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Instinct Defense Academy
5 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Krav Maga school in Portland, Oregon
Certified school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized Krav Maga certifying organization (think Krav Maga Worldwide, IKMF, KMG or Krav Maga Alliance). If certification matters to you, ask which organization they're certified through and what certification level their instructors hold.
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Women's self-defense dedicated women's self-defense classes — a welcoming, no-pressure space to learn practical skills and build real confidence
- Kids & teens Krav Maga classes for kids and teens — built around confidence, focus, and staying safe
- Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule instinctdefenseacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 503-875-3275
Hours
| Monday | 6–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6–9 pm |
| Friday | 6–9 pm |
| Saturday | 6–9 pm |
| Sunday | 6–9 pm |
The classes they run
“We signed up our 18-year-old daughter to participate in a short-course self-defense class designed for women, and we were impressed with the results.”
“My children and I participated in a couple of classes to see if this might be a good fit for us.”
Other martial arts here
“I was skeptical when I first joined this dojo simply because ninjitsu is never seen in mma or the UFC.”
What students say
“A family friendly atmosphere is promoted, and Peter Sensei is an excellent instructor with Decades of Martial Arts knowledge and understanding to impart.”
“We really appreciated the serenity and the positive approach along with the profound instruction we received on the first day.”
“The group is welcoming and accommodating of all experience levels, just an all-around great group of people to train with.”
“In just four sessions, the training provided increased our daughter's sense of agency and laid a strong foundation for improved self-awareness and situational awareness.”
“In just four sessions, the training provided increased our daughter's sense of agency and laid a strong foundation for improved self-awareness and situational awareness.”
“We signed up our 18-year-old daughter to participate in a short-course self-defense class designed for women, and we were impressed with the results.”
From the reviews
Trained here for a couple years, sadly had to stop because I moved away. Peter is one of the best instructors I've had in my life, in any discipline. The group is welcoming and accommodating of all experience levels, just an all-around great group of people to train with. Highly recommend checking it out.
Incredible instructor and martial art I started studying with Sensei Peter in 1996 while we both lived in Hong Kong. He was "merely" a 5th Dan (degree or level) expert at that time and was truly amazing, almost magical what he could do.
I was skeptical when I first joined this dojo simply because ninjitsu is never seen in mma or the UFC. I will simply say the head instructor is one of the toughest guys I've ever met! He has a plethora of knowledge when it comes to real life self defence.
We signed up our 18-year-old daughter to participate in a short-course self-defense class designed for women, and we were impressed with the results. In just four sessions, the training provided increased our daughter's sense of agency and laid a strong foundation for improved self-awareness and situational awareness.
New to Krav Maga? Start at Instinct Defense Academy
Instinct Defense Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a self-defense class, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or athletic to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build the fundamentals (stance, movement, and core self-defense techniques) over weeks, and controlled pressure-testing eases in gradually so every drill stays safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or Level 1 class time so your first session is alongside others who are also just starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first Krav Maga class at Instinct Defense Academy
Nervous about walking into a Krav Maga school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling a few core techniques with a partner — controlled and at your own pace, not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move in — there's no uniform or special gear you need to buy to get started. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — most schools have everything else you'll need for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call what to bring. Pressure-testing eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid — you won't be sparring hard on day one. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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