Embarking on a martial arts journey is a commitment, and for the past two decades, Krav Maga has been a pivotal chapter in my own journey. Starting training at Krav Maga World Wide in 2003 in Dallas, Texas, my path has been one of continuous learning, teaching, and integrating various martial arts influences into Krav Maga.
From various Krav Maga seminars and training in Haganah in Santa Maria, CA, to teaching Krav Maga/Taekwondo in Scottsdale, AZ, as a PE teacher at a private Jewish Day School in 2012, my journey has been enriched by diverse experiences. Further training and certifications, including level 1 from Grand Master Daniel Longoria in Tac Krav Maga and a second Civilian Instructor certification in 2018 from the Krav Maga Federation of America, as well as receiving rank in Warrior Krav Maga, have added layers to my understanding.
Seminars with the renowned Darren Levine and training with Burton Richardson in Knife and Gun Defense for the Street among others have played a crucial role in shaping my views of Krav Maga. These experiences extend beyond traditional Krav Maga, pulling insights from Jiu-Jitsu, Kali, and JKD – my mother art since the early '90s.
Krav Maga, to me, is for a lot simply a self-defense art; to make it a more complete martial art, I integrate elements from Jiu-Jitsu/Submissions Grappling, Kali, Boxing, Muay Thai, and JKD. By merging these disciplines, our First to Fight Retzev Combatives becomes a dynamic and well-rounded martial art, surpassing the confines of mere "Self Defense" or "Self Defense Karate" which a plethora of Krav Maga McDojo's teach.
One crucial aspect that sets our Retzev Combatives apart is the dedication to pressure testing techniques with resisting opponents. This approach ensures that the techniques taught are not just theoretical but have practical applications in real-world scenarios. The integration of resisting opponents in training is essential to refining and validating the effectiveness of the techniques.
While Krav Maga has been a significant part of my journey, my heart remains with JKD, my mother art since the early '90s. Even in my Krav Maga practice, I've maintained my strong side forward JKD Bai Jong Stance, applying and adding JKD influences to my Krav Maga techniques, along with Kali and Submissions Grappling influences.
The quest to make Krav Maga a complete and functional martial art drives my approach. By incorporating these disciplines, I aim to transcend the boundaries of a singular self-defense system, molding our Retzev Combatives into a comprehensive and adaptable martial art.
As I reflect on my over 20 years in Krav Maga, the integration of diverse martial arts influences, constant evolution, and the commitment to pressure testing techniques remain at the core of my practice. In the intersection of JKD, Kali, Krav Maga, and Jiu-Jitsu, you find a harmonious blend that reflects the dynamic nature of martial arts as a whole.
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