Arnis

Arnis, Kali, Eskrima  Also known as the Filipino Martial Arts or FMA for short.   Arnis, Kali and Eskrima are known as the fighting arts of the Philippines.  Often handed down for many generations there are many styles of Arnis, Kali & Esrkima.  Some of the more popular styles include: Modern Arnis, Combat Arnis, Doce Pares, Kombatan, and LSKAS.  This is the real deal when it comes to all out fighting and self-defense.   The Filipino Martial Arts are best known for their use of effective weapon techniques using the oldest and probably the first weapon of man…the stick!    Arnis, Kali & Eskrima focus on three primary weapons.  The baston, a 28 to 32 inch rattan stick, a bolo or machete type of blade and the dagger or knife.   This system is so effective it is now taught in police academies all across the United States including the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (AKA, Washington States Police Academy located in Normandy Park, Washington).

What most people do not know is that the Filipino Arts of Arnis, Kali & Eskrima do not just use weapons but they also have a very devastating empty hand system using joint locks simular to Aikido & Hapkido.  Combined with striking techniques using elbow & knee strikes and low line kicking and sweeping make this martial art extremely effective for self-defense.

One difference in Arnis, Kali & Eskrima is that when you start FMA training, as a beginner you start with a weapon and work towards not having that weapon.  This is different than most martial art styles where you start with empty hand skills and work toward using one as your training progresses.  Arnis, Kali & Eskrima training produces a keen awareness of distance, timing and adaptability quicker than most other styles of martial arts.   Most class time in most styles such as Karate, Taekwondo or Kung Fu involve training by yourself in a group setting.  Say about 70% of class time is training alone, kicking targets, practicing forms, Punch drills etc.  Only about 30% of the time is spent training with a partner, sparring, self-defense etc.    Not so with the Filipino Martial Arts.  About 80% of the class time is spent training with a partner and only 20% spent training by oneself.   It is this style of training that makes the FMA student more effective in dealing with actual attacks, understanding distance, timing, speed and footwork that just cannot being learned quick enough from training by oneself and practicing forms.

Traditional Taekwondo has no weapon system.   Most marital art styles such as Karate & Kung Fu use traditional weapons but never actually fight with them against a live person.  What are the odds you will find someone attacking you with a pair of nunchaku or bo staff on the street?  Highly unlikely.  And how can you really practice fighting or self defense if all you do is forms with the weapon?  You are missing out on reaction time, distance, counter striking, etc.

In Master Boiselle’s Esrkima class you will learn a very complete and effective FMA system.    Single stick drills, Power striking, Combination striking, Double stick drills, Chokes, Disarming, Knife Defense, Joint locks, Improvised Weapons, Pressure Points & Nerve Strikes, Flexible Weapons, Boxing Skills, Sweeping & Throws, Multiple Targets, Using your Voice & Self-Defense and the Law.  Everyone tells you a weapon is just an extension of your hand…in our class we live it everyday.  Come and see why our Eskrima training is what you need to make you a complete martial artist.