Tai Chi, Krav Maga and Self-Defense for Adults in Tel Aviv near Givatayim
I’m Ron Melchet, a certified Tai Chi and martial arts instructor, and I have been training in martial arts since 1996. At Internal Way, I teach adults Tai Chi, Krav Maga and practical self-defense in small groups and private sessions.
My goal is not simply to teach movements or techniques. I want students to understand the principles behind them, develop a more stable and capable body, and learn to stay calm, clear and effective when situations become challenging.
Training is suitable for women and men, including complete beginners. The atmosphere is serious but non-competitive, with room to ask questions, understand what you are doing and progress at a pace that works for you.
What You Can Learn at Internal Way
You can come to learn Tai Chi, Krav Maga and self-defense, train privately, or study Tai Chi from home. Each path is different, but they all share the same emphasis: understanding principles, consistent practice and progress that you can actually feel in your body and ability.
Krav Maga and Self-Defense Group
Practical training for adults who want to feel safer and better prepared. We work on awareness, distance, timing, responding under pressure, basic striking, getting out of dangerous situations and making decisions when things become fast and unpredictable.
Tai Chi Group
Gradual and precise training in posture, balance, weight transfer, breathing, relaxation and connected movement. As students progress, we also explore the deeper principles of Tai Chi and their martial applications.
Private Training
Training adapted to your goals, pace and previous experience. Sessions can focus on Tai Chi, Krav Maga and self-defense, combine them, or work more deeply on a specific area that needs individual attention.
Online Tai Chi
A structured learning program that allows you to study and practice from home through recorded and online lessons, progressive explanations and personal guidance that helps you understand the principles rather than simply copy the movements.
How I Teach Tai Chi
Tai Chi is much more than slow movement. Moving slowly is a tool that allows us to notice things that are easy to miss at speed: where the weight is, where we are holding unnecessary tension, whether the body is structurally stable, and how different parts of the body connect into one movement.
Principles Before Form
It is possible to learn a sequence of movements and perform it beautifully while still missing much of what Tai Chi is really about. That is why I place strong emphasis on the principles beneath the form: structure, relaxation without collapse, distinguishing full and empty, connection throughout the body, intention and continuity of movement.
As these principles become clearer in the body, the form itself begins to improve. Movement becomes more stable, more precise and less dependent on unnecessary muscular effort.
What Does Relaxation Mean in Tai Chi?
Relaxation in Tai Chi does not mean becoming loose or passive. The aim is to release unnecessary tension while maintaining structure, stability and connection. In Chinese martial arts, the term Song is often used to describe this quality. The body is not rigid, but it does not collapse either.
Tai Chi Is Also a Martial Art
Tai Chi can be practiced for movement quality, posture, balance and calm, but its roots are also martial. Understanding the martial application helps explain why a movement is structured in a certain way, where force is generated, and how structure and timing are meant to function.
Not every student needs to focus on the martial side, but I believe it is important to understand that it is there. It is part of the language and principles of Tai Chi.
How I Teach Krav Maga and Self-Defense
Krav maga and Self-defense begins long before the first strike. In my view, the ability to recognize a developing situation, manage distance, choose a better position and make a decision under pressure is just as important as the physical technique itself.
Fewer Techniques, Stronger Principles
In a real situation, there is no time to stop and choose from dozens of different techniques. That is why I prefer to build a smaller number of principles that repeat across many situations: distance, timing, balance, protecting vulnerable areas, creating space, finding an exit and using a simple response that can still function under pressure.
The clearer the principle becomes, the less dependent you are on remembering one specific drill and the better able you are to adapt to what is actually happening.
The Role of Krav Maga in Self Defense Training
In self-defense training I use principles and drills from Krav Maga, boxing and other martial arts. Krav Maga provides an important practical framework for dealing with violent situations, but I do not want students to become overloaded with a long list of separate solutions. The goal is to understand what works, when to use it and why.
Self-Defense Is Also About Decision-Making
Sometimes the right decision is to leave. Sometimes it is to set a boundary, change position or create distance. When physical action becomes necessary, the response should be simple, clear and appropriate to the situation.
That is why we do not only practice how to perform a technique. We also train when to act, when to stop, and what changes when there is pressure, surprise or more than one person involved.
How Do You Train Under Pressure Without Making Training Unsafe?
Self-defense training needs to prepare you for reality while still allowing you to learn safely over time. Pressure is therefore introduced gradually. First we understand the movement and the principle. Then we add resistance, speed, uncertainty and decision-making.
This makes it possible to build real ability without turning every training session into a survival test.
What Connects Tai Chi and Self-Defense?
