I Didn't Expect Filipino Martial Arts to be THIS Intense

I spent the whole day with Johan Skalberg one of the top experts of Filipino Martial Arts / Kali / Escrima / Arnis in the world. This is what I learned from him.
Learn more about Johan Skalberg, the knife defense expert here: www.kalisikaran.com/the-leade...
Or check out his KZbin channel: / kalisikaraninternational
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Welcome to the Martial Arts Journey KZbin channel!
My name is Rokas. I'm a Lithuanian guy who trained Aikido for 14 years, 7 of them running a professional Aikido Dojo until eventually I realized that Aikido does not live up to what it promises.
Lead by this realization I decided to make a daring step to close my Aikido Dojo and move to Portland, Oregon for six months to start training MMA at the famous Straight Blast Gym Headquarters under head coach Matt Thornton.
After six months intensive training I had my first amateur MMA fight after which I moved back to Lithuania. During all of this time I am documenting my experience through my KZbin channel called "Martial Arts Journey".
Now I am slowly setting up plans to continue training MMA under quality guidance and getting ready for my next MMA fight as I further document and share my journey and discoveries.
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If you want to support my journey, you can make a donation to my PayPal at [e-mail]
SUBSCRIBE to see when the next videos will come out:
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Check the video "Aikido vs MMA" which started this whole Martial Arts Journey:
► • Aikido vs MMA - REAL ...
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► / rokasleo
#FMA #FilipinoMartialArts #martialarts

[@MartialArtsJourney]

5 martial arts KZbinrs. 7 self-defense challenges. 1 winner. The Ultimate Self-Defense Championship is officially happening! Learn more about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4TMiKRsl72Deqc

[@user-es5yx8gi2y]

Filipinos martial Arts is so dangerous... that Arnis is our sword technique used by our ancient tribe warriors.. turn it into blade..then it's so dangerous..

[@vivovivo-jg3ul]

If you want to learn fma, learn from deffirnt master & see ther own technic. Fma has a deffernt technic frm deffrent mastr

[@alvincruzada4406]

A

[@CombatSelfDefense]

On the simplest level, Filipino martial arts and stick fighting are very effective and deadly. As they get more complicated, they just become lightsaber fighters

[@TheCreeper1124]

The “complex” training patterns are to develop reflexes and coordination. Many martial arts do the same. Simple always works best, regardless of any style.

[@Maodifi]

Facts

[@ryandemarest3202]

Better than lightsabers because you can grab the Punta and Punyo.

[@MilkANDMagic]

Would actually like to see this style utilized in a star wars fight

[@CombatSelfDefense]

@@MilkANDMagic I can’t say for sure but I feel like the Mandalorian incorporates a lot of FMA. Not necessarily lightsaber fights but the fights seem reminiscent of kali

[@marczapatos2229]

I can recall 5 things from this martial art: 1. Treat the stick as a sword or a knife. Never let yourself get hit or touch. Either way you could die. 2. Every movement aims to attack a vital part of the body. Hittting the jugular or head is preferrable. 3. Every movement is both a defense and a counterattack and vice versa. Foot movement is vital. 4. If your fight last more than minutes, you're practicing, if less then its a real fight. 5. Even in practice, fight like your life depend on it. Prepare to get hit, its a contact sport.

[@Alchrat]

Number 1 is so true. A lot of people think that Kali (Eskrima) is just about hitting people with the wooden stick, but in reality, the sticks are just for practicing to hold the real weapons -- itak, gulok, or barong.

[@chuckysmaria6466]

Exactly!!! Doble espada Espada y daga Solo espada Is pretty much Double sword Sword and dagger Single sword

[@maosama3695]

@@chuckysmaria6466 thats the same meaning only in spanish

[@chuckysmaria6466]

@@maosama3695 Agreed since Philippines was colonized by spain.

[@nickb2786]

1 and 5 very important. I;ve been trained by a family clan patriarch, even in practice, we try to envisioned that each strike, is a disabling or kill strike. I mean each strike, I cant emphasize that enough. In the process, we tried to avoid getting hit by the other practitioner. We don't use padding or any protective gear, in the process, we end up a lot of times with wilt in our arms or inflamed fingers. Luckily we used rattan sticks for practice. Imagine if it's hard wood or worst, bladed weapon. Don't underestimate rattan sticks though. We used rattan with shorter nodes, they are harder and I've seen a lot of bloody accident caused by rattan sticks.

[@jeremyahesteban3394]

Congratulations, you just experienced what it's like to have a parent from the Philippines, most aren't trained but they know it by heart.

[@shynnieshymmur7386]

Painfully true

[@gracemarierivera]

Jajajajajajaja

[@rooky3526]

​@@shynnieshymmur7386 Emphasis on pain.

[@phoenix2773]

Hahahaha! And our Mom( may she rest in peace ) did not tell us that she was a grandmaster!!😂😂😂😂

[@Mary-sh2bp]

Remember though, her stick is called a walis. 😂

[@taylorshanks692]

Thank you for actually testing out this art instead of just dismissing FMA without actually getting an understanding of it - like so many do. Great series!

