The history of Israeli Fighting systems dates back to 1919, with the implementation of the British Mandate. In this same year the Jewish people formed an underground army known as the Haganah (the Hebrew word for defense) to deal with the ongoing conflict with various terrorist gangs, and in anticipation of the creation of a Jewish state promised to them by the British in the Balfour Declaration. Throughout its existence since that time, the little region in the Middle East now known as Israel has had to fight daily in order to survive.
Completely surrounded by its enemies at all times, it has always been totally outnumbered in its battles. In response to these overwhelming odds, the Israelis developed systems of combat that had at their core a particular emphasis on mental toughness, versatility, innovation and practicality.
The formalities of traditional defense systems were abandoned, in favor of methodologies that valued rapid and instinctive learning. These philosophies helped Israel and its citizens to survive in the face of constant aggression and to form one of the most respected armies in the world.
Currently there are several forms of Israeli Fighting Systems in existence, each with the common thread of survival and reality based techniques as their main emphasis. Some are used for basic infantry (ordinary Krav Maga) within the Israeli Defense Forces, while others are reserved for more elite units within the Special Forces (Commando KRAV MAGA, KAPAP, Lotar etc.).
In the seventies Moni Aizik, then a senior member of one of the most elite commando units (Sayaret ), was approached by senior Commando staff to improve upon the already existing system of close quarter combat for the elite units. The system that Moni developed at that time, incorporating Jiu Jitsu, Israeli and various other fighting styles, kept evolving into what is now referred to as Commando Krav Maga.
CKM combines the most useful elements taught to one of the toughest militaries in the world, the Israeli Special Forces, with the no holds barred octagon environment (like the UFC), and Olympic level martial arts and mental training. The goal of CKM is to teach anyone how to survive and be a winner on the street and in life.
Until very recently Moni taught CKM exclusively to special military groups around the world. However, on account of a growing demand from civilian groups, Moni agreed to start teaching civilians for the first time in his career. Now finally even civilians can learn the most elite Israeli commando units’ techniques for armed and unarmed combat.
Israeli Fighting systems have been successfully used for decades by Israeli Special Forces, FBI SWAT, Argentinean GOE, U.S. Marshals, Brazilian GATE, the American Military, U.S. Border Patrol, Helsinki Police, the British TSG, high profile bodyguards, counter-terrorist police units, and SWAT units from around the world.
Despite the no nonsense reputation of Commando Krav Maga, the system also has at its core basic tenets that help guide individuals throughout their daily living. The same way its country of origin has had to overcome severe limitations and weaknesses in order to survive, Commando Krav Maga helps empower the individual with the requisite mental and emotional tools (in addition to the obvious technical and physical ones), that help one to properly navigate through life’s difficulties. As such, in CKM students are taught to go beyond the physical and explore a side of their consciousness they are not used to confronting.
It is in this way that the system helps deal with the many challenges one can encounter in the day to day. Fundamental to this idea is the awareness of one’s limitations and strengths. It is the consciousness of those limitations that makes us humble as individuals, another major value inherent to the system, but it is the overcoming of those limitations that give confidence and an indomitable spirit when facing future obstacles. The constant emphasis on pushing forward no matter the odds reflects a can do attitude, and one of continuous improvement.
The training for CKM places particular emphasis on a positive state of mind as an approach to everything in life. As such the attitude is not ‘everything good or bad happens for a reason’, but to quote Moni Aizik, “When Nothing is for sure, everything is possible!” It is this philosophy that helps develop survivors on the battlefield, champions in the ring, and winners in life. In order to be a winner, you have to think like a winner.
You have to have a positive outlook, and never, ever give up. And, irrespective of the outcome of life’s challenges, it is from this constant struggle of facing obstacles that character and confidence is developed. Not a shell that exists to impress others, but true inner strength that comes from a well defined and well developed sense of self.
One way of exercising this inner strength is by participating in a daily workout (physical or mental) that challenges the individual psyche. One should strive to partake in as rigorous a mental or physical training regime that one can, and in so doing continually develop character at any age in life. As such, the abuse of any substances is to be avoided, and the enjoying of life’s pleasures done so in moderation.
This approach to life is very much a balanced path, one that is easy to veer from and one
that takes time to completely internalize and master, but consistent and diligent training in facilitates the development of the required skills on this journey to self-mastery.