The art of Krav Maga was founded by Imi Lichtenfeld (Sde-Or). Imi was born in Bratislava to a renowned police officer and circus acrobat. As a child, Imi excelled in various sports such as wrestling and boxing and practiced several martial arts. When anti-semite riots began to spread through his home town Imi and his family were forced to immigrate to Israel (Palestine at the time).
In 1948, Once Israel had declared it’s independence, IDF’s (Israeli Defense Force) officials approached Imi and requested him to develop a system of self defense and fighting based upon his experience and his work with special forces units as the ‘Hagana’, ‘Palmach’ and ‘Palyam’.
During his 20 years of service as chief instructor of hand-to-hand combat, Imi carefully refined the methods of Krav Maga, Making it the official combative training for all military personnel, Israeli police and security forces. Imi developed a doctrine enabling both fit and out-of-shape soldiers to practice it successfully. Rather than rigid movements and techniques requiring years of training Krav Maga integrated instinctive and simple moves accessible to all.
In 1964 Imi retired from the IDF and continued teaching Krav Maga to civilians, as well as law enforcement units and military applications. The Krav Maga association was founded by Imi and several of his students in 1978, aiming to promote KM’s unique techniques locally and throughout the world.
When the teaching of Krav Maga (KM) started to spread beyond the borders of Israel, arose a need to found an international organization. This happened mostly because the initial KM association existing at the time was divided and not functioning efficiently, due to dissension amongst the higher graded instructors. Imi resulted in forming a new international KM federation with the support of his most loyal students and respected instructors, among which IKMF’s chairman, Avi Moyal.
We believe self-defense training starts with excellent physical fitness. In order to fight and defend oneself and in the spirit of the founding tenants of Krav Maga, fitness is a necessary part of training to be fit enough to use the techniques or to escape a situation successfully. Watchdog Krav Maga school doesn’t just provide you the techniques to use to protect yourself, but also the fitness training to prepare you for those techniques. Intimidated? Don’t be—we are a family at Watchdog Krav Maga. Everyone works together to help each other achieve. We praise success and encourage growth. The small class sizes advocated by the Instructor help to foster the family environment everyone at Watchdog loves.
Strength Training
Are you looking for a complete gym with trainers, classes and full-featured equipment?
Membership includes access to all of our training facilities and classes with no hidden add-ons.
Self-Defense
Do you want to learn how to fight and stay physically and mentally fit?
The Krav Maga fighting systems is the easiest to learn and most effective fighting system in the world.
Weapons Defense
Worried about what to do to keep your family safe in an emergency?
Active shooter, gun and knife defense classes teach you how to recognize and neutralize a threat to get you home safe.
Personal Training
Looking for one-on-one instruction to help you hone your techniques?
Our trainers are on-hand and ready to take your fighting skills, physical and mental toughness to the next level!
Women's Classes
In search of self-defense training techniques just for women and girls?
Join us for our Women only Stay Away multi-week seminars, specifically designed for women to defend against an attacker.
Kids Self-Defense
Want to make sure your child knows how to protect themselves when you are not there to protect them?
Our kids Krav classes are crafted for kids and teens to deal with bullying that builds confidence and helps teach methods to avoid conflict.
“Brian is a fantastic teacher that is great for adults and children! He is patient and positive with a dedicated focus on helping others. Brian has tremendous knowledge in the martial arts and an established reputation. You cant find a better instructor for you or your children than Brian.”
“Brian is a really great Instructor. I was looking for some self defense that made sense in today's world, and Brian delivered 100%. If you're looking for practical self defense and a really knowledgeable Instructor who teaches fun and exciting classes then this is the place for you.”
“Watchdog Krav Maga is a fantastic place to learn how to defend yourself in real life situations. Having been in a dangerous situation myself prior to joining, I learned how to deal with the problem and what to do should it happen again. Brian is a talented, professional teacher and makes learning Krav Maga fun and easy to understand. I only wish I had known about this place sooner! This place and the people are a family and you instantly feel comfortable with the other students and the atmosphere. Aside from Watchdog Krav Maga being a place to learn how to defend yourself using Krav Maga and/or Hapkido, it is also a great way to ether get into shape or keep up that figure you want to maintain. Out of 5 stars I give this place 6!”
“I came to Brian in February of 2013...he worked with me carefully and kept a close eye on me, just like he does on all his students. He knew what me limits were and how far to push me, and he understands what his students are and are not capable of.
To me, this is what a great coach does. Not only has Brian helped me develop my martial arts skills, he has helped heal me when no doctors or medicine could.
And for this, I am forever grateful. Thanks Brian!”
If you’ve been thinking about starting martial arts program or are looking to take your training to the next level, Watchdog Krav Maga can help you reach your goals.