Should I approach Datu Kelly Worden for instruction?

F

Frank Jones

Joined
Dec 23, 1999
Messages
127
Hello everyone,

I am a beginner to martial arts. I've done a lot of reading on the subject over the years, but have never received any instruction. Now, I want to change that and have begun the search for an instructor--and an art, though the instructor is more important. I have, however, read many positive things about Filipino martial arts.

So imagine my surprise when I found out that Datu Kelly Worden's studio is less than five miles from my apartment.

Training with this great man would be truly wonderful. However, I don't know if he accepts beginners.

So, my question to all of the very knowledgeable people on this forum is: Should I approach him for instruction, or should I learn fundamentals with another teacher before bothering him?

I am 20 and a student at the University of Washington. I would be extremely dedicated and willing to learn with him for as long as he would have me.

Thanks again,

Frank
 
Not just "ya", but "HELL YA!!" Don't miss out on an opportunity like that! :-)

Keith


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Attitude Is Everything!
 
Thank you for all of your replies, both here and through e-mail. They have been universally positive and encouraging. I will attempt to speak with Datu Worden very soon, and I will keep everyone informed.
 
Yes. We'd like to hear about your experience. Even though we're knife/stick/gun/hand folk we'd like to hear about his curriculum and your reason for taking up a particular course.
 
Hey Frank,

Not to take anything away from Kelly Worden, but you do have another option. Guru Ariel Mosses has a school in Moses Lake, Washington. He's the senior instructor in Manaois Eskrima and a senior member of the late Punong Guro Sulite's Backyard Group(LAMECO Eskrima). He can be reached at (509)764-4119. You can take a look at the Manaois Eskrima website: www.geocities.com/manaois_eskrima
Good luck in your studies!

Mabuhay ESKRIMA!

Adrian
 
Frank,
Go for it man! You have what I call a rare opportunity to train with one so knowledgeable of the FMA. Datu Worden is tops. I sorta envy you, wish I lived only five miles instead of the other side of the coast. I have been a video student of Mr. Worden for a many years now and have had the opportuntiy to speak with him over the phone when he was visiting Jim Keating of Comtech.
I have most of all his tapes, except the renegade JKD, which I soon will acquiring.
His sibat (staff) tapes are excellent and have added new dimension to my staff training. So by all means if you can, do it.
Good luck in your endeavors.
 
Originally posted by KaliSIG:
Hey Frank,

Not to take anything away from Kelly Worden, but you do have another option. Guru Ariel Mosses has a school in Moses Lake, Washington. He's the senior instructor in Manaois Eskrima and a senior member of the late Punong Guro Sulite's Backyard Group(LAMECO Eskrima). He can be reached at (509)764-4119. You can take a look at the Manaois Eskrima website: www.geocities.com/manaois_eskrima
Good luck in your studies!

Mabuhay ESKRIMA!

Adrian
Click to expand...
MOSES LAKE IS A MINIMUM HOUR AWAY,WITH DATU KELLY ONE OF TWO DATU UNDER REMY PRESAS,AND HIS RENEGADE JKD CURRICULUM,HES HARD TO BEAT.HIS CIRCLE OF FREINDS IN THE TEACHING WORLD IS HARD TO BEAT AS WELL,AS THEY ATTEND AND TEACH WITH HIM OFTEN,FROM SOMBO CHAMP BRETT JAQUES,MICHEAL JANICH,GREG WALKER,JAMES KEATING,JESSE GLOVER AND TAKY KIMURA.ITS HARD TO BEAT HIS SCHOOL EVEN IN SUCH A BOUNTIFUL MARTIAL ARTS AND KNIFE AREA AS SEATTLE, TACOMA.TALK TO HIM
 
Tsunaminw,

I was merely offering Frank another option. Guro Mosses is an accomplished instructor as well as competitor. He is well respected within the Lameco Eskrima and Manaois Eskrima. I did not intend to take anything away from Worden's school. Once again, good luck Frank.

Mabuhay ESKRIMA,

Adrian

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"No matter how deadly you may be, you must contain your art within the sphere of good motives against a background of peaceful intentions."
G.M. Ramiro U. Estalilla
 
Thanks again, all. I've pretty much decided to really pursue Datu Worden. And yeah, Moses Lake is quite far away, especially for someone with a rather busy schedule (like me).

I've sent an e-mail to the general info address on his webpage and am waiting to see what happens next.
 
If you got no immediate response please be aware that DATU was at the SHOT SHOW..so I doubt he was answering any mail for a few days!..but if you call him he'll respond.
Gads,,moses Lake has got the smallest airport in the world..LOL with the longest runways.. I was stuck there once..LOL!
Happy training!
 
Hey, thanks for the info, Mr. Frank. I was beginning to wonder: I almost sent another e-mail. You just saved me from making a nuisance of myself.
 
Hello all,

I've gotten in touch with Datu Worden. Of course he sounds very encouraging.

Thanks to everyone here.
 
Great!

Let us know what it's like to be a novice-under-instruction from Datu Worden.

student
 
Frank,

I kept meaning to put in my $.02 before but never got around to it until now.

I've never worked with Worden, but given his rep my question to you would be "Why WOULDN'T you approach Worden for training?".
confused.gif
I would think that a dedicated student with a sincere interest in learning would be welcomed by any teacher regardless of their experience level.

Also, your basics are your bread & butter in a fight, not to mention the foundation for all the advanced stuff. That being the case, my other questions would be "Wouldn't you want your basics to come from the best source available to you?" and "How good will your advanced skills be if your basics are second rate?"
confused.gif
I would also think that any teacher would rather take a raw student and teach them from the ground up, than to go back and correct poorly learned or incompatable basics.

Finally, as I always say ... If you don't ask, you don't get; and the worse they can do is say "NO.".

Good luck!

Dave.
 
I'm glad you got in touch with him..(Datu)give'em a big hello from ME!!!! its been a few days since I talked to him....LOL!
you'll enjoy training with the DATU...
 
IM THE PESTY WORDEN STUDENT ,STILL FIGURING OUT FORUMS ,SORRY JUST FIGURED OUT HOW TO POST CORRECTLY.WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS READ THE DIRECTIONS I GUESS
 
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