I have previously written about some of the drills in the below video that I practice on the Mook Jong in the basement.

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Those drills are designed to develop the check hand for stick practice, thereby increasing its agility and dexterity. In this way, the check hand becomes a powerful weapon in its own right.

I’ve been experimenting with Filipino Martial Arts on the Mook Jong recently. Specifically, I have been focusing on Modern Arnis Anyo Isa Empty Hand Form One.

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To my delight, the entire form, with modifications, can be performed on the Mook Jong.

Admittedly, it will need a bit of tweaking. But still, this adds another dimension to my Modern Arnis solo training regimen. I’m down in the basement working on my skills when I’m not teaching a class or private lessons or watching videos.

Masters of Tapi Tapi Ken Smith and Chuck Gauss have often remarked on how much Modern Arnis players overlook the Modern Arnis anyos. I recall Master Ken saying at the Annual Ottawa Modern Arnis Camp in April of this year:

“I learned more about karate from Professor Presas, the founder of Modern Arnis, than anybody else.”

This is reflected in the Professor’s empty hand anyos. I remember him telling us, at the 1999 Michigan camp, how important it was to learn the anyos. There is much information in the anyos, and there isn’t a wasted move in the forms.

Datu Kelly Worden has also produced some excellent DVDS on his anyos. I have reviewed them. These DVDs provide quite a bit of Datu Kelly’s insight into the functionality of the anyos. You might glean some ideas from his DVDs if you ponder how to use the anyos on a Mook Jong.

I aim to play with all of the Modern Arnis empty-hand anyos on the Mook Jong as a means of self-exploration and see what kind of insights I can glean.

If you practice Filipino Martial Arts, have you experimented or played with a Mook Jong? Let’s hear about your experiences!

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