FDKM News & Updates

September 2026

 

Upcoming Events


Sept 4th-7th- FDKM Closed for Labor Day Holiday Weekend

Sept 9th- Intro to Krav Maga Course Begins

Sept 26th-Members Seminar: Pistol Threats

Oct. 3rd- FDKM Closed- Masi Family Traveling for Marching Band Event

Oct 9-11th- KMG Instructor Update

Oct 12th- FDKM will be OPEN

Oct 25th- Members Seminar: Anti-Car Jacking (knife threat)


First Defense Krav Maga
360 Herndon Parkway
Ste 1200
Herndon, Va 20170
 
 

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Throw down!

The start of the school year always feels like a bit of a throw down. One minute we're all on our feet, then BAM! We're on the ground looking at the sky, thinking, what the heck just happened? Grappling with new schedules and new challenges. That's how August felt! And here we are full swing into the start of another school year.

I thought I'd share an old photo of Nick at a Shuaijiao Tournament in Las Vegas back in 2009! For those of you who participated, I hope you enjoyed our Summer SJ sessions! We're hoping to bring another session back in late Fall if our schedule allows and there's enough interest. Nick really enjoys going back to SJ roots, teaching, and practicing some grappling/shuaijio.

Speaking of starting another school year, this is a great time to kick start your Krav Maga training. If you've been hesitant to start, join our Introduction to Krav Maga course starting September 9th. It meets once a week for 8 weeks. Easy enough to fit into your schedule. Big picture though, if you have a senior in high school, don't wait until the end of the school year to look for self-defense training. There's a lot to learn and practice and there's no better time than now to get started.

You'll hear me mention that sometimes the summer can be a little slow, but there was a lot to recap in this month's newsletter. FDKM was moving and shaking with all sorts of activities. September is no different! We'll be closed for Labor weekend, but mark your calendars for our next few Members Seminars. Some of our favorites! Pistol Defenses with Airsoft guns and anti-carjacking, Thanksgiving Food fight, and of course to round the year out our holiday party! Plenty of Krav training sandwiched in-between.


See you on the mat!

-Nick, Ann, and The First Defense Team

 

Closed for Labor Day Weekend


FDKM will be Closed Friday September 4th-7th for Labor Day weekend Holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday Sept. 8th.

September Members Seminar

Pistol Threats


Our next Members Seminar with Alexis. We'll be training with air soft guns!


Saturday September 26th 12:30-2:30

Please RSVP!


Introduction to Krav Maga 8 Week Course


FDKM's Popular Introduction to Krav Mag Course is Back!


Kickstart your Krav Maga/Self-defense training starting Wednesday September 9th!

Members Seminar: Pistol Threats

Members Seminar: Pistol Threats

Scenario Training with Airsoft Guns with Alexis


Saturday September 26th 12:30pm-2:30pm


Our next Members Seminar will be on Saturday September 26th. We'll be working on Pistol Threats. One of our favorite topics especially when we bring out the air soft guns to train with. Alexis will be leading this members seminar so be ready to work! We highly recommend wearing long pants and a long sleeve shirt to the seminar. If you have eye protection please bring it with you, if not we do have some safety glasses for you to borrow.


SAVE THE DATE: October 25th Members Seminar Anti-Carjacking (knife threats)


Members Seminar After Party!


After shooting each other with Airsoft guns, we figure everyone might want a beer or two! So let's all meet up at Aslin Beer Company in Herndon for some Yacht rock. They're doing a fun Octoberfest meets Yacht theme event.


For more information about their event click on the link below. It is a free event even though it says "tickets"

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yachtoberfest-hrn-tickets-1999042564122?aff=oddtdtcreator


Aslin Beer

767 Elden Street

Herndon VA 20170


 

Introduction to Krav Maga Course


Introduction to Krav Maga Course


Our next Introduction to Krav Maga self-defense course will begin on Wednesday September 9th and run every Wednesday from 7:15pm- 8pm through October 28th. This class will meet once a week for 8 weeks.


This course is for beginners wanting to try out Krav Maga for the first time or for newer students who want some extra details and training time. The Introduction Course has been a staple of FDKM for the last 15 years & it only improves with age! 

The objective of this course is to introduce the participants to the theories, techniques and tactics of the Krav Maga system. We'll cover a variety of topics including:


  • Fundamental striking and strike defenses
  • Releases from common grabs & holds such as chokes and bearhugs
  • How to fall safely and defend from the ground
  • Basic boundary setting and stress management
  • Handling knife and pistol threats
  • Principles of protecting others
  • Using the environment to your advantage


This course is for anyone who is 16 years old and older. Cost per person is $247.

If you have any questions please call us at 703-835-9054, or email Ann at ann@firstdefensekravmaga.com


 

I Wanna Try Krav Maga Today!

Just joined our newsletter? Curious about training at FDKM?

Tryout Krav classes now!


Tryout Adult Self-Defense /Krav Maga Fundamentals classes with our 3 class trial pass for just $19.99. Or gift one to someone you know!


Visit our website for more information and registration :


https://www.firstdefensekravmaga.com/product/introductory-offer-adults/

 

FDKM Instructors and Assistants Outing

Making sure our instructors and assistants stay sharp!


This was a rare occasion that we almost got all of our FDKM instructors and assistants together for an evening of "team fun and bonding." Of course in Krav Maga style we had to include weapons! We headed out to Axe's and O's in Sterling to support another local woman owned business for an evening of Axe throwing, food, and drinks. Some of our FDKM'ers were naturals! Some others learned that axe throwing involves some finesse and it's all not brute force.

