Kali / Escrima / Arnis Question

I have the chance to explore the FMA a bit, and I actually have a choice between two different styles. Oh well, I'll at least take a look at either one, just to see what stickfighting is about.

The two styles are Latosa Escrima and Balintawak Arnis. The Latosa Escrima is taught under the same organization as the Wing Tsun I practise, so it would be easy to get into, but there's also some nice seminars about Balintawak Arnis going around here.

Any experience with either of these? Any experience with FMA in general that might be of interest?

I have considered studying FMA on the side of my other MA studies, just to get properly started in weapons training (though I'm intrigued by WT's knife fighting .. though it may be more of a supplement to the empty hand skills, than as refined a system as tha FMA). Maybe visiting the Dog Brothers gathering next year if I get excited. Anyway, any insights would be interesting.

I've been training in Balintawak Arnis Cuentada for several months now. I am thoroughly enjoying it....granted the individual teacher makes all the difference, but there are other reasons.

1) realistic in-fighting: Balintawak fights at very close range, where most fights end up anyway
2) incorporation/blending of other styles: the grandmasters encourage incorporation of other styles into the empty-hand techniques. The empty hand stuff I've been learning combines things from FMA, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, and Silat. While your instructor may not have these particular styles under his belt, I'm sure he'll have some extras for you.
3) little to no frilly crap: the stick techniques are (for the most part) realistic and easy to apply
4) 50% weapons 50% empty: all of the stick techniques can be used empty-handed, so there is (in theory) no confusion in an actual situation if you're armed or not

these are my personal opinions and experiences...if anyone out there disagrees with me, feel free to express your opinions, but I'm not here to start yet another flame war...I just wanted to share what I can

Daredevil-I hope this helps

by the way, the stick techniques work with bladed weapons as well...the style was created with bladed weapons

Daredevil,

I've not studied either of those two specific styles. I've studied mostly doce pares eskrima. But both have solid reputations to my knowledge, and would be well worth checking out. (Obviously, it's going to depend mostly on the instructor, as always.)

If you're serious, I'd suggest checking out several books written by Mark V. Wiley on the filipino arts. I noticed a book of his recently that went into detailed descriptions of many of the varied eskrima styles, including many of the family offshoots. I'm relatively sure that Balintawak and Latosa eskrima both got their own treatments in that book. Wish I remembered the exact title for you though.

Emphases aside, though, the concepts should be relatively constant between the two styles. Stickwork, knifework, and perhaps bladework (machete, etc.) Excellent footwork, in my opinion. FMA was my first real exposure to the importance of footwork. And I think that represents the most important lesson learned.

Anyway, that's where I'd start if I were you. The Wiley books and, if you can find it, Dan Inosanto's book on the filipino martial arts.

Good luck, Daredevil.


Stuart B.