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Although we offer techniques from around the world, our approach to training is clearly from the
"Filipino" school of thought: high repetitions of skills already learned to
enhance your ability to use these skills. Training includes physical fitness, punching and kicking
drills (usually to a bag, mit, or focus pad), forms, techniques practiced on a partner, weapons training,
and sparring. While many schools are satisfied with their students
merely “studying” a martial art, at Typhoon we require the student to ascend to a higher level - to
be able to execute their technique against a resisting, unwilling opponent!
Physical Fitness
Technique alone does not ensure success in a self-defense situation. At Typhoon, one of our highest goals is that you will be stronger, faster and more durable than your opponent. Knowing self-defense technique does one little good without the physical strength to inflict damage. Being fit gives you endurance, makes your body resistant to your opponent’s attack, and gives you confidence in knowing that you cannot be easily dominated. At each level of your training, we set strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness goals for you. As you learn more advanced technique, you should be increasing your physical strength as well. From the first day of training to your first year anniversary, you should double your strength. For example, if you can barely do 10 pushups on your first day of training, on your one-year anniversary your should be able to easily do 20. Depending on your age, size and strength on your first day of class, we anticipate that you should be able to perform 100 pushups on the day you receive your Black Belt. For adults, the Black Belt will only be awarded to those who can perform 100 pushups and successfully fight 10 opponents, back- to-back, without rest. For children, we have similar goals (depending on age) including a six-board breaking set. Flexibility is also an important attribute of the martial arts fighter. Those who are limber may easily execute movements without straining or losing balance. This comfort level also means that one will be able to move more efficiently, quicker and stronger. By flexibility, we are referring to more than the legs. The muscles in the back should be limber to allow faster twisting movements, and to allow the fighter to maintain an upright position when kicking and punching. A limber body will allow you to attack your opponent from a farther distance, which is advantageous to shorter fighters. Finally, being fit allows the martial artist to feel confident and indomitable. When you are energetic and strong, your mind is alert and you feel less threatened when in the face of adversity. As the saying goes for the barehanded fighter of the Philippine martial arts, “While your technique may not be superior to your opponent, you should be able to overpower him with your strength. And when you cannot overpower him, your body should be able to withstand whatever punishment he may try to inflict. Either way, know that your opponent cannot hurt you.” Learning New Technique
How quickly you learn a new technique is not important. What is more important is that you develop what you have learned into useful tools for combat. Many students of martial arts (and some teachers) feel that learning a variety of techniques is sufficient. However, collecting techniques is the same as collecting a fleet of cars without regards to whether you know how to drive. As you learn new material at Typhoon, you should try to “get your 500”. This phrase refers to a saying in the Philippine martial arts, that a new technique learned must be performed 500 times at full speed and power before the fighter will be able to effectively use it in a combat situation. Unless your techniques have been performed many times and become second nature, your self-defense becomes like a new dance step that you haven’t practiced. Sure, you can recall the technique with some thought, but when an opponent attacks you, there is no time for thought! For a technique to be executed efficiently, it should strike without thought, or strike “by itself”. To illustrate, think of a ball player who is in a suit, at work. When a friend surprises him by throwing a ball of paper at him, he catches the paper without thought. How the ball was thrown is not important; nor is what was thrown! The martial artist is the same way. He should be able to react using his skills within a fraction of a second without having time to consider any details of his situation. As a student of Typhoon School, you will learn more perhaps than the average student of any other martial arts school. However, one should be patient and perfect all of the skills taught. By doing so, and not rushing, the martial arts fighter will achieve the skill level of his dreams. Rank Promotions
Promotion for Typhoon Kuntaw students is similar to that of most martial arts schools. We follow the same belt scheme as many styles except Typhoon students earn the first belt. The Belt levels are as follows:
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