8-Fist is an art that is perfectly blended for use by emergency services personnel. Designed to be utilized in closer quarters combat, it is an art that is based on poly-rhythms (especially "break" beats) and misdirection. The system is derived from Chinese, Afro-Cuban, and Filipino street-fighting styles. No forms, no belts. All you need for this class is heart and the discipline to complete high order repetition of practical (street tested) moves. If you're looking for flash, ego driven rank promotions and pretty uniforms, this is not the art for you. If you are looking for something that gives practical use of force skills from the first day you start, welcome, you have found a great place to train.

Let me also state for the record that I do not for one moment believe that other systems of martial arts do not have value. Each has its strengths and areas that are vulnerable. I have the highest respect for all martial artists and I would never presume to be so arrogant to think that any one system is better than another. You have to decide what you want when choosing a style to practice. It is a very personal choice. Some people look toward sport oriented styles, some toward fitness styles, some toward a specific art to practice and preserve a system that appeals to them. However, many arts take literally decades to master and some of the complex movements can be very difficult to learn and actually apply correctly in a street encounter.

Emergency services need fighting skills that take care of a situation quickly. Working full time in emergency services does not allow the necessary training time to master difficult movements, many of which are difficult to perform because they require fine or complex motor movements. These complex movements deteriorate under extreme stress and hormonal heart rate increases. 8-fist answers this with skills that involve gross motor movements that are still available to you when you are under extreme stress. The system is easy to learn and within a few short classes you will have enough skill to be able to effectively apply it in the real world.

8-Fist consists of several key components which are integrated into a complete use of force system. Elements from the following systems are used and drilled until you have mastery: Chin Na, Chi Sao, Da Fu, Jujitsu and Slap Boxing to make it a complete fighting style.

8-Fist is both scientific and intuitive. There are four ways of being attacked: 1) pushed 2) pulled, 3) punched, and 4) grabbed (wrestling). In 8-Fist you learn to push-pull-punch-grab with great strength and speed, then you learn to counter these moves with either rapid-fire strikes or Chin Na (joint dislocation and choking). There is no magic, only high order repetition of practical (street tested) moves. This art is easy to learn for all body types and levels of fitness!

• Chin Na: (joint locks) is the Mother of Aikido/Jujitsu and is the fighting application of Tai Chi. Focus points are finger-wrist-elbow-shoulder-neck. Tui Lu (Tai Chi Push Hands) is the basis for Chin Na; it is where you develop the loose “drunken” waist, sensitivity in the arms, and a feeling of dynamic power (fluid & rhythmic). If you push or grab the advanced Tui Lu player he/she will either feel rooted (immovable) or loose (boneless), and then with an explosive force you will find yourself in one of many possible locks (Chin Na)! This sudden energy change makes 8-Fist very difficult to defend against and it often causes confusion in opponents and their ability to attack or defend. Tui Lu is a highly effective form of self-defense by itself and when combined with Chin Na, it becomes an excellent way of controlling an opponent in use of force situations.
• Chi Sao: (sticking hands) was created by a Buddhist Nun, it is a more aggressive version of Tui Lu and ends the attack with strikes, where Tui Lu ends in joint locks. Chi Sao develops sensitivity in the arms and allows one to move without conscious thought based on the energy your opponent gives you. Chi Sao drills are designed to quickly enhance your ability to respond with amazing speed and coordination.
• Da Fu: (literally pull-punch, push-punch, trap-punch) grabbing hands. Da Fu teaches to rip through the opponent’s defenses, trap the arms and then end with rapid fire punching. Da Fu’s greatest strength lies in the fact it allows you to deal with an aggressive attack by turning a predator into prey!
• Slap Boxing: Another component added to Da Fu is Slap Boxing. This practical art was created on the streets of Los Angeles; It is blended with Drunken Element Boxing (Wudan Kung Fu). Like the name implies slap boxing is concerned with open palm strikes. The power comes from the waist (Drunken Element), which turns an ordinary slap into a menacing weapon. We drill only (tested) moves again and again until they are automatic. Realistic training is difficult to achieve without serious risk of injury to the student. This controlled sparing helps the student prepare for real use of force situations in a safe and fun environment and allows one to quickly build skills.
• Jujitsu: Incorporated into this system is mixed martial arts style jujitsu. Only those practical movements are taught with the reality of the street and your equipment issues in mind. Ground work is very difficult and is compounded with the safety equipment you have around your waist. Only certain movements can be accomplished with a duty belt or combat gear, combined with the unforgiving terrain in the field, asphalt and concrete. We teach only real world techniques from jujitsu and it is in no way sport oriented.

We are also big on proper use of this art. We only believe in responsible use of such a potentially devastating fighting system. We practice and preach; that excessive force begins when your opponent’s resistance ends. With this in mind, our goal is to control the opponent wherever possible with minimal risk of injury to either person. We are not in the business of teaching people to punish or destroy an opponent. We teach you to take care of business in a professional manner, giving you the best chance of survival and going home safe to the people who love you. Anything less is simply unacceptable.

For more information about classes and seminars please give us a call or e-mail. Not living in our area…no problem, we will come to you. Contact us directly for more information and seminar pricing.