Wing Chun (also known as Wing Tsun, Ving Chun or Ving Tsun) is one of the most popular types of Chinese Martial Arts. Its different with MMA Pound for Pound. Though it’s basically an unarmed combat technique, Wing Chun may include weapons as part of its course. The origin of Wing Chun can be traced back to China, but the real history of its creation has long been a topic of much debate. The most credible suggestion regarding the origin of Wing Chun dates back to 1700 AD in the Henan Shaolin Monastery.

When the Qing forces raided and ravaged the Southern Shaolin temple, a nun named Ng Mui fled to the distant Daliang Mountains, the only survivor. Ng Mui already had knowledge of Kung Fu in the Shaolin temple, which she assimilated with a new form she had learnt while observing a battle between a snake and a crane. She taught this new combat style to her adopted daughter whom she named Yimm Wing Chun. The new system was refined and then passed on from generation to generation, and was eventually named Wing Chun, after Yimm.

The modernization of Wing Chun started in Hong Kong during the 1950s under a Grandmaster called Yip Man. The discipline began to gain real popularity in Asia and the West when actor Bruce Lee became one of the most famous Wing Chun practitioners.

The Concept of Wing Chun:

Wing Chun is based on three basic principles – Practicality, Efficiency and Economy of Movement.

1. Practicality: Techniques such as Palm-up Hand (tan sau), Wing Arm (bong sau), Slapping Hand (pak sau) are designed to maim the most sensitive or vulnerable parts of the opponent’s body such as throat, groin, eyes and lower torso. Many movements and techniques in Wing Chun are often meant to be fatal.

2. Efficiency: Wing Chun does not use force against force, in order to gain the most efficient manipulation of the body’s energy. It believes in accurately timed and appropriately positioned little movements, and counter-attack is based on the opponent’s own force. This concept is also called Contact Reflexes.

3. Economy of Movement: This is a linear concept in which movements are based on an imaginary pole running vertically through the center of the body. The Center Line spreads out from this Mother Line, and since most of the vital points of the body are located along the Center Line, many offensive and defensive movements are based on this line. The Central Line, on the other hand, is the shortest path between the fighters where most of the combat exchanges take place.

Wing Chun Forms:

There are three basic forms in Wing Chun:

1. Empty Hand Form: This form has three more sub-forms – Siu Nim Tao – the foundation of the art, Chum Kiu – focus on advanced footwork and entry techniques, and Biu Jee – extreme short-range or long-range techniques, low kicks and sweeps, and emergency techniques.

2. Weapon Forms: The Dragon Pole and Butterfly Swords are the two forms of weapons incorporated in Wing Chun, categorized under advanced training.

3. Wooden Dummy or the Muk Yan Jong Form: A dummy made from several wooden posts represents a human opponent. The contraption is used to perfect angle, position, and footwork.

Release the idea from your mind the image of a “DIRTY Fighter” there is now such thing. He is actually a smart Fighter who knows how to use violence to his advantage. Free your mind of that idea, could mean the difference between life and death, it will subconsciously hamper your actions. You have the right to protect yourself and kill when your life is in jeopardy. When in combative mode your thoughts and actions should be as vile, vicious and violent as possible. Thoughts of legal or moral consequences of your actions should not even cross or enter your mind. If they do it will subconsciously hold you back in giving 100% in your attack and that could mean your kids or loved ones not seeing you again. The importance of training realistically or condition stimulus training could mean the difference between life and death. Training the mind to be accustomed to stimuli that is violent and vile you mean not freezing in violent situations.

Here are some tips and dirty tricks

? HIT FIRST, HIT HARD, KEEP HITTING
? Always attack in mid word or sentence i.e.” I will do anything you say, please don’t hur” ATTACK NOW. The element of surprise is on your side he is not expecting you to do anything.
? Practice saying your trigger sentence or word and curing yourself to attack when you say it. Make sure your speech is smooth and that you are not telegraphing your words or actions before attacking.
? If you are a woman use the power of “sweet talk” get him to believe that you will do as he says, then turn the tables when he least expects it.
? When speaking use your hands to help you speak, set them up to deflect or to position them closer to the target area you want to attack.
? Use your surroundings, push your attacker into an object so he trips or falls. Giving you time to run off or to follow up with a more devastating tactic to immobilize him.
? Gouge, spit, throw dirt or sand in his eyes to temporarily blind him to give you those vital seconds to get away.
? Make your training as real as possible have your training partner grab you, swear, yell at you and rehearse what you are going to say before you attack
? Remember your “ TRIGGER WORD” to give you the signal to attack.

