HOPE 4

ARNIS REVIEWER

Arnis - also known as Kali or Eskrima/Escrima, is the national martial art of the Philippines

Modern Arnis- is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by the late Remy Presas as
a self-defense system. His goal was to create an injury-free training method as well as an
effective self-defense system to preserve the older Arnis systems. The term Modern Arnis was
used by Remy Presas' younger brother Ernesto Presas to describe his style of Filipino martial
arts.

Materials/Equipment
Plain Rattan Sticks
1. Weapons.
a. The primary weapon is rattan sticks called baston, cane or baton.
b. Standard size – 28 inches or 71 cm in length and 1 inch or 3 cm in diameter.
c. Can be made of rattan and yantok

Parts of Arnis Stick

Thrusting part

Striking part

Blocking part

Butting part Gripping part

2. Other equipment
a. Head protector or headgear
b. Body Protector
c. Groin Protector
d. Forearm and shin guards
10 Benefits of Arnis as Physical Activity

1. Total body workout: Martial arts are a high-aerobic workout that uses every muscle
group in the body. Your stamina, muscle tone, flexibility, balance and strength will all
improve through martial arts.

2. Healthy lifestyle: Due to the total-body nature of a martial arts workout, tons of
calories are burned during every class. However, you’ll also find that your natural
eating signals become better regulated, so food cravings will disappear and you’ll eat
less as a result.

3. Self-confidence: Due to the goal setting, positive encouragement and respect for
values that are part of all martial arts programs, the greatest benefit usually reported
by martial arts students is greater self-confidence. You become more comfortable in
all situations – whether you’re in danger or simply doing a task that takes you beyond
your comfort zone — and you’ll discover you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

4. Improved cardiovascular health: Research has found that the only real way to
improve the status of the cardiovascular system is by participating in activities that
stress the heart, such as martial arts.

5. Weight loss: A one hour session of moderate intensity martial arts can burn up to
500 calories.

6. Improved reflexes: Research has found that by participating in martial arts, you not
only improve your reflexes while performing the activity, but experience
faster reaction times during all activities of your life. This is very important in a
number of daily activities, such as driving.

7. Focus and stillness: As Bruce Lee pointed out, behind the punches, kicks and
knees, a true martial artist learns to sit with himself and see where his weaknesses
are. As a martial artist, your will learn what it is to be still, challenged, and focused.
8. Teaches great morals and values: Martial arts wisdom has it that after consistent
practice, one becomes less impulsive and aggressive towards others. The Shaolin
moral code for example comprises 12 ethics, 10 forbidden acts and 10 obligations.
Patience, insight, and calmness are considered pre-requisites of good Kung Fu. This
reminds students of the right attitude, frame of mind and virtues to strive for
inside and outside the studio.

9. Muscle tone: By participating in martial arts, you can greatly improve the amount of
muscle mass you have in your body. The higher your muscle mass, the higher your
metabolic demands will be, and subsequently the more calories you will burn each
day, thereby helping prevent obesity and promote weight loss. High levels of muscle
mass also led to increased agility, thereby preventing falls as you age.

10. Better mood: Researchers have found that participating in a regular exercise routine
is one of the best ways to improve your mood. Performing martial arts is not only a
good way to relieve stress and frustration, but may help to make you happier.
The endorphins released by physical activity appear to be active in your body for as
many as four hours after exercise.

Six Cardinal Rules in Arnis (Remy Presas, 1974)

The cardinal principle in Arnis is respect for one's opponent as a person and as a fighter,
and as a sportsman. It should always be remembered that an opponent is a human being with a
dignity as you have and worthy of respect. Also do not under rate his fighting ability
overconfidence would be costly, if not fatal, therefore never underestimate the ability of an
opponent. Sportsmanship on the other hand is the measure of a fighter or player. The laurels of
victory should never be worn with superiority but with humility. Victory is not a stamp of
invulnerability but rather a reason for magnanimity. Besides these cardinal principles, there are
other principles in Arnis that the students, must remember these are: Character, sincerity,
discipline, self-control, etiquette, and student's loyalty to his tutor.

1. Character - a violent person has no place in Arnis. Refinement in character is important.

A student must be taught the moral (and religious) values of everything. It is an
obligation of the teacher of Arnis to mold the character of the student in such a way that
his behavioral structure would be motivated by righteous desire. It is what a man is that
counts not the number of trophies he won. Despite the abetted fallacies of values of
the present world, it is who you are that will matter in the end.

2. Sincerity - sincerity for victory's sake is not the all-consuming end of an Arnis player. It
is the sincerity in him to his fellowman and to his art that makes him shine in the array of
men. The will to win maybe inculcated, but such tutelage should never end after the tick
of the ultimate second in the game but beyond the canvass and the arena of
competition. The martial art of Arnis, it should be remembered, is a good medium of
development man's sense of dedication in all his everyday endeavor and involvement.
Sincerity, is the mother of trust and trust makes an institution of what has been shattered
by doubts. A man who is not sincere will never have a true friend.

