It's almost impossible to grasp ideas and techniques in Martial Arts using words alone. Just pick up any martial arts magazine or book and you'll see appropriately staged or posed pictures (or sometimes illustrations) designed to help you understand what is being described. While pictures greatly enhance one's ability to visualize and immitate the techniques, we feel that the only way to fully appreciate the artistry and efficiency of American Modern Arnis is to see it in action !

We've put together some video clips to show you various aspects of the art. Due to space restrictions we're making these video clips available in MPEG format because MPEG players are available for virtually any platform you may be using.

Because many of you are connecting over modem links, we've changed the clips to shorter segments that will download in a reasonable amount of time. You can see all the action on the AMAA instructional video tape!

To view these video clips, you will need an MPEG viewer for your computer. MPEG players and conversion utilities for various platforms can be found at the MPEG Archive. You will also need to configure your WWW browser's Helper Application list so that it will auto-launch the MPEG viewer when downloading these video clips. (Check the documentation for your browser for assistance)

AMAA Freestyle Demonstrations

American Modern Arnis integrates ideas and techniques from various martial art styles (ie. Abaniko, Balintawak, Crosada, Dumog, Espada y Daga, Palis Palis, Redonda, Silat) using the Filipino Martial Art principle of "Flow".

To provide an overall view of the concept of "the Flow" and the efficiency of PanciPanci Eskrima, in which American Modern Arnis has its roots, we present a series of solo Freestyle demonstrations featuring Sifu/Guro Bolden.

Arnis Single Stick

The Filipino Martial Arts consist of many weapons based styles. During practice, the rattan stick is usually used to take the place of clubs, long and short swords, and knives. In this way students can learn to "share the space" with their weapon and can practice striking, cutting and trapping techniques without danger of cutting or seriously injuring their training partner or themselves.

This video clip shows Sifu/Guro Bolden using a single rattan stick in a series of interwoven blocking and striking techniques. Notice the footwork (from Pancipanci Eskrima) used to both provide power for attacks and to position for defense/counterattack. Also note the importance of being able to use the stick/weapon in either hand.

MPEG (306Kb)....Single Stick Freestyle Demo Movie

Arnis Double Stick

Double stick techniques allow for simultaneous blocking and striking, and lend themselves to rapid fire striking sequences. Additionally, the weaving action of the two sticks creates a defensive "web" that is virtually impenetrable.

Using two sticks also allows independent single stick techniques with either hand which can now blend even more fluidly with each other as well as with the double stick techniques.

MPEG (359Kb)....Double Stick Freestyle Demo Movie

Arnis de Mano (empty hand)

Much of the empty hand work in Arnis is translated from the single and double stick techiques. The defensive web created by weaving the hands/arms together is used to execute rapid fire striking, grabbing and trapping techniques that lead to grappling and throwing.

The footwork, used to provide positioning for attack and defense/counterattack is already set up to allow the addition of kneeing and kicking techniques to the flow.

MPEG (374Kb)....Empty Hand Freestyle Demo Movie

Full Length VHS Video Now Available

We promised you MORE and here it is! American Modern Arnis Associates is proud to present The World Of American Modern Arnis on VHS cassette.