Krav Maga San Diego, Inc. - La Jolla, California

William Corns

I have trained in multiple disciplines before coming to Krav Maga. It took me a while to sign up due to my schedule, but I am so glad that I did. Krav Maga San Diego was mentioned to me by one of the instructors that participated in a military style event held in San Diego. After attending my first session I can say that I will be a long time student at KMSD. Their curriculum is thorough and provides a great base for being proficient in defending oneself.

KMSD had competent instructors that have gone through the ranks and have earned their place in the Krav Maga society. Providing their students with real world scenarios, proper instruction on techniques, and a true passion to make everyone better that attends the classes. I particularly enjoy that the instructors make each person in the class an instructor. This helps raise the level of the students training and allows the students to keep themselves honest.

I cannot say enough good things about KMSD. I hope that if you are looking for a great way to defend yourself and to stay true to Krav Maga that you choose KMSD.

Will

Demir Oral

In 2005 I was very overweight. After speaking to a friend about self-defense and wanting to lose weight, he recommended that along with running and diet I take Krav Maga. I started taking Krav Maga with Dana and his fellow instructors at Krav Maga San Diego. In that summer I gained a significant knowledge on how to defend myself properly, and lost about 30lbs. As I was going to college in another city during that period, I decided to enroll myself in a local Krav Maga course in that city. I can tell you with as little bias as possible that the KMSD system is far better than the Krav Maga I took elsewhere. Outside of the superior instruction and environment, most Krav Maga gyms allow anyone to come in at any time during the course. This means that you could be practicing the same move for a week or two, rather than learning new techniques. With KMSD's 8-week session, you are constantly learning something new.

Timothy Johnson

I just completed my first 8 week training session at KMSD and I couldn’t be happier. Before signing up with KMSD I researched other Krav Maga options in San Diego, but based on the training description and info on their website I chose KMSD. The instructors are great. They’re very positive and provide great feedback. The training is challenging, realistic and serious but fun. Everyone is very friendly and supportive. As this was my first session it was awesome how helpful the more experienced students were during training. I look forward to continuing my training at Krav Maga San Diego.

Tyler Bacarro

Over the past 4 years I have lived in San Diego, I have trained on and off with Krav Maga San Diego. I always find my way back and really enjoy the program; while training in other programs I just couldn't find myself focused in them (too much repetition). Although Krav Maga is fun and enjoyable, it is not by any means for the faint of heart; everyone is expected to push themselves, work out hard, and help grow the program. They have knowledgeable instructors who each have their own perspectives on techniques to help one grasp it better and acclimate it into your everyday life. These instructors really care about the program and very happy to work with students to keep them training (not just there for the money). Also, students are called by their first name and not just some thought of as a number for some quota. All students no matter your "rank" or level are there to assist you with noticing errors in their partners during training; helping to instruct each other. I am a very detailed person and enjoy watching my partner learning new techniques just as much if not more than learning new ones myself (noticing errors in others will give you an awareness of errors you may be making). Krav Maga San Diego always keeps you on your toes with no day being like the day before and no session identical to the last. This program changes the way you see life situations and prepares ALL types of people to be confident in self-defense. No matter who you are, what skill level you have, or your fitness level I truly believe KMSD will push you to your limits and beyond. I have had the opportunity to assist volunteering at women's self-defense seminars, teen seminars, and session testings and appreciate everything Krav Maga San Digeo has done to add to my life. I look forward to continuing my training in the future!

Nadeem Khan

Hi, I'm coming to San Diego in the month of July and looking forward to train hard in Krav Maga. Looking forward to earn black belt and also do an instructor course. It's been 2 months now I've been struggling to get the best training academy. I spoke to many people who are well known in Krav Maga and they all have suggested me this one place. Now, that I know I have to come to this academy I started doing some research on it. I'm so damn eager to join Dana Kanplan's Krav Maga San Diego inc. Can't wait to train.. Will see you'll soon..

