Leverage Fitness and Defense

09/09/2022

We had a small class today with my middle/high schoolers and sometimes little classes can be uniquely fun and innovative!

We stayed inside to avoid the evil mosquitoes which usually means we focus on empty hand or blade, due to limited space.
My daughter pulled out some bongo drums 🪘🪘that I purposely bought for Kali about 5 years ago and, of course, promptly never used.

The rhythm in Kali has so many correlations to music and dance. I think it is really interesting that in our little group today had varying levels of comfort with music and dance, but everyone was comfortable with Sumbrada.

It is the same, but different

It was really fun for everyone to explore the beat of the drums as it relates to our movements!

08/07/2022

I had such a fun and inspiring day at GM Bobby’s Balintawak Seminar!

It has been too long since I have had the opportunity to train and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!

Thank you GM Bobby for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you and setting up such a nice event!

Congratulations to everyone who tested!! You all rocked it!!

06/17/2022

I started watching the show Naomi, an origin superhero show on HBO. (Never heard of it before, I’m probably SUPER out of touch as I just recently watched Dune and John Wick)

I really love that when shows want to show cool/bada # # martial arts they use Kali. In this scene the mentor is telling Naomi that from her planet, women are warriors 🥰

Let’s hope that on this Earth we can be our own hero’s as well!

05/01/2022

Happy Birthday Tuhon Apolo! And Happy 3rd Anniversary to Filipino Kali Academy- HQ!

A little warm up with Tuhon Apolo yesterday (shortly after the ponytail went up, which of course means training has begun🤣)

It was a lovely day training with some really great people!

🎥 Mike Moris

Thank you Mike for getting some video of us training, I never remember to get it myself!

03/25/2022

Sometimes it just feels good to move…

I accidentally missed a zoom class by Tuhon Apolo where they worked on freeflow, it inspired me though…as flowing usually does.

12/28/2021

I really enjoy watching everyone’s Karenza’s that are posted individually and through The Global Karenza Project. So many thanks to Tuhon Jack Latorre, for giving exposure to so many people. Enabling us learn and collaborate with each other!

I learn so much about body mechanics and the way the blade can move through space…with purpose. (After all the reason for karenza is to move with purpose) Which then gives me questions and inspiration.

I always want to know the “why” behind the movement. One of the flow’s that I have been interested in is (now Tuhon…congratulations!)

The pandemic has been negative in so many ways, but it has also made it easier to access people and be able to ask questions in person “aka: zoom”
It was a blast to train via zoom and learn the why behind his movements. I have a lot of practicing and play to do now “ to figure out how this can work seamlessly with my body movements.

I always like sharing my new insights and ask questions of Tuhon . Which then adds to new insights and exploration.

In Design School, we all had our studios together which fostered a community of shared knowledge, inspiration, collaboration and drive.

I have hope that our online FMA community can be the same!

Thank you so much Tuhon it was so much fun!

12/10/2021

After finishing my classes for the evening, what arrived?

A beautiful piece of artwork from Mila Belle

Have you ever seen anyone on Facebook that you have never met, yet you feel like you would be good friends?
I am so happy to support my FMA/artist sister! I look forward to meeting you in real life someday!

“Agave Returns” will now have a home with me in Virginia!
🤔now to find the perfect place to hang it!

12/06/2021

It just occurred to me while talking to some friends who are not on Facebook, that I haven’t shared that I was recently interviewed on FMA Discussion!

It is now on YouTube so everyone can watch!

A big thank you to Dean Franco and Brian Rodriguez for having me! It was a really great experience (even though my internet connection was having issues 🙁)

FMA has become a huge part of my life in the few years since I have discovered it! It is something that will be with me forever⚔️🔪🇵🇭😍

11/30/2021

Hey Everyone!

I was interviewed on FMA Discussion the other day by Dean Franco and Brian Rodriguez

It was a lot of fun! Thank you for having me!

Check it out!

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/480537639528757Gret episode with G**o Katie sharing her journey as well her Karenza project . Great de...

11/02/2021

I have always been intrigued by juxtaposition

jux·ta·po·si·tion
noun
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

In college it was Organic/Industrial that captured my interest. Most of my designs would touch on that contrast to some degree.

Now…
Probably, because the way I look and the things I am interested in do not commonly go together.
But really why can’t I be a mom of 2 girls, dress in fancy clothes AND have a sword at the same time.

I am a walking juxtaposition, I’m going to embrace that!

📸
⚔️ Brian Rodriguez