Flagship Programs
The Guardian FistFILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS:
The art of the Philippines is as diverse as the islands themselves, encompassing over 7,000 of them within the archipelago, with over 87 major languages spoken. The names vary widely (KALI-ESCRIMA-ARNIS-SILAT-KUNTAO-ESTOQUE-KALIRADMAN-PAGKALIKALI).
As a general term, we use “KALI” representing the ancient art existing before the arrival of the Chinese in the T’ang Dynasty in the 9th century. The art was outlawed in the 16th century by the King of Spain out of fear that the art would be used against the Spanish regime occupying the Philippines at that time. Its efficiency in combat cost Magellan his life. Encompassing an entire spectrum of weaponry and also featuring sophisticated empty hand concepts, this highly efficient, deadly and combat-proven art enabled the southern Philippines to remain unconquered for almost 400 years. The weaponry and empty hand are taught together; the principles being common to both and interchangeable. Regardless of whether armed or unarmed, the student learns to relate to any situation using the same concepts of
body angling, positioning, zoning, and flowing with the opponent. Depending upon speed, footwork and skill rather than brute strength, this fluid, practical method of self-defence is one of the most comprehensive martial arts systems known.
HONG KONG WING CHUN/ VING TSUN – WONG WAY
Wing Chun Kung Fu is perhaps one of the best-known martial arts in the world, being originally from southern China it has spread with great enthusiasm to every corner of the world, known for it’s close quarter in-fighting supremacy, rapid and powerful straight blast punches, structured and strategical movements, the nature of wing chun is subtle yet explosive at contact, it moves swiftly and is heavily rooted. Wing Chun/Ving Tsun is best known for it’s self defense usage and through its regular and professional training, an individual with small structure can defend him/herself against an aggressor with a comparatively bigger structure. Brought from China to Hong Kong by Grandmaster Yip Man, the art has enjoyed great attention based on its efficient fighting methods and its many famous exponents. One of Yip Man’s most notable first-generation students was the late Wong Shun Leung. Sigung Wong made a reputation for himself and for Wing Chun by fighting and winning over 60 skill comparison matches (beimo) early in his career. As Yip Man’s head coach, he was considered the principal Wing Chun instructor of Bruce Lee. Sigung Wong was also an accomplished
Doctor of herbal medicine, as well as a highly sought-after calligrapher.
JUN FAN MARTIAL ARTS:
The JUN FAN MARTIAL ARTS is a compilation of training methods, attitudes, philosophies, combat techniques and concepts conceived, researched and compiled by the late BRUCE LEE (LEE JUN FAN) until1973. It was from this that JEET KUNE DO eventually evolved. The base of BRUCE LEE’S JUN FAN METHOD was the Chinese Gung Fu system of Wing Chun, which was
developed by a female nun about 400 years ago and is considered to be one of the most sophisticated fighting methods to originate in China. LEE researched and incorporated kicking methods from northern and southern Gung Fu systems, French Savate and Thai Boxing. He incorporated his hand methods from Wing Chun, Western Boxing, various Gung Fu systems and Western Fencing. Grappling, locking and throwing are also integral parts of the JUN FAN METHOD. The JUN FAN METHOD is considered to be the explosive precursor to a JKD understanding, or, in other words, the base from which we work towards totality in personal combat.
INDONESIAN PENCAK SILAT
World’s most closely guarded and lethal fighting system of Indonesian origin, heavily rooted in spiritual practices and internal power development, along with deceptive and destructive close quarter fighting say it empty hand or with blades “Pencak Silat” offers it all.The term “pencak silat” is a compound name formed by linking two root words used with their derivatives in different parts of Indonesia in order to unify a great number of martial arts schools and styles spread across the archipelago. The word “pencak” and its dialectic spinoffs such as “penca” (West Java) and “mancak” (Madura and Bali) is commonly used in Java, Madura, and Bali, whereas the term “silat” or “silek” is used in Sumatra (along with “gayung”). These and many other variations are still very much alive locally today.
In Indonesia, there exist hundreds of styles of pentjak silat (also spelt pencak silat), as well as many systems of kuntao, a form of Chinese boxing that bears many similarities to silat and is found primarily within the Chinese communities in Indonesia. There are also many systems that blend pentjak silat and kuntao.