Having been associated with Avi Nardia and Kapap for the past 9 years, I am glad to see this system finally make it from Israel, to the martial arts community, and finally, into your hands. As with any martial arts that has been made, there will be some “experts” who doubt the abilities and/or expertise of the instructor(s) who behind . For me, there is no doubt as to the abilities or expertise of Avi Nardia and his teaching of Kapap.

I have heard Avi say that “sometimes you are the instructor and sometimes you are the student.” You might think that with 20 or more years of experience teaching Israeli and other martial arts to military and civilian groups from all over the world that Avi has nothing more to learn or to teach. Fortunately, this is not the case. Not only is he an instructor of Kapap, but he is also willing to be a student in other areas of the martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Filipino Combat Arts. It is Avi’s willingness to learn new techniques and then adapt them into his teaching of Kapap that makes Avi, and the KAPAP, different from other on the market.

For me, martial arts are a way of life. It requires dedication, respect, humility, and open mindedness. I know that Avi Nardia believes this as well. He reflects an attitude of maturity and humility, and he is willing to admit that he does not know it all. This, in itself, makes him somewhat unique to the martial arts community and it is a pleasure to be associated with both Avi Nardia and the Israeli martial art of Kapap and I`m also happy to be Avi’s BJJ teacher !

Thank you

I have just gone through my level 1 instructorship course in Singapore and it was the best training I have ever had. What is so unique about Kapap is that it is a bridge between different systems of martial arts. We take what we need and study the flaws in each system. The training is not just a test of physical endurance but also challenges us mentally as we need to understand the principles and how to manipulate them. Sinsei Avi has been very patient in explaining these principles to us and allows us to explore the use of the different tactics ourselves. His approach to teaching is so unique in that there is nothing fix in his training. Everything is so flexible for better adaption to any situation that we may encounter. There is also a great emphasis on drills for muscle memory which is so important for instinctive reflexes. Thank you Sinsei Avi for his patience and great training. I have learnt a lot from these 5 days of training.

I have known Avi Nardia for several years now, and I'm proud to call him a friend. I can honestly say that in my 15 years of Martial Arts study, I have not found a better no nonsense approach to real life fighting, than the Kapap system. His teaching and approach to the system, which his father helped develop, is very unique and you can tell the techniques he teaches have been used and proven in real combat.

I have trained on and off with Avi for years now, not only in Kapap, but also CQB, VIP Protection, Point-Shooting, Anti-Terrorism, Counter-Suicide Bombers etc, and his knowledge is overwhelming. Avi is as good a person/instructor as they come, period, always willing to share experiences and knowledge.

Dear Avi,

My name is Alex Rouhani and I was part of the seminar held in Rochester from march 14th to 18th.  I just wanted to thank your team for the good work.

Avi is very generous about his knowledge, has a lot of humour, and knows what he is talking about.

What I did also appreciate is that Avi gives a great place to safety, he always makes sure that people train safely and with control so that no one gets injured.

This seminar gave me a lot of confidence in myself and in my abilities to face any confrontation.

Thank you guys.

In a World were thousands of styles are claiming for "realistic bases" KAPAP its one of the few were the instructors got a "real reality based" proved system, tested in real conflicts. Avi Nardia it is also an expert on traditional systems from Japan and this gives to his instructions a larger approach to the needs of the students in any culture. I strongly recommend KAPAP to anyone interested on realistic Martial Arts.

As a finance professional based in Singapore, it was one of the best moments of my life and a real privilege to have trained under Grandmaster Sinsei Avi Nardia when he flew down to be with us recently. Having not known him personally prior to this, he impressed me with his vast experience and knowledge in martial arts and more specifically, in martial arts coaching. The training was fun, insightful and educational as he drove home important KAPAP principles and teachings through very simple-to-understand analogies and explanation.

Beyond all this, i had upmost respect for the moral values he wanted to instill in us as budding martial artists and also as honourable men and women.

The time spent with him off-training was equally fun and laughter-filled as he shared humourous moments of his life; I only now wish that he could have stayed on longer with us. Grandmaster Sinsei Avi is a highly skilled martial artist, an amazing teacher, a good friend and most importantly a respectable man. I strongly recommend anybody, man or woman, adult or child, at any level of martial arts proficiency, to look him up and learn/train with him. I believe likewise, it will be one of the most memorable moments of your life.

