Modern Arnis: More than Just an Art within Your Art
I frequently hear the phrase “The Art within Your Art” being used, but often, its profound meaning appears lost. This term speaks to enriching one’s primary martial arts training by integrating elements from other styles without diluting the original form. Essentially, it is a sophisticated form of cross-training.

Take, for instance, someone practicing a stand-up martial art who integrates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ground techniques to enhance their own practice. It’s akin to attending a BJJ seminar; you’re taught Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu regardless of your previous background. This method was commonly employed by Professor Remy Presas in teaching his Modern Arnis.

When teaching to a group primarily consisting of Karate or Taekwondo practitioners, he was able to draw parallels to their known martial arts ‘DNA’ without compromising the core system he was teaching. The essence of “The Art within Your Art” arises from this understanding. Those who specialized in Remy Presas’ Modern Arnis know that teaching methodology wasn’t the only thing he focused on; testing was just as important. If you came from a different background, Professor Presas set different levels of expectation, acknowledging that your background would inevitably influence your technique.

When we talk about “The Art within Your Art”, it is not a blanket permission for practitioners to adopt any style they fancy. It must be understood in the context of performing Kata. While the form should be uniform for everyone, the time for personal interpretation comes with applications. If we want Modern Arnis, as taught by Remy Presas, to continue its legacy, we need to retain the original base material rather than heavily modify it.

Let’s use a metaphor to clarify this. Consider a mixed drink: you can combine Jack Daniels with various mixers, but what happens when you run out of Jack Daniels? You could replace it with whiskey, vodka, or rum, but without the base fluid, the original drink can no longer be created. The same applies to martial arts: a majority of Presas’ students practiced Arnis in combination with other styles, such as Karate, Kung Fu, or Jiu-Jitsu. To preserve the purity of the art, we need specialists in Arnis itself.

Often, I find myself in conversations with people who respond to this logical proposition with juvenile rebuttals. The fact remains simple: Professor Presas taught Arnis, not Karate or Taekwondo. He demonstrated how to blend it with these arts while staying true to the Filipino martial art of Arnis. It’s regrettable that such a multifaceted art often gets relegated to a secondary or tertiary role, or simply as an enrichment program.

As an instructor, my objective is to perpetuate Professor Presas’ teachings for the next generation. I delve into the roots of the arts, exploring the contributing systems to help evolve the art for future generations while adhering to the rules and concepts set by our teacher. Modern Arnis deserves recognition as a standalone program and holds its unique place at the martial arts table, not just as an enrichment program.

Whether or not everyone agrees with me is subjective, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to the teachings I received from Professor Presas. I continue to impart these teachings to my students locally and globally through seminars and training camps. If you are keen on learning the art in its original form, I invite you to reach out to myself or any member of our organization.

Respectfully,
Datu Tim Hartman
World Modern Arnis Alliance
www.wmarnis.com
#modernarnis #arnis #filipinomartialarts

Back in July 2011, I had the privilege to organize the Modern Arnis Family Reunion Camp, aimed at bridging gaps within our cherished community. It was an event that encompassed much more than just training; it was a stepping stone for mending our disjointed community, benefiting both instructors and students alike. Participants traveled from far and wide, with representatives from diverse locations including the United States, Canada, Austria, and Germany. It was a period for unity, healing, and communal growth.

This memorable event also laid the groundwork for various subsequent initiatives. Its positive impact sparked the birth of several other events, such as the Best of the West Camp, the Best of the East Camp, and the East meets West Camp, along with a series of seminars and camps.

Fast forward ten years to 2021, I had plans to host the 20th year reunion, but the global pandemic turned those plans on their heads. Given the restrictions and regulations imposed by the New York State at that time, I found myself releasing numerous instructors months before the event to save them from any potential financial losses.

It was around this time I began noticing a trend, not only in our camps but in other gatherings as well. I have long emphasized the need for us to shift our focus from reunion events, which are more about surviving members, to creating a roadmap for the future. The reason for this perspective became all too real to me during my 40th high school reunion, a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life.

While the reunion allowed me to reconnect with long-lost friends, it was tinged with sadness. A poster bearing the images of those no longer with us, 41 in total, stirred powerful emotions within me. These were individuals, some of whom I knew since elementary school, who were now gone.

This hard-hitting realization made me reaffirm my belief that, while reunions may serve a purpose in our personal lives, in the sphere of Modern Arnis, our focus should be on the development of future generations, rather than dwelling on the pioneers. That’s why I’ve decided to step away from hosting any more reunion events.

In the past, I named our 20-year gathering the 20th Reunion & Remy Presas Memorial Camp. Despite the significance of this event, I feel the need to move beyond commemorating the past. Instead, I envision hosting anniversary camps that celebrate the ongoing journey of our art form and its perpetuation in future generations.