Condition stimulus training is about making your training as real as possible so when your instincts take over in a high adrenaline stressed situation you are ready to use your environment to your advantage and not be hindered by it. Your mind will also be familiar with the stimulus and you will not freeze. Many martial artists and practitioners of self defense programs become overwhelmed when their environment changes from a dojo setting to a small confined area. Being in a room filled with furniture gives a martial artist the feeling of being closed in on and makes them feel that they can not move, so they stiffen. Being in this type of environment changes the way you are going to move or perform a tactic. It is completely different from movement in a dojo where you a vast amount of space.

When you are threatened and your adrenaline kicks in you now unknowingly give 100% faith and trust to your self defense system that it will get you out of harms way. Remember you fight like how you trained if you have trained in traditional systems you will most likely not use your environment to your advantage to defend yourself instead you will be hindered. You will focus on how you can not move and get tied up with objects in a room such as furniture because your training hasn’t prepared you for that type of stimulus. What you wear while training is also a big factor when it comes to be prepared to move in the streets. Many self defense training systems get practitioners to wear loose fitting clothing when they practice tactics for the obvious reason of being able to move freely. The downside of this is that when you move on the street wearing boots, jeans and form fitting clothing your range of motion is restricted. You will move much slower and if you are a female wearing heels will be off balance performing tactics because you have not trained yourself to move with heels on

The benefit with training this way is obvious, you give yourself more options, weapons and exits. Your mind is prepared and conditioned for the stimulus that comes its way when violence is presented to it. The more the mind is shown a stimulus the more it is accustomed to it and unfazed it becomes “normal” just like any other everyday event it has experienced.

The discussion of which Martial Art style to take is too extensive for this article.  So what I will say here is that there are differences in the various styles of Martial Arts which may result in some being more suitable for certain individuals compared to others.  Do some research on the different styles and do visit the classes of different studios that teach different Martial Arts if possible.  But more important is each individual school’s approach to teaching their Martial Arts.  Many Martial Arts schools teach only techniques and forms (set routines) that are specific to a traditional style.

These schools follow the ways that the original founders of each Martial Art style developed and they have continued with minimal variance over the years.  Other studios like to borrow techniques from a variety of Martial Art disciplines and integrate a mix into their programs.  Some schools are non-traditional and adopt a more open free style system which incorporates traditional Martial Art techniques with gymnastics and open choreography of forms.  There are many clubs that do both traditional and open styles.  Each school will claim that their Martial Art style and method of teaching is superior to others.  Prospective students must not take these claims too seriously and choose an approach that would be best suited for them on an individual basis.

Many advertisements for Martial Arts schools push the backgrounds of their higher ranking instructors as a way to attract students.  It is important to realize that the more degrees (or dans) a particular black belt has don’t always mean that the individual is a better instructor.  This is the same with instructors who have very successful competition records.  There is no correlation to the number of world championship titles won with how good an instructor is.  The term ’master’ should also be taken with caution.  A master doesn’t always make an excellent instructor.  The teaching style of different instructors can vary.  Some use the old Asian masters’ approach where discipline is strictly enforced much like in the military.  While general discipline is actually a good attribute to learn from Martial Arts training, some of the old ways of teaching, particularly reprimanding students vocally or physically for incorrect techniques may be considered a bit harsh for  today’s society.  This is why it is important to watch classes of prospective Martial Arts schools you are interested in. You want to see the teaching style of an instructor to determine if it’s a style that would be compatible with you or not.  Ask questions after instructors have finished teaching.  If you have the gut feeling that certain instructors will not be right for you, move on to find another club. Most legitimate schools will allow prospective students to witness or even try out a class for free before joining.

