Datu's Corner: July 2010

Monday, July 19, 2010

2010 IMAF Detroit Camp Visit.

On June 25th I visited the IMAF’s Detroit training camp. It has been nine years since my last visit to the Michigan camp. It was good seeing the old crew from back in the day. I was joined by WMAA member Paul Janulis, who has been less visible the last couple years to oversea commitments.

It was good seeing how everyone took Professor’s art and tailored it to themselves. My purpose for the visit was to discuss with the participants the details of the Family Reunion camp scheduled for July 14 - 17, 2011. I was there for most of the day. During the diner break I participated in a meeting with several of the IMAF Masters and Guros to clear the air on some of the issues that have popped up over the years. No miracles happened from this discussion. We aren’t sitting around the campfire singing songs and roasting marshmallows. However we have a much better understanding how and why things happened the way they did.

I think that this meeting between the two organizations helped moving us forward and not dwelling over the past. There are still things that need to be addressed and we may never agree on everything, but there is now less tension between the two groups.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

June Olean, NY Presas Arnis seminar review.

June '10 Olean, NY Presas Arnis seminar review.

On Sunday June 13, 2010 I taught a Presas Arnis Seminar at the International Hosinsul Federation School of Self Defense in Olean New York. This school is run by Masters Jeff & Susan Everetts. I started the seminar with elements of the Doble Baston program. We began with the angles of attack and then went into the four double stick defenses. Everyone picked up this material relatively quickly.

From there, I showed the relation of the fourth blocking method ( a variation of hubod) to the EDT (Edged weapons Defensive Tactics) template. The EDT program has been taught to several different Law Enforcement Agencies over the past seven years. The civilian version of the program is not much different from the LE program. Everyone liked the approach of using one defense against multiple attacks. This is a perfect example of why less is more. Another plus of the EDT program is that it can also be utilized against impact weapons as well. This is a huge bonus for those who have limited training time.

I finished the seminar with a variety of solo baston locks, controls and disarms. I used both block-check-counter and Palis-Palis as entries for the techniques. Things were going well, so I decided to change things up. There were a few left handed participants at the seminar, so I decided to work on cross hand (left vs. right and right vs. left) techniques. Prof Presas developed a variety of unmatched handed techniques because he himself was left handed.

The seminar was a great success due to the effort of the participants as well as the staff. I would like to thank the Modern Arnis Black Belts in attendance. From my school, I had Guros Ryan Monolopolus and Fern Monti. We also had Guro Marion Kellog from the Alfred State Modern Arnis Group, as well as Guro Sam Wolf who traveled five hours from Mt Gilead, Ohio to help teach.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the Everetts on joining the WMAA. We are happy to welcome them to our family!