Arnis (also known as Eskrima and Kali) is a weapons based martial art which comes from the Phillipines. It is the national sport of the Philippines and has a very long history of combat effectiveness. Only recently has this art become popular in other countries and enjoyed the popularity of other more traditional Asian arts. Its difference from other martial arts is that the student is taught to train with weapons from the very start, rather than starting on empty hands training as traditional martial arts do. This type of training builds manual dexterity in the practitioner and also trains fast conditioned responses to various attacks. Although it is weapons based, it includes striking (kicking and punching), wrestling, grappling, groundfighting, as well as teaching practical defenses against most weapons. In the Philippines, it is referred to as Arnis in the northern islands (Luzon), is known as Eskrima in the central islands (Visayas), and is known as Kali in the southern islands (Mindanao).

Balintawak Arnis

Balintawak Arnis was developed by Venancio Bacon in the 1950s from earlier Filipino styles such as Doce Pares. It is named after Cebu City’s Balintawak Self Defense Club located in Balintawak Street. The 1950s and 1960s saw the "Golden Age" of eskrima in Cebu. Balintawak principally teaches single stick fencing in a dueling format. Sometimes a small second stick is used to simulate a dagger. Balintawak is composed of twelve basic strikes and these form the basis from which a practitioner can develop basic, semi-advanced and advanced movements.

The Ranking System

There are only two formal ranks awarded by Grand Master Bobby Toboada (Our Head Instructor - Filipines) in Balintawak Arnis Cuentada and he has further expanded the techniques in these ranks into eight levels:

Completion of the Art

Level 1 - 12 basic strikes
Level 2 - Defense and counter
Level 3 - Grouping Systems
Level 4 - Butting Techniques
Level 5 – Disarms
Level 6 - Semi-advanced Techniques

Fully Qualified Instructor

Level 7 - Advanced Footwork
Level 8 - Fully Qualified Instructor

All techniques must be demonstrated with power, control, and body mechanics. A student will automatically fail the "Completion of the Art" test if they drop their stick, swear or make accidental contact with their partner. Our instructor here in Melbourne is Sensei Andrew Sotiro.

Why Learn Arnis?

It’s a very practical self-defence against single or multiple opponents. 
It can be practiced alone or with a partner.v It conditions and tones your upper body, arms and legs.
It conditions the forearms, elbows and hands.
Improves your manual dexterity and co-ordination with weapons of different sizes.
It improves your ambidexterity.
It complements and enhances any martial art.
Techniques do not require strength, rather body movement and economy of motion.
Because there is no need for strength, anyone can learn Eskrima.
It is a complete system of martial arts, training you in striking (punching, kicking, etc.), wrestling, all forms of weaponry, and even groundfighting.

Instructor:Sensei Andrew Sotiropuolis
Instructor:Sempai Bernard

Eltham Martial Arts Academy
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