The book features a twofold, interrelated focus. First, it looks at the unique Filipino culture; how it was greatly influenced by Spanish colonization, the oppression it suffered under foreign rule, and how the native yearning for freedom led to the development of the martial art of arnis. The book then presents the distinct technical aspects and resultant physical manifestation of the indigenous fighting art. Centering upon the Kombatan method forged by Grandmaster Ernesto Amador Presas Sr., it describes numerous maneuvers utilizing stick, blade, and empty hand components, and offers information on their myriad practical applications. This volume is unique in that it is one of but a few composed by a native-born and bred Filipino author, one who absorbed lesson in the Philippines, directly under the guidance of an established system’s founder. The book seeks to present arnis in a proper light, as a simple and pragmatic method of self-protection, while debunking the more fanciful theories and concepts that have crept in as it makes its way into world consciousness.

Covering a variety of preparatory stretches and warm-up exercises, the 12-zone striking and defense systems, hand-to-hand combat ("trapping hands”), flow-practice drills, sinawali and redonda, this 160-page, fully illustrated text gives novices a tangible amount of self-defense skill through specific drills. For example, the sinawali is taught without sticks, in empty-hand fashion, to illustrate how its weaving motions can be easily translated into empty-hand movements for blocking, punching, and takedowns. He discusses the 12 important angles of attacks on the human body, 12 basic ways of dealing with each angle, plus stick and sword disarming techniques.

The complete presentation of the system developed by Wally Jay, this book brings together elements from different arts, Jay's broad-based yet focused and effective system incorporates theories, principles, and techniques essential to the development of every martial artist, whether a novice or a seasoned veteran. In this definitive instructional text, Jay covers the history of small-circle jujitsu; techniques for warm-ups, falling and resuscitation; details on weaknesses of the human body; locking techniques for wrists, fingers, arms, and legs; throwing and choking techniques; and self-defense against strikes, chokes, body grabs, and wrist grabs.

Once the sole property of the Philippines, the balisong is quickly gaining favor with practitioners throughout the world as a weapon with infinite possibilities. Balisongs are now made in Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Spain, Pakistan and in many other countries. Causing this dramatic upsurge in interest is the challenge of finding and executing as many openings as possible.

Learn about the history, culture and techniques of filipino escrima with this informative martial arts guide. The history of the Philippines and her martial arts is a history of resistance and revolt. Born into this fertile time and place, Grandmaster Leo M. Giron became a child of revolution. He grew up in a time when martial arts training was a necessity, not a luxury. His system was taught to him by five renowned masters; his experience honed in the jungle warfare of World War II. The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima is an engaging biography of Leo Giron, a renowned master of escrima and survivor of numerous hand-to-hand encounters in the Philippine jungles. It is also a visual and descriptive survey of Giron's fighting art--a classical weapons and empty-hand self-defense system applicable in today's modern society. Included is an overview of the twenty styles that make up the Giron system in general, and an analysis of the de fondo and cadena de mano styles in particular. Packed with over 300 historical and instructional photographs this book truly reveals the secrets of this Filipino martial art.

Arnis: Reflections on the History and Development of the Filipino Martial Arts is an intriguing collection of essays on Filipino martial arts. Featured are insightful essays by Filipino martial artists: Krishna K. Godhania Antonio E. Somera Abner G. Pasa Dr. Jopet Laraya Felipe P. beano, Jr. Rene J. Navarro For centuries, Filipino martial arts have played integral and often momentous roles in the history of the Philippines and in the survival of the Filipino people. But what are these arts? Where do they come from? How have they developed? Where are they headed? And what inner dimensions do they offer their practitioners? These questions, among others, form the basis of Arnis: Reflections on the History and Development of the Filipino Martial Arts.

So much of the literature regarding this art is focused on its country of origin-and that is a good thing-but it would be a disservice to the story to ignore the uniquely American aspects of its evolution, which took place when the Founder-Remy Amador Presas-arrived on these shores in the 1970s, having narrowly escaped violent persecution in his homeland. From his interactions with other martial titans and integration of certain of their practices into his art; to his travels from state to state and country to country-like a latter-day Johnny Appleseed-teaching his method along the way; to the intensive, multi-day training Camps all across the nation, from which numerous innovations arose; it's all here for the interested reader, told by one of his most senior students and dearest friends. In addition to evoking Remy's voice from the other side, this simple story illustrates the way in which a true master can find alternate pathways; can mix and match materials to produce an altogether new creation; and can make use of everything around him, from the company, to the environment, to the tools at hand. This is also the case with my friend Dan Anderson. Read on, then, for you are about to embark on a tale of martial giants, artistic pioneers, and the dawning of a new age on the American fighting frontier.