Kali, Arnis and Eskrima
Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima, is a weapon-based Martial Art developed in the Philippines. Incorporating open-hand techniques as well as sticks (bastons), knives, bladed weapons and flexible weapons such as sarongs and even whips, it is one of the most versatile Martial Arts out there. Arnis stick fighting can be taught from an early age and develops the strength and hand-eye coordination of those who practise it.
Continue reading »The History of Arnis
Kali, Eskrima and Arnis originated in the Philippines amongst the peasant class, who used native fighting techniques for defence and offence during conflicts among the various Pre-Hispanic Filipino tribes or kingdoms.
Over the course of time, the Martial Art grew to incorporate Spanish, Malay, Chinese, Arab and Indian influences as traders and settlers arrived in the Philippines. These foreign influences eventually led to the Filipino Martial Arts adopting a belt ranking system – something which was seen as counterproductive at first, as people feared it would lead to Arnisadores challenging each other to potentially lethal fights to climb up the ranks. As it became a national sport and Martial Art of the Philippines, rules and regulations were put in place to regulate Arnis competitions and tournaments.
As Arnis relies heavily on fighting sticks or knives, it has gained in popularity in recent years as a self-defence method in street fights and knife attacks. However, most variants of Filipino Martial Arts are based on the philosophy that “the best defence is a good offense”.
Learn the Art of Arnis
If you want to become a master at Kali, Arnis and Eskrima, the first step is to get yourself the right gear. You can find high-quality clothing, body armour and Arnis sticks for sale at the best price at Blitz – the UK’s number one supplier of Martial Arts equipment.
