Krav Maga was developed from street fighting techniques used against Nazi thugs in Eastern Europe during the 1930s.
The Israeli Army later adapted it to train their soldiers to survive in some of the most hostile environments on the planet.
Techniques focus on self defence including simple violence de-escalation, defending against weapons and protection against multiple attackers.
Krav Maga is not classified as a sport or a martial art but as a fighting system.
Ron Engleman is hoping the lessons he teaches at the Krav Maga Defence Institute will enable the people of the Sutherland Shire how to defend themselves from attack as well as be able to get themselves out of dangerous situations.
“Most martial arts teach you how to win and engage,” explained Master Sergeant Ron Engleman the founder of the Krav Maga Defence Institute.
“We teach you how to disengage.
“If possible we want to avoid fights. If there is no choice, we go in - our goal is to get home in once piece and disengage.”
This attitude of makes it a perfect activity for teenagers.
While most martial arts focusing on winning fights, Krav Maga is all about being able to control a situation and disengage from danger safely.
The studio at Caringbah includes a specific self defence program for both adults and teenagers and adds the skills of leadership and confidence-building classes for teenagers.
We teach young people leadership, assertiveness and how to take responsibility for those around them,” said Sergeant Engleman. Engelman, a Master Sergeant in the Israeli Army and counter-terrorism expert, said krav maga was not about winning a match but escaping violence. “It is not focused on winning fights or defeating an opponent. Krav maga is about getting the job done and going home in one piece. “We win by getting home safely,” he said. Adults and teen classes are run year round from the Krav Maga Defence Institute in Caringbah. “We opened the doors in Caringbah in June 2017 and since then the response from community has been huge. We’ve had a lot of people join and train with us. We have 120 members at the moment and many more who attend workshops.”
Master Sergeant Engleman encourages everyone in the community to come along and try the techniques for themselves.