Warriors Eskrima Blog:Five down,one to go

Kit here, I thought I just write about my Martial Arts training, a journal if you will of significant points of my journey. This is my first about one of the arts I practice Warriors Eskrima. Ironically I am at the last level and almost an apprentice instructor(but not the full art)I felt however, this was the time to write,so here it is......

July 30th was a triumphant day, my brother and I passed the 5th level grading just one grade away from apprentice instructor grading(equivalent blackbelt) in the Warriors Eskrima System. We been practicing Martial Arts since 1983 on and off, but since late 2001 we have been seriously training and in 2002 we found Warriors Eskrima.

The group was using a squash court in our local gym,so we peered over one day and the rest was history. Eskrima, a weapons based martial art from the Philipines, was something that we indulged from time to time in JKD but we didn't embark on a full system...and so it began and to begin my brother and I were just awful. The co-ordination was hard to pick up at first as the first thing we had to learn was double stick. On some occasions my brother and I thought of giving up,as it was just too damn complicated. Luckily we felt like quitting on separate occasions and hence we encouraged each other to come back!

That was 2002...and so we stood in the gym area on July 30th 2005 in a school in Warwickshire ready to be graded, for my brother he had to do two grades as he was away on business at the time of the last grading. However I had to partner him so I had to re-do everything I did previously.

I cannot delve too much into the grading criteria, all I can say is that come grading time you have your game-face on and you do everything you have practiced right. One tip I can give if you are learning eskrima is to practice all drills and strikes with a heavier stick. This so that it looks more effective if you choose a lighter stick in the grading. However this is completely up to you as its up to the individual to devise their own training regime.

We all passed it was 2 and half hours of intensity especially for our friend Johnny who was doing his apprentice instructor level which consisted of several intense sparring contests. He worked like a trooper and it shows in his skill. The apprentice level is next for about four of us(representing Manchester) in this system and my brother and I we can't wait.

It isn't going to be easy we will have to train for it and our conditioning tip top shape. Its one thing saying that you want it,its another thing to work hard at it and this mindset must be kept hand in hand.

I had no real aspirations to be an instructor as I just wanted to get a grade and carry on training,but what is the point? You get so far in something you are just not going to give it up. Its like being really hungry and you are in queue for your favourite fast food only to walk out when you are next to be served....you were hungry for it but you didn't take the opportunity to get served.

I thought about this and it was clear to me that I would like to carry on learning and instructing. As I spoke to Johnny later that night when asking him was he going to teach..."Of course I am man I have been waiting 20 years for this" I didn't know it before but so have I Johnny, So have I.