House of Combat
3537 Bathurst St M6A 2C7 Toronto, ON, Canada

Check out this gem circa 2016! . . . #toronto #bjj #throwbackthursday #tbt #martialarts #selfdefence #hocstrong #womenwhoroll

We can all use a bit of this fierce these days... . . . #toronto #kravmaga #rebelgirls #selfdefence #hocstrong

All the feels closing out the week. . . . #kravmaga #toronto #selfdefence #selfdevelopment #martialarts #boxing #bjj #hocstrong #thankful

We met Kate and her husband about 5 years back when they came in for a Krav Maga lesson to celebrate his birthday. Joel practiced with her husband and she took it pretty easy practicing techniques on me (thanks Kate). I'm psyched for this podcast and you should be too! If you are passionate about #girlpower #diversity and #representation (and you SHOULD be), this is a great podcast to follow and share. - Avigayil (HOC Manager)

Goofy selfie after teaching a virtual BJJ class. It's been incredible keeping in touch with everyone!

Warrior wisdom through generations. ----- Prepare for a photo flood from today's in-house #bjj tournament. #hocstrong #hocfcommunity #nopainfamily

Good to see these guys for some #virtual #kravmaga #training today. We missed them!

Finished teaching an online class. There were 8 boys in a combined class that usually run with 14+ each at the gym. Seems my 11 year old student was concerned. Not to worry kid. The thousands of students I've taught over the years can attest that I have taught many a "private" lesson to what was supposed to be a group class. I'm here as always, albeit virtually, to share the incredible benefits of martial arts training with those who show up!

Nothing new here: Making our Women's Krav Maga class work hard and laugh harder. #kravmaga #selfdefence #isolationworkouts

https://distantly.ca/house-of-combat

A personal message from Joel:

When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. That is why we are more susceptible to infections (McLeod, 2010). What are some of you favorite ways to manage stress and boost immunity?

This kid has many reasons to be proud. His BJJ accomplishments are just some of them. He's also a kindhearted son, student, friend, and teammate. Keep being awesome and working hard Kai - it pays off!

Looking good Kai. Looking good. #bjj #gold #oss #hocstrong #hocfcommunity #nopainfamily

Pretty much. Happy Friday Warrior Fam!

#thursdays #bjj #killers #oss

What a touching story. Action is all that really counts in the end.

The cutest family in Canada. Truly. #Repost @athomeorganicfarms (@get_repost) Sporting my very first BJJ medal from the @houseofcombat tourney today at sunday family dinner. Photo cred: @evydaypics

Tangled: A Tale of Two Blue Belts.

BJJ = respect. ----- #oss

BJJ = friendship.

Reason. ----- We all have a reason for fighting. What's yours?

Catchweight (and catch-age, catch-belt): an #oldschool battle. These young women are the present and future of #BJJ excellence. #womenwhofight #girlswhofight

r e f r a m e your New Year's Resolutions. I've been thinking a lot about how to make change stick. And while we often want to change our behaviour, it's the mindset that initiates and more importantly maintains change.... Consider my resolution: spend less time on social media (ironic, right?). That's not actually a goal. Instead I need identify the WHY. To spend more quality time with my family and Mitigate chronic pain from a repetitive stress injury That's what I need to keep coming back to if I want this to stick. So I challenge you to r e f r a m e: What was your New Year's Resolution and more importantly, what is your WHY.

: ? Received the following email today and a similar one last week: "Hi there,... Do you offer any one-time self defense classes? Thanks!" My response: "This is a great question! We do offer workshop events to various groups but we do not offer a one time class option at our studio. The difference is indicated in your question where you specify an interest in self defence. While a one time class might serve a fun introduction to martial arts, it is an ineffective method of learning self defence. Consider the venture similar (though far more important) to learning a new sport. I for one have never played hockey but I can only imagine that an hour class would just about be enough time to teach me how to stand on the ice with skates. I wouldn't even come close moving across the rink and learning the intricacies of the game no matter how good the instruction. The minimum timeline for acquiring basic self defence skills would be attending a 90 minute class once a week for three months. I can tell you that every single student who committed to this has discovered tremendous empowerment and confidence in being able to keep themselves and their families safe. A commitment to doing so is key."

Youth Winter Term starts today! 154 students 14 classes 4 Instructors/assistants... Let's do this! Avigayil, Joel Esther, Boaz S., Noa B.

