Eschima Anyo

I'm no longer proceeding with my study of Arnis/Eschima/Kali -- Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)-- because I'm addicted to bigger sticks.

So here's a video of the sort of single stick interplay.

I still love this sort of interaction, and advancing with a kali stick like this is a lot of fun and always creative when doing it freestyle.

If you are considering taking up a martial art(something I recommend unconditionally), I reckon FMA is the bees knees.

Easy to relate to with a seeming straightforward weapon approach that is more involving as you explore your drill options.

Injury free. No grazed knuckles. Practice anywhere. No floor work. And you are unlikely to kill anyone.

I think it a superb protocol for women -- especially as the stick logic (where anything is a weapon) is a great leveller.

I still use a short stick (sometimes) which approximates the kali length (like my hanbo or shorter biangan) -- but I deploy it with two hands ...and THAT, you see, is a very different dynamic.

In passing up on a kali option I've let down my YouTube Tuhon, who is based in Goa, India. If you want some learning, that's the place to start: LightHaven.

https://tinyurl.com/yzucvmvz

Tell 'em Dave sent you.

Aside from the two hand-hold on the single stick, the Biangan I do suits my age-ing better as it is rooted in mastering shifting balance and very conscious movement awareness of the body's core.

I also like the longer stick because it does not require me to be so close to my opponent -- real or imagined. It is far more engineered as hit-and-run.

That said, this young woman's style does not seem to be affixed to a particular FMA school or family I'm familiar with. I suspect it is the form taught at Filipina secondary schools -- but her slash and stab, like the medium, is the message.

 

 

UPDATE: It is almost absurd!

While researching this post I came upon a style of Escrima I had not come upon before -- one often based around a form, like a tai chi form -- albeit faster and with a stick. And seemingly very popular among women -- filipinas.

The style I gather is based around 'anyo' which is the Filipino work for the Japanese  kata -- as it is much influenced by Okinawan traditions (which, if you know your geographty, is just north of the Philippines). Inasmuch as I gather, the late Remy Presas is accredited with much of the development & promotion of this form.

As I watch it I see it is right up my preferential alley.  I can do that. I can learn that. The video above is actually an example but there are many others which, in effect, engineer an anyo 'performance' rather than get down and dirty in the fight and grabbing that dominates so much of the YouTube Escrima community. All very butch. 

Ironically, the form I developed myself shares many attributes with this style -- except for my penchant for a two handed stick hold. 

I think I can integrate this into my training. I seem to prefer variety -- but don't we all?

Anyway, here's a good example: STANDARD ANYO (FORM) REVISED CALL OF PANGALAWA FROM THE IMAFP FORM ORIGINATED FROM SR/GM PROF. REMY PRESAS