About · Founded 2002 · Connecticut
About Modern
Self-Defense Center
Founded in 2002 to bring the most effective, up-to-date training methods in martial arts and self-defense to the greater Connecticut region — and still doing it, continuously, more than two decades later.
2002
Founded
4
Core Programs
7,200
Sq Ft Facility, 2005
7 yrs
Of Free Weekly Classes
1000s
Of People Trained
In one paragraph
What MSDC is.
Modern Self-Defense Center is a Connecticut martial arts and self-defense school founded in 2002 by Chris Martell. It offers separate, high-level training in four programs — Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (with and without the gi), and Filipino Martial Arts — taught by private lesson, semi-private lesson, seminar, workshop, and self-paced online course. Clients may train one program or any combination of programs. MSDC teaches throughout Connecticut and beyond, and worldwide by live video and virtual reality.
| Founded | 2002, in Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Founder & head instructor | Chris Martell — four black belts, teaching credentials in eight arts, MS.Ed from Purdue University |
| Core programs | Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (gi & no-gi), Filipino Martial Arts |
| Also available | Budoshin Ju-Jitsu, Kenpo Karate, Boxe Française Savate, movement screening |
| How to train | Private & semi-private lessons, seminars & workshops, online courses |
| Service area | Central Connecticut and statewide; New England; national travel for seminars; worldwide by HD video and VR |
| Certifying bodies | Ranks and instructor certifications awarded by Harris International, the International Modern Arnis Federation, the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai, and the International Krav Maga Federation |
Why we exist
A sensible middle road.
MSDC was founded on a specific objection to how self-defense was usually taught: either it encouraged paranoia and aggression, or it was unrealistic for real-world conflict. We set out to find the road between those two failures.
Promise 01
Immediate results
Most martial arts classes assume you’ll study for years. We built our programs starting with the question, “What if you could walk away from your very first lesson with usable, effective skills?” And then we built every class after that the same way. Safer, faster, period.
Promise 02
Safe, healthy training
No matter how effective it is, training that beats up your body or encourages paranoia is a nonstarter. We take a bigger perspective: this is about improving your quality of life, and providing tools to sustain that boost. Physical fitness and mental wellness might seem like bonuses, but to us they’re a natural piece of the puzzle.
Promise 03
Friendly, community-centric approach
We love our mission because it’s about service, and we find we attract friendly, like-minded clients. Class should be a joy, not a chore. Our self-defense training is social and, yes, even fun. Great training partners are what make it that way.
2002 – present
A Quick History of the Modern Self-Defense Center
The Modern Self-Defense Center was founded in 2002, with the purpose of bringing the most effective, up-to-date training methods in Martial Arts and Self-Defense to the greater Connecticut region. The initial program focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in a time when BJJ schools were few and far between in New England, as well as the Israeli art of Krav Maga which was largely unknown at the time.
In August of 2005 MSDC opened a 7,200 square foot facility in Middletown, Connecticut and expanded its programming: now there were multiple daily classes offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu both with and without the gi (uniform), Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, and Mixed Martial Arts. In addition to all this, MSDC began offering a free self-defense class for members of the community that met every Thursday night — this class ran from 2005 to 2012, every Thursday, at no charge, for seven years.
MSDC began attracting notable expert guests: annual visits from world-renowned Jeet Kune Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Filipino Martial Arts, and Self-Defense expert Professor Roy Harris; seminars from notable BJJ standout Mr. Roy Dean; workshops from movement expert Dr. Mark Cheng; rare training opportunities in the art of Kalis Ilustrisimo from Mang Romy Macapagal; an MMA seminar with UFC veteran Mr. Jason Lambert; and a number of other workshops including Sayoc Kali, Boxe Française Savate, Aikido, and Wing Chun.
From 2005 to 2012, MSDC flourished and provided training to hundreds of people in the greater Middletown area. Additional programs grew, including the Adaptive Movement Martial Arts program for kids, and the Boxe Française Savate French Kickboxing classes — including two trips to Montreal to train with kickboxing legend Mr. Richard Sylla.
