Ni Tien Martial Arts

Concept

The teaching of Ni Tien Martial Arts Schools is mostly based on the Filipino Martial Art of Kali Majapahit and different Healing and Energy Arts like Hilot, Qi Gong, Panlohob na Lakas, Taiji Quan, etc... Ni Tien schools also have several influences such as Kali Sikaran, Inayan Eskrima, Muay Thai, Pencak Silat, Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, Silat Kuntao, and Hakka styles of Kung Fu.
History
The Ni Tien Martial Arts Schools were born from Guro Fred Evrard’s experience in Martial Arts, Traditional Health systems, osteopathy and personal development. He has studied and practiced different styles of Martial Arts for over 30 years, including: Aikido, Ba Gua Zhang, Iaido, Iaijutsu, Inayan Eskrima, Judo, Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Kali Sikaran, Karate, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, Pencak Silat, Tae Kwon Do, and Taiji Quan (Chen style).
Guro Fred Evrard also studied several schools of Asian and Western philosophy (Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Christian mystic and Hebraic Kabala).
Finally, in the field of natural healing, Fred has studied with different masters of Chinese Medicine (especially Tui Na and acupuncture), Filipino Hilot, Thai massage, Osteopathy, psychotherapy, and dietetic (“Chinese”, “blood type”, “acid/alkaline”).
In Chinese Hakka dialect, the name Ni Tien means “two skies”, in referral to the 2 concepts used in our schools (Martial Arts and Health), therefore, “Ni Tien school” English translation is School of the Two Skies
Ni Tien Martial Arts Schools’ mission is to educate people; to teach the students how important it is to stay healthy, fully living their life with passion. We use Martial Arts as a tool of education for children and adults, to teach them how to improve each and every aspects of their life. Whether it is with Filipino sticks, with a Japanese sword or with our bare hands, the Martial Art is just a tool serving a higher purpose.
Our teaching is a concept of Martial Arts, traditional healing systems and personal growth, to develop full Human Potential.
The first Ni Tien school opened in 1998 in Moorea, and a second one in Tahiti. Ni Tien Martial Arts is now expanding in Asia, with one school in Singapore and one more in the Philippines... the motherland of Kali!
Guro Fred calls the Kali system taught in his Ni Tien schools: Kali Majapahit. It is a synthesis of several Filipino Martial Arts, and some other fighting arts from the ancient Majapahit area in Southeast Asia.
The Martial Arts styles that have influenced the Kali Majapahit curriculum are:
* Kali Sikaran (Punong Guro Jeff Espinous)
* Inayan Eskrima (Suro Mike Inay)
* Panantukan (Lucaylucay style)
* Kali / JKD
* Muay Thai
* Seni Silat Titipinang
* Pencak Silat Tapac Suci
* Silat Kuntao
* Kuntao (Hakka styles)
Guro Fred doesn’t look at his Kali Majapahit as another style of Kali, but rather as a “system”; a way of organizing and teaching the Filipino Martial Arts.
The training concepts of Kali Majapahit are multiple but simple. They are based on several sub systems:
* Stick fighting is one of the characteristics of the Filipino martial arts. The training is carried out with one stick (Solo Baston), two sticks (Sinawali), one stick and one knife (Espada y Daga), and at an advanced stage with life blades such as Barong, Kris and Kampilan (Filipino swords). Stick training is important in the development of empty hand skills and has a positive impact in balancing the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. Any development in stick training leads to an immediate improvement in the empty hand aspects of Kali. Stick training improves the practitioner’s coordination and flow skills.
* Daga is the Filipino knife fighting system. Knife defence is a known specialty of Kali and Eskrima. Filipino knife fighting techniques have influenced police and military knife defense strategies all over the world.
* Kadena de Mano is the close quarter fighting system of Kali. Using hands, elbows, head butt, knees, simultaneous striking and blocking, striking combinations and reactive drills, Kadena De Mano is a realistic method of self-defense. Flowing and fluidity is a very important aspect of Kadena.
* Panantukan is the Filipino Boxing but also includes techniques and strategies taken from Western & Thai Boxing. Zoning, foot sweeps, foot trapping, pushing, pulling, and grabbing make Panantukan a special and effective form of boxing. The use of elbows, gunting, and trapping are also common characteristics of Panantukan.
* Sikaran / Pananjakman are the kicking styles of Filipino martial arts. Sikaran completes the Panantukan system with additional kneeing and kicking techniques, especially high kicks, which don’t exist in other Filipino systems. Pananjakman focuses on low line “dirty” kicks.
* Dumog is the Filipino grappling system. It includes wrestling, throwing, take down, limb trapping, immobilization, and submission.
* Largo Mano was originally a sword (Kampilan) system. For training, the Kalista uses a 1 metre long stick. The Largo Mano strategy is unique within the Filipino Martial Arts; most styles prefer the short to medium distance, while the use of the Kampilan offers the possibility to touch the opponent without entering the danger zone.
* Sibat / Bangkow is the spear, lance, and long staff system of the Philippines. It completes Largo Mano in the long range of fighting.
* Hilot is a word from the Tagalog dialect meaning “massage therapy” or “Healer”; it is the ancient Filipino art of natural healing which employs massage, acupressure, Chiropractic / Osteopathic manipulation, bone setting, energy, and dietetic for the diagnosis and treatment of physical or emotional health problems.
In Kali Majapahit, these concepts are woven together into a complete and very effective system. Any improvement in one aspect of the Art will accelerate progression in the others.

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