Krav Maga Experts Training & Self Defense Classes in New York City
Your krav maga self-defense experts in new york
So you can protect what you love
krav maga experts Mission Statement
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to make a positive impact on the life of every student who walks through our doors. We redefine the way that Krav Maga is taught. We instruct the individual, not the crowd. Our approach is free from ego, competition, or rigid tradition. Instead we are about inner strength, learning from each other, and knowing where Krav Maga came from and where it is headed.
Our goal is to witness people grow and stand an inch taller every time they leave our doors.
So that one may walk in peace
Build Confidence, Strength, and Resilience
At Krav Maga Experts, we believe self-defense is a fundamental right and vital life skill. Our number one goal is to empower individuals with the confidence, strength, and resilience to handle life’s challenges, combining physical techniques with a mindset of preparedness and self-assurance
Our guiding values
“I've developed an unshakeable sense of self-confidence. It's more than just learning how to fight; it's about discovering inner strength I never knew I had.”
Tammy B.
Where intelligence meets power!
At Krav Maga Experts, we believe self-defense is an essential life skill. Each of us has a responsibility to keep ourselves safe and strong.
Led by Tsahi Shemesh, a respected leader in global Krav Maga training, we are more than just a self-defense school—we are a community dedicated to teaching practical, real-world skills. Whether it’s your first time on the mat or you’re refining advanced techniques, you’ll be guided by instructors who are not only highly skilled but also deeply invested in your growth.
However, we’re not solely focused on self-defense. We place a strong emphasis on self-improvement as a team. We train, learn, and evolve together so that we can provide you with the best possible guidance and support.
Our approach goes beyond fighting techniques. We integrate trauma awareness, mobility training, injury prevention, and various health-focused teaching styles into our classes.
Everyone who enters our doors brings their own story, and we’re here to help YOU write the next chapter in your life story in a stronger tone!
The KrAv maga experts studio
Krav Maga Experts is not just a martial arts studio – it’s a place of transformation and empowerment.
We understand that true self-defense starts with self-love and respect. By focusing on the individual, we create a personalized journey that goes beyond physical training. Our students learn to harness their inner strength, build resilience, walk in peace, and achieve true freedom. We are a community of strong-minded individuals who support each other in becoming the best versions of ourselves. Our approach is unique, rooted in respect, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
our instructors
Meet the Team
Tsahi Shemesh
Tsahi Shemesh is the founder and head instructor of Krav Maga Experts (KME), a globally respected self-defense school based in New York City. A lifelong martial artist, Tsahi began his Krav Maga journey in Israel in 1988, training under the direct students of Imi Lichtenfeld, the founder of the system. That early education gave him more than just technique—it gave him a mission: to empower people to protect what they love and move through life with strength, awareness, and purpose. In 2001, Tsahi joined the Israeli Defense Forces as part of the Paratroopers Brigade. During his service, he trained in dignitary protection and counterterrorism and completed the commanders’ course. He earned his instructor certification from the Wingate Institute and was later certified by the International Krav Maga Federation, eventually serving as USA Director and lead instructor course trainer for Gabi Noah’s global team. In 2010, Tsahi founded Krav Maga Experts in NYC with a vision to make world-class self-defense training accessible to all. Since then, he has trained thousands of students and certified hundreds of instructors around the world. But his impact reaches far beyond the mat. He has built lasting partnerships with dozens of top universities—including Columbia, NYU, and Pace—offering self-defense and personal safety programs to students, faculty, and staff. In the corporate world, Tsahi has led workshops for hundreds of organizations, from small businesses to global leaders like Google, Facebook, and McKinsey & Company. These programs combine physical training with leadership development, team building, and stress resilience, tailored to help professionals thrive under pressure. His trauma-informed approach has made Krav Maga Experts a resource for domestic violence shelters, NYPD officers, EMTs, and mental health professionals. Tsahi’s work has been featured on national television, and he regularly leads high-impact workshops on topics like rape prevention, active shooter response, and public safety. In everything he teaches, Tsahi brings the same philosophy: self-defense isn’t just about knowing how to fight—it’s about knowing how to live better. Through Krav Maga, he helps people feel safer, walk taller, and grow stronger in every sense of the word. Beyond the training floor, Tsahi is the author of Power to Empower, a book exploring the life lessons behind self-defense, due for release in 2025. A second book is already in the works. He also hosts the Krav-Talk Podcast and writes the KME Blog, both followed by thousands of students, instructors, and readers from around the world.
David
David is a certified Krav Maga instructor at Krav Maga Experts, with a lifelong background in martial arts. Originally trained in judo, Aikido, and kickboxing, David spent over a decade specializing in Shorinji Kempo, where he earned multiple national titles, placed in European and world competitions, and performed at international demonstrations. After relocating to New York City in 2021, David joined Krav Maga Experts and quickly distinguished himself through his focus, humility, and dedication to the craft. Now an instructor, he is committed to helping others build practical self-defense skills while cultivating confidence, discipline, and resilience—on and off the mat.
