Martial Arts Taught at The St Louis Kali - Silat Martial Arts School

Home About Us Martial Arts Taught Instructors	KALI Kali is a relatively new term whose meaning includes an ancient martial art that originated  in the Philippines.  It is said to encompass all the Filipino martial arts.  Other common names associated with this art are Arnis, Espada Daga, Eskrima, Dumog.  The value of Kali cannot be emphasized enough.  This powerful art covers all four ranges of combat and includes principles that can be transferred from one weapon to another and to other arts.  Kali training is divided into at least 11 areas: double stick, single stick, stick and dagger, single knife, double knife, staff, projectile weapons, throwing weapons, palm stick,  flexible weapons, and empty hands.  A 12th training area includes the healing arts which are an important aspect of martial arts in general.  Kali training emphasizes angles of attack, foot work, reflexes, sensitivity, and speed.  Kali should be one of your top priorities in your martial arts journey wheater here in St Louis or any where else you go.
Location & Contact Information Other Martial Arts Schools Links	SILAT Pencak Silat is an ancient martial art from Malaysia and Indonesia.  This art is also found in the  Southern Philippines, Singapore, and possibly  Thailand.  There are many styles of Pencak Silat, among them Cimande, Cikalong, Harimau (tiger style), and Kari.  Silat is practiced through short forms (jurus), long forms (kembangan), and free styling.  Silat can be described as lightning fast, close-quarter, seemingly effortless techniques whose attacks focus on the body stability points.  Silat take downs seem fake and unreal to the uneducated eye.  Silat training includes blades, single stick, and flexible weapons, but most of the training is empty-hand based.
	JEET KUNE DO CONCEPTS JKD existed as a style for a very brief period (less than a year) before its creator realized that generations to come could misinterpret the meaning of his teachings.  In the Tao of Jeet Kune Do (p 74-75), written by Mr. Bruce Lee, we can find a list of  "Some Weapons From JKD" that includes joint locks from Judo and leg tackles from Wrestling, along with Boxing, Ju-Jitsu,  savate, and trapping techniques.  The point we wish to make is that this book seems to suggest a beginning rather than a complete formula, a philosophy rather than a set pattern.  Its very beginning gives us the key to JKD: "This book is Dedicated to the Free, Creative Martial Artist.  Take what is useful and develop from there."  This is why we cannot teach JKD as a style.  It was its creator's self expression.  We can only teach the philosophy and the concepts and the drills that will lead us to become free martial artists.  We can explore and practice the techniques taught back then, but we owe it to ourselves and to  Mr. Bruce Lee, the great innovator to use these concepts to expand ourselves and preserve this philosophy. Jeet Kune Do is all encompassing.  This means that it is not a fixed curriculum but rather an evolving art.  You can find JKD principles that will apply to all martial arts you practice.  As long as you continue learning, developing, and evolving in martial arts you will be practicing JKD.  And to quote a world leading authority in Jeet Kune Do, "JKD is a process of elimination not accumulation.. but let's remember it is a process not a product."
	KOREAN KARATE AND KICK-BOXING Tae Kwon Do is a traditional martial art which is well known and spread throught the US and the world.  The art is taught through forms, one and two-step drills, single technique drills, self-defense drills, and conditioning.  TKD concentrates on about 80 %  kicking techniques and about 20% hand techniques. This kicking style is a good starting point.  This is also the starting art for all kid students.  As they progress in this art, kickboxing is taught and the remaining arts follow.

© 2009 St Louis Kali - Silat Martial Arts.  St Louis, MO