Jon
I did/do. I started with Hock Hochheim in 94 going to 4-6 hour seminar type classes one weekend a month in his Presas Arnis system (it was based on both GM Remy's and GM Ernesto's systems). That lasted for a couple of years (till he stopped them) and in 95 I started attending GM Remy's camps in TX. In 96 I also started training with GM Ernesto in his system at his TX camps (sponsored by Hock) and then later on in 99, and 2000/01 his weekend seminars in Tulsa OK.
I actually have about double the amount of time in GM Remy's camps (I think 12 MA camps) than I do with GM Ernesto (5-6). Plus training in Hock's camps, and other FMA type seminars (GM Toboada, Guro Inosanto, Tuhon Gaje, Guro T.Lucay, Garimot escrima etc. etc.).
I kept up with the material in several ways.
1) I kept extensive notes on each and every seminar I went to, plus notes on any class I took etc. etc. This way I was able to go over the material at work and/or at home and compare drills, concepts, techniques etc. etc. between the systems. It also helped me to organize what was taught and by whom, and the progressions or the format in which they taught. So I could keep everything pretty much seperate.
2) At the seminars after everyone had gone home, my seminar workout friend and I would video tape everything we covered that day. That way later on I could use the tape to compare my notes with. This has lead to some interesting videos as I've now had my son lately (he's 12) to try and show techniques on
.
3) I taught arnis every chance I got to my karate buddies, my private students at my house, or at an occansional seminar for someone. I knew that every opportunity I had to teach was a way to reinforce the techniques into my mind so I'd travel an hour each way to meet with some people to teach a small 2 hour class. When I taught American TKd for a YMCA I taught that to the kids and if I taught adults it was arnis/FMA.
4) I practiced on my own. Getting ready for Hock's BB test I use to run over drills in my shop at work, doing double stick drills and running through the patterns in the air or picking out targets on my reverser to strike at.
Is this the best way to learn the material? Not really but it was what I had at the time. Would I recommend this course to everyone yes and no. I am a big believer in putting in the time to write down what was taught and by whom, video tape etc. etc. That I would recommend. However I believe a person needs to have an instructor to guide them, it certainly would have been easier.
I had been exposed to the FMA 12 yers prior to meeting Hock, and I trained in a JKD Kali class once a week for almost two years prior to training with Hock. So I wasn't a complete novice when I started in Presas Arnis (Modern Arnis or Kombaton) with Hock, so I was able to absorb the material and work on it after the seminars. But for a novice the seminars/camps aren't the best way to learn you need an instructor.
Respectfully submitted
Mark Lynn
artyon:
