communal responsibility – while at its core, Krav Maga promotes self-reliance and empowerment, practitioners are not only responsible for their own safety but also for protecting those around them, fostering a sense of collective responsibility. In crisis situations, individuals trained in Krav Maga are expected to act as first responders, providing immediate assistance until professional help arrives. Moreover, Krav Maga practitioners are expected to serve as role models within their communities, demonstrating the values of responsibility, courage, and resilience. By leading-by-example and actively engaging in efforts to promote safety and security, Krav Maga practitioners inspire others to take ownership of their community's well-being and contribute to its collective welfare. 

• Creativity – different definitions of creativity converge on the ability to use existing knowledge to create new ideas. Imi didn’t invent a new type of defense or counterattacks, but rather modified elements from different martial arts in a way that fit the needs he perceived as critical. By “keeping what works and removing what doesn’t”, Krav Maga encourages the development of innovative techniques and training methods, achieved by constant evaluation and reality testing. Using dynamic and unpredictable training environments, a focus on mental stress, and the integration of elements from other martial arts are only a few examples of creativity in Krav Maga. 

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Krav Maga at Derech

Focusing on Krav Maga teaching methodologies, Derech prioritizes real-life scenarios and solutions based on realistic human behaviors. By relying on the above four core principles, Derech allows practitioners to explore their own limits in a safe and supportive environment.

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