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OVERVIEW Who We Are and What We’re About The Bay Area Kali Group name evolved from a few different influences. Firstly, the root words for Kali, "Kamot Lihok," come from ancient India, and translate basically into "Body Movement." We feel this summarizes Martial Art, and life in general, quite well. The simple phrase can take on many meanings, just as the underlying principles in life can take on many forms. It all depends on one's perspective. Second, we are not an Academy, or Institute, or anything else of that scale or grandeur. We are a group, each invested in the well being and learning potential of our fellow group members. The BAKG has no belt system or rankings, just simple acknowledgement of experience such as Student and Instructor, or Training Partner. Everyone is afforded equal respect and consideration. The BAKG Facility itself is located in Oakland, yet the name says Bay Area. This is because many perspectives, lineages, styles, regions, traditions and philosophies are present at the BAKG, just as they are in the Bay Area. Lastly, and probably most importantly, the BAKG's founder, Christopher Harley, began his studies in what some term the "JKD family of arts" with students of Rick Faye, founder of the Minnesota Kali Group. Christopher continues to learn and train with folks from the MKG, and feels strong kinship to that school. While Christopher does hold an instructorship under Rick, to be clear, the BAKG is not an official affiliate/extension of the MKG. However, the name intends to honor where the BAKG started, as well as point outward to a broader scope of learning available for any who seek it. The central purpose of the Bay Area Kali Group is to foster personal growth - particularly in the areas of awareness of one's self and surroundings - and personal expression. We use Martial Art as a vehicle for this. Martial Art study is grounded in awareness of the present moment, involves a physical as well as mental component, requires training to develop, improve and maintain different skills and attributes, can be quite enjoyable and is always new. It is our belief that by studying the principles of Martial Art, we learn the principles that underscore Life. By learning to see and understand these principles in a martial context, we can then apply them to the context of our daily lives. The result: we learn to express who we are authentically, living dynamically and effectively - benefiting ourselves and those around us. Besides all that, Martial Art is fun and a great way to get in shape. If that's really all a Student is interested in, he or she is sure to get it - as well as be exposed to everything else. What and How We Train The different arts we study are mainly Jun Fan Gung Fu, Kali, Silat, Wing Chun, various types of boxing and kickboxing (including Muay Thai), and various grappling arts (including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). All of these arts are studied through what we term the "Prism" of JKD Concepts; meaning, we use the basic principles and guiding philosophy of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kun Do Concepts to view, separate, and distill the various aspects of the arts studied, and then put them together again as part of a whole. The result is a broad based, adaptable, personalized expression. In addition, the Students drive the curriculum and pace, rather than the Instructor. That is to say, it is the individual needs, passions, goals and abilities of the Student that dictate what the Instructor presents on any given day, or even any given moment. The Instructor's only agenda is to match the Student's agenda, nothing more. While the environment is informal and without a set curriculum, there is plenty of structure. No matter the art, the methodology is the same. When studying various techniques, we begin by isolating and breaking them down into progressions. We work through those progressions until the technique is smooth and repeatable with consistency. Then we blend the various techniques into set flows, so as to become familiar with using them in series or in proper context. From there we expand into free-flow drills, responding as needed and learning to recognize and read the shifting context and applications. Eventually we spar, beginning with specific restrictions for safety, and then "ramping up" until we are eventually learning to employ the techniques effectively at speed with an uncooperative opponent. We also use drills and other tools to develop attributes such as agility, flexibility or rhythm. And, of course, we are always inspecting everything we do to discern any underlying Principles (angle, timing, distance, control of space, etc), so as to recognize, become familiar with, and eventually understand and apply them. Drills usually involve "feeding" and "receiving" a given motion or energy. These roles switch back and forth, with nobody winning or losing, and everyone gaining plenty of repetitions. We train with another person as often as possible to develop feel for different energy, or to expand our exposure to different contexts and to learn to adjust. We may train with equipment to help develop attributes such as power, or to improve our structure and mechanics - among other reasons. We will often isolate one movement, or series of movements, and repeat it/them over and over so as to instill it/them perfectly into muscle memory, and then incorporate them into our drills. To quote Larry Hartsell, "repetition is the mother of all skills." We use whatever works best to gain maximum repetitions with maximum efficiency and safety. Additionally, we use visual aids, shadow boxing, envisioning, lecture and note-taking to integrate our minds with our bodies. Guiding Philosophy Besides the basic philosophy that study and understanding of underlying principles - combined with developing awareness of the context of the moment - leads to authentic and effective expression, there are other ideas that guide our training. Only a few are mentioned here. Our most central guiding philosophy comes from Rick Faye and the MKG. Quite simply, "We Train With Each Other, Not On Each Other." The BAKG is a Training Environment. Our purpose is, fundamentally, to train. That means we are