The World Modern Arnis Alliance was established for a two-fold purpose.
Our first goal is to further the growth of Arnis throughout the world. Secondly, in keeping with the example set by Remy Presas, our intent is to set the highest technical standards possible for the global Arnis community.
We will achieve this by designing specific training programs that will advance the progression of our art while developing maximum student proficiency.
For those who do not have immediate access to an instructor and who are training on their own, rank promotion is still possible. Students will have access to a directory of black belts, schools, and instructors in the Modern Arnis community. These people will be available to periodically assist students with their training in preparation for their advancement. Geographical constraints will not be a deterrent to the growth of Modern Arnis.
In addition we have created a “Student Registry” so that each member will have a record of their rank as they progress through each level. This will prevent any discrepancy as to what belt level a student or instructor has earned. Their credentials will be available for verification.
Best of the West Modern Arnis Training Camp – Dortmund, Germany, Sept. 2012
Brief review. This had to be the smoothest camp I have ever had the pleasure of attending or teaching at. Dieter Knuettel and the DAV were excellent hosts. I re
The classes? They were many and varied from the Tactical Forms I taught to the two stick on one Tapi-Tapi sessions taught by Chuck. I would rather describe the instructors.
Chuck Gauss – “Mr. Passion” himself. I think he and Kelly Worden would have tied in a contest as to who would have excited the crowd more. Chuck’s energy infected every one in every session he taught.
Brian Zawilinski – Brian’s teaching style is the exact opposite of Chuck’s. His is a quiet presentation that exudes confidence and competence. His sessions were real-deal applications of Prof. Presas’ art – very smooth and very exact.
Tim Hartman – If Chuck is Mr. Passion, Tim is “Mr. Showman.” Tim’s session were taught with a balanced combination of precision and showmanship. He was a group favorite.
Dieter Knuettel – Where Chuck is passion, Dieter is “Mr. Energy” – every session he taught was brimming with a high-speed energy that was amazing seeing how physically tired he was from attending to all the details of promoting the camp. But that is typical Dieter and I expect nothing less.
My classes? I’ll let someone else comment and describe them.
One of the great things for me about this camp is what I learned from the other instructors. Yep. The teacher is always a student. Brian cleaned up my difficulties with the standing center lock and gave me a new insight to the center lock application. Tim saw an inaccuracy in a Balintawak application I was doing, took me off to the side and got that fixed. I learned the “Buffalo mirror breaking ejection” (inside joke) from Dieter. There was a right hand to left hand transition that I totally forgot about until I watched a session Chuck taught. Sweet. The teacher, once again, was the student.
To sum it up, this camp was not so much about the title of it, The Best Of The West, as it was about the continuation and growth of the founder’s art. This camp was an affirmation that Modern Arnis, in whatever form, is thriving and will continue to thrive and grow.
Humbly yours,
Dan Anderson
