Kali Sikaran, Arnis and Escrima are basically the same martial art, the diverse names signify which part of The Philippines the art comes from and a handful of minor variations of the technique, principles, and training focus. Kali is different from more traditional martial arts in that it teaches students stick-fighting principles and then empty-handed fighting as its open hand techniques are based on its stick fighting principles. Kali is thus ordinarily perceived as a stick fighting style, but there are variations among different styles. Most of the unarmed techniques are punches and elbows, but leg and total body techniques to off-balance or throw an opponent are also used. The Spanish Espada y Daga was taken into Kali, and thus many schools will also train sword and knife techniques for coordination and application skills.
Kali Sikaran teaches 6 fundamental blocks where three are weapon-based and three 3 are empty-handed for different ranges of fighting. The three weapon-based blocks are Double Baston (normally practiced with 2 sticks), Solo Baston (one impact weapon but could also originate from Bolo blades), and Daga (knife defense). The empty hand blocks consist of Sikaran (equivalent to Thaiboxing), Panantukan (boxing for self-defense), and Kadena de Mano (close-quarter fighting). What makes Kali Sikaran unique is how these six fundamental blocks integrate by using similar principles and the skillsets from one block assist another. It’s like learning 6 different martial arts in one.
The oldest martial arts in the Philippines where called Pangamut and said practiced by the indigenous Filipinos. They were in contact with the aborigines of Taiwan, Borneo, and the mythical Majapahit kingdom which is evident from oral legends and the similarities between their fighting styles. The native tribes focused on fighting with sticks, cudgels, single- or double knives, and various swords while practicing unarmed combat forms like Dumog and Sipaan.
The Filipinos' battle-tested tactics proved strategically effective from the angle of old world weaponry and hand to hand conflict. Highly skilled Filipino martial artists are often characterized by a state of "flow" that is decisively responsive, deployable, agile, versatile, lethal, survivable, and sustainable.
Kali and Escrima training might be done in any city in the world and I encourage you to visit our martial arts directory of Kali Sikaran to find a school near you!
There are also options for online seminars, lessons, and one on one teaching.
Kali Sikaran - Selfdefence with Confidence