'Kali' is a term popularised by the martial arts instructor Dan Inosanto that encompasses all of the elements of the Filipino martial arts. The filipino martial arts systems are battlefield-tested and famed for their direct and effective techniques. Kali has stood the test of time and evolved into a powerful martial system that develops mental as well as physical skills. 
There are many areas of Kali to study and as a modern art it serves the student well as a street defence style.
It was the practice and preservation of filipino warrior arts that have kept the Philippine archipelago from permanent domination by a foreign power. There are several hundred styles of these warrior arts presently being preserved and taught throughout the Philippines.
The filipino warrior arts can be classified by three distinct territorial styles -- Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali -- that are found in the northern, central and southern Philippines, respectively.
A common feature of all these arts is their use of geometry. In strikes/defenses and movement, lines and angles are very important. Kali philosophy is based on triangles and the highest triangle is based on Love, Compassion and Humility. The independent use of the hands, or hands and feet, to do two different things at the same time, is a high-level skill sought after a fair amount of experience.
Filipino martial arts allow the use of the elbow and knee, as well as low kicking and punching in close-range fighting. Head butting is allowed, along with grappling techniques carried out from either a standing position or from the ground and including strips, takedowns, and throws. Other moves include chokeholds and various locks on the hands, elbows, shoulders, ankles, and knees.
The filipino martial art system taught by Guro Dan Inosanto and referred to as 'Kali-Silat' or 'Inosanto-Blend Kali' covers all ranges and stages of combat; the student usually starting with weaponry before progressing to empty hand techniques as well as specialised sections as follows:
- Flow / energy drills such as Hubud and Kunsi (locks and manipulations)
- Dumog (grappling and moving the body)
- Pananjackman or Sikaren(Filipino low-level kicking)
- Panantukan (Filipino boxing)
Martial Art Concepts' Filipino Martial Arts Program
Our Kali program at Martial Art Concepts contains a major element of knife defence within it. This requires a high level of empty hand skill and technique due to the close range of combat. Chief Instructor at Martial Art Concepts Paul Kelly has trained for many years with Sifu Rick Young and Guro Dan Inosanto.
We only teach the Kali syllabus to adults; this is a effective and devastating martial art and needs to be approached with a responsible attitude before we accept a student into the class. As a highly evolved art, Kali will suit people who want to think and study the strategic levels as well as the physical in their martial art.
Training in Kali at Martial Art Concepts in the UK
- Partner work for energy and tool development.
- Footwork - Kali is based on triangles and circles for movement.
- Energy drills to help you blend with the flow of your opponent's energy.
- Single stick, double stick, stick and dagger plus knife defence.
- Empty-hand skills for devastating strikes, locks and takedowns.
- Action against multiple attacks, unarmed and armed defence for practical application.
- Ground fighting - Dumog - with locks and strikes.
