Shaan Saar Krav Maga Orlando: What Is Krav Maga?
Why This Israeli System of Personal Protection Is Gaining Global Momentum
What is Krav Maga?
Krav Maga is an Israeli system of close-quarters protection developed by Imi Lichtenfeld and refined by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It is survival-focused instruction built around instinctive responses, simultaneous counteraction, and adaptability under real-world threat conditions.
At Shaan Saar, we don’t train for points or pageantry, we train to survive violence and return home safely. This system (Hebrew: “contact combat”) emerged from antisemitic street violence in 1930s Europe and persistent security threats in the Middle East. While many contributed to its evolution, Imi Lichtenfeld is credited as its founder. After Israel’s re-establishment in 1948, he became the IDF’s first tactical and fitness instructor, refining the methodology through battlefield and urban application.
We operate three Orlando-area schools located in Central FL - Lake Mary, Winter Park, and Dr. Phillips. Offering courses, group sessions, private sessions, and corporate safety education. Programs are designed to cater to all levels and learning preferences, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
Summary: A survival-first system created by Imi Lichtenfeld and refined by the IDF, delivered authentically across three Orlando locations.
Born from Conflict. Refined for Survival.
Why was Krav Maga created?
This system’s foundation is rooted in Jewish resistance and survival. From the Maccabean revolt (167–160 BCE) to modern Israel, communities have relied on instinct, grit, and adaptation when law and order failed. In 1948, it became the official fighting system of the IDF, mandatory for every recruit. Today, it is recognized globally for efficiency, adaptability, and functional effectiveness.
Scholars describe it as part of Israel’s intangible cultural heritage, a living methodology shaped by existential threats and informed by Kapap, Haganah, boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, and modern combatives.
Summary: Evolving from centuries of resistance and formalized by the IDF, this remains a living, adaptive system.
What This System Is and What It Is Not
This is a direct, no-nonsense fighting methodology designed to help people respond decisively to real-world violence. It differs fundamentally from traditional or sport-based martial arts. Instruction follows a structured progression suitable for all ages, emphasizing usable capability over ritual.
At Shaan Saar, sessions integrate boxing, kickboxing, kali, Japanese and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and catch wrestling within an Evidence-Based Self-Defense™ framework centered on transferability and decision-making. Sessions provide physical conditioning while reinforcing functional protective capacity. Assurance grows from demonstrated performance, not repetition or choreography.
It is not a sport. There are no forms, tournaments, or scripted routines. Instruction is built around context, pressure, and judgment because no two encounters are ever identical. Consistent participation develops habits that persist beyond the facility.
Summary: A testable framework for violence response, not competition, supporting physical and mental resilience.
Core Principles That Save Lives
Instinct-Driven Response — Adaptive Concepts™ align with your body’s natural reactions under distress.
Simultaneous Defend & Attack — Guard and neutralize in a single motion.
Environmental Adaptability — Use surroundings and improvised tools when needed.
Targeting Vulnerabilities — Eyes, throat, groin, and joints; high-value targets used to stop threats quickly.
Research highlights the system’s biomechanical efficiency and cognitive simplicity, enabling faster new skill transfer and reliability under pressure.
Summary: Simple, high-yield principles drive faster learning and performance under pressure with every self-defense class.
Authentic vs. Recreational Krav Maga: How to Spot the Difference
Authentic Military-Derived Instruction:
Certified instructors with verifiable lineage to active IDF operators and field-relevant education and expertise.
Scenario-based preparation incorporating pressure, legality, and ethics
Emphasis on problem-solving, adaptability, and survivability.
Recreational sport-based commercialization system:
Fitness-oriented sessions built around choreography and drills
Minimal scenario exposure or decision-making under pressure
Instructors lacking credible certification or applied background
At Shaan Saar, we teach reliance for everyday life, not routines that create false confident.
Summary: Choose lineage-backed, scenario-driven instruction that builds survivability, not performance theater.
