Great To See Both Old And New Faces

http://www.itsyoboyflex.com/2014/09/15/great-see-old-new-faces/

So yesterday was our Monthly Workshop with Manong Rich Verdejo. The agenda was to go over some updated material from Level 1-3 curriculum.

Stick Work

First up was stick work. Before Manong Rich came down we started warming up. Doing stretches, cardio exercises, and stick drills to warm up the wrists. Then we moved on to 4 count drills. From single stick to double stick, right and left, alternating and mixing it up, it was all to get the body warmed up and get the mind going.

From there we started doing Punyo Entries and then Manong arrived, which was perfect because he was going to go over Punyo Entries from the new curriculum. This was great because now that I’m working on my level 3 material, I would get to see what’s new right off the bat. Manong Rich showed us Punyo Entries 1-5 on both right and left. Some of the changes were minor, as far as curriculum is concerned, and others were almost totally changed.

Knife tapping

From there we went into knife tapping. So a common drill in FMA is that the feeder will have a knife and the receiver won’t. The feeder goes for angle 1 and then angle 2. During that time the receiver will parry said knife attack angles. So where is the issue with this? From what I see is that the receiver doesn’t learn much past sensitivity and “Oh shit there is a knife coming at me. Let me get it out of the way.” So there is no counter, there is no offense, just defense. It’s just that, a sensitivity drill.

During this time there is a lot of opportunity on both sides, but the sensitivity drill mostly teaches opportunity from the feeder perspective. The feeder learns at what point they can be successful, or simply keep attempting and eventually one will get in. Now have the receiver throw in a strike or deploy a knife after the parry and the game changes. This starts to open up your mind to possibilities. So I might throw say a back fist after angle 2. The feeder has to respond to my “feed”, in turn changing his or her role to the receiver even if just for a moment.

After that we went into Super Sumbrada using knife instead of stick. This continued the idea of exchanging roles because the concept is “I feed, you feed.”

Concept

In a real fight, exchanges usually happen more frequently, meaning, the other doesn’t always wait for you to finish what you are doing. They take the opportunity when it presents itself. The new material seems to apply this concept by inserting it into the curriculum sooner than later. Then as you see the practitioner progressing you can add more pressure, speed, and different types of attacks.

I think this way of training is more realistic than hey let me teach you a combination, and then let me teach you how to defend against that combination. Watch a lot of sparring and fight videos and see what I mean. Unless the person goes into a straight defensive mode where they are just covering, usually the fighters only pull off 1-3 hit combinations at a time before they either back off or the opponent counters. Well, unless of course both fighters are just non-stop swinging at each other.

Lets get some food

After training the group went accross the street to grab some lunch and had a few laughs. We talked more about things from the Florida Gathering as well as concepts of MOTAC, and things FCS Kali West Coast related.

On a personal note, I also noticed that things seemed to make more sense and are easier to pick up now that I have a better understanding of the basics. Things are clicking much faster. Oh and did I mention that I received my Level Two Certificate of Rank? A step closer in getting my instructorship!

Closing

So to wrap things up, today was a good day. We had a good size group. (Not everyone was in the photo because some had to leave early.) It was really good to see everyone though. Both old and new faces showed up to partake in our monthly workshop with Manong Rich and we got to see some of the changes from the new curriculum. I hope to see more of the original members as well as the new more frequently so we can continue to grow our tribe. Till next time happy training everybody! ItsYoBoyFlex and I’m out.

http://www.itsyoboyflex.com/2014/09/15/great-see-old-new-faces/

MONTHLY WORKSHOPS - FOCUS ON LEVEL 1-3

Here  are the upcoming monthly workshops with the focus on Level 1-3 material with Manong Rich Verdejo. Hope to see you there and happy training everyone!


Date: Sunday, September 14, 2014
Place: Heritage Park, Chula Vista
Time: 9am - 1130am
Class Fee: $20


Date: Sunday, September 28, 2014
Place: Kenpo Evolution Mma
Time: TBA (Looking from 1pm - 3pm)
Class Fee: $20

Monthly Workshop With Manong Rich And More

Monthly Workshop

This weekend,  Sunday, September 14, 2014 Manong Rich Verdejo is coming down to do our monthly workshop. He will be going over a lot of new things from the Florida Gathering, which I will touch up on a little bit later, some things from the new curriculum, and who knows what else! lol. It's always a surprise as to what he teaches when he comes down. It's a good time and we learn new things so come out and join us if you're free!

