Krav Maga of Orange County

Krav Maga of Orange County operates a training center in Irvine, California. Established in 1992 by co-founders Mitch Markowitz and Michael Leifer, the academy provides reality-based self-defense education derived from Israeli tactical combat systems. Markowitz holds a fourth-degree black belt in Krav Maga, having started his training in 1985 under U.S. Chief Instructor Darren Levine and earned instructor certifications from Levine and Israeli Chief Instructor Eyal Yanilov. Markowitz also holds the rank of Shodan in Aikido. The curriculum delivers practical defensive tactics designed for personal safety and situational preparedness. Coursework encompasses Krav Maga training from Level 1 fundamentals through advanced Level 5 scenarios, incorporating striking, combatives, and defenses against grabs and weapons. Additional options include kickboxing classes, women's self-defense, law enforcement training, college prep, and CCW self-defense seminars. Younger students train in the KM-x program, which instructs children ages seven through thirteen in boundary setting, physical coordination, and defensive instincts. Instruction takes place in an energetic, structured learning environment centered on technique retention and functional conditioning. In Irvine, classes are scheduled across Monday through Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings to accommodate varied student routines.