We are super excited for the holidays coming up. Whether you're celebrating traditions, spending time with family and friends, or just catching up on errands, it feels like there's a lot more things that need to 'get done'. Here are some tips on how to be out and about with the confidence that you will get home safe. The following applies to situations where there is a physical risk. If an attacker is after your money or phone - just give it up. The tough thing is distinguish...ing scenarios in a split second and being prepared to respond accordingly. The only way to be equipped for this is to train with real life simulations which is what we do at House of Combat. . '. If someone tries to force you into a vehicle, it means they want you isolated. Don't give them one they need. Put up a mighty fight. If you're already in a vehicle and feel unsafe, do not hesitate to get help. Call 911. In a progressed situation where the above are not options, try: -Pulling the parking brake -Crashing the car into a stationary object -Forcefully kicking the door when an attacker opens it to let you out Lastly, do not be afraid to think through scenarios in your personal life where you are most at risk. Considering these ahead of time allows your brain to process and plan and helps to avoid the dreaded "freeze" response we've covered in a previous post. Risk is real but fear is a choice. Instead, choose to plan and mitigate. This can mean getting a dog, installing an alarm, taking self defence classes, notifying a friend of your whereabouts and so much more. Wishing everyone a safe Holiday Season full of everything and everyone you love! Disclaimer: The above tip is simply intended to get you thinking about all the options available to you in a threatening situation. Please use your own judgment to ensure your safety.

145 kids and teens registered for the Winter 2020 Term. 4/12 weekly classes are at capacity. The remainder have 1 or 2 spots open. Give us a call to register: 647-222-9313 x1

Sundays L2 Youth Martial Arts (10 a.m.) is now FULLSundays L2 Youth Martial Arts (10 a.m.) is now FULL

We hit 200 members this week and we're celebrating with a giveaway of our most popular adult membership - the 10 Class Card! To enter: Like our page and this post Tag 3 of the fiercest life warriors you know... *Terms and Conditions apply. New members only. Winner will be selected and announced Monday December 16.

Congratulations to our incredible team on a fantastic performance at today's OJA Provincials Jiu Jitsu Tournament in Niagara. Chaim S. Made a glorious return to competition after a 2 year hiatus by winning his first ever Gold Medal. And Coach Esther "Redbull" doing what she does best - dominating in Blue Belt NoGi with world class technique as though moving up a weight class didn't even matter.

There were 15 students in attendance at the Krav Maga class I taught tonight. As their instructor, my job included optimizing every skill and and drill tonight to suit: An army vet A 58 year old 6' 8" Karate Black Belt A 16 year old first timer... A 62 year old former Canadian National Swim Champion 2 students who I haven't seen or heard from in a year A crew of regulars who train 3x/week How? By sticking to the curriculum. Krav Maga is designed for everyone. It eliminates frivolous high skill moves in favour of less flashy and far more effective ones. Krav Maga is THE self defence answer for the majority of individuals regardless of age, body type, and experience. I stake my 35 years of martial arts training on this. Thanks to all who came out tonight! - Joel

Just another Wednesday night at HOC. Our #kravmaga class drilling knife disarms while @estee.monkey & @noa_boulakia get in some extra prep for the OJA Provincials #jiujitsu Tournament this Sunday! : @evydaypics

It's #GivingTuesday Canada! Attention HOC Students: Did you know that when you refer someone who begins any of our adult programs, we donate a portion of the revenue to Ve'ahavta (https://veahavta.org/about-veahavta/) to assist in easing the circumstances of those affected by homelessness? We know you love your experience of training at House of Combat so in addition to assuring the best possible service and results for your friend or coworker, you’ll also be supporting Ve'Ah...avta's work in the community. Tag a friend who would love our classes! Joel, Avigayil, GSG & RRG

We are so proud of and grateful for these two women. Honoured to have them as longtime students and now coaches at our school.

#hocstrong #girlswhofight #selfdefence

This is a big deal. Mazal Tov!

I say this often, especially during registration times: House of Combat will NOT be a good fit for every single child. However, we are blessed to provide an authentic and supportive martial arts training experience for all the amazing kids for whom we are a perfect fit. As ever, Avigayil (HOC Manager)

Shared by an HOC member on our WhatsApp group today

First snow of the season means a lot of trial class bookings and new youth memberships. First snow of the season means a lot of trial class bookings and new youth memberships.

Our incredible coaches Adina Segal and Esther Rubinoff went out and instructed class 1 of the Women's Self Defence workshop series yesterday on behalf of Project LISA. We are so grateful to these women for dedicating their time and skill for this important cause. Looks like it was a fun time too! #domesticviolenceawareness

She does it again! This promotion earned in just over a month (check out our last insta photo). Things have been hectic on this end with a new addition to our gym family born this past Friday. But the classes are up and running and we're grateful to be doing what we always do: building confidence and teaching life preserving skills to people of all ages and abilities.

