Kali (Filipino Martial Arts)

The Filipino Martial Arts, also known as Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis De Mano, are the weapons-based fighting systems from the Philippines. FMA was created and developed in times of war and colonial invasion. FMA was used throughout history, from explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s death at the hands of Filipino warrior Lapu-Lapu, during World War II against the Japanese invaders, all the way to the development of the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Teams, who use FMA as their system of choice. FMA is famous for its emphasis on combat realism and functional weapons training. 

It is not about looking fancy or flashy in your techniques, but rather about doing what is proven to be fast, functional and effective in combat. Because FMA was developed during war time when you only had a short time to learn the basics, all beginners start training with weapons first. This is opposed to most martial arts where weapons training is taught at the higher ranks only. The same logic that applies as to why you would train a modern soldier how to use an assault rifle in boot camp before sending him off to a war zone, in FMA it is considered foolish to enter into combat without learning weapons first.

Would you send a soldier into a fight using just his hands and feet? No of course not. Would you confront an armed attacker using just your hands and feet? No of course not. That is why in FMA, learning how to fight with sticks, knives, and various types of bladed and impact weapons is top priority. Empty-hands training, such as boxing, kicking, and grappling, is taught later after weapons are mastered.

Police statistics show that over 90% of all street crimes involve a hand-held weapon of some kind. This is where FMA is most applicable because it is a weapons-based art in every aspect. The fact is, the only way you can defend yourself against a weapon is to be very familiar with everything that weapon can do. The more prepared you are against a knife, gun, or impact weapon, the better your chances of survival. 

​Our FMA curriculum is based on Guro Dan Inosanto’s LaCoste-Inosanto Kali blend, FCS Kali, Armas Kali, Balintawak, and Doce Pares. KALI means “hand motion.” KA stands for Kamot (hand). LI stands for Lihok (motion). This system is a combination of several styles of Kali, Eskrima, Kuntao, and Silat. It covers every type of practical weapon imaginable.