From: Lieutenant Commander Joseph S. John Jr., United States Navy

Subj: LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

1. It is with tremendous pleasure to be asked to submit a letter of recommendation on behalf of Major Avi Nardia. 

2. As a career United States Naval Officer I have traveled, and continue to travel, a great deal. In official and unofficial capacities I've been afforded the unique opportunity of searching out and training in many traditional, non-traditional, and Close Quarters Battle (CQB) systems with a large number of extremely knowledgeable and arguably lethal individuals. In retrospect, very few of these well-meaning professionals carry the same level of skill, real world combat experiences, love of their respective art, and compassion for sharing their knowledge in its purest form that Major Nardia does. Major Avi Nardia is an enigma in the self defense world. When so many individuals are jockeying for economic status, or lobbying for the next black belt in the self defense world, Major Nardia has stuck to his steadfast position of sharing the art that he holds dear.

3. As a life-long student of real world self defense, there are a handful of instructors/practitioners today that I would willingly follow into combat or stand alongside when violence reared its ugly head on the street. Without hesitation, Major Avi Nardia would need only ask and I would be there. My son and I are better for having known and trained with Major Nardia!

4. Follow-up questions or comments to the undersigned are welcomed through Major Nardia.

Dear Professor John Machado,

Thank you for your kindness in promoting me to Blue Belt in Machado Jiujitsu.  It was the greatest honor and surprise I have received in 65 years!   I am eternally grateful to you for thinking of me so highly.  I will never forget your kindness to me.

It is said that a student looks for his teacher for 15 years before finding the right teacher.  In my case it took 65 years!  I had studied Brazilian Jiujitsu at another school for about 4 1/2 years.  I was the oldest student there.  Despite trying my best and training regularly I was always passed over for promotion.  I felt very bad.  After my 4 1/2 years of training I still could not match the skills, power, and endurance of younger people.  My instructor gave me terrible news one day.  He basically destroyed my hope and heart to continue training.  He told me that I was essentially washed up, had no stamina, was easily fatigued and worthless as a Brazilian Jiujitsu student.  I left his school in despair and had just about given up Brazilian Jiujitsu completely.  One day I was searching the Internet and found Avi Nardia's web page and how he was a teacher of Machado Jiujitsu and Kapap..  I read with extreme interest the history of this most interesting, unique, and remarkable man.  As you know better than I, Avi Nardia is one of those rare, gifted individuals who has almost god-like personal and physical powers and a profound empathy and intelligence as well.  I called him up one day and he immediately picked up the phone and listened to my story patiently.  He immediately invited me to join Machado Jiujitsu in Rochester. Talking to and meeting Avi was one of the most important experiences in my life.  It was almost mystical how quickly he had a profound influence on me. Avi and his instructors Jason Goldwasser and Paulie Colon taught me Machado Jiujitsu for 6 months with such concern, patience, and gentleness that tears started to come to my eyes many times in thinking of their kind instruction to me.  I had met a truly exceptional group of outstanding people in Machado Jiujitsu!

I would sincerely like to thank you Professor John Machado, Avi Nardia, Jason Goldwasser and Paulie Colon and all the Machado Blue Belts and White Belts I met for all the positive experiences and fun I've had studying with them.  I found the Machado Jiujitsu style much more appropriate for me than the other style.  In the other style I was always getting injured and having to visit doctors for injuries but with Machado Jiujitsu I learned better principles which opened my eyes to a a new world of safe practice.  My training partners never hurt me in Machado Jiujitsu.  There were no big egos either.  Everyone was friendly to me.  I plan to stay with Machado Jiujitsu for the rest of my life.  I've been having the most fun in my life studying it.  I look forward to someday going to visit you, Professon John Machado at your school in California so I can shake your hand and thank you personally for giving me back my dignity, happiness, and life's dream.  Thank you also for sending Avi Nardia, Jason Goldwasser and Paulie Colon to me also.  I will forever remember you all.

Sincerely

Please accept this as a formal letter of appreciation regarding the recent training that I completed at your academy. I have completed various courses in the military and I have attended numerous private training facilities and academies as you know I would certainly say that the training I received at your establishment is excellent overall.. Your professionalism and ability to relate tactics and techniques to real world situations was very beneficial to me. I must add that your extensive background supports all the training that we covered.

