New York’s First Officially-Recognized Studio Teaching Self-Defense Secrets of the World’s Deadliest Fighters
Classes and Demo Also Available at Jewish Community Center
NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire/ — The Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA), the teaching organization founded by Krav Maga creator
Imi Lichtenfeld, announced today the opening of the first studio in New York City dedicated to teaching the officially-sanctioned system of hand-to-hand combat of the Israeli armed forces. Once known only to Israeli commandos and secret agents, Krav Maga techniques have been adopted by the Department of Homeland Security (air marshals), metropolitan police departments, the U.S. Marine Corps and Secret Service.
The IKMA studio at Madison Avenue and 33rd Street now offers classes for men, women and children taught by
James Sherman, one of only six Americans certified to teach the legendary fighting art. James also teaches at the Jewish Community Center on the Upper West Side. The first 100 people to register at www.kravmagaikma.com will receive a free lesson. See full schedule of classes below.
Krav Maga, which means “close combat” in Hebrew, is ideal for self defense regardless of the student’s size, strength or fitness. Techniques are simple and practical, emphasizing natural reflexes in realistic training scenarios e.g., multiple attackers or defense against a bat, knife, gun or other weapon. Krav Maga teaches simultaneous defense and attack as well as threat de-escalation and avoidance. It’s a great way to get in shape by building awareness, speed, strength, power, endurance, body conditioning, balance, coordination and flexibility.
IKMA Israeli Krav Maga Comes to New York
“This is bad news for street criminals because Israeli Krav Maga is the ultimate form of self-defense,” said
James Sherman. “It’s simple, effective and is changing the way people are training — kravists feel fit, confident and deadly.”
James is a four-time graduate of IKMA’s grueling training camps for elite instructors in Israel and was trained by Grandmaster Haim Gidon, who succeeded Krav Maga founder
Imi Lichtenfeld as head of IKMA. James is a former investment banker, Boston University football player and New York Sevens Rugby Champion.
The Amazing Story of Israeli Krav Maga
Krav Maga was born on streets of Bratislava in pre-World War II Czechoslovakia when an accomplished boxer, wrestler and gymnast named Imrich “Imi” Lichtenfeld came to the defense of Jewish neighbors menaced by fascist gangs. Lichtenfeld escaped the Nazi occupation and taught combat fighting to the forerunners of Israel’s Special Forces in the Jewish underground army. When the state of Israel was formed, Lichtenfeld became the Chief Instructor for Physical Fitness and Krav Maga at the Israeli Defense Forces School of Combat Fitness.
Over the years, the historic exploits of its practitioners made Israeli Krav Maga famous for deadly efficiency. In 1978, Imi and his top students founded the Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA), the Israeli Government’s officially-recognized Krav Maga organization. When Imi died in 1998,
Haim Gidon, his student of 28 years and a veteran of the Yom Kippur War, was elected IKMA Chairman and Grandmaster. Today, Grandmaster Gidon and the IKMA continue to develop new techniques and provide training to armed forces, law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world.
Schedule
At IKMA Association Studio (Madison & 33rd Street: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM and every other Saturday at 11:00 AM. At the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan: Tuesdays at 7:00 AM and 9:15 PM and Thursdays at 7:00 AM.
Private instruction also available. The first 100 people to register at www.kravmagaikma.com will receive a complimentary lesson. Note: James will present an interactive demonstration at the Tikkun at the JCC of Manhattan on May 29th.
Contact:
Andrei Bogolubov, NEWPR Group 917-849-9300 Andrei.bogolubov@newprgroup.com
SOURCE Israeli Krav Maga Association
