| In Part 2 of this series, I am going to talk about | | | | have heard from others. |
| my experience in the Filipino Martial Arts. The | | | | In what we practice in the Boston Arnis Club, |
| Filipino Martial Arts is known as Arnis / Kali / | | | | Arnis is taught through stick but each student is |
| Escrima. Most all empty handed Martial Arts today | | | | brought to understand they are actually using a |
| seem as though, they are incorporating the Filipino | | | | bladed weapon. Now the reason for this, |
| Martial Arts into their systems. This is a wonderful | | | | something that I was taught by my Master |
| thing. The Filipino Martial Arts has a rich History | | | | Teacher, Guro Grande George H. Brewster, is |
| that you can go online and read about it or | | | | because it helps teach proper bone alignment. |
| purchase books that have been written up on this | | | | You see when you use a sword, your knuckles |
| subject. From my understanding the words - | | | | are aligned in a way that your palm is behind the |
| ARNIS / KALI / ESCRIMA are used throughout | | | | handle which in turn lines up your carpals and |
| different parts of the Philippines. Some parts will | | | | metacarpals of the hand and wrist, so that you |
| not understand the terminology of the other | | | | will not hurt yourself when impacting something |
| parts. There are a thousand different dialects | | | | with your Baston (stick). |
| being spoken in the Philippines today and it all | | | | I have seen some students of Arnis come into |
| depends on where you live. | | | | my school (Dojo) over the years who didn't |
| Also, some have told me over the years in which | | | | practice in this way & their stick work was |
| I have been a student of Arnis / Kali / Escrima, | | | | weak. They couldn't generate the proper amount |
| that these are all different types of Martial Arts. | | | | of power needed to break bones or other things |
| Here's an idea of what I mean here and this can | | | | being hit with a stick. They would argue with me |
| be a can of worms for me. I am not saying I am | | | | that their system was superior to ours which kind |
| an expert about all of these amazing Martial Arts, | | | | of offended me a bit. So I put them to the test |
| but I'm just touching on a small portion of what I | | | | of hitting with me. We went outside & hit |
| have come to experience and learn over these | | | | tires. Wham, - their stick vibrated right out of |
| years. So if I am mistaken, please excuse me | | | | their hand. Their face looked as though they had |
| & let me taste your cup of tea. | | | | a dozen eggs on themselves. |
| Here we go - | | | | I then hit the tires & they could not only see |
| Arnis, from what I was taught, means to take | | | | the difference, but hear it as well. Then I |
| something and to harness its energy and power. | | | | explained why it is so important when learning a |
| It is to be able to learn how to understand the | | | | stick art, it is always a good idea to practice with |
| workings of the nature of what is being used. It | | | | some kind of edge weapon to help teach you |
| doesn't matter whether it is a stick, staff, sword, | | | | proper bone alignment which in turn will help out |
| bolo, chriss, knife, rope, chain, shield, whip, spear, | | | | your power of hitting with a stick by proper wrist |
| empty hand or foot. But from what I have heard, | | | | & hand placement. |
| Arnis is mostly a stick art. Again, this is what I | | | | |