Perspectives on a few London FMA schools?

Discussion in 'Filipino Martial Arts' started by panderso, Jan 28, 2014.

  1. panderso

    panderso Valued Member

    I've been thinking about trying out some version of FMA for the past year or so, and some recent conversations have brought that back to mind.

    There are a few schools in my area of London that aren't too much of a trek, and I wondered if anyone had any insight or experiences with them? And yes, I know the default answer is "Go try out a class and see!" That's part of the plan, I just appreciate the broader community's experiences as well.

    In terms of what I'm looking for (which I know can be found a lot of places):
    • Easily applied to self-defence. I don't need another traditional art—that's what TKD is for! Even if it's based on some tradition, it should be easily transferrable.
    • Open to cross-training...my whole martial arts career has been cross-training, so it won't stop now.
    • Includes a fair amount of practice with empty hands.

    Here's the list:
    1. Bob Breen Academy (http://bobbreen.com/). His school sounds ideal, actually, and I know he's thought highly of on MAP, but I don't know if I could get to class enough to justify the cost.
    2. Kalis Ilustrisimo with Shamim Haque (http://www.kalis-ilustrisimo.org/). These guys are closest to me, and Shamim has connections with Breen, but I haven't heard much about them.
    3. Urban Escrima (http://www.urbanescrima.com/). Don't know much about them, but they're accessible.
    4. EA Doce Pares (http://www.eadocepares.com/). Obviously one of the bigger schools in London, they're too far away for me to train at regularly. However, one of my neighbours is an instructor there, so I could see if he'd be open to other alternatives.

    Thanks for your thoughts!
     
  2. Janno

    Janno Valued Member

    Out of those, i seriously dig Shamim Haque. As a fellow edged weapons afficionado, i have a lot of respect for his grace and precision movement. He never ceases to impress, even when teaching basic tech to experienced guys (as those who've seen him in action at the BCKEAI annual gathering will certainly agree).

    Bob Breen has also produced some good talent. I'm lucky enough to have had some of his recent blackbelts join my classes/seminars, and they are top lads - great attitudes, and some solid empty hand skills to boot - excellent ambassadors for their instructor :)

    Definitely can't go wrong with either of those mate - though i'd say that stylistically, there's a big difference between the two, so it's worth trying out a few classes from each before coming to a decision.
     
  3. panderso

    panderso Valued Member

    Thanks mate, that helps a lot! Could you say a bit more about how they're different stylistically? I think I've read enough to have an idea of what you're talking about, but since FMA is new territory for me it'd be great to know what you're alluding to when I visit them.
     
  4. Janno

    Janno Valued Member

    Bob's guys definitely seem to lean more to the empty hand JKD side of things. Good striking and grappling skills - very direct applications of force - you see a lot of boxing-esque movements and trapping in there.

    Shamim moves very differently - more like a weapons user - subtley using offset angles to expose vital points like the neck or other arterial targets, or to exploit vulnerabilities at the body's joints.

    I'd urge you to take a look at both to see what i mean (it's a tricky thing to express in words alone). I must say that there are very few people in the UK who i'd rate for bladework. Shamim is one of them though, and if you want to become proficient in this particular area of study, it would be criminal to pass up the chance to train with him.
     
  5. Pat OMalley

    Pat OMalley Valued Member

    And of course there is yourself Janno. And your brother Arnisador over in Chingford Paul Murray.
     

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