About James Keenan

With over 60 years of immersed training and teaching in the martial arts, Grandmaster James F. Keenan stands among the most respected self-defense authorities in the world. He began his journey as a teenager, training relentlessly across multiple systems before serving in anti-terrorism and security roles - experiences that shaped his practical, reality-based approach to teaching.

Known for his remarkable breadth of knowledge, Mr. Keenan has trained extensively in Japanese Karate, Shōrin-ryū, Isshin-ryū, Judo, Taekwondo, and Chinese internal arts, always seeking the deeper structural and functional truths within each system.

In the 1980s, Mr. Keenan traveled to Israel and trained directly with Imi Lichtenfeld, founder of Krav Maga. He later became the first non-Jewish, non-Israeli to be awarded a black belt and full teaching credentials from Imi himself - an honor that reflected both his dedication and his commitment to preserving the system’s authentic intent. While deeply meaningful, it was one of many milestones in a lifelong pursuit of understanding combat and human movement.

Mr. Keenan’s teaching philosophy is rooted in humility, safety, and continual refinement. “The less ego you have in your practice, the better your practice is going to be,” he often says - a principle that guides both his own study and his approach to mentoring others. His first rule as an instructor is simple and absolute: “It’s the duty of the teacher to protect the student while the student is learning.”

Today, Mr. Keenan continues to teach, mentor, and inspire practitioners across generations. His mission remains clear: to share authentic, functional martial arts that balance tradition, practicality, and personal growth.