Related to teaching styles, some instructors emphasize safety more than others.  The use of protective equipment and certain rules while sparring are factors.  In addition to asking instructors, also ask other students about injury rates and their general feedback about the classes (ideally when they are outside of their schools).  Another point on the students is that some schools attract a certain type of student profile.  Observe the other students and decide whether these are people you would like to train with.

Some schools are very much into competition with active encouragement of students to participate in tournaments.  In fact, some schools even make this a requirement in order to advance through the different levels.  Other schools have been known to restrict competition only within a particular circuit.  For example, many tae know do clubs only participate in tournaments that are strictly Olympic style tae kwon do and never go to events that are open to all Martial Arts styles.  There are schools in the complete opposite end where they do not believe in competition at all and pretty well keep to themselves without any interaction with other Martial Arts clubs.  Many Chinese kung fu clubs do not compete and some styles of Martial Arts such as aikido do not offer any competitive outlet.  Many Martial Arts schools choose to have a relaxed position towards competition where they leave it up to individual students to choose whether they want to participate in tournaments or not.  Some schools have special competition teams where additional training is available for those students who wish to compete.  So as a prospective student, you should consider what involvement you would like in competition if any.  If you know that you never want to compete, you should not get locked into a school that requires tournament competition.  If you have a desire for competition, don’t join a studio that shuns competition.

Some Martial Arts schools teach in community centers, school gyms and even church basements.  Some have bare bones studios with outdated equipment.  Some schools have the latest Martial Arts and fitness equipment with sparkling clean change rooms and facilities.  All of these will factor into the membership fee of each school.  You have to determine what you are willing to pay for and what type of environment you will feel comfortable training in.

Many schools require annual contracts while some are on a month to month basis.  There could be initiation fees.  There could also be testing or grading fees for advancement.  All of these extra costs will add up.  Ask what happens if you have to freeze your membership due to extended illness or injury.

If one doesn’t really know whether Martial Arts is an activity for them in the long run, the option of taking short term courses such as those offered by community centers may be a viable alternative to making a full commitment to a dedicated Martial Arts club with its own studio space.  But do be aware that although Martial Arts can be very enjoyable from the first day you put on a karate uniform, it is a long term activity and one must have patience in order to benefit the most from Martial Arts.  Fortunately, there are many options in the form of different Martial Art styles and schools to choose from in the market today.  Just make sure that you do some preliminary research before committing to any particular club.

It’s also important to note that there are as many interpretations of the Martial Arts styles as there are instructors.  Students also interpret the class differently than other students in the same class, so other people’s opinions are not always the best determiner of what style you should pursue.  While you are trying to find the Martial Art that’s right for you, it is helpful to also try a few classes to get a feel for the style, instructor and school.

KARATE

History

Karate can be translated as “empty hand” which means that it is a Martial Art performed without weapons.  While the history of Karate is somewhat vague, its ancient roots have been traced back to China in the 5th century B.C.  The more modern form of Karate began in Okinawa, Japan during the late 1700s.  There was a weapon ban in Okinawa at this time, so people had to come up with system of self defense that used empty hands – they combined aspects of Chinese Martial Arts with the Te traditional to Okinawa.  By the early 1900s it began spreading throughout Japan.  In 1964, the Federation of Karate Organizations was formed as a means to create some continuity for Karate world-wide. Even so, there are many different styles and variations of Karate today.

Techniques

Karate is a linear Martial Art.  It uses a wide variety of movements: kicks, punches, blocks, strikes, evasions and throws.  Training focuses on having a strong offense and puts equal importance on the three areas of the art: basics, sparring and forms.

Features

•    People who practice Karate use their hips to generate power.
•    Ranks, values and styles differ from organization to organization.
•    Karate, which can be hard and straight line, is very disciplined and some traditional schools might seem very harsh.

