Balintawak!

…..Recently at “The Gathering” we received some Balintawak instruction from Guro Rich Parsons.  This has spurred some interest in all of us because the movement is different and where we would normally be butting with the punyo in Balintawak they still strike with the tip of the stick.  We have certainly been practicing the four techniques Rich showed and trying to get the weight placement right.  So to take an overall look at Balintawak I have gone out and found a few video clips.  The first clip is from a movie and the rest are training related.

There are a lot of variations of Balintawak but there is no doubt that they come from the founder Anciong Bacon!  Rich Parsons trained directly under Manong Ted Buot who was a direct student of Anciong Bacon and actually ran the school on Balintawak street when Anciong was not teaching!

Anciong Bacon

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

Kali Illustrisimo!

Tatang Illustrisimo was truly a great Filipino Martial Arts Practitioner.  His style of Kalis Illustrisimo (sword of Illustrisimo) influenced many, many martial practitioner’s.  Here is a clip of him in his late years at the age of ninety!

Definitely always respect the elder martial practitioner’s as they have so much knowledge and abilities that they can pass on if you take the time to get to know them.

See You On The Mats!

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

So Your Going To A Seminar?

…..So you are going to a seminar and want to learn.  You have picked a seminar based on someone teaching a specific skill set.  Now what do you do?  Well first off you need to know if you will need any type of equipment ie. sticks, training knives, rope, etc.  Very few seminar hosts will supply all the tools necessary to train.  In general it will be your responsibility to have the equipment necessary to learn.  You also need to know the exact location of the seminar so that you can get there.  Which then leads us to knowing when to be there and that is a very, very important point.  Showing up late can mean that your learning will be hampered.  Why would that be?  Well you may miss some important points that are showed right at the beginning that are simply essential to the whole seminar.  Or all the best partner’s may be taken when you arrive late.  Which brings me to a very important point.  Having a good partner at a seminar is a must.  Sometimes you may not pick up on a technique right from the get go but if you have a good partner chances are that he might pick up on it.  So getting there early and finding someone to train with who seems on the ball might be a good idea.  You also need to make sure that you are rested and relaxed.  Meaning that you should have had adequate sleep the night before and a good breakfast.  In all likelihood you will not be eating during the seminar so having a good meal in the morning is essential.  Another part of going to a seminar is pacing yourself.  If you train all out in the first hour but are unable to continue and practice in hour two, three, four or more then you will miss quite a bit of the material.  So pacing yourself is essential to a good seminar experience!  There are quite a few more things about going to a seminar that are important but hopefully this post on the blog will get you thinking about how to make every seminar experience that you have a good, enjoyable, learning chance!

See You On The Mats!

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

Jersen “Nene” Tortal Of Dekiti Tirsia Siradas Demonstrating In Chicago!

…..I found these just posted on the internet and though that the readers of The Instinctive Edge might appreciate taking a look.  Enjoy.

See You On The Mats!

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

Empire Training Blades!

…..Well I received some training blades the other day to review and I must say that these are some really sweet ones.  The maker Chris “Norm” Thompson of Empire Training Blades is a Filipino Martial Artist and blade smith.  They have quite a variety of training aluminum trainer’s that they make.  From very small such as the push dagger to very large swords like the Kampilan.  Lots of variety and very good aluminum with well rounded edges make these some very good training tools.  Personally I really like the push dagger trainer as that is one area of my expertise.  It (the push dagger trainer) fits your hand just like the real thing.  That is very hard to get right some times with aluminum.  So Chris that particular trainer totally rocks!  As a martial practitioner I am personally always on the look out for different products and makers so it was nice to be able to put my hands on some of these and give a review.  If you are in the market definitely take a look at Chris Thompson’s Empire Training Blades.

See You On The Mat!

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

Grand Tuhon Jersen “Nene” Tortal And “The Gathering”

…..Wow….  Two day’s of non stop action and training.  That my friends was a really great weekend!  People came from Illinois, Chicago and yes from Canada.  We started off Friday night with the Grand Tuhon’s Dekiti Tirsia Siradas seminar.  Within a few minutes we were all sweating as Nene Tortal lead us through his families numbering system with their fantastic footwork.  After awhile we moved into applications and were also treated to multiple demonstrations by the Grand Tuhon as he demonstrated on his partner John Bednarski.  Lots of practical bladed techniques and empty hand versus a blade were shown.  Plus even some one handed variations as well as how to defend yourself when you are tied up.  That last one was a real treat!  We had excellent attendance and I know that everyone who attended enjoyed themselves.

Here are some photos from Friday night’s Dekiti Tirsia Siradas Seminar with Jersen “Nene” Tortal!

Here is a picture of The Grand Tuhon Jersen “Nene” Tortal receiving his Filipino Martial Artist Of The Year Award!

Plus his Bowie Knife and the cowboy hat!

