Progressive Martial Arts Level Requirements
a.weapons
b.empty hand
c.exercises

Fundamentals:

Philosophy of Progressive Martial Arts
Definition of Martial Arts
Definition of Self-defense
STABLES Concept
The Seven Ranges
The Spheres of Combative Arts
The Law
Basic Self-defense, Street smarts, and Safety
The Seven Ds of Defense
Evasion Exercises
The Progressive Affirmation

Level 1:

Read excerpts from Martial Arts America and articles by Bob Orlando and Marc MacYoung
Understand the Five Stages of Crime and the Pyramid of Personal Safety

a.
9 angles
body strikes
parries, and counters
Group 1 (lifting and clearing)

b.
stances and footwork
upper body weapons
lower body weapons
parries, destruction, and interception

c.
stick countering
stepping drills
block drill
full power striking and blocking
kicking drill
punching/ducking circuit
sprinting

Level 2:

Read at least three martial arts articles and Skill with People by Les Giblin

a.
6 count single/double stick
butting techniques
double stick
Group 2 (lifting and clearing with head movement)

b.
awareness of all weapons used in CQC
awareness of vital areas
contact flow
energy sensitivity
grab/release mechanics

c.
elbow/knee exercise
rolls and falls
open hand drill
double stick exercises (sinawali #1 and #2)
6 count double with partner (sinawali #3)
parry punch drill (hubod #1)

Level 3:

Read Martial Arts America by Bob Orlando
Understand Repercussions of Knife Use

a.
knife
zero pressure
semi-hitting
6 count double long arc
4 count
Group 3 (prep for body flexibility)
Group 4 (prep for speed and reflexes)
Group 5 (defense against punches)
stick flow

b.
use of combinations
groundfighting and grappling
target flow

c.
bag combination
tire combination
zero pressure exercise
counter to Level 1 block drill
spar and grapple
6 count single stick close range
6 count double long arc with partner
4 count with a partner (sinawali #4)

Level 4:

Be able to teach Level 1 - 3
Attend a local martial arts seminar

a.
understand characteristics of weapons
specify weapon of choice aside from stick and knife
disarms

b.
understand adrenal stress response
experience an attack simulation
contact flow with more than one attacker

c.
parry elbow drill (hubod #2)
long range counterattack exercise
train with weapon of choice
double stick countering

Level 5:

Be able to teach Levels 1-4
Attend another martial arts seminar and/or tournament

a.
12 Semi-advanced techniques
double stick multiple countering
Beyond Groups
- sparring/grappling with weapon
- application to disarms
familiarized with special weapon

b.
contact flow with at least 3 attackers

c.
LaCoste stepping drill
advanced sinawali (sinawali #5)
application for Semi-advanced techniques followed by combination of 6 strikes

Level 6: Completion of the Art

Be able to teach Levels 1-5
Must bring someone from Level 4 to Level 6

a.
create original sinawali
create original exercise for special weapon

b.
fully understand Randomness and Chaotic motion
must experience two or more attack simulations
create own attack simulation

c.
create any exercise

Basic Instructor - certified to teach Levels 1-6

Teach for one year consistently
Test and pass a Level 6 student to become a Basic Instructor

Level 7: Full Instructor

Produce own teaching method and effectively execute it
and/or
Create your own school

How to work the Levels:
After you learn the basic self-defense moves and are able to define for me the fundamental principles, ask me to test you and once you pass you become Level 1. You will learn Level 1's requirements. Once you become proficient at this level, ask me to test you again. When you pass, you will then be at Level 2. You will learn Level 2's requirements. This will continue on up until Level 6. At Level 6 you have to train someone from Level 4 to Level 6 as well as fulfill the requirements. Once I pass you, you will then be a Basic Instructor certified to teach Levels 1-6. The Basic Instructor will work on becoming Level 7, Full Instructor, by bringing someone up to be a Basic Instructor. This is not like a typical ranking system of traditional martial arts schools. These training levels are only guidelines and tools to measure your progress. Most of the exercises were arbitrarily placed in the order it is in and can be moved around at a later time if there is a need for it. Certain moves and exercises were placed earlier because it is easier to execute (ie punches), but then again there are others that are conceptual that I had to put it near the beginning so it can be consistently practiced (ie contact flow). I believe it is best to practice conceptual exercises earlier to help you realize more of what you can do and what you may need to work on. I will do my best to see what each person's individual needs are but also let me know what you need to work on, so I will be able to better help you. You will soon find that not everyone will look the same. Keep in mind what Bruce Lee said: "Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful. Reject what is useless. Add what is specifically your own."