3. Discipline - Arnis is a molder of discipline. Proper behavior in the sport and in life itself
will be the gauge of success. Personal discipline is important. The kaleidoscopic
invitations and temptations of life should never undermine man in his obligation to his
art, to himself and his fellowman. A student should learn to control himself in the
pursuance of his goal, not only to his art but also to life in general.

4. Self-control - losing one's head means defeat. One should learn to control his temper if
he hopes to achieve success in every endeavor. In Arnis, self-control is important for
without it, life, and the good health of another may be lost. The possession of an ability to
kill or main a person should be handled with extreme caution and prudence. Man's clear
perception of things is anchored on his ability to control the outbursts of his inner self.
Provocation is dishonorable but hasty reaction to it is just as dishonorable if not
despicable.

5. Etiquette - etiquette is allied to the main cardinal rules in arnis. One's norm and
standard should never be imposed upon others. One should learn how to respect others.
Giving credence to the standard and ability of another person should or will best prepare
anybody in any endeavor. The pacific waters of human understanding will stay unruffled
if exercise of proper etiquette and respect whether it be in sporty competition or in life
itself is observed.

6. Student's loyalty - loyalty should be emphasized to the student, loyalty to the art, to a
fellow player, and to his teacher. Ingratitude to one is ingratitude to the other. A student
should be loyal to a fellow player because any disloyalty to him is disloyalty to the art
itself. More important, a student should be loyal to his teacher. Everything one has
learned is owned by him to his teacher. Personal whims should never cause one to be
ungrateful to where he owes everything he knows. Even if the ultimate aim of the art is
already achieved by a student that he can now manage on his own, he should never
forget the teacher who labored for him. In the skirmishes of things, the student should be
always loyal to him.
Life has shown us many treacheries committed in the name of greed and personal
gratification. This has no place in the art of Arnis or in sports for that matter. A true sportsman is
always loyal to his art and to the prime movers of the art. He sees with gratitude in everything
and everybody from whom he had owed everything he knows. In this world of muck and mire
only those who look back with gratitude shall succeed. Loyalty to the fundamental basis of his
achievements weigh for a greater measure in the merits of man. Ingratitude is treachery and a
traitor has no place in the forum of honorable men.

Proper Grip
The grip is considered the foundation of all fighting techniques in Arnis.
Proper grip is the secret to control the cane.
It develops proper timing, improves power,
and speed in every execution that is delivered.
The proper grip is made by holding the cane one fist
distance from the butting part and tightening one
are your fingers around it with your thumb
compressed against your fore finger. Hold firmly when striking and the wrist must be pliable.
Keeping the wrist in this condition will assure that each execution will be delivered with force and
speed.

Pugay/Salutation
Being courteous or giving pugay always is one of the means of training in any kind of
martial arts. It is important that common courtesy is displayed between opponents. Remember
that we do not demand respect, but rather earn it. Courtesy means behavior marked
by polished manners or respect for one’s opponent and for the fundamental rules and principles
of sportsmanship.
In Arnis, courtesy or “pugay” is executed in this manner: From starting position (open
stance) bring your left foot close to your right aiming 45 degrees angle, heels closed, and hands
at one fist distance from the butting part of the cane. Simultaneously bring the right cane in
vertical position to your left chest, bow your head slightly towards your opponent, and then back
to natural stance. Courtesy can be executed with two canes, by extending left arm at side,
shoulder level.

Three types of Salutation

1. Empty Hand Salutation
2. Single Stick Salutation
3. Double Stick Salutation

Terminologies

1. Abanico corto and abanico largo are striking techniques that consist of moving the stick in
front of the body in fanning-like movement, hence term "abanico," which is the Spanish word for
"fan."
2. Anyo is a combination of prearranged or choreographed striking, block and body shifting
movements that is equivalent to the kata of martial arts.

3. Banda y banda is a striking technique that consists of pointing the forward and moving it rapidly
and horizontally from left to right in front of the body.

4. Cross strike is an upward-downward strike with counterstrike horizontally to the right and left
alternately across the body.

5. Double zero is a right, downward strike performed diagonally while twisting the forearm to
make a circling movement overhead and to strike forward in a horizontal motion.

6. Redonda is a striking technique wherein all the blows are directed to the head or crown. It
involves synchronized movements of the shoulder, arms, wrists, and trunk.

7. Rompida is a striking technique that consists of circling the stick in front of the head prior to
each up and down striking movement of the body.
8. Sangga at patama is a prearranged or choreographed form of play consisting of striking,
thrusting, and parrying.

9. Largo is long -range fighting technique

10. Corto is a short-range fighting technique

11. Serato Spanish term for “Close”

12. Abierta Spanish term for “Open”