Arnis Balite Workshop – Chicago, IL

with Punong Guro Steven Dowd

Punong Guro Steven Dowd:

Punong Guro at Tagapagmana Steven Dowd commenced his training in the martial arts in 1971. He was appointed by the Aguillon family upon their fathers passing away on January 8, 1991 to represent the family art known as Aguillon Arnis. In 1998 in talking with the son and daughters of Pundador Aguillon it was proposed and accepted that the family art would use the name of Arnis Balite their fathers nickname while he was a Champion Boxer before the war with Japan, which was Kid Balite.

Pundador Manuel M. Aguillon was very selective in his teachings and often refused to teach individuals who did not have the attitude, discipline, or the spirit to represent his family's art.

Being his senior student Punong Guro Dowd wishes to carry on his beliefs and the art as he would have done so himself. In Arnis Balite, Pundador Aguillon did not have a belt ranking system, one was either a Student or Teacher.

What will be covered:

Since Arnis Balite does not have set routines in training which is repetitive. In Arnis Balite there are exercises that constantly change. In executing for strikes we use pitong hampas (7 – strikes) and limang patusok (5 – thrusts). In blocking only to types are used unday salag (swing blocks) and kalasag salag (shield blocks). 

Important is the angles, balance and proper technique in blocking and countering. This exercise consists of 5 steps, the aggressor would get two strikes while the defender would have to move in and block and counter each strike. This was long range moving into medium to short range for the counter, this is a continuous exercise for when the defender executed the second counter they would become the aggressor. 

The second part of the exercise the defender would move in to close quarters and defend against the aggressor, and upon the second counter would then become the aggressor, (The first two steps of Huli Lusob was used for this part of the exercise). 

For the third part one of the opponents would be disarmed and then it would be baston vs. empty hand. The empty hand practitioner would have to disarm the aggressor and then attack, in which then the other would become the empty handed practitioner and have to disarm and counter the other. 

The fourth and fifth part, once one of the practitioners disarmed the other the baston was discarded and it became empty hand vs. empty hand. Now this had a (A) and (B) which can be shifted to at anytime during the exercise. To begin the aggressor executes a punch and the defender executes an inside block and 

then parry to end on the outside of the aggressors punch and then executes a punch, this continues and when desired the practitioners switch to ganting hataw one practitioner striking, the other defending, then switching back to the fourth exercise and then switching to ganting hataw once again this time the other striking with the other practitioner blocking. 

This five part exercise is continuous for as long as the practitioners desire in each part. This builds reflexes, coordination, timing, and endurance.

When: 

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

(6pm - 9pm)

Where: 

4438 North Hamlin Ave

Chicago, IL 60625

Cost:

$15.00

Contact:

Michael Querubin 

For more information on Arnis Balite and Punong Guro Steven Dowd, visit: www.arnisbalite.com