In this video, I demonstrate the dance of pain, showcasing another area of Modern Arnis. As alluded to in this previous post, Modern Arnis is more than stick fighting. We cover stick fighting, empty hands against a cane, joint locks, takedowns, ground controls, trapping hands, knife self-defence, forms, Espada y Daga, tapi tapi, and self-defence.

If you are not able to view this video, click here.

Regarding joint locks, Professor Presas was influenced by Prof Wally Jay’s Small Circle Jiu-Jitsu.

Those two had a long-lasting close friendship, and Professor Jay’s influence on Professor Presas is readily apparent when you compare Professor’s instructional videos of the early to mid-1980s to those produced in the late 1990s and see the refinement of his locks over those years.  I remember being uke for Professor Presas at a Detroit seminar where he put me into an incredibly painful standing center lock.  Talk about dancing on my toes in response!

Speaking for myself, my joint locking has gone through a similar path. I learned joint locks during my years in Vee Jitsu. While I had the basics of it, the quality of my locks was identical to those of Professor Presas in this 1980s video series. I attribute the low quality of my locks to the fact that I was in university and law school during my formative years in Vee Jitsu. I did get a taste of what joint locks truly felt like during my 1989 visit with Professor Vee.

Once I moved to Columbus, Ohio, and started studying Modern Arnis under Master Dan McConnell, my joint locks gradually improved. I also received additional guidance from Professor Presas, Master Chuck Gauss, and Master Ken Smith. I tell you, the best way to learn joint locks is to be on the receiving end. That means you will experience pain unlike anything else! With some practice, you’ll progress to the Dance of Pain!

And that’s how I got to the level of proficiency demonstrated in the above video. It takes time, but you’ll get there!

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