Noted U.S. Krav Maga Trainers to Train With American Military Personnel in Israel

U.S. Security Training Part of Krav Maga Documentary Trip by VMMA Founder Paul Szyarto and U.S. Master Teacher David Kahn

​Self-defense and fitness guru Paul Szyarto, co-founder of VMMA, a growing chain of high-intensity interval training martial arts facilities, will travel to Israel later this month with award-winning author, videographer and Krav Maga Master David Kahn. Szyarto’s and Kahn’s visit is by special invitation for advanced training from Israeli Krav Maga Grandmaster Haim Gidon. Szyarto is just one of a handful of Americans to receive such a prestigious invitation. Because of his specialized military background, he, along with Kahn, are also making the trip to assist in training U.S. Military personnel, while developing material for a documentary film on the roots of Krav Maga – the acclaimed Israeli self-defense system.

Traveling through Israel from Oct. 18 to 24, under the auspices of VMMA and the original Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA), Szyarto and Kahn will study with Gidon and interview Aldema Zirinsky, who was the first-ever student of Krav Maga founder Imi Lichtenfeld, in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The Israeli people are incredibly resilient. Their history, for thousands of years, has been one of survival, whether in places like Bratislava or the Jerusalem Hills. They hate fighting, yet they often face no choice. And if they must fight, they do so with a sense of ethics and fearlessness that prevents bad decisions and outcomes. We can apply the same Krav Maga principles to everyday situations in our own lives as police officers, soldiers, athletes and executives.

Paul Szyarto

Krav Maga began with Lichtenfeld in Bratislava as a means for Jewish youth to protect themselves against anti-Semitic attackers. When Lichtenfeld emigrated for Israel after the Nazi invasion, he began training young Zionist pioneers in anticipation of the War for Israeli Independence, which ended 1948. After Israeli statehood, Krav Maga eventually became a crucial part of IDF commando training.

The system allows one to train their mind and body in order to be more alert and instinctual in reacting to dangerous situations. The training includes visualization and scenario planning that boosts confidence, reduces fear, and helps one cope with unanticipated or hostile situations. It is rooted in the philosophy that defense and attack moves must occur simultaneously and with a mindset that emphasizes a barrage of quick, rational and decisive strikes, while also trying to de-escalate the situation in order to avoid – if at all possible – permanent injury or death to the other combatant.

Because of Krav Maga’s practical application – physically and mentally – to other areas of life, Szyarto and Kahn have gained notoriety in the U.S. for training thousands of law enforcement and military professionals, NFL teams and business executives.

“The Israeli people are incredibly resilient,” Szyarto said. “Their history, for thousands of years, has been one of survival, whether in places like Bratislava or the Jerusalem Hills. They hate fighting, yet they often face no choice. And if they must fight, they do so with a sense of ethics and fearlessness that prevents bad decisions and outcomes. We can apply the same Krav Maga principles to everyday situations in our own lives as police officers, soldiers, athletes and executives.”

Szyarto added: “Krav Maga is a self-defense system that perfectly encapsulates the three-fold mindset that is the Israeli way of life: Lethal violence only as a last resort, meticulous preparedness, and fearless, purposeful, constant action under great pressure. This approach to life has also led to the development of some of today’s most important, game-changing technologies.”  

ABOUT VMMA

VMMA is changing how Mixed Martial Arts is taught and how total body fitness is achieved through a unique, expert style of demonstration, and instruction. VMMA teaches men, women and children how to use the martial arts to feel stronger, healthier, and more confident inside a cooperative learning environment. It means each student receives a safe classroom in which to learn the arts as well as a professional level of attention to help them reach their fitness and self-defense goals. Learn more by visiting, www.VMMAfit.com.

 

ABOUT PAUL SZYARTO

Paul Szyarto is a globally recognized expert in entrepreneurship, business leadership, and self-defense. He is highly sought-after for his executive coaching and business leadership training. Known for applying the principles of Krav Maga — the Israeli self-defense system — into everyday business and life scenarios, Szyarto has trained hundreds of law enforcement professionals and groups of NFL players, in addition to business executives and entrepreneurs.

Szyarto is also one of the world’s foremost experts in project management and data analytics with a track-record for delivering some of the world’s largest corporate project initiatives. His experience in the PM/PPM industry spans 20 years with a focus on implementation PM/PPM/IT solutions. He holds an MS in Program/Project Management from Brandeis University, an MBA from Oxford University (U.K.), and is a graduate of the prestigious Advanced Management Program from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business as well as the Dale Carnegie School of Leadership.

Beyond transforming a diverse array of public and private organizations into highly efficient operations, Paul mentors entrepreneurs and teaches Krav Maga and tactical training as “The Combat CEO” at VMMA, his high-intensity interval training-based self-defense school. To learn more about Paul Szyarto, please visit www.paulszyarto.com.

Media Contact: Josh Berkman, Rubenstein Public Relations, 212-805-3055

Source: VMMA