Arnis and Escrima, Hidden art?

[showwdown]

I've only seen arnis and escrima schools located in the phillipines, does anyone actually have one near to where they live?

Being a filipino myself and a martial artist I would of course love to indulge in my homelands martial arts (the coolness of a hidden extendable baton appeals to me aswell) but schools that teach these martial arts are so rare I think I'd be better off being a diamond miner!

So does anyone know of any escrima or arnis schools around australia or new zealand?? or is it just in the phillipines?

[poidog]

I can't speak for New Zealand specifically, but I know Australia has some FMA schools. Google Bakbakan, Pekiti Tirsia, Black Eagle, etc. and look for schools where you are.

[Cassius]

http://www.bullshido.net/forums/member.php?u=14072

[Spezza]

Anywhere with a significant Filipino population will have FMAs. I too do not know anything about the situation in New Zealand though.

My current Escrima teacher, teaches for free in a park. You wouldn't find him listed in a phone book or on the internet and he has an amazing history in the art. You would have to hear about him since there is no way to look him up. One of his teacher's Angel Cabales (Serrada Style) taught in the parking lot of his apartment building and Angel is definately a "legend" in Escrima.

A lot of FMAs are still like this; just start asking any and all martial atists you know if they know of any one who teaches. You will probably get some good leads.

Good luck!

[showwdown]

thanks for that, I really want to take it up since its my native MA

[schadenfreude]

Around new orleans (hammond, louisiana) the same guy who teaches my krav maga classes teaches escrima. I took afew. It's pretty cool stuff...

[showwdown]

of course it is. filipinosinvented it!