In 2012, MSDC moved to Meriden, Connecticut, into a facility well-designed to accommodate the growing number of group and private classes taught by the leadership team. MSDC began training more athletes, including its first professional Mixed Martial Arts competitor.
Today, private face-to-face and online training continues to be offered to clients everywhere — including online courses that can be taken any time, and live virtual reality instruction, which as far as we know makes MSDC the only source of real-time, instructor-led VR self-defense lessons anywhere.
Who teaches here
One instructor. Eight credentialed arts.
Everything on this site rests on the person delivering it, so we make that person easy to check.
MSDC founder and head instructor Chris Martell began training martial arts in 1986 at age six. He has studied more than twenty martial arts, holds black belt rank in four, holds teaching credentials in eight, and holds a Master of Science in Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Purdue University — which is why the instructional design at MSDC is deliberate rather than inherited.
He is the author of Knack Self-Defense for Women, designed and taught the self-defense course for Wesleyan University’s Athletics Department as their only non-faculty instructor, and has been featured on NBC Connecticut, the front page of the Sunday Middletown Press, and twice on the ABC News homepage.
“Someone once called Chris ‘the Leo Buscaglia of Self-Defense’ and it’s a compliment he’ll treasure forever.”
Modern Self-Defense Center
About MSDC
Common questions.
How long has Modern Self-Defense Center been open?
Modern Self-Defense Center was founded in 2002 and has operated continuously ever since, making it one of the longest-running self-defense schools in Connecticut. It opened a 7,200 square foot facility in Middletown, Connecticut in 2005 and moved to Meriden, Connecticut in 2012.
What martial arts does Modern Self-Defense Center teach?
MSDC teaches four core programs separately and at full depth: Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with and without the gi, and Filipino Martial Arts including Modern Arnis, the Inosanto Blend of Kali, and Kalis Ilustrisimo. Budoshin Ju-Jitsu, Kenpo Karate, and Boxe Française Savate French kickboxing are also available to private clients on request. Clients may train one program or any combination of programs.
Where is Modern Self-Defense Center located?
MSDC is based in central Connecticut and serves clients throughout the state — Hartford, New Haven, Middlesex, Fairfield, and Litchfield counties — as well as greater New England. We also travel nationally for seminars and workshops, and teach worldwide by live HD video and virtual reality. Contact us and we’ll tell you exactly what’s practical for your location.
Who founded Modern Self-Defense Center?
MSDC was founded in 2002 by Chris Martell, who remains its head instructor. Martell holds black belts in four martial arts, teaching credentials in eight, and a Master of Science in Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Purdue University. He is the author of Knack Self-Defense for Women.
How can I train with Modern Self-Defense Center?
Four ways: private lessons, semi-private lessons for up to five people, seminars and workshops delivered at your organization’s location, and self-paced online courses in HD video and virtual reality. Private and semi-private lessons are $120 per hour in central Connecticut, with no contract or membership required.
Does MSDC still offer group classes?
Our current focus is private and semi-private instruction, seminars and workshops, and online courses — formats that let people train on their own schedule and at their own level. Semi-private lessons for two to five people fill much of the role a group class used to, at a lower cost per person and with far more individual attention. Subscribe or ask us to hear about group offerings and special events as they’re scheduled.
Where do MSDC’s credentials come from?
From named teachers and recognized bodies, all of them checkable. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, grappling, and Filipino Martial Arts through Harris International under Professor Roy Harris; Modern Arnis through the International Modern Arnis Federation under founder and Grandmaster Remy Presas; Budoshin Ju-Jitsu through the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai under Professor George Kirby; Kenpo Karate under Professor Lee Lowery; and Krav Maga instructor certification from the International Krav Maga Federation in 2023, following original certification under Master Rhon Mizrachi in 2002. Every credential is listed with its awarding teacher and the year it was awarded on our ranks and credentials page.
Get started now
And go to bed tonight with skills you didn’t have this morning.