AIKIDO

History

Using the influences of the traditional art of Daito Ryo Aikijo-Jitsu, Japanese fencing, spear fighting and Omotokyo, Moriehie Usehiba developed the Martial Art of Aikido (“the peaceful art”).  He first used this name for it in 1942.  The basis of this art is to live in a spirit of protection instead of physical domination.  The art of Aikido is ruled by the International Aikido Federation in Tokyo, Japan.

Techniques

Aikido is a circular Martial Art.  Instead of winning a fight with physical domination, Aikido teaches its participants to control and redirect the negative energy.  This leads to a commitment to both peaceful resolutions of conflict as well as self-improvement through training.  People who practice Aikido learn to use throws and pins as well as how to immobilize their attackers. They don’t use punches and kicks, except as a distraction.  The basis of the art is to learn how to stay out of the line of attack and gain control of the attacker’s balance in order to stop the attacker.

Features

•    Aikido does use weapons: jo (a 4-5 foot long staff), Bokken (a wooden sword) and a Tanto (a wooden knife).
•    Aikido is a non-violent method of self-defense.
•    The quality of the belt ranks is strictly regulated.
•    Aikido lacks many of the kicks and strikes common to other Martial Arts.

JUDO

History

Dr. Jigro Kano developed Judo after he was enrolled at Tenjin Shinyo ryo School of Ju-Jitsu because he was frustrated with all of the student injuries.  Judo is a gentle Martial Art that helps its participants strive to perfect themselves and to be a value to society.  Judo, which means “the gentle way”, improves physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Techniques

Judo uses throwing, grappling, pins, holds, locks and choking.  However, the training focuses on safety – participants need to work towards top conditioning and Judo is always practiced on mats.  Judo participants learn the art through a series of forms that consist of throwing and sparring – there are no strikes in competitive Judo.

Features

•    Judo has a strict set of rules and a clear instructional sequence.
•    Judo rules, training and ranks are fairly standardized throughout the world.
•    Judo helps develop complete body control, fine balance and fast reflexes.
•    Judo uses a lot of grappling, throws, grabbing and ground work. Because of this, it often reminds people of wrestling.

TAEKWONDO

History

While the beginnings of Taekwondo can be traced as far back as 30 B.C., modern Taekwondo began after Korea was liberated in 1945.  Koreans wanted to eradicate all Japanese influence on Martial Arts, so they began connecting the Korean Martial Arts schools and styles to create a national sport.  The name Taekwondo (“the way of the hand and foot”) was chosen in 1965.  1973 marks the beginning of the World Taekwondo Federation.  It became a part of the Olympics in 2000.

Techniques

Taekwondo consists of four disciplines including patterns, sparring, self-defense and a break test.  Taekwondo is primarily a kicking art and there is a large emphasis on sport.  People who train Taekwondo need to combine philosophy, mental and physical discipline and ability to their training.

Features

•    Taekwondo is recognizable by its high kicks.
•    Taekwondo black belts exams require a break test.
•    Taekwondo training can include the use of vital points to attack an enemy.
•    Taekwondo schools are often kid- and sport- oriented.
•    Taekwondo students often are expected to compete in many tournaments.

T’AI CHI

History

The development of T’ai Chi (translated as “the supreme ultimate”) is credited to Chang San-feng, but Wang Chung-yueh and Chiang Fa elaborated on the original art.  They took San-feng’s 13 postures and devised continuous sequences that linked them together.  T’ai Chi used to be a greatly defensive art – even deadly.  So much so, that the families who knew it guarded it fiercely.  Now, T’ai Chi is less violent and is used to get rid of more figurative enemies such as stress and fatigue.

Techniques

People who practice T’ai Chi may use weapons, but the underlying theory is that the art is used to unify the mind, body and spirit.  It is often now used to guide negative energy away from oneself.  There are two ways to practice T’ai Chi.  The long form can take 30 minutes or more while the short form can take less than 10 minutes.  The forms focus on continuous movement that leads to relaxation and solid stances.  In T’ai Chi, each arm is used to protect half of the body and the hands never reach past the toes.  T’ai Chi can be done alone (forms) or with a partner (self-defense training).