How We Train in Orlando (Evidence-Based, Trauma-Informed)
Our programs are shaped by expertise in criminal forensic psychology, kinesiology, criminal justice, counter-terrorism, and anti-human trafficking. Education includes:
Pressure Acclimation — functioning effectively under adversity
Situational Awareness — avoidance, pre-emption, and exit strategies
Decision-Making & After-Action — before, during, and after incidents
Environmental Application — constructive use of surroundings
Summary: Preparation at Shaan Saar Krav Maga is multidisciplinary, trauma-informed, and grounded in real-world threat analysis. By integrating psychology, biomechanics, legal considerations, and environmental awareness, students develop reliable responses that transfer beyond the classroom into life.
Programs for Adults, Women, Teens, and Youth
What programs does Shaan Saar offer?
Shaan Saar provides authentic, survival-oriented programs for adults, women, teenagers, youth, and organizations. Each track is built around real-world threat patterns, evidence-based instruction, and trauma-informed delivery, never sport or choreography.
Programs are structured around risk exposure, developmental readiness, and real-world relevance, not age alone.
Adults & Teens: Real-world versatility, conditioning, and mindset
Programs emphasize personal protection, awareness, de-escalation, and decisive response under pressure. Teen participants engage with age-appropriate intensity while learning accountability, judgment, and consequences. The objective is capability, not fear, and resilience rooted in competence.
Women’s Self-Defense class: Boundaries, de-escalation, targeted striking, scenario training
This is a purpose-built personal safety and violence-response curriculum designed around how violence against women actually occurs. Education prioritizes awareness, boundary enforcement, prevention, and decisive physical response when avoidance fails. All instruction is trauma-informed and consent-driven, preserving psychological safety and personal agency.
Summary: Shaan Saar’s Women’s Self-Defense class in Orlando is a trauma-informed, reality-based program designed around how violence against women actually occurs. Instruction prioritizes awareness, boundary enforcement, de-escalation, and decisive physical response when avoidance fails, without compromising consent or psychological safety.
Youth & Teenagers: Age-appropriate safety, awareness, resilience, and problem-solving
Youth instruction centers on safety, awareness, resilience, and problem-solving, not fighting. Students learn to recognize danger, use their voice effectively, seek help, and respond appropriately only when necessary. Physical concepts are introduced progressively with strong emphasis on self-control and sound judgment.
Corporate Safety Training: Workplace-specific risks and hands-on response
Organizational offerings address workplace-specific risks, including situational awareness, active-threat response, and post-incident considerations. Programs are customized based on environment, workforce needs, and legal realities.
Start your 2-week trial at our Lake Mary, Winter Park, or Dr. Phillips schools.
Summary: Tailored tracks for every age and role, always grounded in authentic Israeli close-quarters methodology (CQB).
What to Expect: Class Structure and Format
Sessions at our Orlando locations deliver a comprehensive, reality-based experience. Classes combine dynamic warm-ups, hands-on instruction, interactive drills, and scenario application designed for real-world relevance. Our Evidence-Based and Trauma-Informed, women’s self-defense, programs address the full spectrum of personal safety, including judgment and post-incident actions.
Organization for All Levels
Instruction supports newcomers while challenging experienced participants. Scalable intensity, personalized guidance, and practical application ensure steady development in a supportive environment.
How classes are organized for all levels
Our classes in Orlando are thoughtfully organized to meet the needs of students at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re stepping into your first class or looking to refine advanced proficiency, our instructors are trained to provide personalized attention and guidance. We understand that everyone learns at their own pace, so our classes are designed to be both fun and challenging, helping you build dexterity and resilience in a supportive environment. You’ll find that our methods make it easy to learn self-defense for daily life, with a center point on practical concepts that you can use outside the classroom. No matter your age or experience level, our classes are designed to help you improve, grow, and enjoy the process of learning self preservation.