[@PhycoKrusk]

I remember I was fairly dismissive of a lot of kung fu until Rokas taught us that it was 90% wrestling. Now when I see a martial art that doesn't look effective, I at least give it a chance to make sense before I dismiss it. Unless it's obviously magic. I dismiss magic right away.

[@definitlynotbenlente7671]

That is why i like this channel he actually tries other arts

[@flat_chumblo368]

@@PhycoKrusk whatttt you gotta give those dudes that push the air and the other dude falls over a chance hahaha

[@alvinsmith3894]

@@PhycoKrusk Avoid silat then. The practitioners of that insist it's got voodoo haha

[@afraidofwhatdonotbeafraid]

​@@flat_chumblo368LMFAO the way of intangible energy 😂

[@my_other_side473]

Filipino martial arts are actually well known in Hollywood. Most Fight scenes using knifes had Kali/Escrima/Arnis expert as fight choreographer or consultant.

[@reijiminato8762]

Mission: Impossible and Jason Bourne, namely

[@newdiary6978]

Even US marines uses eskrima in their knife training

[@SpooIsHere]

Bucky Barnes AKA Winter Soldier specializes in Kali as well

[@Diggy22]

Jeff Imada is probably one of the best examples of martial arts co-ordinators who use the Filipino Martial Arts. He's a student of Dan Inosanto

[@cosmichef75]

One year of this saved my life when faced with a knife one terrible night in my twenties. Working with weapons gives you laser focus on distance and timing when going unarmed just like riding a motorcycle does when you drive a car again. All stick techniques translate to blade as well. The female and male triangle footwork of Escrima is truly amazing for creating angles for victory.

[@wayne_3791]

pffffft yeah right mate.

[@cosmichef75]

@@wayne_3791 let's spar

[@mkgag685]

@@cosmichef75😂😂😂

[@TheSubwaysurfer]

The Filipino martial arts is the only Martial art I’ve studied that is tremendously FUN to do while at the same time learning something that’s deadly. It’s so natural to do. Little boys pick up broomsticks umbrellas and rolled up newspapers all the time and and “fence“ with each other. It’s something we do when we’re playing. Doing this stick exercise feels like playing and that’s the beauty of it

[@raprap543]

Oh no, you've just summoned all of Philippines to watch your video

[@MartialArtsJourney]

😂👊

[@CombatSelfDefense]

A lot of LARPers too

[@hcir5341]

Epal

[@user-nv3bl2kw7l]

Pinoy ✋ Kali（Eskrima）Quest kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooC0gGp6or6Igac

[@Manuel-qz7pp]

@@MartialArtsJourney I’m secretly watching this during class rn and I’m Filipino. Welcome to FMA

[@RovingPunster]

First time I ever saw filipino martial arts was Bruce Lee's "broken rhythm" duel in "Game of Death" with the Escrima Master (Danny Inosanto). One of the most memorable classic duels in all of martial arts cinema.

[@YYC403NOYP]

Thanks. Will search the clip.

[@RovingPunster]

@@YYC403NOYPHere's one version. Not the longest or cleanest. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKHHY2Spp9uDbbM I have it on DVD somewhere, along with Circle of Iron, and Enter the Dragon. The former (CoI) is little known, but very underrated.

[@jap882]

Bruce Lee i think was trained with FMA. 👍🏽👍🏽🇵🇭

[@abra.hui.]

@@jap882 ofcourse, his bestfriend Inosanto is a Filipino martial artist

[@luzviminda795]

Also the nunchaku Bruce used in game of death is not the Japanese nunchaku but the Filipino version called tabak toyok. The way Bruce handled the nunchaku is also how you handle it in Filipino martial arts and not in japanese martial arts. Pretty mucu almost all of the nunchaku videos you see with yhe flashy spinning and stuff is how you do it in Filipino martial arts.

[@doingravy]

This dude is a good teacher I gotta say , very clear and decent explanations of everything he's doing. 🙏

[@ilowcoast]

a fair teacher rate 5 out 10 my grand master woud lecture us first for months, let us learn at least 10 martial arts style for months, then he wll hand you a fucking white belt, test you what did you learn, SPAR IN COMBAT AND COMPETITIVE AND SPORTS STYLES. then dismiss all what you have learn from those styles then proceed for grueling exercise and basic , after a year that your bones become rocks, joints are loose, and we are all lean . the proper training of basic steps. blocks strikes, starts

[@nelsontragura1441]

@@ilowcoast Anyone can read a 13 minute novel and say it was just mediocre.

[@Koya_Sipanlog_Express]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3OseqWYl716o7c

[@KaliSikaranInternational]

🙏

[@saidmughery357]

​@@ilowcoastWhat style is this ? And how does he train you in the other system, lakay ?

[@bossgodz7002]

Damn the instructor is open minded, no wonder he is one of the best out there.

[@paulvicentevcurimao5596]

He is the premier FMA instructor in europe. He is a student of the fast hand master budo(?) Forgot his name. The guy is really fast even in his late 70s then.

