Krav Maga

By Tracy Warrener Van Kruistum

This intense form of self defence was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, an Hungarian- Israeli Martial Artist. Litchenfeld, an expert boxer and wrestler, developed this fighting system to defend against gangs in the 1930’s. By the 1940’’s he had created and started teaching this style of combat fighting known as ‘Krav Maga’ which translates to ‘contact combat’.

Krav Maga, originally was taught to and practised within the Israeli Special Forces.This form of self defence, known to be very intense and aggressive, focuses on extreme self defence situations.Practitioners focus on real life situations that one may encounter in a military situation and street self defence situation. The techniques taught are a combination of boxing, wrestling, knife and weapons self defence as well as Aikido and Judo.The aim of this Martial Art is to train the practitioner in a real life combat situation both mentally and physically.Known to be a very aggressive form of fighting, Krav Maga,also has some principles of other martial arts. Awareness training is a huge component of its teachings. Since it is viewed as a real life self defence martial art, there some practitioners which do not see it as a sport martial art and therefore do not participate in competitions. Due to the focus of being a street or combat self defence, many of the techniques taught are very dangerous an can cause extreme if not deadly damage. Krav Maga though aggressive and deadly, also teaches avoidance and other techniques to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation. However when avoidance cannot be used, the techniques and mind set behind it is to defend using everything the practitioner has.

Known throughout the world both in Military and Civilian circles as a very effective form of self defence, Krav Maga is one of the most popular modern day martial arts people seek out to study.

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate.She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists.Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener.Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students.She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness.Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques.In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts.She is also aCertified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program.tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com