There is a phrase in Japanese saying that we become another person each time we walk through a door into another room. In his travels, Master Avi Nardia shares the path of the sword to the depth of the readiness of the student. The names of the arts presented may differ from Krav Maga to Kapap to Israeli Jiu Jitsu but the philosophy of them all is that of the sword. This is why Avi is choosing to embark on a second breath of life in 2025 with the new name CDC - Close distance Combat. Why this name, is the question and the answer is ethics and honor. To come close to your enemy is to bring the hidden to the surface and put your spirit to the test.

The line on the map begins in Belgrade where Avi met instructors to share his CDC the how the evolution from Israeli BJJ into Jiujitsu and now in Integrated Jiujitsu blending the old with the new.

From there Avi flew to Japan to share both instructor training and VIP protection including how to protect your family in a professional way and how to employ different manners of walking to evade and negate attacks. Avi continued to demonstrate how the blending of Japanese Jiu Jitsu and BJJ form Integrated Jiujitsu and become a separate branch than Kapap or Krav Maga.

Breaking down the oar into its separate particles we begin with Krav Maga which is a basic short program taught in the IDF and derive from Police Hagana-Hatsmit which akin to Defensive tactics in the USA police forces. Each different program has its own liabilities and premises. All of them use force but are subject to different laws. Any soldier in the IDF knows that the few days or weeks of training and instruction amount to little in the martial world and a trained soldier is a novice at hand at best. The Israeli Jiujitsu program grew and included additions from different arts and wasn't taught at the IDF. Each name carries meaning with it. Kids programs do not suit the military and vice verca. Honesty demanded to create a new progression from a short program as an introduction then progressing into the the IJJ, mixing the alloy of the blade with additional knowledge from other martial arts. This way the student can receive much more than any one path may offer and hone their edge on several rocks into a new shape.

The path is not one for show but for deep learning. The warriors of old such as the Samurai did not compete in the modern sense but strove for self-improvement.

"we have two lives and the second begin when we realize we only have one"

Confucius

Avi's travels continue in various locations in the US. Dallas to South Carolina to Lynchburg and more where he gave private classes and Mui Tai workshops. He continued with blade and firearms disarming classes and next he flew to Hanover Germany to teach both Kempo Arnis and hold tests for BJJ and IJJ. The scabbard slit becomes smooth the more the sword is run through it. With an open mind, a student and teacher can learn no matter the name of the art.

When a glass breaks it shatters into shards of intricate lines and sharpness. The same goes for conversations over time with our teachers and nature itself. Our internal battles are fought night and day between good and evil, right and wrong. The martial way is our path to self-discovery, self-realization and finally in transcending the self. Why do we discuss these terms and why do we pursue the martial arts? We do not walk down the street with a scabbard on our belt nor do we shoot a bow or use a sling to topple over giants?

Avi Nardia a teacher and scholar of the martial arts for several decades has a layered answer to this query. It is near impossible to see the top of the mountain from it's base and the same is true in reverse. The seed to mastery is given to the student in the first lesson and when it hits you, you realize that the road is given to you by he who walked the road ahead of you or in Japanese, A sensei.

It is also said that the right teacher appears when the student is ready and to allow this Avi has created a three tier system of learning.

We begin with the Student individual who attends classes when and where they wish over the net or in person. Those are given the seed to mastery, but it is their choice on how and in which planes of life they apply and manifest it.

We progress to the Associate who teach on their own and can only mention their association with the Nardia name. These teachers are committed to the way of martial art but not yet to the path of mastery.

The final tier are the members who commit to the path of morality and ethics and embody the knowledge and skill of the Kengo or sword master. Only those are allowed to use the Name and Logo of Avi Nardia.

Let's go on a journey to ancient Japan where the same structure existed in this form. In the beginning, a student of the sword or Ken in Japanese would be called Kenshi or swordsman. In the beginning, a swordsman learns to cut and stab. He or she learns how to take a life in the service of their will or that of their country. It is the temptation of the life taking sword or "satsujinken" which begins most journeys. The practice is hard at first and the student aims are outside themselves.

Next on the path comes a higher level of competence in the use of the sword but still the swordsman is attached to his weapon in thought and action. This stage can be called "kengo"  豪 or sword master and during this phase the student knows more and can do more with the blade but still there is reliance on the blade and the technique instead of what lies within.

The final level involves the way of the life-giving sword or "katsujinken" where the student teacher transcends the learning and the sword itself. Avi sees his teachings as a combination of both swords. Both taking and giving life to reach internal balance and achieve the level Kensai  劍聖 or sword saint who no longer rely on the sword but carries the spirit of the sword in each thought feeling and action. Consider being able to include all facets of our humanity during the trials of combat. Our humanity is tested to its limits and beyond and one who carries his sword within can be one with their morals and honor despite such pressure.

We mentioned the concept of disarms using both cold steel and firearms. When you are the embodiment of the martial way, there is no way to disarm you from the outside.

Every action we take affects our loved ones and the world. The ability to take a life and to elevate those who are living brings out the best in all of us and is the true and complete meaning of the martial way.