Hello Everyone,
AMOK! - founder Professor Tom Sotis, website
www.knifefighting.com. When I first started with Professor Tom, it was on a search for Dagaso Tirsia from G.T. Gaje, this search eventually lead me to G.T. Gaje directly and then to Tuhon Chris Sayoc, whom I am currently studying with. AMOK! at that time had various drills to help a practitioner develop certain fighting skills. AMOK! at the time, also included Pekiti Tirsia's 64 attack system of practice into the regular curriculum. Later in the practice, Professor Sotis, did away with many of the training drills in favor of a much more/less structured art with alot more sparring/dueling added to the practice. Professor Sotis also continues to teach aspects of flexible weapons, unarmed skills as well as to tap into his practice of various arts, such as Kuntao etc. to augment his students fighting skill repetoire. During my time with him, I was only shown a few techniques derived from his training with G.T Gaje, and he continues with his path in AMOK!, training with various masters to help enhance his skill and art of AMOK! Definetely a person to train with!!
Pekiti Tirsia Kali - Head Instructor - Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje, I started practicing PTK in the early/mid 80's by learning the Abecdario, from an article in a New York magazine that someone had given me. I had read the various articles about Master Gaje, and wanted to travel to New York to train but I was in school and then college and he eventually moved to Texas and then left for the Philippines. When I eventually got a hold of Tuhon Gaje in 1998/99, I orignally was just looking to enhance my 64 attacks(which I eventually learned thru various PTK students) One of the first things he told me was to stop practicing the 64 attacks as it was old technology! Tuhon Gaje has definitely improved on the old method of teaching from the 70's - 80's. Instead he now offers various various training methodologies from the Pamuno Tirsia(basic strikes), Palipas Tirsia(deflection movement), triplicado offensiva, Tri V forumula, Contra Tirsia Dobla Dos etc, he continues to work off the Contrada - recontrada methodologies from the earlier days but also includes more drills on the aspect of the short blade as well. I am not familiar with alot of his newer technologies that he is currently teaching. Still another person to Definitely train with.
Sayoc Kali - Headed by Tuhon Christopher Sayoc, website
www.Sayoc.com.
The Sayoc System of Edged Weapons Dynamics is taught in three parts. Sayoc Kali, Sayoc Silak, and Sayoc Bakal. The Sayoc Kali system emphasizes the correct and effective usage of the blade. During training a student will learn how to use a single blade, with progression to the use of multiple blades, in conjunction with empty-hands training. Sayoc Kali contains the basic teaching formula, and is primarily concerned with the development of the "Feeder". Feeder based mentality is best described by answering this oft-asked question: "How would you defend against a guy with a knife?" Feeder Based mentality : "I have the Knife" The Sayoc Silak system is the counter offensive training and contains the second learning formula. This training revolves around the "Receiver", and is started with the empty hands. The Sayoc Bakal system is the third aspect taught. It is comprised around the use of projectiles in combat. It works as a complete system and complements and enhances both Sayoc Kali and Sayoc Silak.. Included in these 3 categories of training are: proper handling or blade edge discipline, blade deployment, vital target discrimination, defense against and the practice of disarms, projectiles and finger-touch methodology used in conjunction with knife work, critical injury management, teaching methodologies, non linear templates, 2 dominant weapon usage, environmental tactics, power assisted movements, and a system for multiple man situations.
Lameco Escrima- Founder Edgar Sulite, lot's of great tactics and strategies from this may be familiar with other Filipino martial artists as Master Sulite had trained with many masters and compiled his system from them all. Great sparring applications to hone the skill level is also emphasized.
Doce Pares - Canete family art, great stick drills! Lot's of sparring especially utilizing the WEKAF gear. You cannot go wrong if you are training with a qualified instructor!!
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Gumagalang
Guro Steve L.
www.Bujinkandojo.net
and I know that I personally learn nothing from non-alive drills, other than how to get good at non-alive drills. Whereas I learn quickly and practically from alive, combative drills, so I look to spend my time in arts that only do those kinds of drills.