Date: Sunday, September 14, 2014
Time: 9am-11-ish
Place: Heritage Park, Chula Vista

***As always as recommend a $20 donation to cover his time and travel expenses.***

FCS Kali Florida Gathering

 

Now as many of you know, the Florida FCS gathering just past. Many have been posting up pictures, videos, and their experiences. Our most senior group leader, Bernie Herrera, was able to attend and represent FCS Kali West Coast San Diego along with Manong Rich and his family. Needless to say, FCS Cali Crew was in the house! lol.I wish I could have been there because many new things were shown including MOTAC, and the new curriculum. I also enjoyed the videos of little Richie attacking everyone, and the Carenza Testing.
Two things that Bernie wanted to share from the gathering were the use of elbows as well as footwork and stances.

Elbows

 

For the use of elbows, we learned this through our Mano Mano Template, but he stressed how it should be used more often. By keeping things in tight, the elbows can be kept down as means of cover for the rib area. They can also be brought up toward the side of the head as use of cover for the head and neck areas, while being used as a destruction at the same time, which also sets us up for follow ups. Ed demonstrated how effective it was by allowing one of our strongest members, Marlon, to throw a right hook at his face and he simply covered by bringing the elbow up, with his hand grasping the back his head allowing the rest of his forearm to cover the temple and ear. The bicep gave some cover to the carotid and the elbow was at a position of striking. They explained how at any moment there is a time of exposure, the elbow can be used as cover and or striking as well as palusot, depending on distance and timing.

Footwork And Stances

 

Bernie explained how the use of footwork and stances can easily change a situation. One example was when someone is put in a center wrist lock. If in a normal stance, like simply standing up, the wrist lock can drop a grown man to his knees, but if he were to get in a cat stance, the pain is reduced. He demonstrated this on me and it did lessen the pain. I felt like a had more of an opportunity to break from the lock because the pain was tolerable.

And I'm sure that most of know that certain stances are strong from one angle and weak from another. This flows hand and hand or foot and foot, with our footwork. Having a strong base is very important and your most lower body part will set that in play. Usually, it's your feet that is the root of your base. Foot placement. Your footwork sets you up to move out of harms way, to move in to engage, or move out to disengage, and to keep ones balance. So if your feet aren't in good placement, your base can be thrown off.

Closing

 

So for the past couple of weeks our practices have been themed around things learned from the gathering on top of curriculum and I'm sure Manong will be sharing more as well when he comes down. Also, Tuhon Ray Dionaldo's birthday was celebrated during the gathering as well so from the entire West Coast family, happy belated birthday and thank you for the knowledge and support! Ok baby is being demanding right now so gotta go. Haha. Happy training everyone! ItsYoBoyFlex and I'm out.

Get motivated, time to get back to training in FCS Kali

To all our FCS Kali West Coast San Diego Crew (Past, Present and Future),

We are going on our 4th year as a training group and we are still at the same location, Heritage Park in Chula Vista, CA almost every Sunday.  FCS Kali is in over 90 countries and Tuhon Ray Dionaldo is traveling the world sharing his talents with anyone willing to train.  It is time for all of our training group members, past and present, to get motivated and help grow the FCS Kali West Coast Tribe.  We are looking forward to reconnecting with all of you, so dust off your gear and help us preserve our culture and promote the Filipino Martial Arts. 

To all our future members, we look forward to sharing Tuhon Ray's FCS Kali culture with all of you.  Come by and visit, or better yet, pick up some sticks and work out for a few.

MOTIVATION

Obstacles can't stop you.

Problems can't stop you.

Most of all other people can't stop you.

The only one who stops you is yourself.

Maraming salamat


FCS Kali San Diego Group Practice will be held at Heritage Park at the Outdoor Stage area.  Newcomers interested in participating or observing a training session are always welcome.  Please come with an open mind and interest.

When:                Sunday morning, 8:00 am - 10:00 am 

Where:               Heritage Park
                           1381 East Palomar Street
                           Chula Vista, CA 91913

Update: Location change; Heritage Park

UPDATE: Sunday practice will be at Heritage Park

Hope to see everyone there! Happy training everyone!

Location:
Heritage Park

Sorry for the confusion and update on our training location.  We will be training at our regular location Heritage Park at 08:00 am Sunday, 8/31.

Special Congrats To The Following:

Special Congrats To The Following:

Via Manong Rich Verdejo: 

Again, Congratulations to FCS Cali crew, Sherman Oaks & Baldwin Park for their previous testing of this month! And congratulations to Bernard Herrera & Eduardo Jonson (FCS Cali Crew, San Diego) fro their LEVEL 5! All well deserved for their hard work!