[@xinziearusuke4696]

@@paulvicentevcurimao5596 maybe you're referring to Master Bobby Taboada

[@raymundbalce4550]

@@paulvicentevcurimao5596 he was actually a student of Remy preses

[@connorperrett9559]

I like Escrima because it transfers to so many different things. Kali stick techniques can be used with sticks, hammers, hatchets, machetes, bottles, frying pans, wrenches, tire irons...basically anything medium length that can be swung around.

[@risingforce9291]

The origin is combining the "technique" using "bolo", machete, or any one edged short sword. The unique part is that the handle must have a "bump" because it helps to not throw your weapon away while your swinging/slashing (360°) around you. Commonly used by pre-colonial native warriors in combat. It was observed and compared by foreigners as the dance of blade(s) or swirls of blade(s). The most deadly warriors recorded by spaniards were dual-wielding, naked and tattooed on the upper body. It only became a "martial arts" during the modern times. Before, all young men and women warriors thrive on using such "technique" to kill, sever and behead enemies.

[@kingwariors09]

@@risingforce9291 Oh who is that man though?

[@GunnyMac360]

Filipino Moms will also translate Escrima to slippers and train tracks

[@cedyanlee666]

You forgot the dreaded slippers..almost every Filipino moms' weapon of choice...😂

[@LetsGoBrandon247]

FMA is one of the few arts that incorporates all ranges of combat AND weapons. The constant drilling especially with sticks really improves your timing and reaction time. Imagine trying not to get hit by a stick or knife whizzing past your face at 100 mph, ha ha! It's also one of the few arts that still has modern application for today's streets and includes biting, eye gouging, groin strikes and grappling. For FMA practitioners, everything and anything can be used as a weapon.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Yeah and you also kind of described many Kung Fu styles. The thing is the lack of sparring in many of those styles, it hurts me and makes me sad

[@xuelishimazaki9623]

Hangers and Slippers for Filipino mothers XD Jokes aside yup it is an effective martial art

[@enigmaticspace7578]

@@xuelishimazaki9623 Yup. You are 100 percent correct. Though for Filipino mothers, those hangers and slippers become guided missiles. Defend all you want. They'll hit you no matter what you do.

[@ImSaixe]

The only martial arts i use is asthmatic running and throwing rocks.

[@traphimawari7760]

@@ImSaixe meet the sniper

[@camiloiribarren1450]

And now you’ll see why Filipinos are some of the toughest weapons fighters. This is awesome to see and I’m glad Rokas is training different forms of martial arts from different countries; traditional arts DO work but only if applied properly and trained with pressure testing

[@hcir5341]

Not really. Toughest on the internet maybe.

[@kermit1211]

@@hcir5341 Filipinos fighters are the toughest both physical and online😂😂😂

[@tcgfade0ut]

@@hcir5341 Based on what exactly? You've come to a discussion of Filipino martial arts, been critical in a fairly inflammatory manner, but not bothered to give your opinion any weight by qualifying it with any form of evidence. With respect, you're either trolling or being incredibly ignorant. If you present a sound argument backing up your comment, not only can you open a useful discourse, but you might have a chance of bringing someone around to your perspective.

[@dragonmaster3030]

@@tcgfade0ut their goal isn't to start a discussion, only to ignite a conflict

[@mist2622]

@@kermit1211 most of us are just the toughest keyboard warriors now a days

[@CocaineCowboyJones]

There is another Filinipo martial art called "Yaw-Yan" short for "Sayaw ng kamatayan", in english, "The Dance of death". Its a Kickboxing style based on Kali you must try it too Rocas. Im glad you appreciated our own Martial Art. Ossu

[@charleschamorro3379]

Good suggestion.

[@ninjasolarteam]

Yaw yan is not just based on arnis. It has aikijujutsu, judo, karate(shotokan and kyokushin), sikaran, dumog, bjj and taekwondo. With muay knees and elbows but tone down the clinch. Although some styles of yaw yan like ardigma and buhawi or the kobayashi's hybrid style does have clinch

[@MrFrankFurter]

Also try Panantukan. Has some wing chun aspects but based around hooking and side attacks instaed of straight line attack

[@LeviathanLee]

@@ninjasolarteam Bjj has nothing to so with yaw yan. Good grief The bjj fan boys are just as bad the traditional martial arts crowd. Yaw yan has the breaking jujitsu not the bjj rape prevention shit. The two aren't even remotely the same and yaw yan already has its own ground fighting.

[@ninjasolarteam]

@@LeviathanLee kobayashi's hybrid did added bjj in his own yaw yan off shoot system. Edit: unless some of his client or students did train bjj and combined their yaw yan style

[@UkuleleAversion]

This guy is an excellent teacher. No bullshit, clear explanations, encourages problem solving and creativity.

[@kaze-san2891]

Considering the history of the Philippines and this martial arts, I think kali being underestimated works in its favor, as it's main intention (atleast in a historical sense) is a concealed means of defending yourself.

