Arnis De Malaya

The System Structure

Founded in 2012, Arnis De Malaya is the culmination of over 25 years of martial arts training and associated research. The ultimate goal was to develop a system that focuses on practical and achievable techniques, and helps a student track progress through the system in an organized manner. It focuses on the simple execution of literal techniques and the development of abstract drills to improve sensitivity, speed and fluidity in movement.

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Students will be taught the difference between the abstract and the literal, the purposes of each and how the abstract is translated into useful skills or practices. This system is first and foremost designed to be a fighting art, for self-defense, with the intelligent application of sufficient force as necessary to meet the situation as presented. It is not for sport, points, weight loss, strength training or ranking. It is a practical system of fighting. The founder has endeavored to eliminate impractical or unnecessarily complex drills and skill requirements as core material.

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The applicability of foundation material will be a requirement even for the earliest ranks, ensuring that a student that desires progression in the art will possess the fundamental skills necessary to defend themselves from an assortment of empty handed or melee weapon attacks. The foundation forms the basis for developing a true warrior mindset, one of strength and balance. As a student progresses he or she will be increasingly exposed to ‘core’ and ‘advanced’ material that builds upon the Foundation and are a diverse set of techniques to develop power and fluidity with empty hand, knife, stick or improvised weapons. Martial Arts training is as much intellectual as it is physical, which is why it is required to have progressive knowledge of Martial History and Culture in the core material. Students will need to have an understanding of the origin of their instruction, historical knowledge of the various arts, as well as the lineage of instructors and general knowledge of all martial arts.

Arnis De Malaya is Tagalog and translates “Harness of Freedom”. This represents a philosophy that the Foundation is the ‘Harness’, or support system for the ‘freedom’ to explore diverse areas of the fighting arts across multiple systems and styles as one progresses through it. Arnis De Malaya has a base set of skills that blend nicely with other Martial Arts. A student’s advanced skill is based on the execution of foundation, core and advanced material. The outer rings of the system will continually evolve to the benefit of all its practitioners. Students of Arnis De Malaya are encouraged to diversify their training as they reach advanced ranks, and exposure to other martial arts styles and systems is a requirement to obtain Black Belt.

The Importance of Teaching

Teaching others is a great honor, and can significantly improve your own skills. This is why teaching the art is not only encouraged but is a requirement to reach advanced levels. Black Belt candidates are required to have at least one student that has achieved certified rank in the system. The Arnis De Malaya logo represents simplicity of training in the four spheres of influence; Empty Hand: which includes punching, striking and kicking; Grappling: which includes locks, throws and ground fighting; Weapons: which includes stick, knife and all other; Martial Culture and History: which covers all intellectual knowledge required for a well-balanced warrior mindset.