Kali: Developmental Scarf Training & The Traditional Filipino Scarf Dance
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Many people are aware of the beautiful scarf dance that originates from the Filipino culture. It is part of the greater cultural exchange that has been shared with the entire world. Graceful, articulate movements done in flow and rhythm. Scarves were also used to show emotion. Scarves move and sway to express such things as anger, control of emotion, disgust and self-sufficiency. Other times the scarves help to tell a story or in times of secrecy to impart a message to those who "understand". Some dances were at one time more war like and used weapons. Upon Spanish domination those dances were kept alive by doing them with scarves which worked to hide the true actions. Thusly turning them into "harmless folk dances" to the eye's of their oppressors. The valuable knowledge was there, hidden in plain sight. In the art of Kali the scarf is called by some "panu". Many of you know that I have done a fair body of work in times past about the venerable Panu in my "Fighting Bandana" DVD set. Scarf dances can be performed with either a single scarf or with two scarves (one in each hand). Keep this in mind as we go forward, you will probably be experimenting with both versions soon. Scarf training is a sincere pursuit. Only the sincere will see benefit.
This article only refers to scarf dancing so as to make you the reader aware of this tradition of employing scarves in the many ways of the Filipino peoples. The dance itself is a basis for the things I shall be sharing with you in little later on. And this might seem to be somewhat nit-picky but the type of scarf is also another factor to consider. You know what I refer to, some scarves are from types of cloth that are of a heavier fabric, while other types of scarves are of a much finer, wispier fabric. Some people prefer real silk for it's amazing qualities and magical connections. The heavier, smaller versions of scarves are good for self defense and hard usage. The longer, lighter, floaty scarves are best for the purposes of personal development and training of the attributes. Such light scarves are inexpensive, it's easy to put one in your kit for less than ten bucks! You may end up buying 3 or more scarves over a period in time. This process is to find the "right one" for yourself. You'll know the right one because when you feel it, you'll feel it! OK, let's get ready to do some scarf training! (Nothing too much mind you, just a few things to get you going in the right direction.
Then you can take it from there!)
One of the very first times I encountered the scarf in training was via a method to keep and control distance with an adversary in close quarters. We were working the thrusting triangle together and teacher made us clench a kerchief in our teeth. So looking eye to eye and connected by our improvised dental tether we went at it. It worked as planned and provided a base for many things which a budding knife man values as his skill grows. The footwork improves quickly as does a fierce level of concentration. The arms too learn how to move correctly, striking and checking in time as both people weave their limbs about the kerchief that divides the right and left sides of their bodies. If you accidentally pull the kerchief free then stay a little closer, go slower till you get it. If the kerchief goes slack, then you are way too close. Back off some and slightly tighten the kerchief until it's taut. Keep it at that level of subtle tension, now circle around one another, pay attention and go at it again. It's the real deal and when done with an expert you can learn a lot. Since the scarf will be in your mouth, use a clean one eh?
Another kind of training with a scarf is to use it to replace the stick, sword or knife. IE: If you do any of the stick arts such as Escrima, Kali or Arnis then this is for you. Using the lighter, longer scarf you simply begin doing those things that you already know. There are many, many exercises that can be done with a scarf. Of course I suggest that you initially pursue some solo training. Just you and the scarf. Then onward to two man training. With partner work the game changes somewhat and a slow flow is gracefully discovered, allow it to happen. Timing is refined, muscles are toned.
So many are now asking "is that it then"? Well, yes and no my friends... I give you the bump to get you rolling. You take the inertia I provide and run with it and just keep going and going until you are satisfied. That is a big, big part of this equation. Learning to teach yourself, learning to keep conceptualizing that which is yours.
Therein lies power on this particular path -
But I suppose I should flesh out my little "bump" of an article and offer you some scarf training idea's in a more straight forward manner. So let us consider the Seguida's that are taught in some schools as part of the introduction phase of the art. These small, easy to learn sets all have a common core. Each seguida teaches us a different element of the art and train's us on how to move, control the weapon and vary the strikes we have learned. We thus do our basics in combination form. The Seguida (if you know them) are a good place to try out some scarf training. Just go easy and remain fluid eh? (and do not hold your damn breath!) Just relax and breath smoothly.
Perhaps another avenue to approach scarf training on is simply making patterns of motion. You know, circles, redondo's, abaniko's and figure eights both up and down. Whatever version of numbering system your system employs, then do that. The doce pares - the cinco teros etc.. just do them and see for yourself how incredibly hard you work when scarf training is the greater goal. Try making a downward figure eight with your scarf (angle one and angle two). Start with big actions at first, slowly begin to tighten your movements. If done right there really will be a perfect figure eight
(or infinity sign) that appears before you! If you can make this trick occur, then how long can you maintain it? The upward figure eight is a doozy. If you can pull that one off on the first try then by golly you are some kind of badass no doubt! (just joking) - but is is kind of hard to do.
(Warning: Do not overdo this stuff. It can make for some very sore muscles very quickly. Use common sense at all times).
Use a mirror to better see the horizontal figure eight appear when you are doing this training. You really have to apply yourself! Whew, talk about a workout and then some! You begin to see why this makes muscles of steel if done correctly over a period of time. The cardio is good on this too! And if a class full of people are doing this kind of scarf training it looks really cool as well. Great material for demo teams and group events. Such beauty as seen in scarf training can be very deceptive in so many aspects especially to the untrained eye. This is why we within the arts appreciate it and keep it alive. It is one of the "secret paths" from the past that knife men have used to become better. It produces the results we need in order to stay alive on the path of steel. It is a twice a week training thing. Maybe 15 minutes per session. Do some scarf training indeed, but do not become too intense about it. Play around with it for a year, do it now and then, you'll see results. If you teach, then have the class try it out - just for fun anyway!
Lastly let me also point out that similar results as those produced by the scarf can also be obtained by training with large feathers. Some masters from the past employed feathers as a phase of the overall training they offered. Anyone who has ever visited my studio has seen the feathers about and knows I value their effects. Peacock or pheasant feathers work well. The same teachings as the scarf apply to the feather. I think training with feathers is even more graceful than the flowing lines of the scarf in some ways
Ok, now it's in your hands. I have given you some simple and easy methods to try out. They are meant to further enhance your abilities. All of the methods I have outlined are also inexpensive. It's all about producing good things rapidly through unique and little thought of mediums. Thank you for reading Scarf Training! Let's see what you can do!
http://www.featherstore.com/Pheasant-Tails-feathers-s/1841.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZTYyH0YvBY
