Empty hands Tactical Forms DVD Now Available

[Dan Anderson]

Hi All,

I trained in karate for many years before learning Modern Arnis so a lot of the Modern Arnis empty hand actions were very easy to learn. It was also easy for me to learn and remember the 8 empty hand anyos (forms) that Prof. Presas laid out. But my poor students...oy! They had a hard time of it.

I have concluded research into how to teach the vast complexity of empty hand Filipino Martial Arts in a template mode so that the entirety of the subject doesn't make your brain melt...or at least it is easier on the student.

Prior to this I formulated a training mode for arnis called the Fast Track Arnis Training Program, which has been very successful across the world - literally.

This answer to is now the fourth in the Fast Track Arnis Training Program - The 8 Empty Hand Tactical Forms. The entirety of FMA hands are now taught within the framework of the Tactical Forms. I did a pilot project in my school with these and this is now the way I teach the MA-80 empty hands. This is how effective they are.

The DVD which has all the data is at my website and here is the link for you:
http://danandersonkarate.com/store/arnis_FT4_Tac_Forms.html

Yours,
Dan Anderson

[jwinch2]

Interesting. I'll be curious to see how you approached it.

I am not much of a fan of the empty hand anyo's to be honest. Though to be fair I am still a beginner so I should probably just shut up and train. From what I have been told however, the empty hand Anyo's were somewhat of an afterthought by GM Presas in an attempt to make Modern Arnis more recognizable to students who were used to doing forms/kata in Eastern Martial Arts. Would you say that is a fair statement Dan?

Thanks for posting this...

Cheers,

[Dan Anderson]

Interesting. I'll be curious to see how you approached it.

I am not much of a fan of the empty hand anyo's to be honest. Though to be fair I am still a beginner so I should probably just shut up and train. From what I have been told however, the empty hand Anyo's were somewhat of an afterthought by GM Presas in an attempt to make Modern Arnis more recognizable to students who were used to doing forms/kata in Eastern Martial Arts. Would you say that is a fair statement Dan?

Thanks for posting this...

Cheers,
I'm not sure if so much an afterthought but more of an entry way into the world of karate, taekwondo and kenpo. When RP began the seminar circuit, seminars were pretty much closed affairs. He really opened up the seminar circuit big time.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

PS - Live in the best of both worlds. Shut up and train AND buy the DVD. :D
PPS - You DO know I'm having fun with you re that last comment. Can't be too careful. DA

[jwinch2]

Thanks for the reply Dan. I guess I didn't state it well and probably should not have termed it an afterthought. I think my point is that from I have read from GM Presas' writings and gleaned from talking with those who knew him it does not seem that he felt that the empty hand anyos were an important part of Modern Arnis but rather a tool to enhance the acceptance of Modern Arnis to the general public who had not been exposed to FMA in any form but were used to doing Kata/Forms in other arts.

Furthermore it seems to me (and lets remember I am a neophyte in Modern Arnis here) that the moves in the Anyos have little resemblance to the panatukan that is actually taught, certainly under the WMAA curriculum anyways. The immediate exception that comes to mind is the opening of anyo tatlo with the crossada/guinting and parts of anyo dalawa when the arm bar sequences occur.

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this one Dan...

Cheers!

Jason


P.S. I ordered the empty hand DVD as well. I will definitely look forward to getting it in and seeing how you approach the empty hand work in modern Arnis.

Also, I am still hoping that we can work out a seminar with you sometime in the fall or winter. I'll keep bugging my instructor to see if we can make it happen. We have Tom Kier coming in for a Sayoc seminar in a week or so which should be great fun and I think Dan Inosanto is going to be in the area as well next month. Fun fun...

[Dan Anderson]

Hi Jason,

I don't know about the panatukan at all. I haven't studied it, read any books on it or anything. Same with the WMAA curriculum. There are certain actions in the anyos which are Modern Arnis locking and throwing. Lots of them are routine karate kata kicks, punches and blocks. An interesting point to make here is that they are not taught in the PI in the Modern Arnis groups there. The cane anyos are and were in fact part of RP's first book on MA. That leads one to believe that they are an American phenomenon.

