What is Escrima?
If you have never seen Escrima before, one of the first things you might notice is the sticks. This often leads people to assume that Escrima is simply stick fighting.
There is much more to it than that.
Escrima is a Filipino martial art built around weapons, movement and fighting concepts that can also transfer into empty-hand training and practical self-defence.
It is commonly associated with sticks, but depending on the system, training can include different types and lengths of weapons, as well as everyday objects and unarmed techniques.
Understanding that is a good place to start when learning what Escrima is really about.
Escrima, Arnis and Kali
Escrima originated in the Philippines and forms part of the wider family of Filipino Martial Arts, often shortened to FMA.
You may also hear the names Arnis and Kali. The terminology can vary according to the particular style, its history, the region of the Philippines it comes from and where in the world it is being taught.
There are also many different systems and styles of Filipino Martial Arts. This means that two people who both say they practise Escrima may not necessarily train in exactly the same way.
Some systems place more emphasis on traditional martial arts, some on weapons, some on sport and competition, and others on practical self-defence. Many combine elements of all of these.
At Urban Escrima, our training has a strong emphasis on practical application and real-world self-protection, while still developing the technical skills and movement that make Escrima such an interesting martial art to learn.