News & Events

Located in the beautiful seaside town of Santa Cruz, California, the 4th Annual Inayan Gathering once again brought a terrific group of Inayan students, friend and fresh faces together to share the Filipino Martial Arts. This year's instructor line up included old friends and favorites as well as a few new faces. With that said, here is a brief overview of what is now one of the premier Filipino Martial Arts events in Northern California and the US.

Here are some highlights of this year's Camp.

This year's event started with Guro Michael Butz from Phoenix, Arizona, who was assisted by his student Will Beech. Guro Butz came out demonstrating the effectiveness of the Kada Anan Eskrima system he teaches against very heavy and powerful strikes. This was definitely an eye opener for many students in execution and application. Guro Butz then lead the class in various follow up counters to negate these counters. Guro Butz made sure to give students an understanding of the similarities and differences in the methods of blocking used in various styles.

Guro Larry Lindenman of Chicago, Illinois. Assisted by Guro Steve Kohn of Los Angeles, California. Guro Lidenman and Kohn covered angling and footwork regarding the knife and limb engagement during an angling encounter. Guro Lindenman then built on this concept dealing with the changing of angles of attack and blocks as we counter for counter techniques. Several knife drills were introduced that gave our participants an easy to follow template to retain these concepts.

Members were treated By Guro Bill Francis who shared the similarities and differences found within Inayan Dequerdas and Inayan Serrada. Guro Francis focused on the way techniques are grouped in the same way and how the difference between a blunt and edged weapon can change is essentially the same technique. Guro Francis touched on the historical aspects for these differences giving the students a more in depth knowledge of the how and why we do techniques.

Punong Guro Jeff Espinous, who was assisted by Guro Linda Brooks, introduced an incredible Panantukan (Boxing) set focused on slipping a punch and moving into multiple anlges for counters from these positions. Guro Espinous demonstrated each of the techniques individually and focused on their follow ups. Jeff then gave the students a template to not only retain the material but continue their own growth in this particular area.

Sensei Raul Fabela taught American Kenpo self-defense techniques. Sensei Fabela moved from technique to technique with an incredible flow emphasizing an opponent's reaction to being struck and follow up sequences. From here he delivered the closest anatomical weapons and their variations. Everyone enjoyed the options that Sensei Fabela pointed out when following up a defensive counter.

Punong Guro Espinous also covered a variety of closed arm or guard standing defenses against punching techniques. These defenses covered not only defense but incredible array of elbow counters that left everyone with a better understanding of how elbow strikes can be delivered. These elbow techniques went from defending to a buzz saw of attacking elbows that had everyone having a good time chasing each other around.

Pangulong Guro Ward presented Inayan Kadena De Mano, specifically introducing the concept of isolating the right or left arm for self-defense. Techniques were specifically designed for the use of only one arm and how they flow from defense to offense to putting the attacker down.

Guro Lindenman focused his next class on proper position including his now famous "Nose Over Toes" position and again emphasized how to achieve power and speed both with stick and empty hand through proper positioning and use of legs, hips and shoulders. This led us to Guro Lindenman's concept of Half Beat hitting a unique a very helpful striking concept that kept the students talking about the rest of the camp.

As always, our last Day was one of incredible instruction and reflection of our martial arts journey. Though the rain caught us off guard, everyone still came with great enthusiasm. Training in the Santa Cruz Hills, is always special and each instructor offered an incredible class to top off a great 2009 event!

On this last day, we broke into two groups to give everyone a more personal learning experience with each instructor.

Guro Butz introduced several self-defense methods from not only Filipino Martial Arts but also Chinese Martial Arts. These included rapid-fire combinations into locking and immobilizing techniques that seemed to open up new doors to everyone.

At the same time, Guro Lindenman introduced the combative striking sequences with one and two sticks and how to maximize the power within these striking angles. Guro Lindenman also emphasized the importance of training the left hand as much as the right.

Guro introduced several drills to develop this skill set to its full potential.

The last set of seminars were taught by Punong Guro Espinous and Sensei Fabela.

Guro Espinous began with single stick and blade twirling and how these techniques lead or crash into a confrontation. Jeff's focus was how the techniques challenge an opponent to understanding the point and angle of entry. From here, Guro Espinous gave everyone a variety of follow ups from multiples strikes to disarms to locks techniques involving the weapon.

At the same time, Sensei Fabela was again sharing the art of Kenpo with our enthusiastic group. Sensei Fabela explained the dynamics of what happens to the opponents body during each technique and thereby why the next technique in a sequence is so valuable. This lead to a great discussion of various counters and techniques that manipulate the attackers body, so as to deliver effective defensive techniques.

We wound up the day with a wonderful lunch; from here we shared stories from this years camp as well as the past. For many of us it was a yearly chance to catch up with old friends and training partners, that often time and distance do not allow us to see on regular basis. This years event truly put set a higher standard. As the premier Inayan Event in the world, we will continue to offer the best in instruction and organization possible.

Special Thanks once again to our incredible instruction team who give 100% of themselves when sharing their knowledge at this Inayan event. And of course a very Special Thank You to the Francis family, Guro Bill, Jennifer, Brayan, Jake and Bill's lovely parents who do such an incredible job, from Bill's great classes to the entire Sunday events success from facility preparation, to the incredible food. All of us thank you for your dedication and generosity.

And lastly to you the dedicated students, friends and participants who's hard work and commitment to learning make this event to special and worth while.we look forward to seeing you all at next Years Inayan Camp and Celebration. The 2010 event already promises to be an Extraordinary Event.Details will follow shortly but plan on joining us now!!!!