Urban Escrima Newsletter October 2012

Here is the new Urban Escrima Newsletter. If you want a higher resolution version please email us, enjoy!

Urban Escrima Merchandise!

We now have a range of merchandise in stock. If you would like to purchase any of the below, please let us know.

Interview with an Urban Escrima Student - Nacho

The latest instalment of our ‘Interview With a Student’ series, comes from the long time Urban Escrima student, Nacho. Over to you Nacho.

Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

My name is Nacho, I am 31 year old and I work as a chef in The Gallery Cafe, a vegetarian cafe in Bethnal Green . I love basketball and I am trying to learn as much as possible about bike mechanics in case I get tired of cooking. Me and my girlfriend help a friend who works in the charity Dog Trust fostering dogs which are going be put to sleep or have been mistreated.

How long have you been vegan?

I think I have been vegan for about 8 years, I don’t know exactly because before that I was vegetarian but I would hardly eat any dairy or eggs, just occasionally, one day I just decided to stop consuming animal products completely but don’t remember when that day was. Sport wise I think it has been good for me and I have proved my personal doctor, my parents, coaches and friends that a plant based diet works, and if works for me can work for anybody else.

How long have you been doing Escrima Concepts and have you had any other martial arts experience?

I have been doing Ecrima for a bit over one year. I didn’t have much experience in other martial arts apart from a bit of taekwondo when I was a kid.

Why did you choose Escrima as opposed to other martial arts?

Because a friend was running his own club and I was invited to check it out, after 2 or 3 weeks it started making sense to me and I got hooked so I can say I am glad that I was invited.

What do you most enjoy about training at Urban Escrima?

I like everything really, especially the atmosphere and how the instructors run the class. If i had to choose something I would say when we train unarmed , when we learn to defend ourselves without sticks or just with “weapons” like keys, mobile phones…I think this is really practical as we carry those things in daily basis but I understand as well how important is to train with sticks or other weapons because learning to use them will give us the knowledge to know how other people will use them and therefore defending ourselves against them will be more effective.

How has Escrima benefited you?

It has given me confidence and taught me some common sense tactics in case I suffer an attack or an assault. Before I started Escrima I don’t think I could have survived an attack from a stab for example, now I think that despite of being likely to get hurt I think I have chances to save my life.

What does off-line mean?

It is one of the most important concepts in Escrima and means to move out of the line of the attack to avoid it, rather than meet the attack or match it with power it is important to move to one of the sides of that line. For example with a stab the last thing we should do is to try to stop it without moving, grabbing the aggressor hands or the knife (I guess that everybody knows this) or something like that is very dangerous and it is likely to end very bad. I would like to say that is not just moving for the sake of it but it is important to end in a good position, facing the aggressor or training partner and in a good range distance. I hope to be right….

Thank you so much for the interview Nacho, see you in the gym soon!

Interview with an Urban Escrima Student - Amy

Welcome to the first of our monthly interviews with students at Urban Escrima. Rather than the instructors always talking we thought we would turn the tables and see what the students have to say, here goes.

Please introduce yourself, who are you and what do you do?
Hi, my name is Amy from Germany. I am a musician and I sing for a hardcore punk band called Pettybone and I am also a vegan pastry chef and ceramicist:)

How long have you been training in Escrima Concepts? And what if any martial arts have you done before or still do?

I have been training in Escrima for roughly 10 months or so and I am now 2^nd grade. Previously I trained in Wu Shu Kwan (Chinese Kickboxing) for 3 years achieving brown belt.

What first attracted you to Escrima Concepts as opposed to other martial arts?

I was attracted to Escrima as it teaches you self defense in real life situations, where you become familiar with using armed and unarmed concepts that help you become more streetwise and confident.

What things do you most enjoy training at Urban Escrima?

I enjoy working with sticks and learning disarm techniques as well as practicing unarmed scenarios.

How has Escrima Concepts benefited you?

It has made me become more streetwise, more confident and also more fitter as it involves quit a lot of movement.

If someone goes to attack you what is the first thing you should try to do?

Try to avoid the attack and do a runner 

Thank you Amy for the interview see you in the gym! 

London Olympics 2012

Urban Escrima would like to give a warm welcome to visitors of the London 2012 Olympic Games.  Team GB is excelling in all the support its getting. Everyone seems to be lifted by witnessing so many amazing performances.  London is alive with excitement, energy and anticipation of more great displays.

Those of you inspired to to get fit or learn something new are welcome to come along to Urban Escrima classes for some energetic, fun training sessions.  We are just a short journey from the Olympic Park. See the Contact Us page for details.

For more information about the London Games check the following link:

www.london2012.com

Urban Escrima on Sky TV!

Chrissy B Show - Learn To Defend Yourself from UCKG TV Production on Vimeo.

Urban Escrima will be featured on Sky TV's channel 219, 'The Chrissy B Show' on Wednesday 20th June 9.30pm-10.30pm, where we explain and demonstrate scenario based self defence. 

Thanks to Barbara Be and Adam for the opportunity to show the effectiveness of Escrima Concepts, also thank you to Amy and Nacho for helping out and to London Fields Fitness Studio for letting us use their space :)

Seni 2012

Escrima Open Championships will be held again at the Seni Show at the London Excel on 2nd June 2012.



Please check out www.senishow.com for full details of the whole Expo.


Here are a few of the treats in store: Karate, Taekwondo, Fencing, Chi Sau, Amateur MMA, BJJ, NO GI, Judo, Capoeira Campeonato, Kurash, Wu Shu, Freestyle Wrestling, Escrima, BTC Team Championships.