r/Eskrima

I've heard this from other FMA practitioners, the FMA is often more appreciated by those who have had experience in other martial arts.

I'm not sure how true that is, but I have experience in other systems - like boxing and some aikido - before I got to FMA. The other people I know from other FMA systems have spent years in TKD, Karate, Judo before ending up in FMA.

Any thoughs on this?

I actually already posted this thread in the kickboxing section, but I'd really like to know what you escrima practitioners think. Sorry for the AI ​​editing, but I'm not a native English speaker... thanks everyone.

A while ago, the martial arts world went through a major wake-up call: many traditional martial arts turned out to be far less effective in real fighting than people believed, while combat sports proved their value clearly.

Now, I’m wondering if we’re heading toward another cultural shock – this time about what combat sports do to the human body over the long term (and sometimes also in the short term).

Right now, the only real public conversation about long-term damage is around boxing and CTE. That’s mostly because we have a large statistical sample and high-profile cases. But the reality is that every combat sport comes with a serious physical price.

• Striking arts: cumulative head trauma, hand deformities, knee and hip wear, chronic pain.
• Grappling arts: ask anyone who trained for 10+ years. Neck issues (spine, discs), worn-out knees (ligaments, meniscus), fingers locked into claws, lower back problems.

We tend to glorify toughness and “paying your dues,” but we rarely talk about the long, quiet decline in quality of life – surgeries before 40, not being able to play with your kids without pain, constant management of injuries.

I’m not trying to bash combat sports. I also respect traditional arts – this isn’t about that old debate. It’s about honesty: are we ready to admit that the same community that exposed traditional martial arts’ weaknesses might be hiding its own?

Once more data comes out – not just on pro fighters, but on amateurs and longtime hobbyists – do you think public perception will shift? Will we see a “shock” moment, like the one that dethroned traditional martial arts?

Hello! I'd like to train again for Kali / Arnis and would appreciate any information where I can find a coach and a team to train with for the sport in Valencia city, Spain. Thank you!