John Buche

This is the original Krav Maga in San Diego, and not some watered down variant. Dana is the lead instructor and has been around for a few decades since Krav Maga first arrived in Southern California--teaching everyone from military, cops, civilians. There's simply no instructor in SD with more experience--and that matters if you really want to know how to fight and defend yourself and your family. Assistant instructors, Ben, Daniel and Carlos are also incredibly dedicated and fun to work with. I've trained with KMSD for about 8 years and it's been great.

Richard Oxford

I have been training at KMSD for six months as of this writing. I joined because I travel a lot, but also because I’ve wanted to try something like Krav Maga for a long time.

I chose KMSD because they have a track record of professionalism and expertise. They have been teaching Krav Maga for over twenty years, and they’re regularly contracted for training by military and law enforcement organizations. It was clear that providing a superior learning environment is something they take seriously.

What to expect:

The KMSD civilian program teaches self-defense, not martial arts. Although it draws from several fighting styles, it emphasizes what is practical and what you can learn quickly. You will develop a skillset that works in the real world.

The training intentionally places you in stressful situations, but under controlled conditions along with a great deal of guidance. An important part of the training is to teach you to manage this type of stress.

The instructional style is concise and direct, but in a positive way. It is intended to help you improve.

What stands out about KMSD:

You are almost constantly practicing with or against a classmate, or just as likely, with or against several classmates simultaneously. Furthermore, you’re practicing at a wide variety of physical locations: downtown streets, public parks, in the sand at the beach, or even in the Pacific Ocean. It is physical. And it's a lot of fun.

It’s a great value for the cost of an eight week session, especially when you consider the high quality of instruction.

The instructors and the other students are all really cool people who want you to do well.

What you will gain:

You will learn how to evaluate your environment, how to react appropriately in difficult situations, and most importantly, how to stay safe.

Kasey Moctezuma

I have been taking classes at Krav Maga San Diego for two years now, and it’s one of the best personal decisions I have made. I’m in my forties, and spend 8 plus hours a day working behind a desk. I’ve never been that athletic, although I’ve always done some sort of sport. I have always been interested in martial arts and fighting systems, but prior to attending classes at KMSD, I had little experience with defense systems, except for some Tae Kwon Do classes that I took many years ago. What really attracted me about Krav Maga San Diego (and Krav Maga in general) is that it is a system for everyone. People who get attacked are not all athletes or able to do all of the complex moves that some systems require. Krav Maga is about efficiency and defense, regardless of age/body type.

I didn’t know anyone at KMSD when I signed up for classes, so I went in with a pretty open mind. I thought about working out to get in shape for the classes, but when I saw that the website said that you work at your own level, I figured I could do it – just trying the best I could. I mainly was interested in learning something new and cool, and challenging myself, which I have. Of course, I did also want to get a good workout and get in better shape, and I definitely can feel that I have. What I didn’t expect was to feel was to feel the mental challenges in class, and the added stress level (to simulate what you will feel in the real world in an attack), and to walk away feeling so much more confident. The best part is to have honed a skill that I had all along and didn’t know – fighting spirit. The will to keep going is something that will save you in the street, but it’s also a useful philosophy in life. Just keep on going and pushing yourself.

Dana is a great instructor (with over 20 years of experience) and truly cares about his students and making sure they leave the class with the best skill set possible. All of the instructors and assistant instructors are extremely helpful, and everyone wants to make sure you are doing the defenses precisely, since when you are under stress, your best defense techniques will suffer. I was especially impressed at the recent targeted training for gun defenses. The student/instructor ratio was high, there were lots of muscle exercises related to the defenses, and moves were broken down and gone over in depth, with lots of instructor feedback. So impressed! After an hour and a half, I feel like I’ve really improved in that technique. Hope I never have to use it.

I attend sessions both downtown and at the JCC location and enjoy both. Now I even do some of the level 2 physical classes with gear, which push you - but are amazing! I walk out super exhausted, but proud of myself (especially the day I realized that I could actually carry someone on my back! Who knew?)

Thanks to Dana, the instructors and assistant instructors for making Krav Maga San Diego so great. I highly recommend these classes- you will sweat, push yourself mentally and physically, and hone your fighting spirit.