Features

•    T’ai Chi teaches awareness of balance and what affects it in oneself and in others.
•    T’ai Chi has five major styles, but there are always new ones developing.
•    The basis of T’ai Chi’s self defense is to meet force and stick with it until can be redirected instead of resisting it.
•    T’ai Chi focuses on slow movements, so people who like vigorous exercise often find this Martial Art to be boring and slow.

KUNG FU

History

Kung Fu (translated as “skill and effort”) actually refers to over 200 styles of Martial Arts (most of which stem from Chinese Martial Arts).  Kung fu can be traced back to the shoalin temples where the monks used it for health and spiritual developments as well as a method of self defense.  During the early 1900s, Kung Fu, also called Wu Shu, spread throughout China when fighting arts became very popular.  In the 1960s and ‘70s Kung Fu’s popularity grew due to the Bruce Lee movies.

Techniques

Kung Fu is central to the Chinese culture and is used both for physical wellness and artistic expressions.   Within the many different styles of Kung Fu, there are variations from hard and linear to soft and circular in technique.  Some use weapons (including the common sword, saber, spear and cudgel) and others do not.  The seemingly common thread through them all, however, is to teach the students to respect the teacher and other Kung Fu styles.  Kung Fu also requires (as well as builds) mental strength in addition to physical strength to be successfully practiced.  Kung Fu students also often practice some techniques individually and others with groups.  In many schools, beginning training starts with what is called the Southern Fist style.  It involves footwork, kicks and hand combat techniques.

Features

•    Kung Fu refers to the hundreds of different styles of Martial Arts in China.
•    People who practice Kung Fu learn many different fighting techniques including fist fighting, weapon fighting, routines and combats.
•    Many Kung Fu styles use similar principals such as, proper diet, and breathing, concentration and meditation exercises.
•    Some Kung Fu styles use weapons while others do not.
•    Kung Fu training improves physical conditioning through strengthening of the joints and increases speed and reactions.
•    Kung Fu’s major difference over other Martial Arts is that it not only focuses on outer, physical power, but also involves training the mind and inner power through breathing exercises and meditation.

I hope you find this information useful.  I wish that I could cover all of the styles that I left out, but it would take an entire book to do that.  If you have any questions about which style would be best for you, please feel free to leave a comment at MMA Pound for Pound

Though Karate is often associated with Japanese Martial Arts, its true origin dwells in Okinawan combat techniques and Southern Chinese Martial Arts. It is basically a fusion of both arts and was introduced to Japan only in 1921. During this period, Karate was simply known as “Te”, or hand, as called by the Okinawans. Chinese influence is evident in the original symbol for Karate – the “Tang Hand” or “Chinese Hand”.

There were no specified or concrete Karate styles in the early days and simply generalized as Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te, named after the three cities in which they were formed. Each city had its own methods, principles, system and traditions of Karate.

The introduction, popularization and modernization of Karate to Japan are mainly credited to Funakoshi, an Okinawan master, venerably regarded by many practitioners as “The Father of Modern Karate”. Other prominent Karate experts in his time include Kenwa Mabuni, Miyagi Chojun, Choshin Chibana, and Motobu Choki.

Japan began introducing Karate as a subject in schools before the Second World War and soldiers in the army were often trained in the discipline. Competitions and different styles also started emerging as several universities started karate club programs during this period.

The popularization of Karate in the West has its roots in the American military occupation of Japan and Okinawa after the Second World War, and Japanese immigration to the United States.

Fundamentals of Karate

Karate mainly stresses on volatile combat techniques such as punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open hand methods. Grappling, joint manipulations, locks, restraints, throwing, and vital point striking are also parts of this discipline.

Karate training is divided into three main sections

• Kihon refers to the study of basic techniques, movements and components
• Kata or ‘form’, a fixed sequence of moves, is a series of movements and techniques linked together by the combatative principles that the kata expresses.
• Kumite or ’sparring’ evovles from well-defined kata to open attack and defense.

