ARNIS

The names Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali

refer to weapons-based martial art,
developed from traditional roots in the
Philippines. The art is referred to as Arnis
in the northern islands, including Luzon;
Eskrima in the middle, Visayas islands;
and Kali in the south including Mindanao.
 Eskrima, Arnis and Kali, is different from many
other martial arts in that the student is trained with
weapons from the very beginning. The primary training
weapon is the baston, a rattan stick usually about 30
inches long. The baston is both a weapon and a
training tool meant to stimulate a short sword or Kris,
the traditional knife of the archipelago. In the southern
dialects, the Kris is referred to as a kalis, from which is
derived from the name “Kali”.
 Although weapons based, Eskrima also
include striking with the hands and feet,
wrestling, grappling and even some ground
fighting. Additionally, many of the armed
offensive and defensive techniques may be
done empty handed. Thus, Eskrima offers
practical defenses against most hand
weapons.
BENEFITS OF ARNIS TRAINING
Practical self-defense
Increases fitness and aerobic capacity
Conditions the forearms, elbows, and hands,
increasing pain tolerance
Increases flexibility
Can make one partially ambidextrous