Filipino Kali / Escrima (Kali) is generally considered one of the most proven effective weapons systems available today. Kali utilizes weapons of all different lengths and sizes, both bladed (KNIVES, SWORDS) and blunt (STICKS, STAFF). Kali also teaches empty-hand fighting using feet, hands, knees, elbows along with joint locking, take downs, throws & sweeps, pressure points.

Kali uses training methods that train the left and right side of the body in the same manner; a great way for improving hand/eye coordination, balance and overall motor skills. The use of various weapons in training greatly improves grip and forearm strength and the range of movement in the joints of the arms and shoulders. The rhythmic flow drills of Kali improve reflex timing and relaxed speed in movement.

Kali offers outstanding self-defense training. This class will teach you to use, and defend yourself against, a large variety of common weapons, regardless of whether or not you have a weapon yourself. You will learn to turn almost any object into a usable weapon to defend yourself (keys, lipstick case, pin, umbrella). The empty hand training of Kali covers all ranges of self-defense and fighting - weapons, kicking, punching, trapping, stand-up grappling, ground fighting and more. The flow drills of Kali will ingrain quick, instant response into your body so your reactions will take over in a stressful situation when there is no time to think…only react. And the training is loads of fun.

Origins of Kali

The Philippine Islands were originally settled by various groups of peoples, the earliest of which may have been the Negrito Pygmies. About 200 BC the Malays also migrated to the Philippines from Asia, bringing with them expert fighting skills with the sword, dagger and spear. Trade with the Chinese brought many T'ang Dynasty martial skills, while extensive Chinese migration to the Philippines occurred later in the Sung and Ming Dynasties.

In the 15th century the Malaccan Empire was established, the original settlers having been pushed back, bringing Islam to the Southern Philippines. In the intervening years before Magellan's landing and Spanish attempts to conquer the Philippines, the Filipino people integrated their various fighting methods. This integration brought about a technology of empty hand fighting and weaponry unequaled by anyone in the world.

Atlanta Pekiti-Tirsia Kali

The Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system is an authentic, indigenous combat Bladefighting system from the Philippines that employs all traditional weapons including Empty-Hands. The foundation system of Pekiti-Tirsia is the Doce Methodos. The Doce Methodos are the twelve (12) methods that define every manner and method in which a bladed weapon can be used to strike with. Doce Methodos defines strikes and attacks by angle, energy, weapon anatomy (strikes with the edge, point, back of blade and butt) and manipulation. Knowledge of the tactics and techniques of the Doce Methodos transfer to all weapon categories and allows one to effectively employ any weapon (edged, impact, flexible, projectile) and combination of weapons (double, long and short) in combat. The advanced systems of Contradas, Contra-Tirsia Doble-Dos, and Advanced Combat Methods all likewise transfer in application to all weapons. This strategic structure and systemology provides the most effective and expedient training process for transferring the knowledge, understanding, and skills of close quarters combat. This systemology is unique to the Filipino martial arts and exclusive to the Pekiti-Tirsia system today.

Strategy is the combative plan and principles that all Tactics must adhere to and include. Tactics are the specific methods of offense and counter-offense techniques executed in combat. Many instructors of self-defense, martial arts, and combat systems fail to teach the Strategy and Tactics of close-quarters combat. In Pekiti-Tirsia, the effective application of Strategy and Tactics are taught throughout the system and are in fact the foundation of the training program and instructional method. Since no two combative encounters are the same, the mastery of effective Strategy and Tactics allows the practitioner of Pekiti-Tirsia to execute offensive and counter-offensive techniques in dynamic situations. This fluidity of movement and adaptability of technique is the hallmark of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali.

AMAC’s Chief Instructor, Guro Alan Baker, is a Certified Instructor under Magulang Na Guro Dan Inosanto. Guro Alan is also a Charter instructor under Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje, Jr. in the art of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. Both are considered one of the foremost authorities on Filipino Kali in the world. Pekiti-Tirsia is taught at the school on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call the school for more information