20 Arm Dummy Training

In the early 80’s, Calasanz was in search of a training device that would help get a group of students ready for tournament fighting within a very short period of time.  What emerged was the 20 Arm Dummy.  Calasanz got the idea from his training in the art of Wing Chun. Wing Chun master, Yip Man, created the traditional wooden dummy or mook jong as a training tool for practitioners. A staple in any Wing Chun class, the wooden dummy is basically a post with protruding “arms” and “legs” so you can simulate fighting a real opponent. 

The main difference between the 20 Arm Wooden Dummy and the traditional mook jong is that you train to fight in four directions on five opponents.  The 20 Arm Wooden Dummy frames consist of four corner posts plus a traditional dummy that is mounted to the floor. In addition to including the traditional wooden dummy, the four corner posts have several “arms” and “legs” attached to each post so you can attack or defend.  This allows you to fight at different angles, heights and directions and work on adjusting distance.

The 20 Arm Wooden Dummy is a great training aid not just for Wing Chun students, but any martial artist who wants to practice different combinations of punches, strikes and kicks. It also develops blocking skills, close quarter fighting techniques and builds up your arms and legs as you absorb the shock of striking the various parts of the dummy.  Calasanz has also designed a 20 Arm Wooden Dummy form that promotes cardiovascular fitness by requiring you to execute these techniques while moving from one post to another.

Calasanz Personal Training

Published in: on August 18, 2010 at 1:07 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Respecting the Roots of Traditional Martial Arts

Youtuber Comment:

I have been an instructor for 26 years, my family has a long history in the martial arts. My highest rank is in Goju and Kung fu. My katas have been getting high reviews. In our motto we believe the answers are on the floor. I done many katas and there are different variations. So you can see the idea of what they look like. Now I have heard that Calasanz beat the hell out of Morio Higaonna, that’s what someone is telling me.

Response:

Thanks for your comment.  Calasanz respects the roots of Goju Ryu and credits it as well as other styles as the foundational arts for his System.  References to Goju Ryu or any other style are historical in nature.  Calasanz has created a name by giving constructive lessons to those who damage the martial arts. All of these lessons were done using non-violent diversionary techniques. Here you’re seeing a small piece of Calasanz training regime and martial art expertise.  He has spent his entire lifetime striving to be a well balanced martial artist. In addition to the traditional martial arts, he has also incorporated aerobics and dance into his training.  While some martial artists would shy away from this type of training, Calasanz sees the benefits of rounding out a rugged training regime with disciplines that focus on balance, grace and fluidity.  There are a variety of videos on this site showing the different sides of his training so just viewing one or two of them doesn’t really give you a sense of the wide range of his training. His success lies in his ability to incorporate these various disciplines into a complex system that seems simple at first glance. Thanks again and best of luck to you

Calasanz Martial Arts and Fitness Training images and videos!

Published in: on June 28, 2010 at 3:34 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Calasanz Monday Night Fight School

Interested in MMA????  Short on cash and time but want to get in a good workout?  Drop-in on our Monday Night Fight School!  Learn the basics of mixed martial arts fighting at Calasanz Physical Arts, Monday nights, from 6-8PM.  Different instructors who will guide you in building a well-rounded martial arts background present new topics each week.  Start with a great conditioning workout and then go on to learn striking fundamentals like punching, kicking, blocking, footwork, and the use of elbows and knees. Classes progress to submission techniques from judo, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu under a qualified instructor’s supervision.  No pre-registration, no contracts, and no traditional training. Just mixed martial arts at the drop-in rate of $15.00 per class! You pick the nights you want to train! No previous experience is necessary! If you have experience, this is a great way to keep your skills sharp!

Published in: on June 7, 2010 at 4:16 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Developing self-control as a martial artist

Developing self-control for a martial artist is essential for many reasons.  First, Calasanz trained many fighters who competed in point and semi-contact tournaments.  If you have no self-control, you will get disqualified and the fight goes to your opponent.  Secondly, a martial artist who lacks self-control in a fight will be judged harshly in a court of law for using “excessive force.” You have to know when to stop and when enough is enough.  Lastly, over the years, Calasanz has had a number of people stop by the school to “challenge” either Calasanz or one of his students.  His philosophy is to teach the intruder a lesson without beating the daylights out of him…just enough to get his point across. Calasanz demonstrates amazing self-control and is not just doing it for the purpose of “showing off.” All Calasanz students have faith in his technique and the fact that he’s never hit anyone by accident when demonstrating. An experienced martial artist without self-control however is a scary thing.  

Calasanz Personal Training images and videos!

Published in: on May 31, 2010 at 9:58 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Train Like A Competitor Without Competing

It takes a special person to be a competitor – Less then 1% of 1% of the population has the ability.  But the good news is that the rest of the world can train like these competitors, without the brutality and gain all the benefits that come along with it.

Train Like a Fighter Without Fighting

Published in: on May 11, 2010 at 1:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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My Side of the Story: Martial Arts Mistakes, Breaking Failures, and Bloopers

One of my students found this video on You Tube – The “expert” that is narrating in the video is Michael Kinney – He must have been a competitor or a spectator, filmed or gotten a hold of the demonstration video, and decided to go on cable access in Florida and use my performance as an example of bad martial arts. In his TV, as well as his You Tube comments he lied, about me and the results of the demonstration. Here’s the video, his You Tube comments, and my response.

Michael Kinney’s You Tube Comments:

the reason I included the clip of the guy in red pants was because of the simplicity, redundancy, and his never ending array of breaks. I think that one good break, would have been just as effective. His judgement was impaired. His routine was scored in last place of 21 competitors for these reasons.
Thanks again. Check out my channel on youtube: michaelkinney
MK

My Response:

The purpose of Calasanz Super Break was to demonstrate stamina, which is crucial in martial arts, especially for fighters. The other purpose was to entertain audiences who enjoyed the martial arts. The materials (bats, bricks, boards) for Calasanz Super Break were all purchased that morning and there was no tampering with any of these materials. The judges were told that Calasanz had tampered with the materials, which was a blatant lie. The judges were also shown materials that had been tampered with that did not belong to Calasanz. There was plenty of debris all over the place that day and the situation was easily manipulated. Calasanz won 3rd place, which turned into a big controversy that night, due to the sabotage that took place. When the winner was announced, Calasanz, his 33 students who came to assist him and many members of the audience were stunned with the results, some becoming very angry and aggressive. Calasanz did a lot of damage control that day to avoid a fiasco and graciously accepted 3rd place. While Kinney may view Calasanz Super Break as “redundant” and “simplistic” there are still people coming through Calasanz doors that enjoyed Super Break and considered that experience enough to train with him, to enroll their children in his school and to recommend him to friends and family.

Published in: on December 18, 2009 at 10:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Defeating a Real Fighter

Never in a life time I can forget when Kevin came to study with me. With 260 pounds of muscle, he was a crazy, natural fighter, I was 145 pounds. He was a college football athlete. I trained him. In 3 months he fought a fighter who at that time was supposed to be the next Dennis Alexio. Kevin was in the Marine Corps and he knew how to survive. He begged me to let him into the ring. I did…and he embarrassed the upcoming fighter.

Published in: on March 16, 2009 at 10:48 am  Leave a Comment  
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