What is Escrima Also known as Arnis and Kali, Escrima is a form of martial arts and fighting system from

the Philippines. This Filipino martial art form is focused on weapon based combat and makes extensi e use of different bladed weapons like kni es, sticks and also se eral other impro ised weapons. !ith the main focus on weapon based combat, Escrima martial arts also includes "oint locks, grappling, hand to hand combats and different techni#ues to disarm weapons A male practitioner of Escrima is called $Escrimador% and his female counterparts are known as $Escrimadora%, $arnisador% or $kalista%, depending on what term she uses for her martial arts. Training in Escrima &n contrast to most typical martial arts training routines, training in Escrima begins with weapon fighting techni#ues and then progresses to the hand to hand combat techni#ues. The philosophy behind this approach that Escrima follows is that muscle memory is a key aspect of martial arts since empty hand mo es can only be ac#uired naturally as using the same drills as well as training routine as the weapons techni#ue. The weapon here is considered to be an extension of the practitioner's body and he or she is taught to use the same body mo ements, foot work and angles in hand to hand combat as in weapon fighting. Escrima is primarily taught to students as a way of preparing them to fight against assailants bearing weapons on them. A practice called $motion grouping% is commonly used in many Escrima systems and refers to systems where the same techni#ues are used for combating either with weapons (kni es or sticks) or empty handed. There also exist systems which commence the initial training method with two weapons * two sticks, or a stick and one wooden knife. +uch systems lay special attention on ambidexterity. ,ere students are trained to keep both their hands full and ne er mo e both the hands in a single direction. Training in the two weapon Escrima system helps practitioners de elop the skill of using both arms independently * an ability that comes handy e en while using a single weapon. Live hand in Escrima -i e hand is a fundamental concept of Escrima that e en separates it from other forms of Asian martial arts. The concept is to use the extra hand that is not holding the weapon (in case of a single weapon combat), to either block, "oint lock or manipulate the opponent as well as disarm, control or trap the opponent's weapon. Weapons used Among the types of sticks used in Escrima, the most common stick is what is known as the $yantok%. &t does not splinter like normal wood and gi es in only under se ere abuse thus making it the primary choice for defending against blades.

.ommon impact weapons used include sticks ranging from /0 to 12 inches, wooden daggers, sta es and shields. Edged weapons include daggers, kni es, claw shaped blades, bolo, fork tip swords, spears, ice picks, screwdri ers, broken bottles and so on. Benefits of practicing Escrima The martial art form of Escrima has se eral benefits to offer those that practice it3 some of them are as follows4 Escrima is a comprehensi e martial art form that focuses on all aspects of combat that are rele ant to an indi idual in his5her day to day life. &t does not lay special focus on weapon based combat o er hand *to6hand combat or ice ersa. &t has no set fighting methods or mo es and re#uires a practitioner to impro ise according to his5her surroundings and access to weapons if any. Escrima does not re#uire any minimum degree of strength or build in order to be used effecti ely, hence it can be practiced by all kinds of people, arying across age, sex, si7e and physical fitness le els Practicing escrima will help you effecti ely defend yourself from threat, and will boost your confidence and self6esteem, thus benefiting other aspects of your life. 8ue to the dynamic and largely adapti e nature of escrima, practitioners will see a dramatic impro ement in their dexterity and hand6eye coordination. The intensity of escrima training promotes high calorific expenditure, thus regular training will result in impro ed muscle tone and general endurance. Practitioners of escrima de elop an increased resilience and tolerance toward pain and in"ury, which can be a crucial ad antage in a combat situation. Escrima training impro es flexibility of the trainee's body in general, pro iding benefits in other aspects of one's life as well.

9o/Karate lists the best training schools for Escrima martial arts training around you. :isit the site to find a school nearest to you.