Ribat Martial Arts is the first of its kind in Morocco. We are dedicated to introducing and teaching Filipino Martial Arts to anyone interested in learning them. Classes are kept small, on a private or semi-private basis, therefore encouraging more focus and attention from everyone.
The Filipino Martial Arts
Filipino Martial Arts (FMAs) is an umbrella term for the many martial systems originating in the Philippines. These arts are also known by the names of Kali, Escrima, and Arnis, depending on their lineage and origin in the Filipino archipelago.
There is no official date for when the FMAs first appeared, but one thing is sure, today’s FMAs are a mix of Filipino indigenous martial arts and later methods developed by Filipino practitioners to fend off invaders and pirates. The FMAs are ever-evolving, and are still widely practiced and taught to the military and police forces in the Philippines and elsewhere.
Pekiti Tirsia Kali (PTK or Pekiti) is one Filipino martial art that made its way to the United States in the 1970’s. It was Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr who introduced his family’s system to his students in the US and developed it into what it looks like nowadays. PTK continues to grow and be refined every day, under the guidance of the many teachers who are dedicated to carrying it on.
It is considered to be a complete system, focused on positioning the body to efficiently manipulate and neutralize opponents.
Pekiti Tirsia Kali is, first and foremost, a “Body Method” used to produce and manage power for offense, counter-offense, and defense as well as manage distance and movement. Then, a myriad of tactics are scaffolded onto this “Body Method” - all adhering to specific and defining strategies. - Mataas Na Guro Wes Tasker
The instructor
My name is Ilyas Hamdi, I started learning the South East Asian Martial Arts in 2004 and quickly grew fond of their beauty and efficiency.
Since I started my journey, I have trained in several styles of Filipino and Indonesian Martial Arts, as well as Chinese Wing Chun Kung Fu, until I was introduced to Pekiti Tirsia Kali (PTK) in early 2013.
In 2014, I had to chance to meet my teacher Mataas Na Guro Wes Tasker, renowned martial artist and scholar, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and founder of the Somerville Martial Arts Institute. Mataas Na Guro Wes Tasker has a vast knowledge of the martial arts and has studied and taught FMAs, Japanese Martial Arts, and Traditional Chinese Martial Arts for many years, and has reached high ranks in all of them.
I was lucky to be admitted as one of his PTK students back then, and have been learning from him ever since.
Mataas Na Guro Wes Tasker lately authorized me to start teaching the art to others. I consider myself a perpetual student of Martial Arts and will be as long as I can still practice. I would love to help you learn them as well.
Learning at RMA
Learning the martial arts is acquiring new knowledge and skill. It is therefore necessary to invest hard work and discipline in order to reap the benefits.
At Ribat Martial Arts we like to keep an open mind and a humble heart while training. As long as you do the work and have the right mindset, rest assured that training the Filipino Martial Arts will help you improve your health and build a unique set of skills, regardless of your age.
Contact
Let us get in touch!