An Interview with Mr. Jack Bolowskie
How long have you been teaching Krav Maga?
I started teaching Krav Maga in August, 1999. I watched a demonstration of Krav Maga at a show for Martial Arts Professionals in June, 1999. I was just blown away. I knew then and there I wanted to learn Krav Maga and become a Krav instructor. I attended the very first national certification class held by Krav Maga Worldwide. I became 1 of 14 instructors to teach Krav outside of the national training center in Los Angeles. In 2004 I sold my traditional martial arts studio in Allen, TX to teach Krav Maga full time and concentrate on expanding my Krav program. Today I hold a Krav Maga Master License for the entire Dallas – Fort Worth metropolitan area and I am the senior instructor in North Texas. I continue to keep my Krav Maga training current by attending seminars and having Krav Maga Worldwide visit Dallas periodically keeping all the instructors in this area up to date with new methods and technology.
Are you a Black Belt in Krav Maga?
No. I am a Level II instructor (Brown Belt) and have completed all phases of the Krav Maga Expert Level (Black Belt) training. I simply have not taken the Black Belt test. The test is very physically demanding and extremely difficult, even for someone in their prime. Although I am in fairly good shape at almost 60, I choose not to risk the high possibility of injury that is inherent in taking this test. I can teach all levels of Krav Maga including Basic, Advanced, and Expert levels. If a student decides to take the Krav Maga Black Belt test I can get them prepared, but the test itself would still be conducted in Los Angeles, which is company policy. I understand the need for the belt ranking system in Krav Maga, but please understand, Krav Maga is about your ability to win on the street, not belt recognition.
What about Krav Maga captured your attention?
I have been involved with traditional martial arts for over 20 years. Traditional martial arts has much to offer students, especially children. It teaches respect, discipline, and confidence. But practicing forms and competing in tournaments makes you good at just that, demonstrating forms and competing in tournaments. This practice does not equate to surviving a life and death encounter from an assailant on the street. That can only be accomplished by practicing skills and drills designed to work against real attacks. It is this reality based training that attracted me to Krav.
Is Krav Maga for everyone?
I think everyone age 13 or older SHOULD take Krav Maga. Unfortunately, many people will not take Krav because it is too easy to sit in front of a television and avoid exercise and / or claim they will never face an actual attack, so why bother? Or, if they do understand the necessity to take responsibility for their own personal safety, they buy a gun or pepper spray and assume every assault will give them the opportunity or justification to deploy that weapon. \
Krav Maga can be used by people of all ages and abilities. It is based upon natural instincts, not elaborate movements. It does not take years of training to master.
So who should take Krav Maga? Men or women that want to take responsibility for their own safety AND get a pretty good work out as a bonus. OR, men or women that want a great head to toe work out and as a bonus learn some skills and drills that could end saving their life someday.
Do you have any advice for your students?
I have too many students who start off like a house a fire training five or six days per week and burn out after a few weeks or months of training. I also have those students who sign up and just never really “get going” at all. Just like all life style changes, if you attend class two or three times per week after a couple of months you will really start to feel comfortable with your abilities and look forward to each and every class you attend. So my advice is simply…once you get started, DON”T QUIT! I promise even if you never have to use your training (and I hope you never do) you will never regret what you have learned and how much better you will feel physically as a result of your Krav Maga training.
Good luck and God bless!
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