Review – Modern Arnis Volume 1 With Remy Presas
Professor Remy Presas Demonstrates Filipino Martial Arts
Nov 4, 2009
Arnis, along with eskrima (escrima) and Kali are different labels for martial arts originating in the Philippines. Modern Arnis was created by Profesor Remy Presas who is often credited as one of the arnisadors to bring popularity and interest to Filipino Martial Arts. In addition to his reputation as an excellent martial arts instructor, his Modern Arnis system compiles a lifetime of learning in the martial arts. In Modern Arnis Volume One, Professor Remy Presas demonstrates a variety of martial arts techniques appropriate for beginners and skilled practitioners.
Modern Arnis Volume One Instructional Video
Professor Remy Presas demonstrates well over a hundred martial arts techniques and variations in this one hour video. Beginning with the Abanico Corto technique as a generator, he moves through a series of progressions that includes locks, disarms, and takedowns involving a single stick. Remy Presas demonstrates these techniques off an opponent’s forehand and backhand diagonal slash. The Abanico Corto is a quick switch technique involving a block and rapid counter with a fanning of the stick. The smooth movements and rapidity of variations requires reviewing but will delight experienced players who can see new techniques on familiar themes.
Professor Remy Presas then explores the empty hand portion of Modern Arnis. He discusses empty hand siniwali (weaving) as he displays counters to punches leading to locks and manipulations of the opponent’s body. Of special note are drawing techniques to provoke an opponent’s response in order to enact the desired technique. Professor Presas’ strength is showing transitions and variations which display his encyclopedic knowledge of martial arts skill.
Martial Arts Self – Defense
A large portion of this video is dedicated to wrist locks, finger locks, and counters to wrist grabs. For those seeking only single stick techniques, the second half of the video focuses on empty hand progressions. Professor Remy Presas demonstrates the variety of locking techniques in Modern Arnis as he manipulates students while they grimace in pain. The finger locks and the counter to wrist grabs are interesting and useful for any martial artist’s toolbox of techniques.
Modern Arnis Volume One has many flashy techniques and manipulations that leave the idea of implementation a question. Despite this, a wide breadth of technique and variation provide food for thought, as punches lead to wrist locks, then armbars to throws, displaying options for techniques. The flashy may merely be an effect of Professor Remy Presas’ expertise and smoothness of demonstration. The assistants also do not follow through on their strikes, but this instructional is a manual and starting point for martial arts learning.
Modern Arnis Volume One is an excellent resource for those exploring the Filipino Martial Arts. Professor Remy Presas demonstrates many nuanced and subtle strikes and manipulations for experienced practitioners. A large variety of techniques, not always explained, also allows the practitioner many skills to practice and explore. It is a valuable instructional for practitioners of other styles of arnis, eskrima (escrima), and kali as well as students developing an interest in single stick work and wrist locks.
Modern Arnis Volume One by Remy Presas was produced by Black Belt Magazine in 1998.
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