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Permalink Reply by Kurt Schanaman on February 12, 2010 at 9:35pm

Not sure you still frequent myfma, Mario, but figured I'd respond to your question.

For me, the truthful answer is a compound answer. When I first came across an Arnis video on YouTube, the first impression that came to mind was: "Holy hell! That looks so cool!!" lol

That wasn't good enough reason for me to consider seeking training in it, though it got me started into investigating the art of Arnis/Eskrima. As I delved deeper, I realized how truly useful it would be in increasing ones chances of surviving a horrendously violent encounter, possibly sparing one's life.

Now, I've always understood the reality of true combat. After all, I spent time in the Army from 1990 to 1993. The reality is, that no matter what kind of combat one is engaged in, there is always the possibility of both parties bleeding. As it has been stated elsewhere, sometimes the loser is the one who bleeds to death the fastest, and the winner is the one who bleeds to death the slowest. Unfortunately, that's the way it is in many cases.

What I've found in my research of Arnis/Eskrima is that it greatly maximizes survivability of such deadly encounters. Where I could be the winner "bleeding slowly", I could possibly minimize the number and depth of cuts which would afford me a fighting chance (no pun intended) to reach medical assistance before losing all of the blood in my body. That, to me, would be worth more than the amount of time and money involved in mastering the art.

And it appears that if the practitioner can remain cool enough, and has time enough, to make some rapid stick and blade movements in front of the hooligan with the knife, chances are that the entire encounter can be averted altogether. I know I sure wouldn't want to engage someone who looks like they know what they are doing. Even when someone does a simple unarmed drill with hands only, the patterns made are frightening enough in their own right. IF they are performed right, that is.

I know there aren't any combat systems that can make a person invincible. Impossible. But I personally feel Arnis/Eskrima can get one as close to being invincible as possible without locking himself up in a padded room with multiple locks, completely withdrawing from society as a whole. :)

There is my 2 cents worth of truthful answers. Hopefully it is enlightening to you.

Kurt

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Permalink Reply by Mario Pastro on March 17, 2010 at 8:53am

I may not get much of a chance to frequent anyones fma but i do reply to like to have discussions like these that way you can see peoples opinions towards things.

My main reason for learning the art of Cacoy Doce Pares was the fact that i found it a very unique sport and self defense in a category of its own, ( such an open minded sport and art ). and also the fact that i needed something more than the karate i have learned many years ago and still practice at the gym i go to. (INTERNATIONAL COMBATIVE MARTIALS ART ACADEMY ) ICMA for short, also many othe styles learnt there.

Training under the great GM Vince Palumbo has helped me achieve even more things in life and i have always loved the silent weaponry. And you are so true that there is no combat ive sysytem in the world that makes you invincible, And i must say i have felt in society much more comfortable with myself especially learning Doce Pares.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Burgess on March 17, 2010 at 9:40am

I like this question very much because Bruce Lee asked the same question. Honesty in the martial arts. It is important to examine why you do something and how you do something; whatever that something is.

I started because the other fitness clubs charged too much. Now it has swung the other way. If it wasn't the second reason I started I would have probably quit a long time ago. Learning something interesting.

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Permalink Reply by Mario Pastro on March 17, 2010 at 9:52am

I needed something new and exciting, which sticks is such an open minde sport and i need that bit of extra confidence.................being short and all

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