Texas Krav Maga is the Official
Houston Location for Authentic Israeli Krav Maga.
We Are Committed to Providing You with Top-Notch Self Defense Instruction in a Fun, Safe, Upbeat Atmosphere.
We Believe in "Teaching with Integrity" to Insure a Positive and Productive Learning Experience.
History of Krav Maga
Imi Lichtenfeld
Krav Maga was developed in Hungary and Czechoslovakia in the 1930s by Imi Lichtenfeld ("Imi Sde-Or" in Hebrew). Imi, who was already a champion boxer, wrestler and gymnast, first taught his fighting system in Bratislava in order to help protect the Jewish community from Nazi militia. Upon arriving in Palestine, Imi began teaching hand-to-hand combat to the Haganah, the Jewish underground army.
With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Imi became the Chief Instructor of Physical Fitness and Krav Maga at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) School of Combat Fitness. He served in the IDF for about 20 years, during which time he continued to develop and refine his hand-to-hand combat method.
Eyal Yanilov
In 1981, Imi Lichtenfeld asked his senior student and instructor, Eyal Yanilov, to help train the first American group of Krav Maga instructors. Three years later, Imi placed Eyal in charge of preparing the complete and comprehensive series on the Krav Maga discipline (including the official manual). In this capacity, he is in charge of the development, definition, and dissemination of the system.
Mr. Yanilov is the only individual who carries the highest grade ever given by Imi (Master level 3/Expert level 8) and holds the unique "Founder's Diploma of Excellence".
In 1996, two years before Imi's death, he charged Eyal with the formation of the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) --an organization designed to promote, update, and maintain the high standards of Krav Maga.
Larry D. Escher
Larry D. Escher, the Owner and Chief Instructor of Texas Krav Maga, practiced several martial arts for years
before meeting Eyal Yanilov in March 2007.
Larry Escher later took part in the first I.K.M.F. Instructor's Course
ever to be held in the United States and was one of only 3 to complete the entire course.
Texas Krav Maga was started in Houston, TX to continue the high standards of
authentic Krav Maga and extend the lineage of the founder, Imi Lichtenfeld to the good people of Texas.
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