Krav Maga Yashir

Welcome to Krav Maga Yashir! We teach authentic Israeli Krav Maga, direct from the source. Head Instructor, Gershon Ben Keren (5th Degree Black Belt), received both his instructor training and certifications in Israel, and has been training in Krav Maga since 1994. Our Krav Maga training center is a 20 minute drive South of Lowell, and is conveniently located off of I-93 and I-95 (We have free on-site parking). Our school only teaches Krav Maga i.e., we are not a martial arts schools which offers a Krav Maga program alongside others, such as BJJ and Muay Thai. Krav Maga teaches solutions to violence in all the dimensions of a fight e.g., when standing, when seated, when on the ground etc., and doesn’t need to be supplemented with other martial arts, self-defense styles, or fighting systems etc. If you would like to read more about Krav Maga please click here. You can also find out more about our Krav Maga Instructor team by clicking here, and if you are ready to start training in what is recognized as the world’s most effective and efficient method of close combat, you can sign up for one of our introductory Krav Maga seminars using the button below.

Beginner Class

Krav Maga is a modern self-defense system developed to deal withh real-world violence, originally created for the Israeli military and later adapted for civilians, law enforcement, and security professionals. The term “Krav Maga” means “contact combat,” reflecting its focus on direct, practical responses to threats. Unlike traditional martial arts, such as Karate and Ju-Jitsu that emphasize rules, forms, or competition (such as Muay Thai and BJJ), Krav Maga is designed specifically for real-life situations where there are no rules and the goal is simple: stay safe and get home.

One of the things that makes Krav Maga so effective in real-life situations is its reliance on natural, instinctive movements (What you will do rather than what you think you will do. Rather than teaching complex techniques that require years to master, it works with the body’s automatic reactions to danger. This means that even beginners can learn/develop functional self-defense skills relatively quickly (the original aim of Krav Maga was to get an untrained, raw/new recruit combat ready in the shortest possible time). Techniques are based on how people actually move under stress, making them easier to recall and apply in high-pressure situations.

Another key aspect of Krav Maga, which differentiates it from many martial arts, is its focus on real-world scenarios. Training includes defenses against common threats such as punches, grabs, chokes, as well as weapon attacks and threats involving knives, guns, sticks etc. It also emphasizes situational awareness, threat recognition, and effective decision-making, helping practitioners avoid danger whenever possible rather than simply reacting to it.

Krav Maga is also effective because it prioritizes efficiency and aggression when necessary. The system teaches individuals to neutralize threats quickly, often by targeting vulnerable areas such as the eyes, throat, or groin. The objective is not to “win a fight,” but to create an opportunity to escape safely. Krav Maga is also adaptable and doesn't rely on size and strength. This combined with its emphasis on simplicity, realism, and survival, is why Krav Maga is widely regarded as one of the most effective self-defense systems in the world. If you are looking to develop effective and proven self-defense/fighting skills, come and join us for one of our beginner classes, using the button below. Beginner Class

I’ve trained in martial arts before, and after taking classes here for the past couple of months, I can confidently say this school offers something special. The focus is on fluid, practical self-defense concepts and movements that work across a wide range of real-world scenarios, not rigid forms or static techniques. J. Rice.