Kali is a term to represent the filipino martial arts (FMA).The word Kali is the contraction of two words: “ka”, for “kamot” (hand/body), and “li” for “lihok” (motion). Other terms such as Arnis or Eskrima are often used to name the filipino martial arts.
Kali is quiet a singular fighting system, mainly based on the motion of white weapons such as short sticks and blades/knifes of different shapes and dimensions. The principles used for white weapons fighting are applied also to empty hands techniques, which makes the singularity of the style.
The Kali is considered one of the most flexible and extremely complete martial arts system.
The art of Kali can be devided in 12 areas, 3 being the most significant:
- Stick fighting (double or single stick)
- Knife fighting (knife vs knife, knife vs empty hands)
- Empty hands fighting (Panantukan, Sikaran, Dumog, …).
At Manonuda, as for the stickfighting part, we mainly practice 2 styles: Lameco and Inosanto.
Properties:
- Treating every part of the opponent’s body as a target (destructions)
- Using all possible angles for attack and defense
- Flowing action in attack and defense
- Fluidity of motion
- Covering all combat distances (weapons, kickboxing, trapping, grappling)
- Using all body parts as weapons.
- Flowing drills for the development of reflexes and application of techniques