…..”The Gathering” brought together some of Michigan’s top martial artists in conjunction with The Grand Tuhon in an attempt to further promote not only Filipino but all martial arts.  We started off the day with Jersen “Nene” Tortal who featured his family system of Dekiti Tirsia Siradas.  Everyone enjoyed that and the Grand Tuhon not only had everyone moving well but also made sure that his partner John Bednarski logged some air time as he was thrown here and there.  Next up my good friend Rich Parsons a Modern Arnis and Balintawak expert was up and showcased a few techniques from Balintawak that are practical, efficient and devastating.  Rich has had the good fortune of being a direct student of Remy Presas the Founder of Modern Arnis and also trained in Flint Michigan with Jim Powers and Jeff Owens.  Rich Parsons received his Balintawak training directly from Manung Ted Buot!  I personally enjoyed the Balintawak training and I am sure that everyone else did as well.  The way Rich teachese people simply come away with something for their training every time.  Balintawak is simply a devastating close in fighting stick system.  Next up was Brian “Buzz” Smith who is a long, long standing Filipino Martial Arts practitioner who resides in Traverse City.  Buzz teaches Maharlika Kuntaw and is the premier exponent of it here in the United States.  Buzz dived right in and show cased his systems sibat techniques.  When it comes to Sibat no one does it more fluidly or technical than Buzz so it was a real treat to partake in how he approaches and teaches his systems Sibat.  Lastly I came up and wanted to show a little different variation of knife work with a direct line application.  So we moved into some IRT direct line blade utilizing a shielding principle.  I showed how to think like a sprinter and when to move and engage.  These things are critical in that it is not enough to know how to do the technique but when to apply it.  At the end of the day we had a really great group of people who I believe learned quite a bit and everyone came away with some thing.  Even the old timers like the Grand Tuhon, Buzz, Rich or myself learned something that will hopefully stimulate and benefit our training.  Thanks everyone for the great time!

Here are some pictures from “the Gathering”

…..The Grand Tuhon’s Seminar and “The Gathering” were a smashing success, a good time and some great training!  Thanks go out to all who attended from my IRT brother’s to Shaun Milo from Canada, The Grand Tuhon, Rich Parsons, Buzz Smith, John Bednarski, Bart Uguccioni and all my Dexter Bujinkan Dojo friends. Scott Vogel and Bill from Mt. Pleasant Aikido.  I had a really good time training with you all and look forward to doing it again!

Hey and going to the Pub and chatting afterwords was also a real treat!

See You On The Mats!

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

Dekiti Tirsia Siradas Time With The Grand Tuhon!

…..Okay it is time.  Today is the day of Grand Tuhon Tortal’s seminar.  I know that everyone attending is excited at the opportunity to attend his final seminar in the United States for 2008.  Dekiti Tirsia Siradas is at the forefront of all blade oriented systems and Nene Tortal is leading and showing it to the world!  We have people traveling from Canada, Chicago, Detroit, Flint, Traverse City, Ann Arbor, etc.  All intent on training and learning what Dekiti Tirsia Siradas is all about.  If you go to the Grand Tuhon’s website at www.dtskali.com, you can check out what Dekiti Tirsia Siradas is all about.  Understand that watching it is certainly not the same as feeling it.  For that you need to get close to Nene Tortal and experience it for yourself!  For everyone making the pilgrimage to Alma I look forward to seeing you tonight!

See You On The Mats!

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.co

“The Gathering” Final Line Up!

…..Okay the final line up of “The Gathering” is as follows.  Due to work related or family issues two presenters Guro Ben Harrison and Gary Haffey are unable to teach.  So while there absence will be greatly missed we still have a fantastic, absolutely fantastic line up:

On Saturday the following individuals will teach:

Grand Tuhon Jersen “Nene” Tortal of Dekiti Tirsia Siradas

John Bednarski of Dekiti Tirsia Siradas

Rich Parsons of Modern Arnis and Balintawak

Brian “Buzz” Smith of Maharlika Kuntaw

Brian R. VanCise of Instinctive Response Training

…..Now if that does not make you want to be here then I do not know what would.  As you can see we will be living large, training like crazy and hitting the pub afterwards!

See You On The Mats!

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

Women’s Self Defense Class At Alma College!

…..Okay last night we taught one of our Women’s Self Defense programs at Alma College.  This seminar which was sponsored by the MacCurdy House has become usually a biannual event.  During the seminar we focus on our trademarked Awareness, Avoidance and Action self defense curriculum which has everyone sweating and learning some serious personal protection skills.  Before the Action part or the physical curriculum we talked about general Awareness and just how important that is.  Then we talked about Avoidance and not being in the wrong place at the wrong time and in general avoiding places where an assault could happen.  In the physical portion or Action portion we worked on some palm heel strikes, elbows, releases from holds and some ground grappling.  It is a lot to try and fit into a short session but by the end people were starting to get it.  With more practice and continuing effort they will hopefully have some skill sets to work with if they are ever god forbid accosted by someone.

I would like to thank Molly for setting it up and Gary Haffey and Dr. Nick Piccolo for assisting me on the physical portion and also Mark Drumheller for taking some photos.

Here are some photos of the event:

It was a good night to train and I hope that everyone came away with some thing.

See You On The Mats!

copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

Combative Customs Does It Again!

…..Well having good friends is a treat!  Sometimes that means you get goodies in the mail and get to practice with them too.  So the other day I received a ginunting and pinute trainer from Combative Customs.  Now Bill Bednarick makes absolutely the best trainer’s out there.  The quality of the aluminum and the cuts are superb.  Not only that but he has been putting wooden handles on them that really make for a cool training tool.  They feel as close to the real thing as you can get.  Now these two are big trainers meaning they are both over or around 25 inches long.  So they really let you play your techniques in a great way.  If you have not stopped by his site and looked at all the custom work in the gallery then you owe it to yourself to do so.  Who knows you may see something that you like and then walla have Bill make it for you.

See You On The Mats!

opyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com