As you will see in the DVD how I approach MA empty hand actions is you have a template for motion, these are the Tactical Forms. Then, you have the follow up actions (locks, throw and so on). If the base is simple or at the very least, less complex then the follow up will be that much easier. So, instead of memorizing so many techniques, you have a template to operate off of and to use to enter in to the follow ups. You'll see in the video.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

PS - Did get your order and thank you.

[Dan Anderson]

Hi All,

For the first time ever I have decided to release for the general public the exact material I teach in my school. In the past I have released generalized portions of the two different arts I teach, American Freestyle Karate and MA-80 system of arnis. While these have been received favorably I have been repeatedly asked about full curriculum
books and DVDs. These two releases are the beginnings of answers to those requests.

Immediately below is the link to the DVDs provided to my karate students. Each belt level has a very specific product for that belt level and the entire curriculum is split up into particular skill groups. The full set is what I require for each student to make it to Black Belt in my school. If you ever wanted to learn what is behind "Super Dan's" tricks, here it is.

http://danandersonkarate.com/store/DAKS_Curriculum.html

I recently sent out a notice regarding the MA-80 Tactical Forms. A more thorough description of why this DVD came about is that I found the Modern Arnis anyos easy for me to learn as I had a karate background prior to learning Modern Arnis. The majority of the moves in the empty hand anyos were karate moves. For students who never had any karate training, they were very hard to learn. I decided that there had to be an easier way to learn the empty hand applications of Fiipino Martial Arts without losing the effectiveness. I worked out the eight Tactical Forms and they work so well, they have replaced the empty hand anyos in my school. The link is provided below.

http://danandersonkarate.com/store/arnis_FT4_Tac_Forms.html

In the works are two more book/DVD combos:
Filipino Martial Arts - The Core Basics, Structure & Essentials and The MA-80 Curriculum Manual (working title). Both books will have accompanying DVDs to illustrate motion for the still photographs. I will keep you updated on their progress. I hope to have them completed by the end of the summer.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

[jwinch2]

Dan,

I just finished going through the empty hand forms DVD for the first time. Nice job! I thought it was well put together and introduced things in a logical flow from basic footwork to beginning movement to advanced applications. I particularly enjoyed the manner in which you focused on the subtleties of the movements in regard to hand position and foot position throughout the video.

I liked it so much that I just ordered your Espada y Daga, knife defense, and stick and blade dual DVD's as well. If they are as good as the empty hand one, I will definitely look forward to seeing them.

In the future, (just in case the request line is open:laugh:), I think it would be interesting for you to put together a dumog and throws stand alone DVD from beginning to advanced as a companion to the empty hand tactical forms. That would be something worth while. In addition, a solo baston specific DVD to include your ideas on the concept of timing, tactics, and strategy for solo baston work, as well as disarms and stick grappling would be something to consider. Perhaps in it you could also discuss the use of ASP-like devices for LEO's, or even release it as a companion to the solo baston DVD if you decide to do it...

I know you have a ton on your plate so I don't mean to dump more on it. :D I am just trying to come at this from the perspective of a relative beginner to the system who would like to have a set of DVD's that serve my needs now, as well as later on down the road as I work to improve my skills...

Also, thanks again for taking the time to talk with me last year and for answering my many questions about modern Arnis and FMA in general...

Cheers,

Jason

[Dan Anderson]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the review. I'm going to use it on my website. Request lines are always open as it's tought ot get everything in on one (hundred :D) DVDs or books. Also, I don't think like a beginner anymore so your imput is actually very valuable. I tend to write/shoot what I think is interesting. Someone else's viewpoint on what is needed and wanted is very refreshing as well as useful. Enjoy and keep sending in requests!

Yours,
Dan Anderson

[jwinch2]

Will do Dan. Thanks again!