Can that smile be any bigger?! Congratulations to Elayna on her well earned 4th #kravamaga stripe yesterday! #youth #martialarts #selfdefense #selfdefence #selfdevelopment #kravmagakids #kravkids

Check out this upcoming workshop series where you'll learn valuable self defence skills and support an important cause. #kravmaga #women #selfdefence

Sharing some more #wednesdaywisom from our students. Check out this email sent by a member following last week's adult #kravmaga class. "Class tonight was AMAZING. I didn't want to go. I begged my husband to let me stay home and snuggle in bed and drink hot chocolate. I was so tired.... But he reminded me that to get results takes consistency. So I went. And I’m SO glad I did. Maybe it was because I was so tired, but I finally got out of my head and just let my body react. My best class yet. Please thank Joel for me. He’s a wonderful instructor." You won't know how strong you are until you push past your comfort zone. It's a small and select group of individuals willing to get this uncomfortable but House of Combat is certainly one of the places you'll find them. So, who's coming to class tonight?!

We clean up OK. House of Combat has been kicking for close to a decade now (though no one really knows the exact date when we came to be). We've been the go to place for authentic martial arts training in #Toronto for even longer. your hand if you were there for the "dungeon" days? Either way, thank you for sticking around through our many rebirths (I wonder why that word is on our mind these days ) and for supporting the work we do as a true community school.... We love where we're at right now but hope to continue evolving and providing the high caliber instruction of #martialarts, #selfdefence, and #selfdevelopment training our student body is accustomed to. Got questions? Is there a class you'd like to see added to the schedule? Hit us up in the comments! -- Avigayil (Manager) Joel (Owner & Head Instructor) See more

An important conversation happened today. Thank you Eden for sharing your experience and for standing up against bullying! #hocstrong #selfdefence #selfdevelopment #alaircares2019 #standupagainstbullying #girlpower

An incredible story about kindness, community, and giving back. We're inspired!

All good things take time. #bjj #brownbelt #lifelongjourney

A great reminder for adults and children alike. Training martial arts should be empowering and while it may make you more aware and cautious, you shouldn't let fear take over your mind. The same exact potential for danger exists whether or not you prepare for it. Ignore or prepare - that's where you actually get a choice.

Another incredible evening spent on the mats with our #hocstrong fam. #bjj #fightlife

One week in. Twelve weekly classes in our Youth & Teen Fall Term. 3/12 at capacity.... 9/12 near capacity. This is the first time in 5 years of running our Youth & Teen Program (shutout to the parents who kick-started this program by demand: Shmuli Soroka and @sisrael) that classes have booked up in this manner and we're excited! It means that few if any new children will be joining mid term. This allows us to focus on working with this cohort to develop all the mental and physical skills we teach in class without ever backtracking (review is still and always will be key) or adjusting pace. We fully expect this to be the best term yet! Thank you to our amazing parent body for supporting what we do at our school and for spreading the word to family and friends. We feel so blessed to get to do what we love every single day.

Shutout to these two inspirational HOC dads Rabbi Rafi Lipner and Michael Brandt who ran the Yorkville Run today! Our community is the coolest!

First Sunday back! Our L2 #youth #martialarts class perfecting the details of the #kravmaga Reference Point 1 takedown.

False confidence. It's the biggest obstacle standing in your path. We hear it all the time from prospective or new students, that they'd "know what to do" if they had to defend themselves or their loved ones. The reality is clear - even if you do know in theory, the stress of a live situation triggers your autonomic nervous system in a manner to which you are not accustomed, you train for it.... You may have heard of the fight or flight response. But neuroscientists have actually identified what is referred to as F3 or the Fight-Flight-Freeze response. is the way your body reacts when your brain determines (in a matter of milliseconds) that the threat cannot be fought or outrun and you just give in. This is the actual reported reality by survivors of attacks. Everything you you would do goes blank because your mind that you are not prepared for this and the struggle is futile. . . ' ' .

Super proud of this warrior kid Kai for fighting with heart and always keeping a smile on his face. Thank you to Coach Patrick for always looking out for our #teamascnesion students! #gtaclassic #bjj #tournament #toronto #cobrakai

Wise parents know how to find what works best for their child... And we love it!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1343029342514967/

Here's a sort of 'back to school' inquiry for the adults among us. If you have yet to start training martial arts and self defence, what is the number 1 factor holding you back?!

Learn this name. Sagi Muki. First ever Israeli World Judo Champion. This is an incredible accomplishment. Mazal Tov! #judo #israel

Rhys wants you to know that... Registration for the Fall Term of Youth & Teen Martial Arts closes in two hours.

A timely #throwbackthursday to the original #ct707 #kravmaga #instructor course. #babyfaced #2011

Needing to share some #wednesdaywisdom from our students. #selfdevelopment #martialarts