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Filipino Martial Arts: Escrima, Arnis, Kali

is a complete martial arts system that does not focus exclusively on unarmed techniques (as in Judo, or Muay Thai), weapons techniques (as in Iaido or Kendo), striking techniques (as in Karate or Boxing), or grappling techniques (as in Judo or Brazillian Jiu-jitsu). Rather, Arnis integrates all of these. Students are taught to use any weapon that is available, regardless of shape or size, or else to fight empty-handed — they should be equally skilled with and without weapons. Arnis covers all ranges of combat: long range (with feet, stick, or rope), medium range (with hands, feet or stick), and close range (with elbows, knees, stick or knife). It also includes wrestling (grappling) techniques, wrenches, takedowns, sweeps, throws, joint-locks, and pressure point strikes. Because of this versatility, Arnis can be seamlessly integrated with many other martial arts.

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Practice at TigerLily

Martial arts practice is always a journey, and Tigerlily introduced the first of the Filipino Martial Arts - Escrima - or stick fighting, into our programs in 2015.  Our supervising instructor, Laura Holmes (shown at right), visits every few months to add to our skill sets and keep us on the right path.

Punong Guro
Laura Holmes

Punong Guro Holmes has been training and teaching in the Filipino martial art of Arnis/Kali/Escrima for over 20 years.  She is the head of her school in Toronto, Canada – Combat Science – Warrior Arts of Asia.   Laura now teaches seminars internationally, spreading the word and art of FMA around the globe.

She has been certified through various Grandmasters in the Philippines specializing in Impact & Edged Weapons, and is trained in various aspects of hand to hand combat.  She goes back to often to the Philippines to spent time with her instructors to continue to learn and expand her knowledge of Filipino Martial Arts.  Certification under the Grandmasters included various styles of Arnis taught only in the Philippines.  She holds several World titles in Full Contact Stickfighting and continues to train her students for competition.