‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ and it is time to get creative. Ever since I was kid I have always been creative with my training. I have always set time for personal solo training and have a ton of different training methods from a variety of martial arts.

For all of you that are going through BJJ withdrawals, here is a quick fix. I took all of my gis (tops and pants), 4 on the inside, and folded them together so that they are firm. I then put them in a zip up sweat top (I was going to use a hoodie). I then rolled up 2 sets of 2 towels (2 arms) and stuffed them into the sweatshirt arms. I then zipped up the sweatshirt to bundle it all together. Then I stuffed it all in a Gi and tied it with my belt. I then got a foam Roller and put in the neck of the sweatshirt. Lastly, I taped the arms shut and the foam roller in place. BAM! There ya go, 15 minutes later I have a home training dummy.

Dedicated to the Hard Working and Creative Individual.

Using the ‘escala’ to direct the precision of your attack angles is important. Having a visual cue allows you to really focus on how and where you are striking (stick, blade, empty hand). A simple concept, but one I think needs addressing.

Adding to our basic striking methods, there are countless numbering systems and stroking patterns. The key is creating patterns that work for you, that deal with the realities of combat and work to maximize your body mechanics.

Primary to the Filipino Martial Arts are the defenses and deflection to a multitude of attacks. Defense has 4 primary parts: Zoning (angling away from or cutting away the power of the strike), the Deflection (block or redirect incoming attack), the Checking Hand (the alive hand which aides in the deflection to reduce power, controls, grips or wraps the incoming stick and/or hand/arm delivering the strike…) and always the Follow Up Counterattack.

One of the goals of Carenza is to flow and fluidly connect all of your movements together. You want to visualize incoming attacks and move with focus and purpose to develop effective movements.

Be creative and have fun! Carenza is your own expression of movement. Your personality, your feelings and thoughts coming out in your movement. Do not be over critical, do not seek a set pattern, but rather simply enjoy moving.

As we will have more time to train on our own I want to share some of my thoughts on one of my favorite solo training methods – Carenza. Carenza is my primary morning exercise and one I will use throughout the day. Though you are using techniques and movements that are definitely combative, my goal with it is therapeutic. It is a great way to loosen and build mobility in you shoulders, elbows, wrists, spine, hips and lower body.

Today, I will break down some of the basic movements used with a single stick. The goal is to be flowing and fluid. – Figure 8, X, Redondo, Abinico, Florette, and Jab. Have fun and stay tuned.