IMAF, Inc. INSTRUCTOR TEACHES AT DILLMAN-ALI CAMP by Robert Speed Nestled among the rolling hills of eastern Pennsylvania, the Butterfly and Bee Bed and Breakfast offers all the amenities of a mountain retreat. The bed and breakfast is a collection of cabins on a forested hillside off Route 61 near Deer Lake, Pennsylvania. There are exquisite views, abundant wildlife, near-by mountain streams and the peaceful atmosphere of rural mountain living. On the other hand, the Butterfly and Bee has a martial tradition dating from its inception some thirty years ago. Muhammad Ali built the facility to function as his private training camp, as evidenced by the onsite gymnasium complete with weight room. In 1997 Grandmaster George Dillman, noted pressure point expert and former Ali training partner, purchased and restored the facility in partnership with his wife, Kim, a noted martial artist in her own right. Four times a year the Dillmans host a training camp focusing on Grandmaster Dillman's style of Ryukyu-Kempo. Attendance at the camp is multi-national, including participants from all over the United States, Canada and Europe. Grandmaster Dillman graciously invited Guro David Ng, owner of Triangle Kung Fu Arnis Academy and member of the Board of Directors of the International Modern Arnis Federation, Inc., to be a guest instructor at the camp held Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, 2002. Guro Ng is a long-time student of the late Grandmaster Remy Presas, who founded the art of Modern Arnis and the International Modern Arnis Federation. Other guest instructors included noted Ryukyu-Kempo instructors in order of appearance Steve Stewart, Gordon Travers, Sarah Daley, Dr. Ed Lake, Will Higginbotham, Mark Kline and David Rhodes. Guro Ng gave two presentations, one Saturday morning and one Sunday morning. On Saturday the presentation emphasized the striking styles of Modern Arnis: banda y banda, up and down, figure eight, rompida, and abanico. Guro Ng explained that each striking style could be a separate system within itself with numerous techniques springing from a single simple motion, or the styles could be used in combination to create an endless array of techniques. Each style was demonstrated first with a single stick and the students were then given a chance to practice with the sticks. Following the introduction of the styles, Guro Ng taught empty-hand applications of the various striking styles alone and in combination. Each application emphasized rapid multiple strike techniques, striking first the pressure points on the attacking limb and ending with strikes to pressure points in areas of the body intended to disable the attacker. Finally, Guro Ng tied the striking style concepts to the motions indigenous to the kata of Ryukyu-Kempo. Feedback from the students was favorable. Many were impressed with the speed, the power and the simplicity of the Modern Arnis system. Most felt they had received material they could take home and incorporate into the system they were currently training. Presentations on pressure point applications from Ryukyu-Kempo kata by Will Higginbotham, Steve Stewart, Mark Kline, Ed Lake and Grandmaster Dillman were equally well received. Grandmaster Dillman, always a pioneer in the martial arts, introduced the concept of using sound to enhance the effect of technique on an opponent. Saturday night the Dillmans hosted a dinner fit for royalty. The menu included meats and vegetables prepared in the Pennsylvania Dutch style. Following the meal, a live band composed of martial artists, a band equally talented musically and adept at bouncing, entertained the group well into the night. There was dancing, relaxed social interaction, much merry making, and a celebration by the Canadian contingent when Kim Dillman announced the victory of Toronto over the Carolina Hurricanes. Sunday, Guro Ng made the first presentation of the morning. The double stick styles of single and double Sinawali were introduced. Students once again learned the concepts with the weapons in hand and again the weapon concepts were extended to empty-hand applications. Leg sweeps, the mobility throw and an arm lock counter to the cartwheel throw were added to the multiple pressure point strikes to demonstrate the range of technique from Modern Arnis. Guro Ng's demonstration of Monkey footwork to deal with a taller opponent was particularly well received. Will Higginbotham finished the morning with an excellent presentation on treating headaches using acupressure. Grandmaster Dillman and the Ryukyu-Kempo instructor closed the camp with a question and answer session. Guro David Ng, all of the students of Triangle Kung Fu Arnis Academy, and the International Modern Arnis Federation would like to send a heart-felt thank you to Grandmasters George and Kim Dillman for their hospitality and for providing the opportunity to share the legacy left by Grandmaster Remy Presas to the students of Modern Arnis worldwide.

Photos from Dillman Seminar

For further seminar information

Contact:

Guro David Ng

919.790.0455

david@kungfuarnis.com