| Kali, from my understanding is usually a bladed | | | | Training in edge weapons teaches you fluidity |
| weapons art. This means that they use edge | | | | & training with impact weapons teaches you |
| weapons during training. Some methods of Kali do | | | | power. They go together I feel, don't you? You |
| not use a stick at all during practice sessions. | | | | should have the best of both worlds. |
| They learn how to cut & not be cut. This is | | | | Now I have heard others claim to be specialist in |
| a highly evolved art form because with the use | | | | one area, like knife fighting or stick fighting etc. I |
| of edge weapons there is little room for mistakes. | | | | feel that by training only in one area limits your |
| When learning Kali, the student must train very | | | | ability to be really great & excel in the martial |
| slowly. Some methods use training blades. This | | | | arts. Each one can teach you something different. |
| can be real swords & daggers with dull edges | | | | They both have wonderful things to offer you |
| or this can be weapons made out of aluminum. | | | | and they blend well together. I am not saying you |
| Sometimes the Kali student will practice with a | | | | can't specialize, I'm only saying that you shouldn't |
| stick but think it is an edge weapon like in the Art | | | | limit yourself. |
| of Arnis. I have met some real masters of Kali | | | | This is what I have come to notice over the |
| and they recommend that everyone trains with | | | | years as a student of both Art forms whether it |
| dull weapons to prevent serious injury. | | | | is a Japanese or Filipino Martial Art. I feel that you |
| Again you will need to research this for yourself | | | | should learn both empty handed martial arts and |
| and not take my word for it. There are a lot of | | | | weapon based martial arts. The weapons teach |
| great Kali teachers (Guro) out there and you | | | | us distance, timing, angles, strategy, respect, use |
| should research them as well before training with | | | | of force, speed and a great deal more that will |
| them. | | | | enhance your level of Martial Development. |
| Escrima in Spanish means to skirmish or fight. | | | | Try not to be closed minded when talking to |
| Now again this is what I have heard over the | | | | others about any Art form. Listen to what they |
| years and it all depends on who is your Guro. | | | | have to say & then go out and do your |
| Escrima is a stick and knife art form. Usually, one | | | | research. Don't take what someone tells you as |
| will have a knife in one hand and a stick in the | | | | the real deal until you went out and did your own |
| other hand. The idea is if your opponent should | | | | research and tried and tested it for yourself. |
| get around your stick, he then must deal with | | | | I would like to see my Jujutsu students take a |
| your blade now. | | | | more active role in learning Arnis, Kali, Escrima |
| Espada Y Dagger (espada- sword) (Y- and) | | | | from me and if you are not in the States I live in, |
| (Dagger- knife) Please write back and correct me | | | | then find a great Guro in your State & train. |
| here. This is another high level art form because | | | | This will increase your empty hand knowledge to |
| you have two different types of weapons being | | | | higher levels in shorter amounts of time. I hope |
| deployed here. | | | | & plan on seeing more of you in Arnis class |
| An impact weapon (sticks) and an edge weapon | | | | in both states NH. & Mass. |
| (knife or sword). Now I am not saying that this | | | | Other students & teachers of Martial Arts, I |
| art doesn't use a sword nor it doesn't use just | | | | hope I have touched some areas that will help out |
| stick... it all depends on who you are training with | | | | and I hope to train more with you very soon in |
| & who your Guro is. | | | | the future. |