𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 (𝗙𝗠𝗔) 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗡𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂

“𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗙𝗠𝗔 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗲—𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁?”

The short answer: 𝘆𝗲𝘀, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻.

But you need to start the 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆.

Here’s practical, experience-based advice for beginners who don’t have access to a local school yet.

𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀.

FMA is built on 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀

• Proper grip

• Basic angles of attack

• Footwork and balance

• Distance and timing

You don’t need a gym or a partner to begin learning these. In fact, rushing into advanced drills without solid basics is one of the biggest beginner mistakes.

 One stick, a small space, and consistent practice is enough to start.

𝟮. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗼—𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

Solo training works if it’s organized, not random.

Focus on:

• Shadow striking (clean, controlled angles)

• Footwork drills (forward, backward, lateral movement)

• Coordination drills (hand–eye timing)

Even 15–20 minutes a day builds muscle memory if you’re consistent.

𝟯. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 online content is equal.

Look for:

• Clear explanations, not just fast demos

• Emphasis on safety and control

• Instructors who explain why, not just how

Avoid copying flashy moves without understanding the fundamentals behind them.

𝟰. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

You don’t need a full arsenal.

Begin with:

• One rattan stick or training stick

• Comfortable clothes

• A safe practice area

That’s it. More gear won’t make you better—better practice will.

𝟱. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱.

Beginners often rush:

• Too fast

• Too hard

• Too soon

Slow, correct movement builds real skill. Speed comes naturally later.

𝟲. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗠𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

Even if you train alone:

• Follow reputable instructors

• Watch seminars and breakdowns

• Join online groups or discussions

FMA is a living art. Staying connected helps you stay grounded and motivated.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

You don’t need perfect conditions to begin Filipino Martial Arts.

You need 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀.

Start simple. Train smart.

When the opportunity to train with an instructor comes, you’ll be 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼.

If you want guidance in your FMA Journey, we have training materials available for download.

Message Kalahi FMA Gear to get a copy.