Typical session flow: warm-up, technique, drills, scenario training
A typical class at our Orlando school starts with a dynamic warm-up to get your body ready for action and reduce the risk of injury. After warming up, our instructors introduce new concepts and review key skills from previous classes, ensuring a strong foundation for your preparation. You’ll then move into concentrated drills that help you practice these concepts, building neural pathways and confidence. The highlight of each class is scenario drilling, where you’ll apply your proficiency in realistic, real world situations designed to help you protect yourself and your loved ones. This practical approach ensures that every class is not only a great workout, but also a valuable opportunity to learn effective strategies that can make a real difference in your life.
Group dynamics and instructor-led feedback
At our school in Orlando, we believe that learning is most effective and fun when done in a supportive group setting. Our classes and courses are designed to foster a positive, motivating atmosphere where students of all ages can learn from each other and grow together. Our passionate instructors are dedicated to teaching Krav Maga in a way that builds both skills and resilience. Throughout each class, you’ll receive personalized feedback and encouragement, helping you refine your concepts and develop the abilities needed to safeguard yourself in a variety of situations. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive environment where every student can learn, improve, and build the resilience to face life’s challenges head-on. Whether you’re looking for combat, fitness, or simply to try something new, you’ll find a welcoming community ready to support your journey.
Summary: Classes at Shaan Saar follow a structured, reality-based format that combines instruction, repetition, and scenario application. This approach builds judgment, adaptability, and resilience while maintaining a safety-first, supportive learning environment.
Why the World Is Paying Attention
After October 7, 2023, demand for authentic, survival-focused preparation surged. Families, students, and professionals want skills that actually work not just workouts. In Orlando, we see Jewish families, law enforcement, and college students attending side by side for resilience and readiness. The Krav Maga community supports students in building confidence, as well as both physical and mental strength through structured preparation. It also provides a sense of security in uncertain times by preparing individuals to defend themselves effectively.
Summary: Rising threats drive demand for real self-defense; our community trains together for safety, strength, and security.
A Weaponized Mindset for a Modern World
We train mindset and law as much as movement: avoidance, de-escalation, proportionality, and justified force; plus after-action protocols. Rewiring the mind for survival is essential, as mental attention, stress management, and emotional readiness are crucial for effective response in real-life situations. Our instructors' passion for teaching inspires students, making each class engaging and motivating. We don’t just “teach confidence.” We build capability and resilience. Krav Maga training helps individuals build resilience, empowering them to face challenges with assurance.
Summary: True self-defense includes prevention, lawful response, and post-incident actions.
How to Start Learning Krav Maga in Orlando
This military system is survival not sport. At Shaan Saar, we honor its Israeli roots and apply modern, evidence-based methods. Train with experts; train for reality.
Summary: Take the first step train with Orlando’s authority and Gold Standard in authentic Krav Maga.
FAQ
Is Krav Maga dangerous?
The instructional approach is controlled and we prioritize safety-first. Concepts are powerful, but our trauma-informed approach and strict protocols protect students while building real capability. All classes and courses at Shaan Saar ensure safety as a top priority, creating a secure environment for learning.
Can kids train in Krav Maga?
Yes. Our youth and teen programs develop awareness, boundary setting, and practical knowledge-how based on age-appropriate, structured, and confidence-building. The kids' classes at Shaan Saar are excellent and help in gaining self-esteem, ensuring young participants grow both in skill and confidence. Private lessons at Shaan Saar are tailored for children to ensure effective learning, providing a personalized approach to skill development.
How is Krav Maga different from martial arts?
No katas, no forms, no tournaments, no choreography. It is problem-solving under stress with one objective: survive and escape.
How long before I see results?
Many students report measurable improvements in awareness, decision-making, and core competency within 2–4 weeks of consistent training. In 6 months is where students see the best results and have a deeper understanding of the Evidence Based Self-Defense® program and see how the physical and intellectual skill sets complement each other.
Why train at Shaan Saar in Orlando?
Authentic lineage, certified instruction, and a multidisciplinary team (criminal justice, forensic psychology, counter-terrorism, kinesiology). Three locations. Evidence-based. Results-driven.