In a world that now has thousands of self proclaimed 'counter-terrorism experts' you are a welcome change. Your past operational experience and knowledge compliment your training centre. It is nice to see Israeli combat systems being instructed by an individual that has dedicated his entire life to combat as opposed to some of the watered down systems instructed by individuals with minimal experience. I hope you continue to maintain such high standards and only pass the students that are deserving of your certificates. All the best to you and the academy.

 18 December 2007 

November 28, 2009

Subject: Countering Suicide bomber course

Dear Major Nardia, 

I just wanted to thank you for the excellent course you presented. The vast experience in the subject of Islamic terrorism was readily apparent during the course lecture. You have a very unique insight into the mind of the suicide bomber and the material cover in the course was excellent. I hope that you will continue to share your knowledge with us and continue to expand our working knowledge of the world of terror and counter terror. 

Regards,

My name is Tomer a former combat soldier in the counter terrorism unit. I was also serving in Egoz unit - a special guerilla force unit in the Israeli army. I would like to share a few words with you about the "kapap" a most effective and efficient martial art. My acquaintance with Avi Nardia has started when I first joined the special counter terrorism unit of Israel. Avi was in charge of the martial arts and combat field instructor of the unit, and there he was teaching the "Kapap". Thats a martial art which deals with all kind of terror threats including all kinds of weapons. The kapap combines elements of speed, cordination, strategy, strength, flexibility and spirit. It can be effective both on ground and in stances positions.

The "Kapap", unlike other martial arts, is more open minded and therefore can help you to deal with many self defenses situations in various ways. I also recommend Avi as a very good and experienced weapons and fighting instructor

To all who are interested in a life long experience, Kapap is not only a life saving course but it is also a course to build a stronger mind,and any one who should choose a career in law enforcement should have a strong mind that stays prepared.The academy can only teach so much in The little time that the instructor has,but Kapap you don't have a time frame. I have taken a CQB course with an excellent instructor (Avi Nardia).  I believe that in the one course that I have experienced I am better prepared for the line of duty.The Kapap courses are all based  on life experiences from an known expert in martial arts the course are very intense and hands on  but so enjoyable that you forget about the pain and the blood.I would suggest that all law enforcement officers should attend at least one of the several course they have to offer us, I know that I'm looking forward to the air marshal course in jan, 06, I would also take any course that Avi Nardia is the instructor if because you can bet it will be intense and I'm a person who wants the best to help keep myself and my fellow officers as safe as possible.

Sincerely,

To whomever it may concern,

I consider myself lucky to have met Avi Nardia Sensei some 18 years ago, and become his student. He was my first and main Kendo and Iaido teacher, but as teachers go, he was much more than that. In regard to martial arts, Avi has taught me (and all the Kendoka in Israel for over a decade) the principles of Budo, the strive for perpetual learning, bettering yourself, teaching others and sharing your knowledge, and all that while staying humble and non condensending. Through the years we became friends, and remained in constant touch when Avi had moved to the US, and continued to teach there and later around the world. I am always amazed anew from his continuing learning, putting himself as a student in other fields of fighting arts, and thus his becoming of a better teacher, beyond his natural talent.
I consider Avi one of the best martial arts and fighting arts teacher I have met, and I know of many who share my view. I believe any student, or trainee, of any system, will gain real benefits, and a great learning experience, by putting himself under Avi Nardia's dicipline and relentless passion for passing his skills and knowledge.

Sincerely,

Dear Mr. Nardia,

I want to give sincere thanks to you because you take time to come to Germany to give seminar on 14th and 15th june.  My pupil and myself are glad that we become acquainted with you.  I rather like your attitude to be mostly pupil and only sometimes teacher very much.  In my opinion you are the top instructor of the Israeli Martial arts.

With sporting regards

To whom it may concern,

Having worked in Israel with counter-intelligence and internal security, and the country's top anti-terrorist, and home security forces [YAMAM, SHABAQ, MOSAAD], I have been both inspired by, and deeply impressed with, the efficiency of KAPAP, and honoured to have been a contributing factor.

Major Avi Nardia is recognized one of the world's leading experts in anti-terrorist tactics and his KAPAP program is second to none. I highly recommend them both.

