what is modern arnis?

Modern Arnis is the system of Filipino Martial Arts founded by the late Remy Presas as a comprehensive self-defense system. His goal was to create an injury-free training method as well as an effective self-defense system. Modern Arnis is the most popular and widely practiced Filipino martial art in the world today. It is derived principally from the stick-dueling art of Balintawak with influences from other Filipino and Japanese martial arts.

The primary weapon is the rattan stick, called a cane or baston (baton), which varies in size, but is usually about 28 inches (71cm) in length. Both single and double stick techniques are taught, with an emphasis on the former; unarmed defenses against the stick and against bladed weapons (which the stick is sometimes taken to represent) are also part of the curriculum

Remy Presas' modernization of the training method was intended to help preserve the Filipino martial arts. He taught the method of hitting cane-on-cane during practice, which attracted more newcomers to the art and also allowed the art to be taught in the Philippines' school system. Practitioners are called arnisadors or Modern Arnis players. In addition to its Filipino influences, elements of Judo, Okinawan Karate, and Ju-Jitsu appear in the system.

Grandmaster Michael Kinney and Modern Arnis Founder Remy Presas were close friends. Professor Presas introduced Modern Arnis to Kinney Karate. Michael Kinney and Remy Presas shared seminar spotlights and participated in training camps together. Both studied Ju-Jitsu, and learned pressure point skills together.

One of the characteristics of Filipino martial arts is the use of weapons from the very beginning of training. Modern Arnis is no exception. The primary weapon is the rattan stick, called a cane or baston (baton), which varies in size, but is usually about 28 inches (71cm) in length. Both single and double stick techniques are taught, with an emphasis on the former; unarmed defenses against the stick and against bladed weapons (which the stick is sometimes taken to represent) are also part of the curriculum.

It is said that, originally, the cane was considered sacred by practitioners, and therefore an arnis practitioner was expected to hit his cane at the hand or forearm of his sparring partner and not at the latter's cane. This also had the advantage of being the preferred method in actual combat, referred to as "defanging the snake", that is, making the opponent drop his weapon so that he is less of a threat. However, it discouraged many would-be practitioners who found this training too painful and injury-inducing. The result was that the Filipino martial arts were in danger of dying out; in many areas of the Philippines, Japanese martial arts such as Karate and Judo were much more popular than the indigenous systems. Remy Presas' modernization of the training method was intended to help preserve the Filipino martial arts. He taught the method of hitting cane-on-cane during practice, which attracted more newcomers to the art and also allowed the art to be taught in the Philippines' school system. Defanging the snake remains a principle of Modern Arnis, however, and in practical application, one would typically strike the hand or arm. The technique is also used empty-handed, where it is known as a 'limb destruction'.