You may spar empty hand at Level 2. You may spar with weapons at Level 3.

Etiquette

We are learning the martial arts together, so please be courteous to other students. There should be an atmosphere of mutual respect while we practice. Play is encouraged because I believe that play heightens the learning process, but horseplay, teasing, pranks and anything negative will not be tolerated. We are learning something that can inflict physical harm which means each participant has the responsibility to control him/herself. Through the martial arts, you will learn how to refine your physical control, but at the same time you have to practice behavioral control. I intend for your training to be fun and I want everyone to have a good time while learning and no one to get hurt, both physically and emotionally.

Bowing - Before and after class we will bow to each other to show respect. The bow is Asian influenced from the training I received in the past and it will be the only traditional activity we will practice. While standing, bend forward 45 degrees at the hips and, on coming back up, both hands are in front of the chest, the right hand is in a fist and the left hand palm rests on top of the right knuckles. Bowing with a weapon depends on the type of weapon. For the stick, although the hand positioning is the same, the extension of the stick goes up the left arm resting on the left shoulder.

Class mini-rules:
1) Practice safety.
2) If you accidentally hurt someone, say sorry.
3) If you are hurt by someone, accept their apology and move on.
4) Bring band-aids.
5) There is no such thing as "can't."
6) Be friends at the end of the day.
7) Have fun!

Clothing and Jewelry

Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Athletic pants are preferable, but shorts and jeans are allowed. Wear athletic shoes that are not for everyday street use along with socks.

For your safety and the safety of others, jewelry should not be worn during practice .

Equipment

You may buy sticks from me if you want. You will have to buy protective gear and other weapons at your preferred store.
When doing contact flow and attack exercises, guys are required to wear groin cups and ladies wear breast guards. The same goes for grappling. Eye protection is suggested for contact flow, but is optional.
When sparring, a whole set of gear needs to be worn including helmet, mouth guard, hand pads, chest protector, groin protection, and foot pads. Face cage/plate and shin guards are optional.
The only time you are allowed to spar with real sticks is if you wear the required equipment - head cage, shoulder pads, chest protector, elbow pads, hand guards, and cup/breast guard.

You can buy your equipment at The Martial Arts Supermarket.

Cleanliness

Since our martial arts practice involves other people, it is necessary to come to class clean, having bathed within the past 24 hours and/or using deodorant and having washed your hands. Fingernails should be trimmed and kept clean, and, although you are wearing shoes, even toenails need to be trimmed.

Fundamental Information

Definition of Martial Arts
The scientific analysis and practice of self-defense with an ethical system that promotes personal and social well-being.

The Progressive Affirmation
To be recited at the end of each class before bowing out:

I will develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or my physical health.

I will develop discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.

I will use what I learn constructively and defensively, to help myself and my fellow man, and never to be abusive and offensive.

Learning Phases
Learning martial arts usually fall under this sequence:
Observation of technique
Imitation of technique
    - these two occur almost simultaneously
Application of technique
Random application
    - these two cycle with each practice and in order to understand next level
Principle behind the technique - basic, practical function of movement. The principle has always been there from the very beginning, but at this point the learner should be able to understand it.
Learning other styles - optional but highly suggested, done over a lifetime and helpful in understanding next phase
Principle of movement - observe common similarities between styles.
Feeling the movement - should occur throughout all levels of learning, but becomes natural for the practitioner at this point
Continuous progressive and random resistance practice - very important, the "secret" of mastering the martial arts

STABLES
Sensitivity
Timing
Awareness
Balance
Looseness
Economy of Movement
Synergy

The Seven Ds of Defense
Depart - can be done at any point
Defuse - use people skills if there is no avenue for escape
Distract - to give yourself the opportunity to escape, can be done at any point
(These last four happen in quick succession)
Detain the hand if there is a weapon
Disarm immediately if there is a weapon
Disable the attacker in any way to give yourself the opportunity to escape once again
Destroy - This is the "fight" if the "flight" is not available