The Uniform – Color of the Belt and Ranks in Karate

The Karate uniform is white and comprised of the Kimono (shirt), Dogi or Keikogi (pants) and a belt (white or colored), a combination introduced by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. The color of the belt is dependant on the rank and expertise of a practitioner. In accordance with commonly held standards, white belts are for beginners, and black for the highest rank. This, howver, may differ from one organization to another. Each rank may also have subdivions of its own even if the color of the belt is similar.

Styles and Variations of Karate

Karate styles can be broadly classified into Traditional and Full Body Karate. Traditional styles are those that developed in the early period of the 20th century and include variants such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Kushin-ryu, and Shindo Jinen Ryu. Full contact karate includes styles such as Kyokushin-kaikan and Kansuiryu. Many of the styles have offshoots that developed into styles of their own. Although the concepts remain universal, each representation differ from one another.

Working my usual weekend gig as a bouncer in a night club an attractive blond approaches me and asks if I can walk her though the club because 15 minutes before a male grabbed her arm a told her that she had to dance with him. She refused and pulled away; the male grabbed her harder then pulling her to the dance floor, lucky for her another bouncer spotted this and took care of her problem.

I decide to give her my business card TACT SELF DEFENSE it reads, she tells me that she as a brown belt in the Martial Arts but everything she’s learned, she couldn’t remember and just blanked out. I tell her that this is normal, it is the effects of adrenaline. Most self defense programs do not think about these effects when training some one that is why 95% of self defense programs do not work and will get you hurt or killed. I proceed to tell her most of my clients are martial artists or had some type of self-defense training in the past, she nods in agreement, understanding what I mean. The next day she gives me a call for self-defense training.

That is a very high percentage and considering many people still believe in these systems, thinking they are effective, this also includes “reality based systems” or “no holds barred” people need to be educated. It is amazing what is being taught out there in self defense schools, joint locks, cross legged arm bars which require you to go on the ground. I have seen self defense instructors teach students to kick to the head or grapple with an attacker, step here, turn this way, twist his wrist that way. Bottom line to many movements to remember, which are to complicated to work for ANYONE in a high stress situation of a violent street attack.

You are being lied to, ripped off of your hard-earned money and given a false sense of security. What is being taught is to complicated to even work for a seasoned martial artist. It’s like going to culinary school and your instructor has never cooked or even turned on an oven before, how is he supposed to know how to make the meal, let alone teach you. Unfortunately people who have trained in these self-defense programs learn in horror after being assaulted the hard truth. Most self-defense instructors also do not understand the effects of adrenaline and how it affects the mind, or motor skill performance. Top it off most instructors have not even been in a violent street confrontation so how would they know what to do?

Many systems use joint locks and pressure points that require years of training to properly execute. Some techniques even when applied properly to someone who has an unusual amount of joint flexibility or high pain tolerance such as someone high on drugs will not work. A lot of self defense techniques also have to be altered to work if environments change such as being in a small space or if there is snow on the ground causing slippery conditions. Think someone is going to remember all that while they are being attacked. I don’t think so.

Here are some tips on finding a realistic self defense program

? Pick an instructor who is average or small in build they will focus on leverage techniques not on there strength, that is important if you are small or a woman.
? Make sure you check your instructor’s credentials, ask to see his black belt certificate it will state what federation he is under and when he got it. If the instructor says he doesn’t have one than he’s a fake. There are a lot of people who will watch self defense instructional tapes or train in the Martial Arts get an orange belt and start up a school. Anyone can go to a store a buy a black belt.
? Do you wear loose clothing and are barefoot when you train and wear protective gear? Conditions completely different from the streets. If you answered yes find a new self-defense program. Training should be as real as possible or be condition stimulus training. While training wear clothing that you wear when you go out, not gym pants, this includes shoes or boots. This will give you a realistic feel on how to move.
? Do you train under situation specific scenarios, do they have to change if your attacker does something different or if he does this than do that? And then you ask what if he does this question making everything to hard to remember and confusing
? Do methods consider every type of enviroment? Street, bus, rain, living room in confined spaces.
? Can you perform these techniques even if you are injured?
? Do these self defense methods require constant practice and you have to separate techniques for empty hand, weapons or multiple attackers. Bottom line techniques should be quick and easy to remember.
? Training should be focused equally in physical techniques and mindset conditioning.