Tai Chi and Krav Maga may look very different from the outside, but they share many underlying principles. In both, balance, structure, distance, timing, direction of force and the ability to act without unnecessary tension are important.
In Tai Chi, we learn to listen to the body and to incoming force through slower and more precise practice. In self-defense, many of the same principles are tested under faster, changing and less comfortable conditions.
For me, these are not two completely separate worlds. They are two ways of exploring how the body and mind function under change and pressure, and how we can act more effectively with less unnecessary effort.
About Ron Melchet
I have been training in martial arts since 1996 and I am a certified Tai Chi and martial arts instructor. Over the years I have studied and practiced internal martial arts, Krav Maga, boxing and other systems, and each of them has influenced the way I teach today.
In Tai Chi, I look for the principles beneath the form: structure, connection, relaxation, movement and intention. In self-defense, I look for what remains useful when the situation becomes fast, messy and stressful.
My approach to teaching is calm and direct. I want students to understand what they are doing and why, rather than simply repeat movements because the instructor told them to.
There is room to ask questions, experiment, make mistakes and learn.
I teach adults in group and private training and aim to create a serious, ego-free training environment where people can challenge themselves and still continue training for the long term.
What Tai Chi and Self-Defense Students Say
Some students come for Tai Chi, some for self-defense, and some choose to combine the two. These are a few of the reviews written about Internal Way on Google.
R. W. ★★★★★ Google
“The combination of Tai Chi and self-defense gives you the best of both worlds. Ron is an excellent teacher with a great deal of knowledge and broad experience in martial arts.”
E. C. ★★★★★ Google
“I’ve been training with Ron for quite a while and highly recommend him. We learn effective self-defense for a wide range of situations, with an emphasis on precision of movement and adapting the training to each student.”
S. B. ★★★★★ Google
“I was introduced to Tai Chi through meeting Ron, and since then I haven’t missed the weekly session.”
Where Training Takes Place
Training takes place at 22 Dam HaMaccabim Street, Ramat Yisrael, Tel Aviv near the Givatayim border.
The location is close to Givatayim, Ramat Gan, Bitzaron, Nahalat Yitzhak and Yad Eliyahu, and is convenient for anyone looking for Tai Chi, Krav Maga or self-defense training in the Tel Aviv and Givatayim area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Training Suitable for Beginners?
Yes. Most people do not need any previous experience. We start with the fundamentals and progress gradually. In Tai Chi, beginners first learn basic structure and movement. In self-defense, we begin with stance, movement, distance and simple responses before adding greater complexity and pressure.
Do I Need to Be Fit Before Starting Krav Maga or Self-Defense?
No. Fitness helps, but it is not a requirement for starting. Training gradually develops movement ability, endurance, coordination and practical strength. The aim is to begin where you are and improve from there.
Is Tai Chi Really a Martial Art?
Yes. Tai Chi developed as an internal martial art, even though today many people practice it mainly for movement, balance and calm. Its martial principles explain much of the structure of the movements, weight transfer and the way force is used.
Why Is Tai Chi Practiced So Slowly?
Slow movement makes it easier to notice what is happening in the body and correct things that are difficult to feel at speed. You can examine balance, direction, unnecessary tension, connection between different parts of the body and continuity of movement.
The goal is not to become slow. Slow practice is a tool for learning.
What Is the Difference Between Krav Maga and Self-Defense?
Krav Maga is a training system developed for self-defense, while self-defense is a broader concept. Self-defense also includes awareness, prevention, managing distance, decision-making, leaving dangerous situations and understanding when physical action is actually necessary.
In my training, I use tools from Krav Maga together with experience from other martial arts.
What Matters More in Self-Defense: Strength or Technique?
Both can help, but strength alone is not the answer. Distance, timing, structure, balance and making the right decision can be just as important.
One of the goals of training is to learn to use the body efficiently so that you are not dependent only on physical strength.
Can I Train in Both Tai Chi and Self-Defense?
Yes. Some students choose to focus on one discipline, while others train in both. The combination can be especially interesting because Tai Chi develops structure, balance, sensitivity and relaxation, while self-defense tests your ability to function as speed and pressure increase.
Can I Try a Class?
Yes. You can arrange a trial session in advance, experience the training, meet the group and ask any questions before deciding whether you want to continue.
Want to See if It’s Right for You?
You do not need to know in advance whether Tai Chi or self-defense is exactly what you are looking for. You can come, try a session, ask questions and see how the training feels.
If you are looking for a serious place to learn, progress over time and understand not only what you are doing but also why, I’ll be happy to meet you.