[@Rug0s]

yep and back then practicing martial arts under the Spanish was hard because they sometimes see it as the people preparing to rebel to they had to put it in a "dance" form

[@CamejoJesus]

I learned more about the Filipino kali in this video than many I have seen on the internet. excellent

[@aishs57tv]

This made me miss my late father. He used to teach me the art of stick fighting, i am not so into it at first but as our training continues eventually i get the knack of it. I realized there's more to it than meets the eyes. I had bruises when i missed to block the strike and yet it made me try to learn more. I stop playing as nobody in my siblings wanted to learn and after i left home i haven't touch a stick again yet after watching this i know i still got the basics. Thanks for sharing.

[@ar3p293]

Same badi my father teach me arnis when i was a kid

[@youHaveNoEnemies214]

When I was 20, One night while walking the streets of Quiapo Manila from school going to my apartment, one guy mugged me and pointed a knife. He didn't think I would fight back. Remembering my Kali training and armed only with a pen, I held his wrist then poked him twice on the neck, disarmed his knife, then he ran away. I'm still thinking up to this day what happened to him.

[@YYC403NOYP]

RIP

[@TesticleScratcher]

Bro he ded

[@youHaveNoEnemies214]

@@TesticleScratcher it wasn't a deep wound i believe, just the tip of the pen, but it sure did poke him enough to hurt

[@Yachii]

Depends on where the pokes were

[@youHaveNoEnemies214]

@@Yachii he got hit on the left frontal area of his neck. He flinched from it but was able to run away afterwards.

[@fonzievarata607]

One of the best things I've learned about FMA, while I've been studying it over the years, is that it can amplify and enhance an art or system you already know.

[@johndyer2179]

Been doing judo, karate, taekwondo, wushu but when I studied FMA, I appreciated the combat apps with the weapons aspect.

[@Slycarlo]

Unlike East Asian martial arts South East Asian martial arts are made for killing, FMA in particular when using real weapon isn't for instant killing blow but rather hitting your enemies as fast as you can and as many as you can, literally death by a thousand wounds. One time I have seen two old guys fight on an arguement in Visayas which both use bolo and they look like one of those starwars fight when the bolo meet each other sparks.

[@vomitcake395]

we did this in senior high in my philippine hs! it was fun hearing the simultaneous taps of the sticks when we did our drills in a hall with 40 students. less fun when someone almost got a concussion, but at least they got compensated with a high grade lol

[@reijiminato8762]

It means they (whoever got seriously injured) got heart

[@brainzend]

That was one of the best progressions I have seen in such a short time. Master instructor.

[@nelsiegeografo9185]

We were told to treat the arnis stick first as an extension of our hand (to understand the movement) and then as a large knife or a cutlass. So, you hold it a certain way and strike it a certain way. If you know the sharp edge is on one side, then you'll have to adjust your wrist to optimize the strike. Drills aren't just for the art form. We do twirls not because it's fancy but because you want your muscle memory to retain it. In an actual fight, you wouldn't need to have to worry about the twirls or the strike. You just want to make sure you defend yourself and attack at the same time. No movement should be wasted. And twirls, even with less force, could hurt like a bitch if it hits any part of you just because of the momentum.

[@JivecattheMagnificent]

I started doing Eskrima back in August and I'll be doing my first sparring session tomorrow with a friendly club in our area, so I'm pretty stoked for that. Whether or not it's the most effective martial art aside, it's just been really great learning new skills and getting to know new people. Also, damn, my guy has some gnarly sunburn there.

[@basedbane787]

how'd you do in your sparring session?

[@JivecattheMagnificent]

@@basedbane787 Ah man, it was great thanks. I got hit a lot, hah, but got in a lot of good hits too. It's hard for me to say how I did, but our coach said that I did really well, thank you mate.

[@basedbane787]

@@JivecattheMagnificent either way you did a lot better than the people sitting at home !

[@michaeljakeusman]

@@JivecattheMagnificent haha.. you cant really tell with all the padding you wear. plus the adrenaline. you just get bruises the day after. but getting 1 hit without the paddings will sometimes "paralyze" your body from the pain, and you just drop on your knees. when i was in highschool this was taught to our PE class, and i also got into kali after classes where i have this instructor said, in a real fight, dont just target the head or the body, if both of you have a weapon. target the hand that holds the weapon, attack and break the knee.

[@paowaa]

how old are you man?

[@ralph6801]

For the small amount I've practiced Arnis as a Filipino, it really did teach you the basics of practicing the basis of holding and using a weapon using the Arnis, and later on went into weapon disarment, and It was as far as I could get during the time

[@Riot076]

A lot of this stuff reminds me of HEMA and with this mindset even the "prechoreographed" pattern from the beginning makes a lot of sense actually. The instructor doesn't mention it,but it's a good way of feeling out the opponent,his reflexes and reactions (very much like throwing light jabs while being out of range or landing them slightly on your opponent's guard in boxing). He's already mentioned that you can set up feints by it,but what you can also do is upping the tempo of the exchange and if your opponent can't keep up you're very likely to be able to get their hand,thus disarming them

[@youHaveNoEnemies214]

Kali Escrima was also influenced by Rapier and Dagger fighting styles introduced by the Spaniards when they colonized Philippines. You would notice some similarities specially in the parrying techniques, but instead of poking, Kali would riposte with strikes and swings. It's also because most practitioners during the Spanish colonization period were armed with sickles and machetes used for farming.

