School Curriculum
Program Curriculum





Our program combines Filipino Martial Arts (Doce Pares Eskrima) and Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do with other fighting arts such as submission grappling, boxing and Muay Thai kickboxing in an effort to give the student a well rounded set of fighting skills. While we adhere to traditional values, we mantain an open and free flowing environment encouraging our students to explore what works for them in order to broaden their learning experience.

Our school has earned a reputation for high quality and safe instruction and for developing quality, competitive fighters. Students who have chosen to compete have won numerous regional and international titles, including the WEKAF womens middleweight world championship in full contact stick fighting (held in the Philippines) in 1994 and the WEKAF mens light heavyweight national championship held in Feburary 1998.


Course Description

Students will be introduced to elements of multiple martial arts. The course will stress physical conditioning, increased flexibility as well as committment to realistic, effective and safe training methods.

    Doce Pares Eskrima - The Doce Pares system of Eskrima is composed of six styles, or subdisciplines. These subdisciplines are synergystic in nature in that weapons drills provide the foundation for empty hand trapping and striking skills which allow you to enter through the opponents defenses.

    Some of the senior Doce Pares instructors with Grand Master "Diony" Canete and Master "Dong" Cuesta. Guro Edwards is at the extreme right.

    Areas covered include: single Olisi, double olisi, Espada y daga (stick & Knife), largo (long range) mano, corto (close) range, mano mano/dumog (empty hand/grappling).
      Our curriculum is extensive and well structured. You will learn
    • fundemental and advanced footwork drills
    • elements of generating power from both long range and close range
    • olisi handling and flow drills from both long and close ranges
    • ability to effectively and realistically flow utilizing stick and knife
    • elements of Eskrido (locking and throwing utilizing single or double olisi or Espada Y daga
    • elements of dumog and layog (takedowns and fighting from the ground)
    • empty hand defense including boxing, kicking and locks.

    Our program includes stick fighting in each range utilizing full gear and reduced gear for advanced students. We also include submision stick grappling as an element of our stick fighting training.



    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

    We offer classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with BJJ Black Belt Fernando Sarmento as our BJJ instructor. Fernando began his training in 1987 in Salvador BA. Brazil. In 1990, he moved to Rio where he trained in many Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Judo schools. In 1997, Fernando came to the United States and taught at the Machado academy under the tutelage of Rigan Machado. He was awarded his Black Belt from Nilton Ferreira in Brazil, whom he spent most of his time training under.

    Fernando is both a Brazilian State and National Champion, National College Champion and a 3 time State Champion.
    Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do - The individual is more important than any established system. Our instructors will assist the student in understanding which methods best fits his/her physical abilities. Skills taught are basic boxing, kickboxing skills, Jun Fan trapping and grappling skills.

    The program is broken down into 3 phases, each of which will provide the skills necessary to advance safely to the next.

    Some of the senior students and instructors at IMAF with Sifu/Guro Edwards (second from the left)

    • Phase 1 - The student is introduced to correct methods of movement, punching and kicking skills . Physical contact will be on training equipment such as boxing focus mits, Muay Thai striking pads, speed bags and heavy bags. The student will concentrate on defensive skills such as evading and slipping as well as counter attacks. No boxing or kickboxing full contact sparring is allowed in Phase 1. The student will also be introduced to basic trapping and energy drills inaddition to BJJ grappling techniques.
    • Phase 2 - Once the student has proven capable of properly executing the defensive skills learned in Phase 1 they can advance to Phase 2. In this phase the student will be allowed safe contact in both boxing and kick boxing wearing fully protective equipment. Contact is light as the emphasis is on polishing the basic skills. Advanced trapping and grappling skills are taught in this phase, as well as how to incorporate these skills in sparring.
    • Phase 3 - After the student becomes comfortable with limited contact, they will be allowed to increase the level of contact with appropriate safety equipment. Further development of trapping skills, and their incorporation in actual fighting are emphasised in this phase.





The program is conducted with safety first in mind. We have developed a warm and friendly environment perfect for men, women and children alike. While we embrance the martial arts values and philosophies, our classes are taught in a more relaxed free-flowing manner in an effort to have the student explore the material and develop what works for them.

Of the many benefits that you will derive from our school is an exceptional conditioning program. All classes are preceded by a vigorous warm-up and workout designed to minimize the potential for injury and to greatly enhance your strength and cardiovascular condition. As you attend classes on a regular schedule you will notice your conditioning will improve as will your self confidence...you will feel better about your-self!