Kuntao Class

Page 2 - Additional Information

          Each Filipino Kuntao class usually begins by some of the traditional leg strengthening exercises which are very important in the development of what makes this style of Kuntao very powerful. Those lower body exercises are very valuable to this style of Kuntao. Hand strengthening and gripping exercises are also a part of the routine in every Kuntao class and is required for homework as well if a student wants his techniques to be noticeably flawless as time goes on. And as expected, everyone goes to loosening up the joints, then into some different stretching exercises to loosen and relax different muscles.

To explain the leg strengthening a little better...is a very important area of exercise that is expressed throughout the whole class one way or another so proper performance, for balance and perfection in technique. Not to mention this also leaves the Kuntao student prepared for all alternative techniques when and if the initial technique applied were to fail!  After the warm-ups, most of the time the practice of ground rolling exercises are done with the use of evasive and fighting tactics to go along with it. This is so you understand how ground rolling is used in an actual fight when it is needed most. Every single technique learned in Kun Tao has a number of spontaneous reaction drills and training methods that are done throughout each class. That is so every Kuntao student acquires a good understanding of off-balancing an opponent or opponents as well as pin-pointing specific superficial nerve targets on the attacker(s) while still in motion. The proper training methods have to be understood down to the smallest details, so every Kuntao student develops the reflexes to respond with what they learning if by chance an actually self defense situation should ever occur. And as mentioned before, what a student does for homework shows in class time.

An idea how rank is accomplished in Kuntao class

Please note this first:

Before you read how rank and progression is acquired you should understand what is in this paragraph! Kuntao in the Philippines does not have a belt ranking system. You will notice that there is a belt ranking system in Kuntao at the Practical Self Defense Training Center. This method of ranking was added in by the late Grand Master Joe Rossi back around 1957 in his Rossi Kun Tao System, his personal system of Kuntao. He added a belt ranking system to give his students a tangible feeling of progression. Grand Master Joe Rossi, at one time in Connecticut, was the only martial art instructor who had Filipino martial arts. Everyone else was doing some style of Karate, Aikido or Judo or Jiu Jitsu around this area back in those days. Those styles, of course, all rank by the use of the belt system. So Mr. Rossi decided to add a belt ranking system to his Kuntao style to show people where they stand in skill level and of course, that tradition still holds today at the Practical Self Defense Training Center in Waterbury CT. Also, please realize even though it has a belt ranking system that seems to be part of other cultures along with how they rank students, the PSDTC Kuntao style and all the techniques taught in Kuntao has its roots in the Philippines and has NOTHING to do with Japanese styles or any other culture outside the the Philippines. This is a true ancient warrior system with no pieces missing and no needed additives! Now that this particular point is brought up, please read the explanation below:

         For White through Purple belts there is a lot to memorize in so far as technique practice and positioning along with an assortment of drilling methods to perfect precision movements. Some of the first techniques learned is all the Kuntao footwork drills and usage. This then leads to the learning the entries off the strike defenses and defenses for grabs, holds that are especially common in street fighting to understand the leverage aspect of this Kuntao style. Every Kuntao student notices right away that in-fighting is where this style is very effective. This is where a full understanding of joint manipulation to off balancing and takedowns, right into a controlled situation that can be taken to any extreme is which are all worked on in every class. Although this is not easy to do, empty hand against weapons is constantly practiced in drill form and isolation fighting from long range, right into clench range in different semi-drill formats for good neuro-muscular response for this potentially dangerous situation. 

          The development in the skill of proper breathing when giving a commitment to exertion or when taking a strike is also learned at those levels. And along with everything else; it is constantly expressed so it is well understood if practiced with consistency. Utilizing fear to think more clearly, bringing out the natural survival instincts everyone has within them already while training is just another area to add to  that extra edge in combat that this style offers. Survival instincts can be brought out naturally with the proper thought behind the execution of the technique that is learned in our step by step process right from the beginning. All Kuntao students recognize that mind, body and breath coordination gets noticeably better especially around Purple Belt level and strengthens as time goes on well into your Black Belt level.
 

           An advantage in the ranks of Purple Belt and up, skills in the understanding of alternative directions to go with all techniques learned with random flow. Many drilling methods are done to develop these elements of this martial art. All students notice a big change in their instincts for self preservation  Even though each student gains a certain level of potential self defense  pretty much right away, Purple Belt level is where everyone can really understand how to use Kuntao very well a high level of skill in the spontaneous reaction in the use of the techniques that are taught in the earlier ranks. By the time a student reaches the Purple Belt level and up, this Kuntao System does actually become a part of the practitioner as a way of life in all aspects. Not only a prominent degree of confidence in ones personal survival  but also in strength and all around health as well. This is a true ancient warrior system where the translation of the style is not watered down...every piece of this style of Kuntao is well balanced and fits together and flows perfectly.