Welcome to ITO Newsletter, 2nd Issue vol. 1 2011

This issue:

Reality Based Combat Training
The Psychology of Learning
What is your favorite style of Inayan Eskrima?

http://www.ito.inayan-eskrima.com You might be surprised at this new issue sitting in your inbox, if you wish to continue membership, do nothing. But if you do not wish to continue membership to this newsletter; there is an unsubscribe link at the bottom of this newsletter issue.

Reality Based Combat Training

This particular term is used quite a bit in Martial Arts training circles. Often the concept or idea of "Reality Based" is used in the name of a particular style or school. It is as much marketing as it is an indicator of the focus of the training with that particular school/instructor/style. So what is it? It might conjure up for the reader an image of a horde of sweaty man in the basement of "Lou's Diner" having a club meeting. More than likely training in such schools and groups will focus on rapid defense skills, emphasizing massive damage tactics and gross motor function based defenses. The importance of training under stress at all times, so that the skills practiced and espoused actually surface as dominant behavior while experiencing extremely stressful situations. These exercises will be drilled into the individual until they become automatic, second nature even. As easy as breathing. Other words used to set this type of training aside are: Combat, Street Fighting, Street Defense, Adrenalin/Stress training, Combatives, Real time... The list is longer, and grows longer with each year.

The second line in the logo for the Inayan System of Eskrima reads: "Philippine Weapons Combat". It should be clear here that what Mangisursuro meant for the practice and representation of, what is informally known as Inayan Eskrima, his system of martial arts is a measure of 'reality'. Stress training should be part of any good system or art. If all that is imparted is a grouping of choreographed or contrived routines, which amount to martial dances, then.... where or how does that in any way approximate conditions in a real combative encounter.

Lock and Block Reflex/Stress Training at Stanford University - Stanford Eskrima Club

Here is where we get to the meat of the issue. In most cases Reality based, or Street Fighting, or Combatives don't actually propagate violence perse. In that what is meant is that in training in this way does not mean that if it's your first night at Fight Club, you don't actually have to fight. In most cases... However, reflex and scenario training will be part and parcel to this genre of martial arts and self defense training. If, however, your training is mostly forms, techniques, and repetitive drills, you might be finding yourself asking "But does this really work if/when/incase of...." This is a valid line of question, one which everyone should consider and address. Drilling for the sake of drilling is.... fun and cool, but not fighting. Fighting isn't a sport either. And though the material you learn in your given style or system may be effective, your training might not be. Mangisursuro always said "All mistakes died on the battlefield" in reference to what is taught in the Inayan System of Eskrima (ISE). Which is to say, that the knowledge in your art that is passed down from teachers, generations, and years gone by do not contain errors. This is an empowering thought, for this means that almost everything taught is useful and should be absorbed, provided it adheres to the maxim of "Philippine Weapons Combat" insofar as Inayan is concerned. He also said "The system is complete" in reference to the Inayan System of Eskrima. Regard your 'basic' training as lecture work, and reflex/stress training as your labwork in a university class, any academic field needs both if it is pursued as a science; anything less, is just lesser.

Pass it on

This newsletter is intended to provide useful, informative, and educational content. Share the love please. We all have a passion for the Filipino Martial Arts, if not martial arts in general, and many of you are deeply passionate about the Inayan System of Eskrima specifically. Share that passion with others and together we can help the vision of my father, Mangisursuro Mike Inay, to proliferate the Inayan System of Eskrima. Forward this newsletter to a friend today, and thanks, Mabuhay ng Inayan Systema ng Eskrima!

The Psychology of Learning

"I don't learn so fast", "I am a slow learner", "I am not so young, so you will have to go slow for me", and my personal favorite "I learned wrong and it's going to take twice as long to unlearn". Have you said anything like this before? Heard someone else say something like these? Strangely, even though these states are completely erroneous, these statements actually have an effect due to how the subconscious works.

Two things are necessary to learn easily and rapidly, actually there are more than just two but these are the essential basics. First you need to be in a state of mind conducive to learning, you must be open and receptive to the learning experience fostered by your teacher and the learning environment your teacher has cultivated. This is the part of the student, to be open and receptive; the student must sacrifice her ego in order to learn from the teacher. Secondly, the teacher must understand what actually are the elements of a learning event.

A state of mind for learning is something everyone has at some time cultivated. The simple parts are rest, sustenance, and interest. As the student you have the power to learn from anything, just by empowering the world and people around you to be your teacher. This receptive mindset must be brought into every class, everytime in order to get the most out of your training time. Focus and concentration are the harder elements of maintaining a good learning state of mind. Often we are beset by an internal dialogue that is less than your biggest fan. Having an understanding of this mind set and how to cultivate it and maintain it is essential, as well as an essential part of what is taught in the Inayan System of Eskrima.

When teaching students to be come Guros, one of the important subjects covered is the "Learning Event". A learning event is the moment when a lesson or the point of a lesson is actually internalized by the student. When thinking back to moments where you experienced that zap of realization, you will know what is being refered to. Each time we learn something there are specific things that are occuring internally and externally in the student's subjective experience, with each student these specific things are unique. Understanding the elements of the learning event and how to quickly reproduce these events is essential to being a Guro in the Inayan System of Eskrima. Without understanding of the learning event, teaching efforts are reduced to archaic and ignorant means. Though sensational displays of technique and skill will help, and hardcore "contact combat training" is important, brutalizing or mesmerising efforts at teaching are hardly efficiently effective attempts at edification.. ;-)

What is your Favorite Inayan Eskrima Style?

Some people prefer Inayan Serrada, in fact a great deal of Inayan Eskrima practitioners do. Some people like Inayan Kadena De Mano, still others Inayan Larga Mano. The rare few will chose Siniwali or some other style. So which is your favorite. The poll for what is your favorite style has been reopened for your voting pleasure. Please let us know what you like the most, vote and comment, and share the love too. We will make a new shirt design for the style that wins after 8 weeks of voting. VOTE HERE