[@umartdagnir]

FMA have got maybe 80% overlap with European langes messer fighting.

[@TheMochan555]

HEMA is people trying to recreate weapon fighting based on instructional manuals because nobody was left to teach it. FMA never died out the lineage survived over the centuries so the way its taught has been passed down. Not surprising that HEMA practitioners came across the same training methods used by FMA, as this is probably what works best for learning weapon combat. Training with weapons requires a different approach to unarmed combat, because the potential for serious injury is much higher. I wouldn't be surprised actually if HEMA practitioners actually took inspiration from FMA teachers but I wouldn't know about that.

[@AlllAboutYou]

He's a good teacher...nice ❤️❤️❤️😊🇵🇭

[@robertkiss8282]

A great video with some nice breakdowns of the techniques and development stages you can add in to your Filipino martials. Having practiced this a long time back, it is really fun watching and remembering the stuff I covered. Nice work as always and an entertaining and informative video!

[@arcturuspev5276]

This was part of my physical edu in my college days. The instructor wanted us to take Arnis seriously, some of us had a dislocated finger from guarding and most of us had black bruises on our arms..... It was fun though

[@danielquest8644]

I am super happy you have taken the time to start to learn the martial arts of the Philippines! Nice drill with advanced single sinawalli! Grandmaster Presas would be super proud!! Keep going my friend

[@ponkhan]

Always a pleasure to see a guro who can break down techniques and drills intelligently. Happy to see you finally get to try arnis, Rokas! Fun video!

[@McCaroni_Sup]

When I read "guro" I immediately thought of the Japanese meaning of the word, which is short for "grotesque". If you don't already know, don't look it up....... for your sake..... Then I realized that I'm a Filipino who is fucked in the head and remembered it meant teacher in Tagalog lmfao.

[@ponkhan]

@@McCaroni_Sup sok man, when I first ran into the "guro" tag, I got confused too

[@MarkSeinIII]

@@McCaroni_Sup It actually came from India. the word is "Guru" which means master/teacher.

[@McCaroni_Sup]

@@MarkSeinIII Yeah, a lot of our words here are loanwords from our neighbors. Then again, English is the same way with French and German.

[@gamechanger8908]

Filipino has a lot of loan words from many different languages, like Spanish, Indian, Chinese etc.

[@lightningkamagong8028]

More FMA Videos please. I love these episodes. FMA is broad. It's a martial arts inside a martial arts. Why? There are a lot of systems or style under FMA. Same principles but different ways on how to approach things. In the end you gotta choose what you think suits you and what you enjoy most. I'm from Modern Arnis and Lapunti de Abanico background.

[@matthewkevinobispo6582]

Facts. ^_^ It's good to see a fellow Modern Arnis practitioner. To add a another perspective: Aside from styles or systems under FMA, there are Concepts variations.

[@matthewkevinobispo6582]

And By Concepts, I mean base variation of techniques, methods and approaches to FMA training are vast. Like various for Classical Arnis, and its relativity to Modern Arnis recipes for Adobo.

[@markv1974]

I did sikaran. Feet movements less arms. Even the stick swings are same just using all feet.

[@JadeCordova]

From the training I remember, the fancy twirls are to improve the flexibility and strength of the wrists/hands. Also to build stamina and ambidexterity (two sticks). So, they're not just for artistic flair or for pretty-looking forms. In actual fighting or sparring, you can add in more slashes or stabs with a knife at close quarters since you're not limited to the basic strikes/slashes.

[@RonInNapa]

This man is amazing. What a fantastic instructor.

[@AsArg.]

Great video! Any who get the opportunity to take part in Johan Skålbergs workshops should join. He is a phenomenal instructor and practitioner

[@D3Vlicious]

A lot of this is also applicable to knife fighting, including with bolo knives and combat knives, to the point where Filipino soldiers, especially the Marines, are quite proud of their knife fighting skills.

[@joeberry2979]

Ive done many different systems since i was child and used most in mma and some especially older ones dont work very well but now I teach FMA and JKD because they work very well even without the weapons. Great video

[@daddy7860]

Gotta say, you found one of the best instructors I've ever seen for FMA

[@maximini8427]