How you train is how you will respond in the real world, training should be as real as possible so you can get out alive.

Brief History of the Filipino Martial Art

Many believe that Escrima or Filipino Martial Art originated from Chinese influenced Indonesian fighting tactics such as Kun Tao, Chuan Fa and Tai Chi double stick forms. Others believe the Escrima art form to be wholly developed by the Filipino people. However, the most plausible explanation seems to be rooted in the history of the Spanish colonization.

When the Spanish occupied the Philippine Islands, a form of art similar to Escrima had already existed but was only recreational. However, this art began to develop into a more martial discipline when the Spanish prohibited indigenous Filipino weapons such as the Bolo (machete), daggers and fighting sticks in the 1700s. It remained a clandestine art until the Americans took over in 1898. From then on, the Filipino Martial Art started to gain recognition and popularity.

In the West, Escrima was introduced and popularized by Filipino immigrants after the Second World War, particularly in the American states of Hawaii and California.

Weapons and Footwork in the Filipino Martial Art

Unlike other forms of Martial Arts, the primary tool to learn the basic concepts of Escrima is focus on weaponry, which is followed by empty-hand techniques. The Rattan stick is the most common weapon used in Escrima training, which includes hand and head protection when sparring. Other weapons include burned and hardened stick made of hardwood, such as Molave or Kamagong (ebony). Modern versions may be made out of aluminum, other metals, or high-impact plastics. The Nunchaku (also known as Kung Fu sticks or Double sticks) weapon was popularized by actor Bruce Lee, an avid practitioner of Escrima.

Each range – the distance between opponents – in Escrima has its own characteristics and footwork techniques. Good footwork enables efficient control of these ranges. The footwork is demonstrated in terms of triangles with two feet occupying two corners of the triangle and the step to the third corner. The shape and size of the triangle is dependant on the particular situation.

The Filipino Martial Art Facts

1. Escrima is mixture of hard (like Karate) and soft (like Tai Chi Ch’uan) styles (MMA Pound for Pound).
2. Escrima is taught on ideal street-fighting settings without the need for uniforms.
3. Restraining techniques are not focused on but rather on offensive, combat styles.
4. There are no official rankings in Escrima except for titles to recognize seniority of instructors.
5. Most of the power in Escrima is derived from body movement and economy of motion, rather than strength.
6. Escrima is a complete Martial Art, focusing on weaponry and empty-hand techniques.
7. Escrima provides effective training in sparring against multiple opponents.

Here are eight consumer tips to help you make a more informed decision before starting at any Martial Arts studio:

1. Belt Rank Isn’t Everything. Just because an instructor is a high ranking black belt doesn’t automatically mean they’re a good instructor. What’s important is if they can help you reach your goals and teach you what you want to learn.

2. Size of Studio. Quality of instruction can vary from studio to studio no matter its size or what they teach. A larger studio may have more convenient hours, but may not offer you the personalized instruction you’re looking for that a smaller studio may provide.

3. Watch a Class. Don’t overlook this step. This will tell you more about the studio than anything – especially when you show up unannounced. Most public studios welcome walk-ins.

4. Visit Several Studios. Just because a studio is close, doesn’t make it the best place for you train. Wouldn’t you rather train at a place Five or ten minutes further away if it better matched your needs? Visit at least three places before deciding just to be sure.

5. Talk to Students. Students will tell all. They will tell you what to expect and why they decided to train there. This may help you make a better, more informed appraisal of the studio and its instructors.

6. Read the Fine Print. Not all studios require a contract, but if they do, pay particular attention to the terms of any contract and make sure you fully understand your rights before signing on the dotted line.

7. Ask Questions. Don’t be worried that you will offend the instructor because you look for clarification. If an instructor or studio owner doesn’t answer your questions to your satisfaction, then maybe you should move on to the next studio.

8. Try Before You Buy. If the studio you’re interested in offers a trial program, it is recommended you take it. This will tell you a lot about how you will be taught and what you can expect from the studio.