Instantaneous Adaptation!

This last week in London has been great. I have had the opportunity to share the Inayan System of Eskrima with a lot of new people as well as expose them to the Self Defense nature of Escrima. Filipino Martial Arts is a hugely varied form of martial art, here in London the Inayan Kadena De Mano style is highly relevant to assault and crime here in London and the UK in general.

Upon arriving here in London I learned that a friend and his family from back home was in London and had been assaulted and mugged at knife point here in London. You can imagine my surprise at this news, firstly I did not even know they would be in London and then to find out that they were attacked and robbed of everything was shocking. London has in the last decade experienced an increase in knife attacks. Strangely they have a zero tolerance for the posession of knives. Yet they have a problem.

Having the opportunity to show them what Eskrima/Kali/Arnis can offer them in terms of how to deal with an assailant with a knife is very rewarding. I think it is great that I can provide for people here in the UK a means of which to deal both mentally and physically with this all to often occurence. Mostly teaching on the West End of London here I have had the opportunity to work with children of school age. Working with children in the Martial Arts is rewarding by itself. And working with the youth here on Self Defence is great. I like the funny little things that happen in the class as the kids "muck about" as well as working on solid and effective self defence for them.

This last Sunday I also had the unique privilege of watching one of our Para-Olympic Judo competitors give a seminar here in London. Jordan Mouton taught a seminar on some of her favorite Judo techniques for competition as well as the specific basics and elements of good Judo throwing, and grappling (Nage Waza and Ne Waza respectively). It was a nice change of pace for me to watch another seminar instructor teach their own chosen Martial Art. The rewards of learning new presentation styles as well as just a changing of gears helps gain greater perpsective on one's own art as well as one's own teaching skills. Only 21 and blind, Mouton gave some interesting insight on how to achieve throws with variations specific to Judo and her own experience as an international competitor in Olympic Judo.

A big thanks goes out to Sensei Nicholls of the British Kodenkan and European Kilohana as well as Sensei Adrian Valman for hosting our seminars this last weekend. I also would like to thank Sensie Jordan Mouton for sharing her art and experiences with me, we has a great time at the London Winter Wonderland carnival! And thank you to Guro Martin Sillitoe and Simon of Nicklestick Eskrima and Sifu Michael Acton for visiting and celebrating my birthday with me. I am truly fortunate and thankful for all the wonderful support.

Keep Training

Suro J. Inay