I am a former arnisador myself ,(filipino stick fighter, or atleast thats what he called it) . I can say his style is amazing, dynamic and very easy to learn, but i think he forgot to mention some important stuff about arnis(filipino martial arts), here are some, these might be helpful for others too. This martial arts is invented for defence only before it was made into an actual sport, meaning its made for the weak (like me lol) you dont actually need to rely on strength most of the time you just need to use the stick's momentum for your attacks. to achieve this, hold your stick atleast one palm away from the end of the stick.( There is a line on the stick which indicates where your thumb and index fingers should be, well that line is estimated for filipino hands which are small) the only part of your hand gripping the stick hard is the index and the thumb, the rest should be very light. Thats what we were thought to minimize self harm and also gives off better result than gripping the stick harder, because it minimizes the shock/impact to your hand. There are also times when you need to tighten your grip(for the rest of the fingers) like when you are about to be dissarmed, or sometimes when hitting/blocking or counter attacking but for the style that was taught for me, its very minimal, because like i said it was made for self defence specially for weak people like me. The dance part or foot work part is optional i never did it myself lol, but i was told it was a great addition for the skillset, for me i just use every muscle in my body to flick/swing the stick (like in boxing), you can also use the stick to poke his vitals to buy time and run away like his eyes, neck ot crotch. ( btw the idea for it was its better to defend yourself with a random stick/pipe or somthing similar that you can pick up almosy everywhere rather than your barehands, think of it as a force multipier) I can talk about this all week there is so much to learn, and i wanted to share this for others like me so they have atleast something they can defend themselves with.

[@blade18rivers]

You're welcome to visit us in the Philippines to experience the art from it's origin.

[@jopoxc]

I wish I've stumbled across this video before I sparred with a couple people some time ago. I might've been too aggressive and sacrificing defense instead, and I didn't know how to block properly and ended up "blocking" with my knuckle, which unsurprisingly did not go so well.

[@justinvillar7008]

I'm a Filipino Martial Arts and a Filipino as well, our Martial Arts practice is for reality and our advance training is to adapt other styles that makes FMA diverse and complex just like we Filipinos ourselves who are so diverse and complex.

[@wagutoxD]

Mr. Skalberg is a real one! Really liked him!

[@JaybayJay]

It's really hard to judge who's the best Sensei or Master.. Or teaching it correctly. So I skip all that and go right to the Traditional Source. Dan Inosanto is one of the original Masters of Philippine Martial Arts.. The Filipino Martial Arts - By Dan Inosanto Buy his books and study them. He used to coach Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris in Hollywood and was coached in turn by them. He goes into great detail the Infinity Symbol as a starting point to work the Escrima Stick for fluidity and control. Then moves into the Striking Angles Chart. There are circles and angles of attack that flow and compliment each other. Master Inosanto goes into great detail about the striking techniques, including the Thrust Attacks.

[@alexroot6615]

That was dope editing! …and a great coach and conversation at the same time! respect for creating such quality content!

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thanks Alex!

[@jaeyoungkang5951]

I hope you also saw Panantukan (the empty handed style of FMA), a surprisingly effective bare-knuckle striking style.

[@robbcabaian]

Very similar to JKD

[@TheSubwaysurfer]

Break and break out which is what he’s doing is an excellent way to get introduced into the FMA. This was my introductory drill and it gets more intense as you become more familiar and proficient at it. In the end when I got really familiar with itWe were really swinging at the head at the knee and at the head and if your stick wasn’t there to block you got hit

[@user-tq3dy7my9t]

Johan is a great teacher, he explains in a way that's easy to grasp. i wish he's here in the US

[@ArnisRisingHFS]

Great honest video Rokas. Glad you had a taste and got to experienced our art. Welcome to arnis.

[@MrNokdor]

Super instructive video ! Was really interesting to see the different levels of drilling with increased pressure and movement. Definitely something I want to apply more at some point in my practice :). On a total other subject, you might want to tune down the zooms and dezooms (at the end of the video), you lost me there Rokas haha x), couldnt focus on the conversation as I was wondering why you did so many 😂. Anyway thanks Rokas, great content as usual keep it up :) !

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm tesinting different ways of approaching editing to see what engages the viewers more, so hearing feedback about it is valuable for me :)

[@KaichouClips]

The zooms made me dizzy, please just use a static shot

[@Not_That_Chris]

Just like any martial art, the training and the effectiveness comes down to your focus and your mindset. If you want to have fun clacking sticks, go LARPing. Kali can be very intense if you think about what you’re actually trying to do (incapacitating your opponent)

[@kaiserprestin8404]

This is actually true, FMA is considered a deadly martial arts that focuses on either incapacitating your opponent as you mentioned or just literally kill your opponent by hitting the vital parts.

[@judebautista5925]

My PE teacher is so patient with me in learning Arnis/Kali as I am the most uncoordinated person ever. Shoutout to him!

[@Pifagorass]

Interesting to see Lithuanian learning Filipino martial arts. I was so surprised to see JJJ dojo in Vilnius teaching Filipino martial arts - IMHO the best 2 martial arts to create great self defense style by fusing them together!

[@loading4354]

during my college days, we had 6 sports each semesters: swimming, basketball, bowling, dart, mixed m.a. and kali. the sport i love the most is Kali, i enjoyed every moves of it.

[@hittkid6312]

My MMA coach said the same thing about untrained people forgetting everything else once they had a weapon. Most people once they pull out a knife, baseball bat, or any melee weapon all they will do is use the weapon on their hand to attack which makes them predictable but still scary AF and best not to confront if possible.

