What is Krav Maga? The one-minute answer
Krav Maga is a self-defence system from Israel. The name means "contact combat" in Hebrew. It was built for one purpose: to get you out of danger. Not to win a match. Not to earn a belt.
- Designed to be learned quickly and used under stress.
- Built on simple, instinctive moves that work for any body type.
- Starts with awareness, avoidance and escape, and teaches you to fight back when you have no other choice.
Where it came from
Krav Maga was created by Imi Lichtenfeld, who built it from lessons learned in real fights and spent his life making it simple enough for ordinary people to learn.
- 1930s, Bratislava
Imi Lichtenfeld, born in 1910, grew up in Bratislava in a family of athletes. He was a successful boxer and wrestler. When anti-Jewish riots broke out in the 1930s, he used his skills to help defend his community, and learned how different real street violence is from the sport hall.
- 1940s, a new army
In what became Israel, Imi trained fighters of the Haganah, Palmach and Palyam. After Israel was founded in 1948, he became chief instructor of physical fitness and hand-to-hand combat for the new army, and spent about twenty years refining the system.
- The idea
Take the most practical techniques from boxing, wrestling and street fighting, and make them simple enough to teach quickly to ordinary people, including conscripts with little training time.
- 1964 onwards, civilians
After leaving the army, Imi adapted Krav Maga for civilians. The Israeli Krav Maga association was founded in 1978, and the system spread around the world.
- Today
Krav Maga is taught worldwide to civilians, and used by police and security forces. At Raw Krav Maga we teach it in Chennai and Coimbatore, to adults, women, kids and working teams.
The principles behind it
Awareness first
Notice trouble early and avoid it. The best fight is the one you are not in.
Simple, natural moves
We train what your body already does under stress, like flinching and covering up, so it works for you.
Defend and attack together
You do not wait for your turn. Defence and counter-attack happen at the same moment.
Economy of movement
No decoration, no wasted motion. Every move has a reason.
Escape and safety
The goal is to stop the threat and get away, not to stay and fight.
Use what you have
Krav Maga is built around real life: tight spaces, everyday objects and sudden surprises.
Stress built in
Drills raise the pressure so you learn to function when your heart is racing.
What it feels like to train
Beginners learn essential strikes, defensive moves and situational awareness. These skills are simple and usable from the first class. Intermediate and advanced students go deeper into defence against armed threats and multiple attackers, with high-stress drills that build resilience. Everyone trains in a serious, supportive group and moves ahead at their own pace.
Why Krav Maga and not a martial art?
Traditional martial arts build discipline, fitness and real skill, and many people love them. They are usually built for other goals: sport, tradition, mastery of a craft. Krav Maga has a different goal.
| Traditional martial arts (typical) | Krav Maga | |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Sport, tradition, personal growth | Self-defence and survival |
| Rules | Competition rules and scoring | No rules, no scoring |
| Progress | Belts and gradings over years | Practical skills from the first classes |
| Training | Set forms and sparring | Realistic scenarios under stress |
| Threats covered | Usually one opponent, face to face | Multiple attackers, weapons, surprise |
| Success means | Winning | Getting home safe |
Schools vary, so this is a general picture. If you love a traditional art, keep it. Krav Maga adds a different layer.
Common myths
Myth: you need to be fit first
Reality: you build fitness as you train. Beginners are welcome at every level.
Myth: it is only for men or fighters
Reality: it was built for ordinary people. The techniques work whatever your size or strength.
Myth: it is all about fighting
Reality: awareness, avoidance and escape come first. Fighting back is the last option.
Myth: it is too rough for women or kids
Reality: we teach each group at the right level, step by step, under close instructor watch.
It helps outside the studio too
Staying in control when adrenaline spikes helps in a threat. It also helps in a tense meeting, an exam hall or a high-stakes decision. That is why companies train with us. See our corporate programmes.
One honest line
No system makes you invincible. What Krav Maga gives you is awareness, control and practised options, and that changes how you carry yourself.
Why I teach Krav Maga
In 2009 I came across Krav Maga and began training. It was a different way to approach self-defence, and not the traditional way. I have been teaching it since 2014.
It treats every situation as a real fight. It trains the stress and the mind. It keeps the fight short and simple. You hit where it hurts, and it brings the aggression a real fight demands. That is what I teach, as it is, with no added flavour.
Gopal Raghavan, founder
Who it is for
Adults
Weekend classes in Chennai. See classes.
Women
Practical personal safety. See women's self-defence.
Kids
Junior Warriors. See Junior Warriors.
Teams
Corporate programmes. See corporate programmes.
How to learn Krav Maga in Chennai
You can learn Krav Maga in Chennai with Raw Krav Maga: weekend Krav Maga classes for adults, women and kids, Junior Warriors for ages 6 to 15, and short workshops and boot camps. Beginners are welcome, and your first class is free. Companies can also bring us in for corporate workshops for their teams.
Krav Maga: frequently asked questions
Is Krav Maga good for self-defence and suitable for beginners?
Yes. It is taught to people with no martial arts background. Techniques are simple, built on natural reactions, and learned step by step.
Is Krav Maga a martial art?
It is usually called a self-defence system. It borrows from boxing, wrestling and other styles, but its goal is safety, not sport or tradition.
Is Krav Maga only taught in Israel?
It was created in Israel and is now taught around the world, to civilians and to police and security forces.
Do I need to be fit?
No. You build fitness as you train.
Is training dangerous?
Training is controlled. Techniques are taught step by step, with safety gear, clear space, mats and close instructor watch.
How long until I feel confident?
Many students feel more confident within the first few weeks. Real skill builds with regular practice.
Does it work against weapons?
We teach defences against armed threats at intermediate and advanced levels. Our advice is always to avoid the situation or get away first.
Is it too aggressive?
Krav Maga trains controlled aggression: the drive to protect yourself and stop a threat, practised under supervision. The first goal is always to avoid trouble and get away.