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Arnis (Weopons) |
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At the Northeast Academy of Martial Arts we teach Modern Arnis in the style of Grand Master Remy Presas. One of the characteristics of Filipino martial arts is the use of weapons from the very beginning of training. Modern Arnis is no exception. The primary weapon is the rattan stick, called a cane, which varies in size, but is usually about 28 inches in length. Both single and double stick techniques are taught, with an emphasis on the former; unarmed defenses against the stick and against bladed weapons (which the stick is sometimes taken to represent) are also part of the curriculum. It is said that, originally, the cane was considered sacred by practitioners, and therefore an Arnis practitioner was expected to hit his cane at the hand or forearm of their sparring partner and not at the latter's cane. This also had the advantage of being the preferred method in actual combat, referred to as "defanging the snake", that is, disarming the opponent of his weapon so that he is less of a threat. However, it discouraged many would-be practitioners who found this training too painful and injury-inducing. The result was that the Filipino martial arts were in danger of dying out; in many areas of the Philippines, Japanese martial arts such as Karate and Judo were much more popular than the indigenous systems. Remy Presas' modernization of the training method was intended to help preserve the Filipino martial arts. He taught the method of hitting cane-on-cane during practice, which attracted more newcomers to the art and also allowed the art to be taught in the Philippines' school system. Defanging the snake remains a principle of Modern Arnis, however, and in practical application, one would typically strike the hand or arm. The technique is also used empty-handed, where it is known as a “limb destruction”. Training covers empty-hand self-defense (striking, locking, throwing, etc.) as well as the trademark single and double stick techniques of the Filipino martial arts. Other aspects of the art include sinawali (double stick weaving patterns), and tapi-tapi (locking drills with the stick). In addition to partner drills, Modern Arnis includes the use of anyo (forms), solo forms both with and without the stick. Emphasis is placed on fitting the art in with a student's previous training ("the art within your art"), smoothly reacting to changing situations in the fight ("the flow"), and countering the opponent's attempt to counter strikes directed at him ("tapi-tapi"). Practitioners are called arnisadors or Modern Arnis players. In addition to its Filipino influences, elements of Judo,
Shotokan Karate, and
Wally Jay's Small Circle
Jujutsu appear in the system. Additional Details Schedule: See our schedule page for class times and days. Contact us or drop by our studio for a free intro class and pricing details! |
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2007-2011 Northeast Academy of Martial Arts, 145
Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749
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