[@jasoncalvetti1983]

A lot more amazing than I thought, thank you

[@Plantaman]

Man, what a great teacher. Good stuff.

[@TheAmazeingAnarchist]

I loved the way johan explained so much of the stuff & may try to see if there are any places to learn in my area. It all reminded me a lot of the stuff that wasn't bullshit in systema that I learned. There was a major focus on negative space, space that wasn't occupied by your opponent or other objects, looking for those openings, & maintaining your calm to be open to all the oppritunities so you could chain or exploit them among other things. Really cool

[@u140550]

I just found your channel, and as a Filipino I was mad at your first pre conceived thoughts/notion of Filipino martial arts; because whether you’re self taught for self defense or trained professional who is taught not only for self defense but for taking on multiple people in certain situations FMA can help a lot. I really wanted more of your thoughts, because one thing I haven’t seen is understanding how versatile our martial art is.

[@ModelCivilian]

I just started Kali and I'm loving it.

[@al-nur999]

This video is so interesting, especially the master who's teaching you. He explained it so easy to understand

[@andrirublov]

Maybe the best way to make Aikido functional is not trying to apply it's principles to MMA or grappling but to take it back to it's roots in armed combat sports like FMA or medieval combat -trying to disarm your opponent while moving out of reach of his free hand and legs.

[@johnputti2582]

I say that this martial arts is not designed for sports but to inflict damage or to kill. The used of sticks is just the basics, if you go deeper, its an endless possibilities where you can use knives, swords, hand to hand combat etc. Very useful in actual life and death fights. The only counter attack possible is bullets. Theres other featured videos about this master that he teach special forces for actual quick fatal attacks with knives and hand to hand combats.

[@paulg5220]

What a great teacher! He made everything easy to understand.

[@techielopez7678]

He’s a really good teacher! 👏👏👏

[@nagyzoli]

@Martial Arts Journey @4:10 The guy is correct, you definitely need to learn aggresion. It would mean a ton of difference in your MMA fights too. You always tend to be in a permanent slow retreat/counter attack mode. That gives the planning initiative to the enemy, not a good thing

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Working on it!

[@martialartsvocationalschoo3319]

@@MartialArtsJourney which of course is great. But being a slow starter myself, survivng until opponents run out of steam also works. ;)

[@lucianojuliannobati7627]

very very cool! coming from a super traditional wing chun kung fu school, seeing some of the same basic mechanics here is very interesting. particularly in the footwork and distance magagment. PS. The constant zoom in zoom out in the editing is kind of exhausting on the eyes hhahaha

[@voodoochild6741]

Welcome to the FMA experience!. Enjoy your journey into this exciting, intriguing,wonder,and very often misunderstood exotic deadly art of the blade.

[@aaronza7218]

Great instructor. Concise and precise!

[@rocelderamos3013]

8:44 Time to apply that Kote Gaeshi 😂

[@Fredjo]

Lmfaoo

[@Ilyas_animates]

I thought about that too!)) Also Sankyo may be applied here

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Maaaaan.... I'm broken 😂😭 The thought did not occur to me in the moment. I guess I was too focused on following the teaching 😊

[@rocelderamos3013]

@@MartialArtsJourney I hope you spend more time with Skalberg and see if you can find principles/techniques where you may cross-pollinate Aikido given that Aikido is said to be a "a defense against weapon" art and Kali is kinda similar but more on the engagement/aggressor part of weapon.

[@jaj1738]

Or even an ikyo if you step back.

[@Fitness101_goals]

Man, the instructor's respect for Kali. Hands down. 🙌

[@peterbomb8913]

Love it, I learn many thing from this video. thank you

[@AxelBitz]

This has to be one of the best FMA teaching methods. Incredible class and instructor.

[@Basta11]

I think the best thing in FMA is the concept of the continuous motion flow drill. The different drill patterns allows you to build muscle memory of the different questions (attack) and responses (defense). Then you transition into question and response drills with randomization, and slowly working on reflex and speed. Kind of like boxing pad work. Eventually, you get into sparring - live resistance. It’s more of a game really, developing real skills with potential combat applications. As a self defense, to a lesser extent.

[@jsbcody]

My old banged up body loves FMA. My instructors mix it up from sticks, staff, blades, open hand, and groundwork. I have found tempo and footwork result in good body position to attack or defend (limit opponent's options to attack).

[@brianinakilt2590]

I met Johan I think a decade or two ago when he was still learning under Grandmaster Presas, he's very kind, humble and gentle, I wish him the best!

[@prehinciletales]

great demonstration and explanation...thank you

[@scottzappa9314]

The Filipin martial arts are effective and quite fun to do, try it with 2 sticks. I trained with a student of Dan Inosanto and also had the fortune of meeting Dan once, as I was a student of another student of his, an expert in the Dayton, OH area. I think it's one of the few martial arts that starts you in weapons, then progresses to empty hand.

[@dask7428]

do you usually walk around carrying sticks on you to be able to defend yourself ?

