And boy is my arm tired. I signed up through an informal Filipino martial arts class (knife and stick fighting) through my university. Having always wanted to take a martial arts class, I finally gave in and signed up for one that 1) looked interesting and 2) was shorter than the rest of the martial arts classes.
We wasted no time in getting to increasingly complicated drills. The vocabulary was a jumble of Spanish and Tagalog words that instantly slipped my mind. The class was made up of beginning and ongoing students, so we automatically had partners who had some idea of what they were doing. Partner swings fist or baston (stick), you grab his arm and move it out of your way. This is a lot more complicated than it sounds.
I had hoped there would be at other women in the course, but I’m the only one. That shouldn’t be too weird. I got El Elvis Rojo to join with me, so I’ll always have a practice partner.
Puntang! At least, that’s what I think the guy was saying. I’ve never been too good with foriegn languages.
The class was fun, though, even for an uncoordinated oaf like me. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be good enough at it to be as quick as the rest of the class, but I plan to stick with it. Hey, at least I’ll be able to kick my roomate’s ass Does anyone else out there take a similar class? If so, how long have you been doing it, and how long till I stop hitting my poor partner in the elbow with the butt of my stick?
I did various stick and knife work for about ten years. And you never stop hitting the other guy - and getting hit yourself. At least if you are doing it right. Otherwise, you are just clacking sticks - which can be fun, but has little to do with fighting. After all, one of your main aims should be to “defang the snake” - correct?
Many folk wear hockey or street hockey gloves. If you cut away some of the palm, you get a better grip on your weapon. You can also invest in forearm and elbow pads if you wish.
Check out some Dog Brothers tapes to see stick fighting in one of its highest and most realistic forms. IMO, a lot of the neatest moves, disarms etc., are of the least practical use. You would never attempt to pull them off unless you had labelled the other guy with a couple of good whacks upside the head first.
IME, many women really gravitate towards the stick and knife work. I think they often have a better time with the rhythms and footwork. Concentrate on your circular and triangular footwork, and maintaining proper distance.
Where do you study? What are your instructor’s influences? I’m sure you already know of the multitude of on-line sites for stick and knife fighting.
Have fun. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
I’ve been doing Filipino Martial Arts for about 6 years or so now, and just got back from a weekend seminar in Modern Arnis (and god, am I sore). My problem has always been less that I accidentally hit my partner (though that does happen), but that I accidentally hit myself! I’ve come to realize that a few bruises are normal and don’t sweat about it too much.
Of the 30 or so people at the seminar, only four of us were women. I’ve never been the only woman at one of these things, because usually I go with my (female) instructor, but we are always in the minority.
What style is your instructor teaching? Balintawak, Kali, and Arnis are the usual names, and there are an almost infinite variety of styles within them.
I have always wanted to do more stick and knife work, but our college is restricted to Aki-jutsu (which I practice when I can), Tae kwon Do and Judo. We do have one of the finest judo teachers around, but I’m not interested in that as much. What college do you go to that has stick and knife fighting on the curriculum? I have been looking for a graduate school
It’s not on the official curriculum. In addition to regular classes, UT-Austin offers an insane variety of informal classes, everything from conversational French and ballroom dancing to investing to canine massage and tapestry. Anyone in the community can take them, though they’re cheaper for UT students and alumni. There’s no credit and they usually last just a few weeks.
As a sidenote, last night’s boy-is-my-arm-tired was a reference to the corny old joke but I mean it in earnest today.
Does anyone else out there take a similar class? If so, how long have you been doing it, and how long till I stop hitting my poor partner in the elbow with the butt of my stick?