About Arnis
The history of Arnis is similar to many other styles. Simple people trying to protect themselves and improving they ways in which they can defend themselves. The Filipino culture highly regarded tools such as the machede and the knife, and the terrain often made sticks readily available. These factors made Filipino Martial Arts utilize weapons much more than other martial arts, but the Filipino arts still hava a highly refined empty handed component that people often underestimate. Filipino martial arts gained historical comment when Lapu-Lapu a famous Filipino Martial Artist felled Magellan with a bladed weapon. Over the centuries Arnis has grown and merged with external influence. Early trade and travel from Indonesia played a huge part in Arnis's developement. The occupying Spanish both improved Arnis by integrating European fencing, and almost destryed it through outlawing its practice in 1764. The name Arnis comes from the Spanish word "arnes" which named the harness that practitioners would wear while practicing the Art.
Kuntao
Kuntao, traditionally spelled Kuntaw, is the name for the empty handed fighting style of Arnis. It is one of the most effective forms of street self-defense today. Not only does it account for the fact that your opponent may have a weapon, many techniques assume it. Kuntao often bears a striking resemblance to Thai Kickboxing, and Southern Styles of Chinese Kung Fu. In fact, Kuntao literally translated means Chinese Boxing. The primary part of Kuntao are the hand trapping techniques. These are crucial, since if you can't trap your opponents hand, you can't stop him from striking or capture his weapon. Kuntao also teaches punching, kicking, kneeing, and elbowing to quickly dispatch your attacker.
Kali
Kali is the name given to all of the stick and blade work. Filipino martial arts were known for some exotic weapons such as the kris and the bolo knife. But today we typically use more standard weapons. The most common methods of fighting are single stick, double stick, and knife fighting. We also sometimes train stick and knife, and blade (usually a machede either single or double) fighting. But Arnis has many diverse technique that also include two-handed edged weapons, long staves, and even sword and shield fighting. Much of the art is taught as simple standalone techniques (i.e. if someone strikes at you like this, you respond by doing that). But the Kali component of Arnis truly seperates itself from other arts by it's freely flowing semi-sparring drills. These techniques allow the defender to not only evade, but also counter with the technique of their choosing forcing the attacker to counter this new assault. The freedom of this type of drill allows both practitioners to practice hundreds of techniques in the span of a minute, and forces the practitioners to be able to insert their disarms into a fast moving exchange with an attacker rather than just a static single attack and wait to be countered mentality.Dumog
Dumog is the grappling aspect of Arnis. It goes hand in hand with the Kuntao component as, after all, after you trap an opponent, you need to do something to lock them or end their attack. Dumog is most similar to Japanese Ju-Jitsu. People often have trouble figuring out which art invented which technique first. Basic Dumog includes wrist locks, arm locks, and simple throughs that allow a smaller person to controll a larger attacker. Advanced Dumog includes ways of locking your opponent with his own stick, controlling two hands with only one of yours, or ways to off-balance your opponent. Dumog can also be used on the ground to integrate well known styles like brazilian ju-jitsu with the use of weapons. The precepts of ground fighting can greatly change when your attacker has a weapon in his hand.
Anyos
Anyos are the smallest component or Arnis. Modern Arnis contains four stick forms and eight empty hand forms. These are simple ways to remember techniques and practice them without a partner The stick forms will teach blade awareness and control, so that the student will be able to use a bladed weapon. The empty hand forms are similar to certain styles of Karate, but the breaking down into techniques is much more WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get). Arnis forms are usually performing particular techninques as if your opponent was right in front of you
Professor Presas Modern Arnis
My instructor was the late Prof. Remy Presas, who taught me much of what I now know about Arnis. His style is known as Modern Arnis as he removed some of the antiquated pieces that couldn't be practiced today. Prof. Presas was one of the greatest fighters and innovators of his time. Prof. Presas also studied Judo, Ju-Jitsu, and Karate.
Our Program
Our program incorporates all of these aspects into one comprehensive system. In my own training, I have attained a third degree black belt in Ryu Kyu Kempo Karate. I have also studied Small Circle Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Wushu Kung Fu, Capoeira, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thai Boxing, and Western boxing. Even though Arnis stands on its own as a martial art, I like to incorporate the strengths of each art into the Arnis curriculum where appropriate. That way each technique is refined to be the best it possibly can be, so that in our style, a smaller person truly can defeat a larger attacker.
Who should Learn Arnis?
Our program is focused on busy professionals who need a no nonsense self defense system that will be instantly effective rather than taking years to master. Our system works for people large and small. Learning Arnis is definitely important if you think you may be attacked with a knife or other weapon, and it is also important for anyone who may carry a knife or stick like object (maglite, police baton, etc.) in their day to day lives. Our system can be extremely effective for police, security professionals, bouncers, or anyone who needs ways to quickly and calmly control their attacker without pummeling them into submission. Especially in today's litigious society, it can be important to handle an attacker without leaving a mark on them. Our students range from the casually interested hobbyist to the dedicated martial artist who may already have several black belts. Classes have a very casual, informal atmosphere. We learn to defend ourselves and have fun doing it. If you would like to know more, stop by to check out a class. Guests are welcome to pop by at anytime, but it is recommended to email or phone ahead just in case there's a change in schedule. Contact and class scheduling info is on our Main page.
Arnis in the Media
Arnis and other Filipino Martial Arts were used in the fight Choreography in The Bourne Ultimatum as well as the other Bourne movies. More recently, Arnis has been used in the fight choreography in the hit movie The 300. Arnis, along with Kali, Eskrima, and other Filipino Martial Arts, was the primary basis for their fight choreography.