I am writing in recommendation of Avi NARDIA. I am a police officer with the Lancaster City Police Department in Lancaster, PA. I have been a police officer for nine years, and I have been a member of the department’s tactical team (S.E.R.T.) for the last five years. Our team consists of (52) members and includes a sniper/observation unit, a chemical munitions/SIMS unit, a K9 unit, a medic/trauma surgeon unit, a primary perimeter unit, a primary breaching unit and a primary entry unit. I am assigned to the chemical munitions/SIMS unit as an instructor and an operator, as well as being an operator on the primary entry unit. To date I have participated in approximately (50) tactical operations as a member of S.E.R.T. Our missions have included civil disturbances, high risk warrant services, armed/barricaded subjects and drug raids.

In September 2002 our team had the pleasure and privilege of meeting and training with Avi NARDIA and Uri KAFFE, who are both veterans of the Israeli Army and the Israeli Police Force. I have participated in several tactical training courses, but none have compared to the courses instructed by Avi NARDIA. Avi’s courses are not “text book” courses. What he teaches, one can not learn from a book. There are no manuals, films or handouts – Avi’s courses are about doing not watching or reading. Avi offered us a three-day course, which included instruction and practical exercises in the Israeli techniques for building entry, room/hallway/stairwell clearing, bus assault, aircraft assault, shooting positions, movement and engagement, weapons retention, self-defense, civil disturbance and counter-terrorism. Never does Avi consult a manual or notes for his instruction. He instructs from memory, because he has actually lived what he teaches.

It is easy for an instructor to read about a topic and then simply regurgitate the information to the students. However, when tactical skills are involved, lecture alone is not sufficient. Training that is in the form of lecture can become tedious for the students, and it does not have the retention power of practical training. Avi’s classes center around the practical, maximizing both student and instructor participation. Avi offers very little down time for the students. It is obvious that he has a strong work ethic, and this attitude is passed on to the students. Avi does not simply sit back and watch the students work. He fully participates in the training, performing each exercise in conjunction with his students.

If any department or tactical unit is looking to enhance their tactical skills, I highly recommend the training and instruction of Avi NARDIA. His tactical skills and instruction are far above the majority of the training that local law enforcement agencies receive in the U.S. He was extremely easy to work with and was willing to structure his instruction around the types of training that our team wanted. His only request was that we work hard and rest little. His experiences in fighting terrorism contain essential information for law enforcement officers in this day and age. The bottom line is that simply listening to Avi’s life experiences is beneficial training in its own right.

Sincerely

I would just like to let you know how much I enjoyed the Instructor Course held in Corsicana, Texas last month. The training was extremely practical and more importantly applicable and it is very appropriate for the Personal Protection Detail that we work with in South America. Of great importance as well was the attention you paid to Combat Fitness which stressed the point that if you are not in shape you cannot perform adequately. Your experience in the field brought a true sense of realism to the training and the techniques and when I returned home Ireally felt like I had achieved something worthwhile. Good luck in all your future endeavors and we would have no trouble recommending you to other companies and associates.

Best Regards

AVI MEETS GOLIATH

Sometimes, life will present itself in ways that you do not expect, bringing you full circle with one’s forgotten past. Avi had reappeared in my life 25 years later. 

I first met Avi, while I was towards the end of my compulsory service in the army (IDF).  I had just moved to this unit, and Avi was my direct commander. He was not your typical commander.   From his perspective, there was a job to do, and you had the freedom to do it, and that was that. 

One day, we were off to another unit. There is always a kind of rank hierarchy in the army, but even more so when one is not on his home ground. An enlisted man had decided to start a fight with another enlisted man (myself). He was a big fellow, bigger than me, which is quite tall, but he was also heavily built .

Now usually, if someone is going to start a fight with me, 9.9 times out of 10, I am going to  turn the other cheek. But in this case, I didn’t even have a chance to do so, because then and there was “my” officer, standing between myself and the big guy. Avi, (not pulling his rank on this enlisted man), confronted him with such a ferocity, that I still remember it to this day. The big guy became a tamed pussy cat very quickly, without one blow being exchanged.

Avi is a little man. I imagine that if he did not have this ferocious spirit, one could probably brush him aside, without too much effort. But beware, if you are going to go on this road of wrong doing and injustice – you are sure to meet the spirit of Avi Nardea.

Avi is one of the most proficient self defense and martial arts instructor I've had the pleasure to train under.  Definitely the man to see if you want intense, real world based training.