Kali & Arnis

[Andy Murray]

Hey.

I'm probably gonna get shot down in flames for asking, but as I toy with the idea of getting into stickfighting, I'm a little confused by the different schooling available.

I picked up some different bits of stuff over ther years, and I'm told some of it is Kali, and some of it is Arnis, or modern Arnis :confused:

Anyone give me a run down on this, and while I'm asking, how do the two (three?) compare?

Andy

[YODA]

Hi Andy

So many FMA systems - so little time LOL! I'll do my best to give you some unbiased info...

The terms Eskrima, Kali and Arnis are basically 3 names for the same thing. Usage is usually either political or geographic.

At a beginners level it treally doesn't matter - the training method, people and level of instruction are far more important.

You will find schools that fosus more on using FMA as a kind of "cross training attribute development method" i.e. using FMA for it's coordination development etc rather than learning to fight with a weapon. You can usually tell these because they don't spar and often don't teach FMA seperately but tag it onto another class.

You will find schools that focus more on stylistic adherence to an "artform".

You will find schools that focus on teaching people to fight with weapons.

Personally I teach elements of the above with a definate focus on No.3

Find someone who you relate well to, who has real time & qualifications in the art rather than being purely "seminar trained" and who's stuff you like - the rest is not realy important.

Not easy for me to answer without predudice - but I tried :D

[Andy Murray]

Thanks for that anyway Dave.
I'll try and have have some intelligent questions for next time I see you.

Like how long before it doesn't feel like you've got two left hands?