not competing, fighting or otherwise out to harm those we train with. It is impossible to "win" at training. So, there should be no reason to try. If one of us is hurt, then one of us can't train. If one of us can't train, then not only is the purpose of the group not being served, but all of us are being denied a full training experience. Of course, as experience, control, and necessity dictate, the training may become quite fast paced, involve harder contact or even increased aggressiveness. But, this is still done safely, and with awareness as to the effect each person is having upon the well being, learning and health of the other(s). Ultimately, of course, we are all responsible for our own safety and well-being, but we always keep in mind our responsibility to our fellow group members. Another primary philosophy comes from Bruce Lee, and is the foundation of his Martial Philosophy, "Using No Way As Way - No Limitation As Limitation." This sums up much of how we approach Martial Art at the BAKG. Group members hear it often and it is applied in myriad ways throughout our study. There is no one way to learn, and no one thing to learn above all else. In Martial Art, there is no "unbeatable technique," no 100% solution to every problem. But there are effective techniques for given situations, and workable solutions for given problems. By learning how to adapt and apply principles, we become both free and effective in our expression. A third, but certainly not the last guiding philosophy of the BAKG involves the concept of "teaching a person to fish." Students are not just handed a series of movements to memorize or patterns to perform. They are led to discover answers for themselves, so that they are not only learning Martial Art, but they are learning how to learn. At the BAKG we are Students of life in general, not of any specific person, ideology, system or world view. Another central pillar of our training is the focus on and constant re-enforcement of the basics. Every training session involves work and repetitions with basic and core skills, attributes, techniques and movements. We believe that the basics are the first thing learned for a reason: they provide the foundation we build our skills upon. Not only that, they are simple, and they work. A person could only study the most simple basics of any art and, given enough time, achieve what most call mastery. What to Expect All Students will be treated equally, and given the utmost respect, regardless of gender, background, experience, fitness level, or ability. In fact, at the BAKG, those factors define a Student's learning, rather than inhibiting or enhancing it. BAKG Students and members can expect to learn how to see through the techniques learned and practiced to the underlying Principle(s). They will also learn to use their awareness of themselves and their surroundings to recognize ever-shifting contexts. By understanding the Principles of Martial Art, and learning to make sense of the chaotically variable contexts, Students eventually become able to express themselves effectively, with techniques born of the situation, rather than memorized or forced. Students can expect to follow a progression of study that follows their needs, passions, goals and abilities. We work hard, so Students are sure to get a workout. But, we follow the "70% Principle." This is a training principle that is used in all high level sports, and we believe is universally applicable to all learning. Basically, we do not push ourselves to our maximum all the time in order to improve. We don’t see that as optimal. Instead, we generally do not exceed 70% of our output - be it speed, energy, power, what have you - and we build upon that. Of course, another guiding philosophy is "Everything in Moderation... Including Moderation." So, sometimes we will "max out" as it were; but usually only as training dictates, or as a means to evaluate improvement. It depends on the overall goals of the Student, and what is being trained in a given session. Students will get repeated exposure to the basics. While it is easy for people to learn the basics and then progress into more "advanced" aspects of Martial Art, we at the BAKG see the basics not as the easiest point of one's training, but the most difficult, highest, and most important. They are called the basics because without them, you can't even begin. They are the foundation of everything we learn, and they take a lifetime to master. While students will progress into seemingly more complex aspects of the Art, they will always be refining, perfecting, and learning from the basics. Training at the BAKG Facility will occur when scheduled. The Facility and Instructor will be clean and presentable. The Instructor will be professional. Fellow Students will be respectful. Most importantly, as the environment exists to also foster self-expression, if at any time a Student is curious, uncomfortable, has something specific he/she is inspired to learn, injured, or so on, the Instructor and fellow Students will listen and respond appropriately. We take our training seriously, but we make sure we have fun. Another guiding philosophy that we incorporate, "If your beliefs don't make you happy, what good are they?" We expand this beyond "beliefs" and into our daily activities. Students can expect to smile and laugh regularly. Any necessary training and specific safety equipment (as opposed to general/personal safety equipment, which is the responsibility of the Student) is provided at the BAKG Facility. What Is Expected All Students are expected to treat one another, as well as the Instructor, respectfully. While the environment is informal, it is still focused. Students are expected to show up on time for scheduled sessions, and to arrive clean and presentable in appropriate workout attire. Students are responsible for providing their own mouth and groin/breast protection, as well as any other protective equipment they may specifically need (such as a knee brace). Students are expected not to attend a training session if they are sick or in any way contagious with an illness. Students are expected to bring their individual needs, passions, goals and abilities, as well as an open mind. More
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