I believe much of the conflict that has arisen as of late between different individuals on the the forum is because the styles/systems they represent comes to the table with different purposes and intent. I think there is room for everyone at the FMA table.
What is the purpose of studying Filipino martial arts and what are your intentions ?
1) Health
2) Fun/Interest
3) Self Defence
4) Fighter
5) Instructor
6) Self Enlightment/ Become a better person
This is not a comprehensive list but I believe you all get the idea. Some believe that the FMA is about fighting. I disagree. Just as in martial arts in general I believe that there is room for all kinds of FMA. And just as the MA in general, not all FMA system/styles do each if these equally well. You don't study Daoist Tai chi to become a fighter just as you don't learn knife fighting for health!
Here are some different approaches in the FMA as I see it. I may get some flack here but here goes....
For example, I do not beleive Modern Arnis is a system to develop fighters. The yes the Prof. was a fighter and there are defintley techniques for fighting. There are some instructors who do develop fighters (off the top of my head Doug Pierre out of NYC) and there are Modern Arnis fighters out there. But they are the exception. A fact that points to this is that the vast majority of practitioners do not practice anytime of real free sparring. The Prof. taught the system primarily for self defence (at least from my perspective in the mid 90's). Hence a strong focus on disarming and locking up the opponent.
In contrast a system such as Kalis Ilustrisimo there really are no locking techniques. The techniques are designed to take someone out or seriously injure. As a method of self defence this is questionable. The law would not be on my side if I took someone out even if I was provoked. A fact that points to this is that Antonio 'Tatang' Ilustrisimo went to jail several times. Although eventually cleared, he was first arrested!
So real question is not if your style/system is "really" FMA but what is your styles/system intention ?
Vince
aka Black Grass
What is the purpose of studying Filipino martial arts and what are your intentions ?
1) Health
2) Fun/Interest
3) Self Defence
4) Fighter
5) Instructor
6) Self Enlightment/ Become a better person
This is not a comprehensive list but I believe you all get the idea. Some believe that the FMA is about fighting. I disagree. Just as in martial arts in general I believe that there is room for all kinds of FMA. And just as the MA in general, not all FMA system/styles do each if these equally well. You don't study Daoist Tai chi to become a fighter just as you don't learn knife fighting for health!
Here are some different approaches in the FMA as I see it. I may get some flack here but here goes....
For example, I do not beleive Modern Arnis is a system to develop fighters. The yes the Prof. was a fighter and there are defintley techniques for fighting. There are some instructors who do develop fighters (off the top of my head Doug Pierre out of NYC) and there are Modern Arnis fighters out there. But they are the exception. A fact that points to this is that the vast majority of practitioners do not practice anytime of real free sparring. The Prof. taught the system primarily for self defence (at least from my perspective in the mid 90's). Hence a strong focus on disarming and locking up the opponent.
In contrast a system such as Kalis Ilustrisimo there really are no locking techniques. The techniques are designed to take someone out or seriously injure. As a method of self defence this is questionable. The law would not be on my side if I took someone out even if I was provoked. A fact that points to this is that Antonio 'Tatang' Ilustrisimo went to jail several times. Although eventually cleared, he was first arrested!
So real question is not if your style/system is "really" FMA but what is your styles/system intention ?
Vince
aka Black Grass