We're so lucky to have such wonderful people be part of our FDKM team. We can't thank everyone enough for their hard work and dedication to First Defense and Krav Maga teaching and training. So give your instructor and assistants a thank you! We truly appreciate each and everyone of them!

 

More FDKM rising Instructors

Wish them Luck!


This September Bob and Kris are headed to Cagliari, Italy to participate in KMG's General Instructors Course (GIC) Part one. Not their first Rodeo, but they both wanted to revisit the course nearly a decade later to brush up on teaching methods, tactics, and general KMG Krav Maga techniques. We're always super impressed with our team, who are always working to improve and grow their skills & knowledge!


May the temperatures stay pleasant in Italy and the travel gods be with them on their travels! Of course they have a side quest to eat as much gelato as possible to make up for Nick not being able to go to Italy this year!


 

Closed Labor Day

Saying Goodbye to Summer!


FDKM will be closed for the Labor Day weekend holiday from Friday September 4th-Monday September 7th.


Classes will resume on Tuesday September 8th.




Next full day closure will be on Saturday October 3rd. The Masi's have a scheduled trip that weekend.



How likely would you attend a Fundamentals class at 9am on a Saturday?
 

FDKM Annual Picnic

2026 Annual FDKM Picnic

Lake Fairfax, Reston VA

Huge thank you to everyone who came out to participate in this year's annual picnic. We were lucky that the rain stayed away! Like every year, everyone was very generous to bring food, drinks, and snacks to share. We had plenty to eat and all went home with full bellies.

I somehow missed getting a group photo, but I'll share all the photos I did take at the link below. Big thanks to Grill Master Murphy for manning the grill :)


We're looking forward to our annual holiday party in December. Getting the studio decked out for Halloween. Of course Thanksgiving Food Fighting in November. And dust off those secret Chili recipes. We're gonna host our first Chili cook off in the near future!


See All Photos at the link below:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/204627021@N08/4600q2T418

ids

Congratulations to Our FDKM'ers Who Leveled UP!

Congratulations to our FDKM'ers!

We held a special Graduate 1 Test in August. Congratulations to our newest G1's (L-R) Sam D., Evan S., and Sara C. Special shoutout goes to Sara, she's shown super dedication to coming in and training. She started with us as a high school student from McLean High School. She's now entering her senior year at Virginia Tech, she's managed to come in and train every single break. Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring, and Summer Break since leaving for college. It was important to us to hold a special testing opportunity for her. She's been a great role model to our younger students and women who train with us. No worries, Sam and Evan are great too :)


Starting Their Journey's!


Congrats to (L-R) Shriya K., Domingo MR., and Ezra H. for earning their first rank! Everyone successfully completed their Practitioner One test and earned their first KMG P1 rank. Huge congratulations to them!


Krav Maga for Kids

KMG Instructor's Update

Next KMG Instructor's Update

Next KMG Instructor's Update will be held in October from the 9th-11th. Eyal is planning on having a general seminar as well, more info to TBA! Note: location of this Instructors update will not be held at FDKM. But, If you plan to register use FDKM's affiliate code or Link!

https://krav-maga.com/event/open-instructor-updates-with-eyal-yanilov-virginia-and-california-october-2026/ref/fdkm/


 

Indian Navy Patrol Ship!

Raj teaching Krav Maga!


This summer Raj did a workshop in India, teaching some Krav Maga to the Navy. They worked on numerous techniques including with Sig Sauer rifles!


We love seeing our FDKM'ers around the world!

Krav Maga for Kids

Tie Dye!!!! What a colorful Bunch!!

Summer Tie Dye!!


It's become a tradition that we break out some arts & crafts every once and awhile. This year our tie dye shirts came out great!!!! It gives the students a chance to inject some color and personality into their shirts.


Next proposed project: Training weapons

Krav Maga for Kids

Hold Policy will Change in 2027!

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PLEASE TAKE NOTE!

Starting January 1st 2027, First Defense Krav Maga will no longer offer holds on Accounts. Due to staffing restraints we have decided to end offering General Holds on All Memberships. We will still accept medical holds only if it is accompanied with a doctor's note. All accounts that are on a general hold past January 1st 2026, will be reinstated, unless otherwise discussed with management.


A reminder, Cancellation Requests must be given as written notice 30 days prior to the next billing cycle. Either by email or letter. All correspondence can be sent to ann@firstdefensekravmaga.com or dropped off at the studio.


All FDKM Memberships are set up as Auto-renewals. Whether you are on a 6 month agreement or month-to-month, your membership will auto-renew unless otherwise noted. Please make sure you contact us no later than 30 days prior to the end of your agreement if you wish to not renew.


All cancellation requests will receive a confirmation email once it's been processed. If you do not receive one, please contact us to make sure we have received the necessary paperwork.

 

Help Spread the Word!

Request for Reviews


Have you noticed these little cards around the studio? They're NFC cards that will automatically take you to a Google review page for First Defense.


If you haven't already, please consider taking a minute next time you're in the studio. Just tap your phone on the card and follow the prompts to leave a review for us.


Or, you can just use this link to leave a great review for us now!

 
 

Thanks for taking the time to review our News & Updates. We look forward to seeing you in class.

Sincerely,

Nick, Ann, & The First Defense Krav Maga Team

Duty of Care: Reminder About Covid Guidelines
 
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