Sherman Oaks: 
Steve Baca( Kenpo Evolution Mma) – Level 2
Bonita Gutierez – Level 1
Michael Decastro – Level 1
Josh Leopold – Level 1
Jacob Amroyan – Level 1
Aaron Diyarza – Level 1

Baldwin Park: 
Andrew Diep – Level 2
Jim Rosa – Level 2

San Diego: 
Bernard Herrera – Level 5
Eduardo Jonson – Level 5
Felix Reyes Delacruz Jr. – LevelCap (I’m sure that was supposed to be level 2 but level Captain sounds awesome. lol)

Read the full story here:
http://www.itsyoboyflex.com/2014/08/25/special-congrats-following/

UPDATE - Monthly Workshop with Manong Rich Will Be At Ski Beach!

Monthly Workshop with Manong Rich at Ski Beach!

Manong Rich Verdejo is coming down this Sunday for our monthly workshop and we're making a change of scenery to Ski Beach! Manong will be going over: Application and feeder/receiver of Espada Y Daga, application stick grappling (standing), karambit (mechanics & application), sarong and knife template, and possibly blade entries to target isolations. So you won't want to miss out! After training we will be just enjoying the day out at the park. So bring the family, bathing suits, sunscreen and have a good time! *** As always we recommend a $20 donation which covers Manong Rich's time and travel expenses. *** Hope to see you there and happy training everyone!  

Location:
Ski Beach
Vacation Rd.
San Diego, CA 92109  

Time:
Sunday, August 24th, 2014
9am - 11am-ish

(Ski Beach is located on east side of Vacation Isle off of Ingraham Street. There is a large grassy area, a picnic shelter with picnic tables, fire rings and a path for jogging or bike riding. Up to two inflatables are allowed. There is a boat launch and ski area on the south side, but no swimming is allowed. There is also a childrens playground adjacent to the picnic shelter.

Note: The parking lot by the boat launch area has parking spaces to accommodate vehicles with boat trailers.)

FCS Kali West Coast San Diego Promotional Video

FCS Kali Promotional Video from RuffMedia on Vimeo.

Thank you Ruff Media and FCS Kali West Coast San Diego for the great work you put in to make this video.

Monthly Workshop with Manong Rich at De Anza Cove Park!

 

 

Monthly Workshop with Manong Rich at De Anza Cove Park!

Manong Rich Verdejo is coming down this Sunday for our monthly workshop and we're making a change of scenery to De Anza Cove Park! Manong will be going over: Application and feeder/receiver of Espada Y Daga, application stick grappling (standing), karambit (mechanics & application), sarong and knife template, and possibly blade entries to target isolations. So you won't want to miss out! After training we will be just enjoying the day out at the park. So bring the family, bathing suits, sunscreen and have a good time!

*** As always we recommend a $20 donation which covers Manong Rich's time and travel expenses. ***

Hope to see you there and happy training everyone!

Location:

De Anza Cove Park
3000 N Mission Bay Dr
San Diego, CA 92109

Time:
Sunday, August 24th, 2014
9am - 11am-ish

(De Anza Cove Park has a volleyball area, a tot lot, park benches, picnic tables, and a path for jogging or bike riding. There is also a boat launch ramp for both boats and jet skis, and a comfort station with showers. Swimming, boating and water skiing are allowed and there is a lifeguard on duty for the summer months.)
 

Footage from our test over at Kenpo Evolution MMA

FCS Kali Live Knife Tapping Level 2 Test Sensei Steve Baca

Congratulations Testers!

 

Congrats!

I'd like to take the time give congratulations to the following people for passing their test this weekend:

Level 1:
Bonita Maria Gutierrez,
Aaron Diyarza,
Michael DeCastro,
Josh Leopold
Jacob Amroyan.

Level 2:
Jim Rosa,
Drew Ip,
Steve Baca
And me, Felix Reyes Delacruz Jr.

Special Thanks

A special thanks to Bernie Hererra who not only conducted the test, but gave me and the fams a lift and also took out extra time to train with me. Also special thanks to Manong Rich Verdejo for overseeing the testing and sharing your knowledge. And finally a special thanks to Steve Baca for allowing us to hold the testing at Kenpo Evolution MMA.

Everyone did a great job. And big ups to the fellas that took the pepper spray who looked sad in the end. LOL! JK you guys did an awesome job! I remember when I did that. It was really the end when you are trying to get that stuff out of your face and eyes that was the worse part of it. I hope to see and train with all of you in the near future.

Level 5 Test

Next up:
Level 5 Testing
Sunday Aug. 24, 2014
9AM - 1100am
at Heritage Park in Chula Vista

Level 5 testing will be held as well as our monthly workshop with Manong Rich Verdejo. As always we recommend a $20 donation for the workshop which covers Manong's time and travel. So if you have time, come out and support the level 5 testers and join in on the workshop! It's always a good time.

