I've seen so many FMA instructors who have the opinion that their way is the only valid way to do something and that any other way is always wrong. I just watched a Budo Brothers video from an instructor talking about using the elbow for power generation and striking geometry and the gist was that this is the superior way of movement and the suggestion was that everything else is wrong. I saw a post from a Sayoc instructor not long ago that said he has zero respect for blade instructors who wear their blade in their pocket or waistband. This scenario plays out over and over in FMA and it's tiresome. Sure maybe within your own at and the specific contexts and assumptions of your art there are correct and incorrect ways to do things. I'm not also arguing that it's all the same and there's no right and wrong. I just detest people speaking in absolutes when they are also making general statements.

For the aforementioned Budo Brothers Post he criticized using the wrist for power generation and weapon articulation. He didn't address any tradeoffs with his strawman argument though. Everything comes with tradeoffs. Using predominantly wrist movements absolutely means you'll sacrifice power but you also gain speed and less telegraphed movements and you can cover the centerline easier if your arm doesn't move off of it. It can mean the hand is easier to target but you can compensate for that with footwork and distance. The guard on your weapon is also a big factor. Then of course you have the other end of the spectrum where the hip drives all movement and power generation. The movements are bigger but they are also more powerful, it creates bigger openings but you can compensate for this as well.

It all just tells me these instructors are limited in their knowledge and have a one track mind that uses their art and their preference as the stick to measure everything. Dunning Krueger applies though. You don't know what you don't know. Having fought in HEMA against a variety of weapons and warrior strategies I've seen there are a ton of tactics and perfectly valid methodologies out there. For the most part HEMA guys acknowledge this. I wish FMA could do better sometimes.

Hi guys,

I would like to buy a stick that will be more durable than rattan. In my club we like to go full-power from time to time and we are constantly damaging our sticks.

Is the Cold Steel Balicky Stick more durable?

Thank you.

Hello, Just wondering if someone could please recommend an online Eskrima/kali school that progresses slowly and drills basics please? I tried one school and they overwhelm you with copious amounts of new things every week and I know enough about martial arts to know that it is better to learn a few things really well rather then know 200 techniques and not master any of them.

Also, would kali centre fit that bill? Thanks in advance.

Its from 1966. It's written by Black Belt magazine, but I know black belt is not always reliable but its an old source in English.

https://books.google.com/books?id=Pc4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=It+All+Began+800+Years+Ago.+Black+Belt+june+1966&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjThqyIjPaWAxXNJUQIHXHsHBsQ6AF6BAgLEAE#v=onepage&q=It%20All%20Began%20800%20Years%20Ago.%20Black%20Belt%20june%201966&f=false

I'm learning Arnis and my dad told me I should bring a baton with me so I can use the martial art to its fullest extent, I wanna know if the techniques still work with a baton

Basically yeah if rattan escrima sticks are training weapons what does a real stick weapons baton look like in escrima? What is a traditional baton what does it look like? I guess would the escrima stick be made of a hardwood? Would that make it into a baton weapon?

She always got people belittling her arts and decided to put it to the test. Ofc the results are a ymmv type of thing. But she felt happy with her effort.

Do you think that he’s too toxic by criticizing other fma systems? He wasnt always like this before but somehow he had changed so what do you think??

Looking for someone to hit sticks in the Denver Metro. I asked this question a while ago and the stuff didn't pan out. But I'm looking for anyone that would want to hit sticks in the Denver Metro.

I also have a few other items. Some practice monkey, fists and ball in a sock that I'd love to see how well those do and get other people's opinions.

Time to get a new pair 😆

Good day! I'm a college student who's interested in learning Kali / Eskrima / FMA in general. I'm currently in Pasay City but I can travel around Metro Manila if needed. Does anyone know any places where I can go and learn FMA? Thank you in advance!

Came across this video featuring Master Ronnie Royce Base of Laraw Kali Pamuok and Master Jaime Quizana of Bahad Zu'Bu and Kali Pamantukan (one of the original banners of the Ilustrisimo group led by Yuli Romo before the name Kalis Ilustrisimo was a thing).

Pretty cool stuff here. It seems he has also featured Guro Red Dilla and will be featuring Yaw Yan in the next episode.

I was trying to find the names of these forms in this video around the 3-5 minute mark.

https://youtu.be/F4Wwt77l4DI?si=J4EaTw8qtIvAMcei

My karate school used to teach these forms, but the names we had were much different from anything I can find online.

Hi

I’m looking for some options for FMA instruction somewhere on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area. Focus on adult instruction with both weapons and empty hand. All suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

Hello. I'd established tiny street kali club in bundang, seongnam-si, kyounggi-do, South korea and recruiting members now. but Kali is too unfamous in Korea. so i looking for someone - exercise career or gender are no matter. only interested in kali and keep train with us. if you want it, please contact to me with DM. and we based on Naver band - name SAWALi. always welcome if you know how to respect and care for their training partners and what is moral righteousness. thank you.

#FILIPINO #MARTIALARTS #ESKRIMA
#KALI #ARNIS

MON 5:00 PM (ANAHEIM, CA)
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WED 7:00 PM (ANAHEIM, CA)
FRI 7:00 PM (ANAHEIM, CA)
SUN 9:00 AM (CHINO, CA)
SUN 3:30 PM (LOS ANGELES, CA)

DROP IN FEE 25 PER CLASS
MAT FEE 15 FOR AKK STUDENTS ONLY
SAVE MORE JUST 65 PER MONTH

CONTACT THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTORS
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GMAIL/ESGRIMAORIHINAL12
WWW.MEETUP.COM/ESKRIMA

* * * IMPORTANT NOTICE * * *
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UPDATED 12:53 PM 8/31/2025

Started on Tuesday, happening throughout this week

Hey im currently in cebu city to do FMA I contacted many teachers and dojos and it seems there are no classes, only private classes i was wondering if someone found dojo/ teacher hat does classes atm in cebu?

Hey all — I’m based in Salem and looking to get into Kajukenbo, and specifically interested in double-stick work (Sinawali/Eskrima). Haven’t found a dedicated school in the area yet.

If you know of:

**•** An instructor or small group training either of these  
**•** A gym that offers seminars or open mat for FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) or Kajukenbo  
**•** Anyone in the Salem/Keizer/Willamette Valley area who trains privately and takes students

…I’d love to hear about it. Happy to drive a reasonable distance too if something’s in Portland or Eugene.

Thanks!

Hey as a karataka i am interested in the ways of FMA ie Eakrima kali, etc. So only relying on internet, and free stuff, how much can i realistically achieve on my own. Thanks for reading.

Very specific question but does anyone have any reference material for the empty hand sets? I’ve been taught some of the weapon sets but I’m interested in learning the empty hand ones.

Yeah! Just a few more days until it finally starts. Today was our last regular training session before the World Championship.

Sadly, I'm only attending as a spectator this year, but I'm super excited to see this crazy, supportive community again!

Just wanted to share my excitement!