Armed Self Defense – 

Arnis

Physical Education and Health 12

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO LEARN
ARNIS?
 Learning self defense is one of the best way to keep yourself safe. Instead of learning kung
Fu or some other foreign martial art, consider learning our very own art of arnis
 Arnis, also called Kali and Eskrima, is a traditional martial art that uses sticks, bladed
weapons, knives, and improvised weapons when fighting. It also includes hand-to-hand
combat, grappling, joint locks, and weapon disarming techniques. Although the art has an
emphasis on weapons, some schools focus on hand-to-hand combat.
 It’s The National Sport and Martial Art

 Many of us still believe that Sipa, which is a game similar to volleyball only that it uses the
feet instead of the hands, is the national sport of the Philippines. However, arnis was
recently declared as the national sport on the 11th of December 2009 through the Republic
Act No. 9850 authored by South Cotabato Rep. Arthur Pingoy Jr.
It’s The National Sport and Martial Art

 It’s also a consolidation to Senate Bill No. 1424 authored by Majority leader Juan Miguel
Zubiri, who himself has trained in arnis. Under the law, arnis will be a mandatory course or
subject in all schools in the country unlike before when arnis was only offered in a few
schools as an elective physical education subject. It also institutionalizes arnis as a regular
event in the annual Palarong Pambansa.
 Your Hands and Sticks As Weapons

 Arnis really is a simple martial art. As arnis was an art usually practiced by the peasant or
commoner class, expensive swords and weapons were not that accessible. Instead, we see
the ingenuity and practically of Filipinos in this art.
 Your Hands and Sticks As Weapons

 When learning it, you are only given a pair of rattan sticks to beguine with. This serves as
an extension to your arms to give you more range. It also teaches you that almost anything
can be used as a weapon. As mentioned, some eskrima schools concentrate more on hand-
to-hand combat, teaching you that you can take on an opponent with just your bare hands.
It’s A Practical Way of Defending Ourselves

 Unlike a gun, you won’t need to get a permit to carry around arnis sticks or stash them in
your car. 
  Arnis classes are not that expensive. 
Think Fast
 Arnis is not just about drills and making sure you hit your partner’s baton. The drills are
there so you could get use to the attack and counter-attack movements.
Think Fast

 It’s not just raw force and twirling the sticks, there’s finesse and technical aspects which
require creativity. You have to think fast and be creative when attacking and blocking,
which really boils down to how imaginative you can be when combining the movements.
Good Exercise
 Want a good workout? Arnis is a great cardio and reflexes exercise. It may not involve you
lifting heavy things but the exercises and drills can get your heart pumping.
 Good Exercise
 You get to develop your forearm and hand muscles so you’ll get toned arms and shoulders. 
But make sure you’re wearing protective gear since hardcore drills like hitting the
wheels/bag can cause blisters and callous the hands.
Good Exercise

 You get to develop your forearm and hand muscles so you’ll get toned arms and shoulders. 
But make sure you’re wearing protective gear since hardcore drills like hitting the
wheels/bag can cause blisters and callous the hands.
Discipline and Self Control

 A major lesson you’ll learn in arnis, and any other martial art, is discipline and self control.
You’ll learn to discipline yourself in actually showing up to class and practicing to learn
and perfect the drills and movements so you can execute them seamlessly.  

 Martial arts was never meant to be abused, so don’t use it just to hurt people.
 Psychological Effects
 Exercise is correlated to good psychological well-being. Studies have shown that getting a
certain amount of exercise within a week can boost endorphins, which is the
neurotransmitter associated with feeling good and happy. It’s also connected to lower stress
levels, which is great of anyone’s well-being. 
 Psychological Effects

  Learning martial art can give you a confidence boost. It gives you assurance that you’ll be
ok and you’ll be able to handle a possible life-threatening situation and save your life and
even someone else’s.
 It’s A Heritage

 Keep the heritage alive by studying it. With arnis, different schools have different methods.
Grandmasters often have their own specialties, and their students build up and continue the
practice while adding their own styles.
 It’s A Heritage

 Since everyone moves differently, arnis is ever changing yet follows the same core
principles. Think of it as a story that’s passed down from generation to generation, and by
learning it, you can help continue the practice by teaching it to others.