Ok folks that's it for now. See the SD crew next Sunday and happy training everyone! ItsYoBoyFlex and I'm out.

FCS Kali West Coast, Sunday Training, 8/10

On Sunday, 8/10, we will showing our support with Felix DelaCruz during his Level 2 testing at Kenpo Evolution in Sherman Oaks.  Anyone interested in training tomorrow will need to call or text Ed Jonson at 619-370-1031 by 7:30 am to let him know.  Otherwise our Sunday training will be cancelled.

If you get a chance, show Felix your support by sending him a message or text, for a successful test.

Thank you.

Testing Events Are Coming Up Quick!

Test Events:

Testing is coming up quick! Train hard my friends!

Level 1&2 Test

Sunday Aug. 10
1PM - 2:30PM
At Kenpo Evolution MMA!

Level 5 Test

Sunday Aug. 24
9AM - 1100AM.
Chula Vista - Heritage Park

OUR MONTHLY WORKSHOP WILL ALSO BE HELD THAT DAY! HOPE TO SEE EVERY ONE THERE TO HECKLE ( I MEAN CHEER) THOSE TESTING

Sunday Training, 8/3/14

Sorry for the late notice, but depending on the weather, training for Sunday, 8/3 will be at Glorietta Bay in Coronado (by Sharp Coronado Hospital) or cancelled.  Weather permitting, we will be training at 10:00 am at Glorietta Bay.  We will have some paddle boards and kayaks if you would like to go in the water after training.

Be safe,
Ed, Bernie, Erwin

LEVEL 1 & 2 TESTING

UPDATE: LEVEL 1 & 2 TESTING

LEVEL 1 & 2 TESTING WILL BE HELD SUNDAY, AUG. 10!

TIME: 1 - 2:30 (ish)
PLACE: Kenpo Evolution MMA in Sherman Oaks, CA.

(YOU CAN EITHER PAYPAL THE TEST FEE TO grverdejo@yahoo.com OR HAVE IT ON THE DAY OF.)

ARRIVE EARLY, THERE'S PARKING IN THE BACK.

TRAIN HARD & KNOW YOUR OPTIONS!


 

Lakan Guro Ray West Coast Workshop

It’s not often that you get a chance to learn from the one that helped create the FCS Kali curriculum. If you’re free, come out and learn from Lakan Guro Ray! It will be an opportunity that you won’t want to miss.

When:
Saturday July 26, 2014 at 10:00am – 13:00pm

Place:
Lake Balboa Park
6300 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, California 91406

Material covered:
Single stick/ Panantukan/ Khanomtom Muay Thai Elbow counter series

What to bring:
boxing gloves/focus mitts (if you have them)/sticks/h2o

Cost: $35

http://www.fcscalicrew.com/2014/07/23/lakan-guro-ray-west-coast-workshop/

Embracing Change

 
...On Sunday Bernie had us working on transitions and counters. After warming up with some stick drills we went into Punyo Entries. Usually it would start from a 4 Count, one would feed in, complete the drill, break out, and then back into 4 count. This time he had us go in with an entry and then transition to another entry. This kept the drill going, forcing the receiver to constantly react to the attack. At the same time, the receiver could at the right time, become the feeder by beating the other to the punch on the entry....

Click on the link below to read the full story.

http://www.itsyoboyflex.com/2014/07/17/embracing-change/

Weekend Recap - 07/04/14-07/06/14

Friday:

It was crazy on the 4th. When we got to Crown Point, the parking lot was already full and there was hardly any space available to practice except for the areas where the kiddo wouldn't have anything to do. So we decided to move practice to Windansea Beach. We got there about 30 minutes before everyone started to crowd the beach so we were able to get a good spot and setup. Rubbed on some sunscreen and got started.

I warmed up with my usual footwork with defenses. From there I practiced Sinawali. First with sticks, then with bolos. After that I went to my single stick drills from 1-36 stick form, 4 walls, 4 count, sumbrada, and air disarms. Then I went to single bolo. Played around with some Carenza using single stick, double sticks, double bolos, and single bolos......

Click on the link below to read the full story.
http://www.itsyoboyflex.com/2014/07/08/weekend-recap-070414-070614/

FMA and Kenpo Blend Out-Take Video – Jeté!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrand Jeté! LOL!

http://www.itsyoboyflex.com/2014/07/02/fma-kenpo-blend-take-video-jete/

What you missed on Sunday – FMA and Kenpo Blend

Here’s a little taste of what you missed on Sunday, FMA and Kenpo Blend……. And me taking a beating. lol. Anyway, enjoy the video and happy training everyone! ItsYoBoyFlex and I’m out.

http://www.itsyoboyflex.com/2014/07/02/missed-sunday-fma-kenpo-blend/