Our collective goal should be to nurture those who will carry the torch of Modern Arnis forward, rather than focusing on those who have survived. Our role should be to foster students’ growth into instructors and beyond, instilling in them the same sense of responsibility to pass on their knowledge. We should all strive to be training our successors, who should, in turn, be doing the same for the next generations.

I can sometimes be quite passionate and emotional about this, but if you want to truly understand my perspective, attend your next reunion. Count the faces that are missing. As the Modern Arnis family, we’ve lost our teacher and numerous members over the years. To ensure the survival of our beloved art, we need to shift our focus from ourselves to the nurturing of our students, their students, and the generations to come.

I welcome your thoughts and opinions on this matter.

Respectfully,
Datu Tim Hartman
World Modern Arnis Alliance

#modernarnis #filipinomartialarts #datuhartman

Addressing Misconceptions:

Yet again, I encounter instances of my words being misrepresented. I noticed a slew of posts recently attempting to debunk a podcast we conducted on FMA Talk, wherein we examined the aftermath of Professor Presas’ passing and why things deteriorated. In this podcast, we discussed several factors that contributed to the consequences of his departure. We acknowledged, albeit subtly, the negative elements at play, but decided to shed light on underappreciated factors that might have had a more significant impact than commonly acknowledged.

We highlighted the infancy of the internet during that time and how access was limited, especially due to the absence of contemporary social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Another significant element was the sole existence of my martial arts school, Horizon Martial Arts in West Seneca, NY, as the only institution dedicated solely to Modern Arnis instruction at the time of the Professor’s passing.

After perusing the author’s attempt to debunk the discussed issues, he insinuated that I declared the art to be in decline. He further claimed that it was now stronger than ever. Upon revisiting the video, I found no mention of the art’s current state from me, although we are indeed in a process of rebuilding. The claim of it being stronger than ever is, however, misguided. The author, based in the geographically secluded Pacific Northwest, seems unaware that the Professor’s seminars were primarily conducted on the East Coast and the Midwest.

In my career, I’ve been to 180 events with Professor Presas, including 30 camps. The author, on the other hand, I’ve only encountered once at a seminar where he taught karate while I assisted with the Filipino martial arts segment. To form an educated opinion on the state of the art, one must be actively involved, which includes consistent interaction. For those who weren’t there during those times, let me illustrate a clearer image.

The art thrived from approximately 1995 until October 2000, when the Professor had to halt his teachings due to his brain tumor. Throughout this period, he held seminars on about 25 weekends annually, conducting two seminars each weekend that attracted between 50 to 60 participants on average. If we consider the Big 3 seminars Prof taught with Wally Jay and George Dillman, participant numbers could surge to 150-200. The Professor would conduct 6-10 camps per year, each with around 60 attendees. This reach is tremendous, setting a high benchmark for us. The numbers we’ve managed since his departure don’t even come close. Even if we compile all the activities across North America, it’s a feeble comparison. Things are getting better, but I believe many people underestimate the scale of the situation. This is why, when queried, I express uncertainty about the future, as most of Remy’s students lack the broader perspective I have gained from my travels. They don’t fully comprehend the number of followers we have lost and the vastness of what we once had.

Our podcast emphasized the less harmful aspects of our teacher’s loss. Things did crumble, but we started to rebuild. I invite your thoughts on the subject.

I anticipate writing more posts, given the frequent misquotation and misinterpretation of my words, or their manipulation to serve others’ interests.

Today marks a significant milestone in my martial arts journey. It’s been 35 years since I achieved the rank of Remy Presas Modern Arnis Black Belt. Little did I know that the simple act of picking up a stick at the Filipino Karate Academy would profoundly impact the course of my life. The path hasn’t been without its challenges, but the rewards have made it all worthwhile. Thanks to the guidance of Professor Presas, I have become one of the foremost authorities on Filipino martial arts globally.

Over the years, this journey has taken me down various paths, exposing me to diverse experiences that have facilitated personal growth. I ventured into the competitive arena, earning over six world titles and mentoring a group of world champion students. I had the privilege and honor of serving as an adjunct instructor for Sheepdog Kombatives, providing consultation to the Virginia Police Academy. Additionally, I had the opportunity to choreograph fight scenes for a handful of movies, which can be found on my IMDb page.

However, the most gratifying aspect of my career has been the local impact I’ve made. I’ve had the privilege of teaching individuals of all ages, including men, women, and children, fostering character development and enhancing gross motor skills. I’ve helped children struggling with focus and discipline issues, instilled confidence in college-bound teens, and provided a chance for individuals in their 30s, 40s, and beyond to improve their physical well-being. Through my school’s teachings, I believe I’ve been able to change the world one life at a time.

Reflecting on the past 35 years, I can confidently say that every moment has been worth it. Now, I eagerly look forward to the next 35 years and beyond, with the intention of defying average life expectancy and challenging the Social Security system single-handedly. Thank you, Remy, for entrusting me with the responsibility of carrying forward your remarkable legacy.

#modernarnis #DatuHartman #arnis #datu #Filipinomartialarts