Filipino martial arts, terms, videos, books...

EightTrack · May 27, 2004

Hi there,

I'm interested in knife defense and martial arts and have been looking for a class in my area. I'm extremelly confused by all the terms and styles such as kali, arnis, eskrima etc..... I don't know what to look for. Cans omeone help clarify, and help me understand what I should be looking for?

Also, due to the fact that I'm in a small area I realize classes my not be possible, so I would like some suggestions on DVD's to learn some basics. What are some recommended videos, and where can they be ordered? Thank you!

tomek · May 27, 2004

kali, arnis and escrima are only terms for the same group of systems. You can find more about these terms by searching old posts.
Find a school and try, if You don't like it find another one.
Don't believe in learning knife/ knife defences from dvds... Don't believe in knife defences at all

Tyrkon Lawson · May 27, 2004

Try the following link as it should answer your question. I hope that helps.

http://www.martialartsresource.com/filipino/filframe.htm

then select: The Filipino Martial Arts FAQ link.

that should do it.

EightTrack · May 28, 2004

Thank you, that website was a HUGE help.

So am I to understand Sayoc kali is the most focused on knife work?

Tyrkon Lawson · May 28, 2004

I'm not sure if they are the MOST focused on knife work but I have heard that they basically only focus on it. I have been interested in their dvds for quite some time. I will leave this question to be answered by some Sayoc students.

K Williams · May 29, 2004

http://142.58.12.77:8080/FMA/

http://www.geocities.com/kalipages/

Good beginner videos/DVDs:

Essential Single Stick Skills #1 & #2
http://www.cfw2.com/dept.asp?s=cfw&dept_id=260

Dog Brothers #1 & #2
http://dogbrothers.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=31
http://dogbrothers.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=32

Balintawak #1 & #2
http://www.mati.com/videos.html#Taboada

Guro Bram Frank's videos
http://cssdsc.com/Merchant2/merchan...&Product_Code=CONCEPTUAL&Category_Code=VIDEOS

Datu Worden's stick/knife videos
http://www.kellyworden.com

Good place for sticks:
http://www.bloodsport.com/product.htm

tomek · May 30, 2004

Tyrkon Lawson said:
I'm not sure if they are the MOST focused on knife work but I have heard that they basically only focus on it. I have been interested in their dvds for quite some time. I will leave this question to be answered by some Sayoc students.

Sayoc is "all blade all the time", and really focuses on blades.

Tyrkon Lawson · May 30, 2004

There you go. Thanks for the clarification. I wasn't sure but plan on getting one of their DVDs soon. Thanks.

Raymond G. · Jun 5, 2004

If you like to read, there are numerous sources on-line as previously demonstrated but also Cassimore Magda has written stuff that you might find interesting. THE DEVASTATING ART OF PENTJAK SILAT. (Sorry, you'll have to find it yourself.)

Shhhh... it's a highly secretive art. (mostly)

Also the Kerambit book by Mr. T. (Steve)

Nice to see this thing blooming!

Raymond G.

Edit to add; You might also notice a prevelance of Spanish words or root words in the Phillipino arts, an interesting book written some 400 years ago by a guy (Gentleman) named George Syluer (Silver) took issue with certain Spanish masters of the fencing schools of the time. It's worth reading for it's historical value alone. But, you don't have to take my word for it! Any martial artist with interest in English martial history take note!

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/paradoxes.html This is a link(?) to "Paradoxes of Defense" (Circa 1599?)

The better part of this book was not published untill 1895(ish) Called "Brief Instructions" (to my Paradoxes of Defense)
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/brief.html

Enjoy!