FDKM news & updates
MARCH 2021
Intro to Krav Maga 4 Week Course Starts April 5th!
FDKM will be CLOSED for the Easter Holiday Weekend.
Friday Apr.2nd-Sunday Apr.4th
Protect your Nuts!
Reminder:
Groin protection is required for all male participants.
Introduction to Krav Maga 4 Week Course
Join us Monday April 5th for our 4 Week Introduction Course
Our popular Introduction to Krav Maga Course is back for Spring Training! Kick off April 2021 with some Krav Maga. We're offering this course twice a week for 4 weeks, starting Monday April 5tht at 7pm. 

What you'll learn. Some of the material we will cover in this Introduction to Krav Maga Course includes (but is definitely not limited to):

How to set, maintain & defend boundaries

Releases from common grabs & holds

Defending yourself on the ground

Develop the skill of making effective decisions while under stressful conditions

The course meets twice a week on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7pm-8pm for 4 weeks. The cost of the course is $247. 

** Train with a friend! We are offering a second registration for only $50! Bring a family member, friend, or co-worker and save!.**
Covid-19 Guidelines Continue
What are the Guidelines a Year Later?
We're excited to see Covid positive cases go in a downward trend and to get news that more and more of our Krav Members are receiving vaccinations. For the time being we are keeping all of our guidelines and practices in place until more of our staff are able to receive the vaccination.

Listed below are our guidelines currently regarding Covid-19:

  • Masks will continue to be required while inside the facility and during training. For those who require a face shield, please make sure to bring along a doctors note of the requirement.
  • A temperature check will be done upon arrival. If a low grade temperature is evident, we will ask you to wait a few minutes at reception, and retake your temp. If the temp persists, we may ask you to refrain from training for the evening.
  • Please to continue to practice good hygiene such as hand washing and/or sanitation. We've added an additional hand sanitizer dispenser near our entrance.
  • Partnering/pairing and social distancing is still at the discretion of the participant. If you wish to not partner and/or socially distance during class. Please notify the instructor beforehand. We do have our training area divided in 10'x10' spaces for those who wish to train apart from the group.
  • The water fountains are closed. Please be sure to bring your own water bottle
  • Community equipment such as gloves, grappling gloves, and shin guards are not available. Please be sure to bring your own equipment for use. We do sell training equipment in our Krav Shop
  • If you believe that you've been exposed to Covid or tested positive, please notify us ASAP. Especially if you have attended classes during that time. Please refrain from training in person during the recommended 10-14 days after exposure.

We hope that in the upcoming months we can begin to lift some of these guidelines and be able to increase our training capacity within the studio.

Easter Weekend Closing
FDKM will be Closed
Easter Weekend
There will be no classes & private lessons for the weekend starting Friday April 2nd-Sunday April 4th.

Classes will resume on Monday April 5th.
Equipment & Protective Gear Reminders
Cup Check!
We've been noticing that many of our recent members have not been wearing groin protection to class. Just a friendly reminder that groin protection is required for all men participating and highly recommended for women. Not so friendly, will be the feeling you get when you get kicked or punched in your tender bits. THIS IS KRAV MAGA. So be proactive now, get your self a groin guard!

Participating in Strike Class or Level 1 Class?
Get your Gear ready
Boxing Gloves
Men- 16 oz boxing Gloves
Women- 12 oz.- 14 oz boxing Gloves
Junior/Teen- 8 oz.- 10 oz boxing Gloves
Shin Guards
Shin guards come in many sizes and styles. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask a FDKM staff member
Grappling Gloves and/or Handwraps
These come in handy to protect your knuckles and wrists during striking squences done in class against pads.
Revisiting Your FDKM Account
So About my Account.......
Many accounts have been placed on hold due to the State mandated closure we had a year ago and the concerns about the the transmission of Covid-19. As we reach the year benchmark, it might be a good time to let us know what you'd like to do moving forward.
We've heard from many of you, and are excited to hear that you plan on returning once you and your family are vaccinated. However, there are a few members we still need to touch base with. So please take a moment and email ann@firstdefensekravmaga.com

Let her know what you would like to do moving forward with your account with us. She'll be more than happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about your account or returning to training.

Shuaijiao Shoutout!
Curious About our Shuaijiao Program?
You might have noticed that on Saturdays we offer something on our schedule called Shuaijiao. Curious? Why don't you stop in and join us! Shuaijiao is a form of traditional Chinese wrestling that dates back to the Mongals. Lots of throws, sweeps, and grappling. Great martial art for those looking to spar one on one and compete nationally and internationally.

In case you missed it, a Shuaijiao article was recently posted on Black Belt Magazine. Enjoy a recent article where USSA President Jan-Yu Weng is interviewed about shuaijiao. More to come.
Daniel Laske
Remembering our former Student......
I'm heartbroken to share the news that Covid has taken such a bright young life from this world. Daniel was a student with FDKM a few years ago before heading off to College to follow his Dream. His family has set up a special scholarship fund to help others in his honor. If you would like to donate please follow the link below:


"Yours was the only class Daniel ever participated in. It may have been brief since he moved away to college shortly after but it impacted him tremendously and gave him a sense of confidence that he didn't have before. I remember the day he took his test. He was so proud of himself afterwards, as were we.
Although his time on earth was brief Daniel accomplished more than most. He was always a champion of those less fortunate. He tutored children from Herndon Elementary in STEM while at Herndon High and while at VCU he was a member of the student government body which helped lower income families find homes. He transferred colleges to NYC and began working at a clinic as a medical assistant. I cautioned him about the risks of covid and he told me that he loved helping the sick but would take precautions. I have to find solace in knowing that he passed doing what he loved. "
We are going to honor his memory with the establishment of a scholarship to help those less fortunate with being able to attend VCU. Here is the Go Fund Me Link. If you can, please share

Looking for a Kids/Youth Assistant
Kids + Krav!!!
Do you love working with kids? Do you love Krav? Why not put both together! We're looking for an assistant for our Krav Junior Program. Must love working with the kids between the ages of 5-12. Knowledge of Krav a plus, but we will train as needed for the roll. Must be available on a consistent basis for our scheduled Youth classes.

For more information please contact Ann at the email below:

Thank you for taking the time to review our News & Updates. We look forward to seeing you in class soon.
Sincerely,
Nick, Ann, & The First Defense Krav Maga Team