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Arnis and Escrima Filipino Martial Arts

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Last updated on March 18, 2019

Why Learn Arnis and Filipino Martial Arts?

What I’ll tell you today is Filipino Martial Arts in the Philippines, a practical art of self-defence that is so effective that you only require half an hour of daily training to be able to protect yourself should bad things happen.

Kali
Master Louis Lim doing single stick drill with Grandmaster Melecio Balberde.

Learn how you can use arnis to develop self-defence skills.

That martial art – the Filipino Stick Art – commonly known as Arnis

Arnis is a Filipino martial art developed in the Philippines.

arnis
Lapu-Lapu the first Philippine hero who slain Ferdinand Magellan.

The Philippine islands are found along primary trade routes, which made it a perfect location for foreign invaders to conquer.

Filipinos are well-known for their ability to survive and took fighting methods from every occupier and trade partner. They integrated their skills with their native ones and established effective and easy-to-learn martial art – Arnis.

Even if Filipinos only had machetes and kali sticks, they were hugely feared by the better-armed foreign invaders due to their fighting skills. After all, those invaders needed to experience the most excellent fighting skills of each culture they tried to grab.

Why Is Arnis So Powerful?

There are many martial arts out there but only a few can be considered as superior and practical Martial arts that can give you the ability to defend yourself against possible assailants. Filipino Martial Arts, is one of those highly effective and practical martial arts that are both a combat and sport.

Its main value lies in the fact that the weapon is only the extension of the arms and the weapon-based techniques are easily transferable to the empty hands. The art is fast, elusive and strong. Recorded stick fights don't last long with strikes occurring in only split seconds.

Arnis Master Shares Kali Combat Tips in Rare Interview

Learn dynamic footwork, lightning strikes and optimum defence from Master Obon. Watch the interview here!

No matter which martial arts background you belong, Filipino Martial Arts is intended to help students improve in martial arts and defend themselves from life-threatening situations. We are certain you will find Stick Fighting Sport of lasting value for you as a martial artist.

Many Can Learn Filipino Martial Arts

Recently, population geneticists conducted a study that shows that Filipinos are the smallest race of people in the world. And that can be seen in sports. Filipino Basketball players are not that tall and the same can be said for their boxers and martial artists. Thus, Filipino martial arts is designed for individuals of varying sizes.

Built for Small-Bodied Persons, Anyone with A Varying Size Can Use Arnis

Arnis was naturally established to be used by a person with small body size. The tools in training are, in fact, easily handled and light. The movements are fast. The martial art is created around delivering light, numerous strikes using a stick or any other weapon.

arnis
Kali exhibition at TEDX.

While you’re attuned to being steadily fit when performing the swift movements, the art doesn’t depend on delivering powerful blows. You do have to very muscular. Also, you do not need to be concerned about strains that come along with immense strikes.

Acquire the Power of Kali Escrima

We all wish that everyone lives safely and happily. However, bad things do occur. In the real world, there are thugs, muggers, rapists, killers, and the list goes on. There are just people who are not scared of the law and abuse it out of pleasure.

Acquire the Power to Match Even a Stronger, Bigger, Armed Assailant

Also, there are those who appear friendly on the outside yet have the darkest souls. If you or someone you care about should encounter such persons, you will want to defend yourself by learning kali escrima.

arnis
Practitioners of Pekiti Tersia Kali

Kali Self-Defense Fighting

With Arnis:

  • You can defend yourself from an armed assailant with a pipe or a baseball bat
  • You can escape from the grip of a more massive attacker
  • You can match a well-trained kickboxer, wrestler, or even an MMA fighter in seconds
  • You can defend yourself against a shooter effectively
  • You can disarm an armed attacker, and protect yourself from a brutal assault.

Filipino Arnis – An Effective Weapons-based Martial Arts shares more information about how you can have an edge over an opponent.

You Do not Need a Stick

“What if I don’t have a stick with me?”  I frequently get this question. It’s a very decent question, and I have a very decent answer as well.  I teach arnis with arnis sticks. We practice the art regularly with a stick.  But you do not need one!

Secondary weapons used in Arnis training

Filipino Martial Arts
Secondary weapons in Filipino Martial Arts

You see, arnis works with anything, for instance, a pencil, a knife, a newspaper, a bottle, a chair, your shoe, your coat, a book, or even a bone steak.  To exhibit the power of the art, I once fought using a sub sandwich (in plastic wrap).  I did exceptionally well and ate lunch afterwards!

Arnis teaches its practitioners motion and tactical, reflex response. These things can, in fact, be done using an object. The Arnis stick is an excellent training tool.

It is Fun!

When talking about a topic such as the ultimate stick fight, it may seem discouraging and overrated. But in much Filipino stick fighting, that’s genuinely the case.

In its country of origin, Kali fighting is demonstrated in parties, celebrations, and parades. The reason for this is that a considerable part of it is “display behaviors” or only just showing off. Also, it helps that Filipinos enjoy the fun and genuinely love a good time.

arnis
Foreign practitioners of Filipino Martial Arts.

Let us look at a few of the pleasures:

  • Much of Arnis is dance-like and rhythmic. In fact, during Spain’s occupation, Kali Filipino could only be practiced openly in its cadenced, dance-like drills.
  • Arnis entails intricate, flamboyant twirls to build flexibility and strength of the forearm and wrist. The twirls make quite a show as well!
  • Sparring with a double stick would excite even the best rock drummer!
  • Elegant, ballet-like weapons are exhibited called “Palit-Palit.”
  • It is probably always fun to outmaneuver an attacker that thinks he or she has the advantage!

Final Words

Learn how the famous Filipino Stick Fighting will help you acquire the techniques you need in sports, self-defence and combat easily and quickly. For what it's worth, it's worth your health, skill and even your life.

Learn More:

  • Arnis Martial Arts – The Warrior's Way
  • Filipino Martial Arts Schools – Where To Learn Eskrima!

Written by Louis Lim · Categorized: Filipino Martial Arts · Tagged: learn Arnis

Instructor

Louis Lim

Louis Lim is a Filipino Stick Fighting instructor in the Philippines. You can read more about his journey here.

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I am a Filipino Martial Arts instructor from the Philippines. I specialize in the deadly art of Balintawak Esrkima.

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