Marco
Marco is a senior Krav Maga practitioner and instructor at Krav Maga Experts, with over three decades of experience in martial arts and self-defense. He began his training in 1985 and holds a 4th-degree black belt in Karate, a brown belt in Judo, and a 2nd-degree black belt in KMMA. Since joining KME in 2018, Marco has continued to grow under the mentorship of Tsahi Shemesh, earning a G2-level certification. In addition to teaching adult classes, Marco leads the Kids Program at KME Brooklyn, where he brings a rare combination of discipline, energy, and experience to the next generation of students. He is passionate about helping young people develop confidence, focus, and the tools to stay safe. Marco’s competitive record includes a 5:1 kickboxing record (1997–2001), participation in the Top Kick Championship, Ring of Combat, and Super Heavyweight divisions. He has also competed in bare-knuckle Kyokushin Karate events, including the Ultimate Test, Mas Oyama Gold Cup, and the North American Kyokushin US Open, where he reached the finals and semi-finals. With a career that spans traditional martial arts, full-contact competition, and modern Krav Maga, Marco brings a wealth of knowledge and an undeniable presence to every class he teaches.
Kristin
Kristin is a Krav Maga instructor with over a decade of martial arts experience and a lifelong passion for movement. Her love of fighting began in high school with kickboxing and grew into a deep commitment to Krav Maga after moving to New York City in 2013. Since then, she has earned her G5 rank and spent over six years teaching Krav Maga before joining the KME team. In addition to Krav Maga, Kristin cross-trains in Boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She credits her background as a dancer for sharpening her sense of timing, rhythm, and body awareness—skills she brings into every training session. To her, martial arts is “a form of dance where people hit each other”—and she loves every beat of it. Off the mat, Kristin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health. She specializes in trauma and works in a mental health clinic supporting children with special needs, while also running a private therapy practice. Kristin brings a trauma-informed approach to her teaching, helping students tap into their strength and reclaim their power—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Sam
Sam is a mixed martial arts practitioner with the Renzo Gracie Team and a coach at Krav Maga Experts, bringing real-world fight experience and a high-level striking and grappling skill set to the mat. With a competitive background in MMA, Sam combines techniques from boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to deliver a powerful, practical approach to self-defense. His time in the cage gives students a rare opportunity to train with someone who has pressure-tested every technique. Whether coaching striking, takedowns, or scenario-based drills, Sam brings intensity, precision, and a deep respect for the craft. At KME, Sam helps students develop not just fighting ability, but the mindset, timing, and composure to stay in control when it matters most.
Breo
Breo is a certified Krav Maga instructor at Krav Maga Experts, originally from Spain. He holds a diverse background in martial arts, with years of experience in boxing, Karate, and Krav Maga. His movement foundation is grounded in both striking and functional training, shaped by years of disciplined practice and study. Outside the training mat, Breo is also a university professor based in New York City, with a strong academic focus in the fields of sports science and performance. He brings both physical expertise and intellectual depth to his role at KME. After completing the Krav Maga Experts Instructor Certification Program, Breo became an integral part of the team, contributing his unique blend of martial arts knowledge, athleticism, and academic insight to every class he teaches.
Eliran
Eliran is a Krav Maga instructor with over three decades of experience in martial arts and personal safety. His journey began in Israel in 1992 under the mentorship of Ami Niv. By age 14, he was already teaching kids and teens, using Krav Maga to build confidence and resilience. In 2001, Eliran completed an intensive instructor certification led by Rony Kluger and Dennis Hanover, sponsored by the Institute of Fitness – America-Israel. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces for three years in the elite Haruv Regiment, where he led weekly Krav Maga training for his platoon and rose to the rank of First Class Sergeant. His approach bridged civilian and military self-defense, emphasizing control, awareness, and purpose over aggression. Outside the mat, Eliran worked in Israel’s high-tech sector for over a decade. Since 2015, in response to rising safety concerns—including the Knife Intifada and the COVID-19 pandemic—he’s focused on private training, tailoring sessions to individuals who need real-world skills and empowerment the most.
Kevin
Kevin, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt recognized by Renzo Gracie Academy, began his BJJ journey in 2012. By 2019, he started teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to children, and shortly after, expanded his instruction to include adults and larger groups of advanced practitioners. In 2020, Kevin played a key role in developing a comprehensive kids' program and a fundamentals curriculum for students as young as 3 years old. Additionally, he launched an adult competition class aimed at refining techniques and strategies for high-level performance. At the start of 2023, Kevin embarked on an international teaching tour, conducting small group seminars in Lisbon and Porto (Portugal), Madrid (Spain), Belo Horizonte and Garanhuns (Brazil), Phuket (Thailand), and Bali (Indonesia). His teaching approach emphasizes a structured learning progression, combining technical skill development with practical application, making his classes beneficial for both beginners and seasoned competitors.
Harrison
Harrison is a martial arts instructor and personal trainer at Krav Maga Experts with over 15 years of experience in striking and full-contact combat sports. He holds a 2nd-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and brings a dynamic mix of styles to the mat, drawing from MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Western Boxing. A lifelong student of martial arts, Harrison actively cross-trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Filipino Martial Arts, Historical German Martial Arts, and other practical fighting systems. His broad experience and curiosity make him a versatile and well-rounded coach, focused on helping students build real, adaptable skills.
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