Last month, the Krav Maga Alliance sponsored a Krav Maga instructor certification at Wingate Institute. For many people, Wingate is the civilian home of Krav Maga. After Krav Maga founder Imi Lichtenfeld left the army, he started the first civilian training program at Wingate.

During the early years of my own training, I received an instructor diploma from Wingate Institute. As the Krav Maga Alliance grew, I wanted to provide the same opportunities to Alliance affiliates and instructors. I contacted Wingate, and they were very interested. Other organizations have sponsored courses at Wingate...but they have used their OWN instructors to teach Krav Maga. I didn't want that, because Alliance affiliates can train with me any time. One of the tenets of the Krav Maga Alliance is that our instructors should get exposure to other points of view, and other systems, whenever possible. So when Wingate asked me if I wanted to teach the course, I said no. I wanted THEIR instructors to teach.

When our people arrived, the instructors were very impressed by their skill level. They said so on several occassions, giving unsolicited compliments to all. Frankly, these attendees made the Krav Maga Alliance look good, and they represented all of us very well!

We now have our first group of Krav Maga Alliance instructors certified by both the Krav Maga Alliance and Wingate Institute. Congratulations to all!

We've added a new Next Generation Kids Certification to be taught by program developer Deb Floch! The course will take place over Memorial Day weekend (5/25-5/27) in Dallas TX. Sign up through the website today! Don't miss out on going to this informative, fun and resourceful certification!

Hey everyone,

I received an email from Jeremy Alf, a Krav Maga Alliance black belt serving overseas in the Air Force.

He is trying to help an Army unit put together a CrossFit gym while they are overseas.  These guys are in the line of fire every day.  They are looking for some help setting up a workout space, and I would like anyone in the Alliance -- affiliate or student -- to contribute. Since they are getting shot at instead of us, I think it's the least we can do.

If you have any equipment you can donate, please contact John or Erica at the Krav Maga Alliance, and we will give you their contact info.

If you are part of the Alliance, then Lead By Example.

Thanks!

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -- Winston Churchill

"Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price." - Sun Tzu

"The test of a good teacher is not how many questions he can ask his pupils that they will answer readily, but how many questions he inspires them to ask him which he finds it hard to answer."

Congratulations to Ernie van Gorp for passing his 2nd Degree Black Belt test on Sunday, February 5, 2012. Ernie is an excellent instructor. One of Ernie's most impressive qualities is his understanding of technique, even though his is very large and can use brute strength whenever he wants to! Ernie is a consummate professional, and we are proud to have him as such an important part of the Krav Maga Alliance!

We would like to congratulate two new Krav Maga Alliance Black Belts: Jeroen Weeteling and Rafael Vijlbrief.

Not only did they have to fight Ernie van Gorp on the ground and standing up (this is not easy; Ernie is a giant), they had to fight him after 5 hours of training. Perhaps the most impressive fact is that they volunteered to take a Green Belt test and then a Blue Belt test in order to prepare. That means they tested for 3.5 hours on Wednesday, 4.5 hours on Thursday, and then 5.5 hours on Friday. They earned their Black Belts!

Congratulations to all the new Level 2 instructors who attended the recent Dallas certification. You guys worked hard! (And sorry for those who missed the photo due to plane flights!)

We've just posted dates for our European certifications and seminars!  They will be held at Ernie Van Gorp's studio in the Netherlands.  If you're in Europe don't miss out on these amazing training opportunities!