The Bay Area Kali Group draws primarily from the following Systems, Arts, Cultures and Philosophies; making up our catalog for Research and Development of the Principles, Contextual Awareness and Application of Martial Art.
Jun Fan Gung Fu: Upon his arrival in the United States in the early 1960's, Bruce Lee began to develop his own system. Having primarily studied Wing Chun Gung Fu, Jun Fan Gung Fu (JFGF) was Bruce's interpretation and modification of Wing Chun. He eventually incorporated elements of Western Fencing, Western Boxing, Western Wrestling, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Savate, several Northern and Southern Chinese Gung Fu systems and various other arts from around the world. JFGF is the foundation for Bruce's Philosophy of Jeet Kun Do.
Filipino Martial Arts: One of the few ancient arts that is still in use in warfare today, the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) will use any weapon at the practitioner's disposal. Weapons include stick, staff, cane, bladed weapons such as swords and knives, nearly any body part, flexible weapons, and even firearms. The FMA are often referred to by three different names: Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis. The empty hand arts are best known as Panantukan, Panajakman, Sikaran, and Dumog - among others. The FMA have evolved over time and incorporated many external influences. While most Martial Art today is the adapted, Sport application of their Martial Root (life and death fighting, or warfare), the FMA is unusual in remaining based in its essential Martial Root (although Stick Fighting for Sport has become an offshoot within the arts). The principle form of FMA taught at the BAKG is the Inosanto/LaCoste System of Kali. This system is named after Guro Dan Inosanto and his primary instructor, John LaCoste. LaCoste was one of the few FMA masters to study Southern, Central, and Northern Filipino Combat systems. We also have a strong background in the Lameco Eskrima System, as well as heavy influence from the Ilustrisimo, Pekiti Tirsia, Sayoc, and Villabrabrille Systems.
Western Boxing: Modern
day Western Boxing evolved from the use of the staff into an empty hand Sport. Focused solely on the use of the hands as the tools for fighting, Boxing developed primarily in Britain. The Sport became heavily influenced by African Americans, and the introduction of Filipino
boxing, known as Panantukan, in WWII. Boxers have some of
the most effective punching methods of any art, and some of the best and most
realistic training methods.
Wing Chun Gung Fu:
Wing Chun is one of the most effective arts for close range,
having developed excellent trapping techniques and a great base
structure. It is a simple yet complex art that takes a great deal of time to perfect, but can become readily applicable quickly. It compliments grappling skills by adding tools for use in the closer ranges, and it is fantastic for developing Awareness and Sensitivity.
Muay Thai Kickboxing:
Muay Thai or "Thai Boxing" is the national Sport of Thailand. Fighters
are allowed to punch, kick, knee, and elbow to all parts of the body.
Only strikes to the groin, direct kicks to the knee, and head butts are
considered fouls. The tools and techniques used in Muay Thai are simply devastating. It is also very useful in
the close empty hand ranges and standing grappling range of fighting.
Krabi Krabong: The Thai Art of War, the name translates as "Sword and Baton." The art involves Sword and Baton (or stick), Double Sword, and Sword and Shield fighting. Krabi Krabong is the Martial Root of Muay Thai.
Silat: The arts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Southern Philippines. Silat has strong roots in jungle warfare and dealing with multiple opponents. Silat makes use of empty hands, small blades, and articles of clothing for weapons - turning the
every day sarong and malong (or scarves and belts in our society) into
lethal tools. Silat arts remain strongly based in their Martial Root. The main Systems/Styles studied at the BAKG are: Majapahit Silat: Created by Guro Dan Inosanto and named after the once vast Majapahit Empire that covered most of Southeast Asia, Majapahit Silat is a blend of the empty hand, short blade and flexible weapon (scarf, sarong, malong, belts, etc) arts from this area. Mande Muda Pencak Silat: A Silat system brought to prominence by the late Pendekar (Indonesian term for teacher or master) Herman Suwanda, this versatile Indonesian system is best known for its brutal strikes as well as its many techniques to disrupt an opponent's balance. It also has a very practical system of fighting from the ground. Penjak Silat Serak: Similar to the Mande Muda system, Serak shares many of the same characteristics of Mande Muda Silat. This system is headed by Pak (also an Indonesian/Malaysian term for teacher or master) Victor de Thouars. Maylasian Bersilat: Similar to the Indonesian Systems, the Malaysian Bersilat focuses on brutal strikes and unbalancing one's opponent.
Savate: Not generally perceived as a weapon based art, Savate, also called Boxe Francaise, is French Kickboxing. Evolving from combat aboard ships, and later in on the docks, streets and alleyways of France, Savate is now a world wide Sport. Very practical to every day self defense, kicking in Savate emphasizes the use of the hard parts of a shoe/boot (called a Savate). The art is also excellent for developing various physical attributes, such as balance, flexibility, and agility.
Jun Fan/JKD Integrated Grappling Arts: A blend of martial arts to deal with the standing grappling range and ground fighting range of combat. This was the blend that was originally researched by Si Gung Bruce Lee and Sifu Larry Hartsell. After Bruce's death, Sifu Hartsell continued research and development in this area and became the leading Jeet Kune Do authority on the grappling range. Grappling arts drawn from include: Western (Freestyle and Grecco Roman), Catch-As-Catch-Can ("Catch"), and Hook Wrestling, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Shooto.
Combat Submission Wrestling:
Developed by Erik Paulson as a result of his encyclopedic training and exposure to every Grappling Art known, plus extensive experiences in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Combat Submission Wrestilng (CSW) possesses a heavy Grappling focus and is a simple and effective mixture of
many arts; utilizing techniques, and principles in a cohesive structure and progression, and blending them with innovative as well as time tested training
methods.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A form of the Japanese Sport of Judo (an off-shoot of Jiu-Jitsu), introduced to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda, and eventually transformed and evolved by Carlos Gracie Sr. and the Gracie family (including their cousins, the Machado's). A highly effective ground fighting Art, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has perfectetd many tools for groundwork, positioning, control, joint locks, and choke-holds.
Shooto: Unveiled in 1985, Shooto, or "Shoot Wrestling" comes from Japan, and is one of the original, modern day Mixed Martial Arts competitions; allowing striking, take-downs, and submission locks. In 1990, Larry Hartsell and Dan Inosanto brought Yori Nakamura to the United States to teach Shooto. Shoot Wrestling is considered to be a blend of Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Catch Wrestling, Sambo, and Freestyle Wrestling.