[@scottzappa9314]

@@dask7428 Learn something about martial arts then I'll answer you Chief.

[@dask7428]

@@scottzappa9314 just banter mate, didn't mean to offend you :')

[@scottzappa9314]

@@dask7428 okay brother, The sticks are like any other weapon in martial arts except they're taught before empty handed techniques, unlike most others. The weapons show how the techniques are the same with or without weapons. It's a modern appreciation for an ancient reality and art. It also teaches you how to use anything of a similar nature that you have around you to defend yourself. No it's totally impractical and in many cases illegal to carry martial arts weapons, except guns of course in certain states.

[@KenMikaze]

@@dask7428 don't really need those rattan sticks when going out, but hey, if you find a suitable weapon, use it.

[@Testosterooster]

I remember the show Fight Guest and they did an ep on Kali and it was brutal when they went full spar mode.

[@paavohirn3728]

Great stuff! Very interesting video presentation of these exercises.

[@Sx-xy2zi]

I am loving these videos

[@ramslucas5140]

I have been a practioner sense I was 8 I'm 42 from Dad and Uncles they learned from the Gurus of Doce Pares..schools when they were young in the Philippines...I also trained with the Doce Pares Gurus...and still love doing it is the most efficient martial art weapons training you can ever do...because the one weapon that is most practical that you find anywhere is a stick...but with the empty hand fundamentals....it is very deadly....

[@archonXII]

Thank you for learning Filipino Martial Arts specially Arnis/Kali/Eskrima. You can analyse it to combine the martial art to your system and how you will create a flow from one Technique to another technique. God bless

[@Fox.59]

YESS I've been wanting to see this

[@meleciobalberde9362]

It's good that you have tried it. I hope you can come here in our place to study the art. More power to you.

[@diegoruln]

about 7 years ago when I was in South Korea I saw a fight breakout in an outdoor-tent type restaurant and im pretty sure one of the guys fighting was from some sort of gang, anyway, since firearms in korea are not at all obtainable easily he was swinging a tactical bat and pretty sure he was using kali because it looked very similar to what i'm seeing now, needless to say he beat the shit out of the other guy just using basically distance and firm strikes

[@kalivr1908]

Sir Skalberg nails right on the head, especially his explanation involving when to use the offhand! (the punch thing is not usual but can work). Filipino Martial Arts started out as an art meant for the shield and whatever main weapon the warrior hand whether it be a sword or a spear which gradually evolved to stick fighting since the Spaniards started banning weapons but Filipinos had to find a way to retain those concepts, some managed to keep the bladed aspect alive because apparently the spanish didn't think that Machetes (or Bolo) could be used as a dueling or self defense weapon. The Ilustrado filipinos who knew Filipino Martial Arts meanwhile were simultaneously borrowing or rediscovering techniques from Western sword fencing styles (Sabre and Cutlass most likely).If you just watch HEMA sparring videos involving the Messer or Arming sword, you'll see similar off hand techniques and it's so strange to me how there are people even some Arnisadors who think that offhand techniques don't work but our European counterparts are able to pull it off because they understand and use blade binding, something that is surprisingly an alien concept to some of my fellow Arnisadors. In a nutshell, FMA is pretty much like HEMA albeit we made sticks into our default training method and it's meant to be training for every weapon as much as possible (including fists).

[@TeabridgeX]

Love watching your journey exploring different styles. Even if it is not for you, you give it a fair chance. Also like that he showed empty hands. Too many video critics say "FMA is no good if you don't have a stick."

[@antoniobalentawak2599]

we used to do this as a kid in the philippines. no playstation back then just play fight with sticks outdoors. it's a neighborhood thing - eskrima, takyan, basketball, bato lata and so on.

[@BMO_Creative]

Man, your Akido still comes out! You're so quick when he aggresses you, but you are slow to aggress him. great video!

[@lewisb85]

A great follow up would be going to a competitive FMA club, I saw a display the guys wear what looks like Kendo armour. Hybrid FMA in London for example the guy who runs it is a multiple time world champion.

[@charleschamorro3379]

Or the Dog Brothers here in the US.

[@--Paws--]

That's a nice deconstruction of the basics

[@Charlie-ni4mf]

Good teacher, I understood what he was conveying easily.

[@Maodifi]

Thanks for giving FMAs a chance!!! Not every school/system uses identical means to the same end.

[@stanislavangelov4265]

This is like wingchun ChiSao but with weapons. I love it, Just by looking at it it might seem pointless, yet it studying and practicing many different aspects simultaniously and for both practitioners. I love it !

[@dannish2000]

They are very similar!

[@pendragnx]

wow.. that guy was an amazing teacher

[@archonXII]

Take time to explore further and deeper.

[@lars309]

Kali has some of the best footwork, it was missed in this vid

[@luxurybuzz3681]

The diamond/triangle footwork

[@lars309]

@@luxurybuzz3681 exactly!

[@kingwariors09]

@@lars309 When @luxury buzz said that, the first thing that comes in my mind was capoeira