Disciplines

The traditional combat art of the Philippines. This art combines stick, blade and empty hand fighting. This art is a blue collar art taught by hardworking men who made their living with callused hands. It is a no nonsense fighting art that combined the cutlass and sabre fencing of Spain, the indigenous arts of the Filipino natives, and the skills brought to the Philippines from other occupying nations such as the United States and Japan. This art is at its core an art of freedom of spirit in the face of oppression. Arnis de Cadena comes from three main sources, mati arnis, from Guro Ross Doramal and Guro Norm Stackhouse, Balintawak Cuentada Escrima from Master Bill Thurston and Grand Master Bobby Toboada and Ilustrisimo Kali from Guro Sonny Padilla and Master Norman Suanico, Canada’s link to great Grand Master Antonio “tatang” Ilustrisimo.  I honour all of these great teachers and will give them respect all of my days.  

Reality Based Combat Survival

This is a simplified brutal system of fighting based on natural human movement and aggression patterns. Much of this art comes from arnis but the philosophy and much of the science behind this has been tempered by my friend and mentor Ed Wong and the Urban Survival Systems. For the person who wants a trimmed down high octane system of fighting this is the discipline for you. 

Little Pirates children’s fencing program: 

For the young kids this is a fun way to burn off energy and learn skills that are transferable to many different sports. This class is fast paced and very interactive. There are lots of games to play, laughs to be had and lessons to learn. This program can also be a starting point for children to learn arnis when they are older. 

Ravenwood Corps of Rangers:

The ranger is an ancient warrior archetype; a protector of people and a care taker of nature.  The ideals of the ranger are self reliance, fortitude and integrity.  By learning the ways of the ranger youth can develop the confidence needed to live these important ideals.  In this program it is our goal to not only give your children the ability to defend themselves but to also develop their awareness of the world around them and their place in it.  To do this we will teach life skills, wilderness survival, self defense and physical fitness.  The Rangers will develop a much more in-depth knowledge of arnis, basic survival skills and learn lessons about personal growth and self development.  

Renegade Muay Thai: 

Ravenwood Combat Arts muay thai program comes directly from Master Songlith Singthong's traditional muay thai training.  This brutal and effective system is great for both fitness and self defence.  When combined with the deadly skills of Filipino Mano Mano, Buno and Panantukan, this art becomes one of the most efficient fighting systems you will find any where. 

Private training:

Private lessons are available to those interested. This type of training speeds up the learning process and allows an individual to concentrate on the aspects of fighting that they want to learn. 

Your Instructor: 

Guro Joel is a full instructor in Mati Arnis.  A basic instructor high level one in Balintawak Cuentada Escrima.  An associate instructor in Ed Wong's Urban Survival Systems.  He has also trained in Ilustrisimo Kali, Ikatan Kali and is a certified coach or kru in muay thai under Master Songlith Singthong. 

Guro Joel gives respect to the following teachers.  Guro Ross Doramal, and Guro Norm Stackhouse (Mati Arnis).  Master Bill Thurston and Grand Master Bobby Toboada (Balintawak).  Master Norman Suanico and Guro Sonny Padilla (Ilustrisimo Kali).  Ed Wong (Urban Survival Systems).  Guro Louie Lindo (Ikatan Kali).  Master Songlith Singthong (Muay Thai). 

Guro Joel also would like to thank Master Barry Northey for starting his martial journey.  He plans on furthering his training in Ilustrisimo Kali, Urban Survival Systems and Balintawak Cuentada Escrima.....and whatever else comes along the way.