# The Dance of Pain!

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2012/04/04/blog-the-dance-of-pain/
- Published: 2012-04-04T19:10:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

In this video, I demonstrate the dance of pain, showcasing another area of Modern
Arnis. As alluded to in this previous post, [Modern Arnis](https://brianejohns.com/2011/11/23/blog-the-study-of-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](https://youtu.be/CWTrsy6VfJ4).

### Regarding joint locks, Professor Presas was influenced by 󠀁[Prof Wally Jay’s Small Circle Jiu-Jitsu](https://brianejohns.com/2010/06/18/blog-professor-wally-jay/)󠁿.

Those two had a long-lasting close friendship, and [Professor Jay’s influence on Professor Presas](https://brianejohns.com/2024/06/18/triple-threat-martial-arts-seminar-in-london-ontario/)
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](https://brianejohns.com/2015/03/11/blog-10-tips-to-avoid-killing-your-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](https://brianejohns.com//2015/09/28/blog-simplicity/).

Once I moved to Columbus, Ohio, and started studying Modern Arnis under [Master Dan McConnell](https://www.teamhmac.com/),
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!

## Additional Reading

 * [Friday Recommendation #16](https://brianejohns.com/2023/08/18/friday-recommendation-16/)
 * [Book Review: “Martial Power” by Steven J. Pearlman](https://brianejohns.com/2008/05/28/blog-book-review-martial-power-by-steven-j-pearlman/)
 * [Professor Wally Jay](https://brianejohns.com/2010/06/18/blog-professor-wally-jay/)
 * [The Study of Modern Arnis](https://brianejohns.com/2011/11/23/blog-the-study-of-modern-arnis/)
 * [A Moment in Time- Avoiding Violence](https://brianejohns.com/2014/12/04/blog-a-moment-in-time-avoiding-violence/)

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