Discover Escrima
Escrima is a dynamic, complete martial art that utilises both weapons and empty-handed combat. If you are interested in getting fit, learning something new or serious about learning skills to protect yourself and others in a real confrontation, then Escrima is for you.
Escrima, also known as Kali, Arnis or FMA, is a comprehensive martial art originating from the Philippines. Modern Escrima has evolved into a practical, realistic, self-defence martial art suited to the violent situations you may encounter today.
We begin training with a single stick, a simple, inexpensive tool that is readily available. This training lays the foundations of the body mechanics required to use all weapons and also enables you to utilise everyday objects, such as a pen or mobile phone, into effective weapons. This also transfers to all aspects of unarmed combat. Escrima uses only techniques that work and are instinctive.
We train in the Escrima concepts of Grandmaster Steve Tappin, who teaches armed and unarmed martial arts worldwide.
Benefits of Escrima
Escrima has many benefits including;
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Higher state of awareness
- Improvement of manual dexterity, reflexes and hand-eye coordination
- Better overall fitness, strength and flexibility
Main Instructor | London & Oxford | Jason Potter
Jason is the head Instructor at both the SW London and Oxford clubs, he has been training in Escrima Concepts since 2009. He is a qualified Instructor in Escrima Concepts and holds a a 1st Technician grade, the equivalent of 1st Dan black belt. He has run his own club in South West London for the last seven years and now runs a new club in Oxford since early 2021.
Having been involved in martial arts for the last 20 years, Jason is also a qualified Instructor of Wing Chun, of which he also holds a 1st Technician grade. He ran his own club before discovering his passion for the art of Escrima, which he believes is honest, effective, instinctive and has everything a self-defence martial art needs.
Assistant Instructor | London | Casey Walsh
Casey is an Assistant Instructor in Escrima Concepts. He is qualified as an Assistant Instructor Level 3 and has passed the 9th grade, equivalent of black belt level. He trains and teaches with Jason in the South West London area.
Escrima Concepts is his main art and has some previous Wing Chun experience to an intermediate level.
Assistant Instructor | London | Jason Ebanks
Jason is an Assistant Instructor in Escrima Concepts and has been training since 2015. He is qualified as an Assistant Instructor level 3 and has passed the 9th grade, equivalent of black belt level. He trains and teaches with Jason Potter in the South West London area.
Jason also has a black sash in Kung Fu with 18 years of experience and is trained in Wing Chun to an intermediate level. Over the years he has trained and explored many Martial Arts and has a basic level knowledge in Jui Jitsu, Karate, Judo and Boxing.
Full Instructor | London | Lethola Mokhesi
Lethola has been training in Escrima Concepts since late 2014. He is qualified as a full Instructor and has passed 1st tech grade equivalent of black belt 1st Dan level.
He trains and teaches with Jason in the South West London area.
Escrima Concepts is his main art and has some previous Boxing and Wing Chun experience.
Full Instructor | London | Nick Doyley
Nick is an qualified Instructor in Escrima Concepts. He is qualified as a full Instructor and has passed the 1st tech grade equivalent of black belt 1st Dan level. He trains and teaches with Jason in the South West London area.
Nick has been training in Martial Arts since the age of 12 and over many years has studied Shaolin Kung Fu before moving on to Moy Yat Wing Chun, Jun Fa JKD, Kali, Silat, Balintawak and continues to train in these arts.
Instructor | Bournemouth | Matt Winter
Matt is Instructor of the Bournemouth club and has been training in the system since early 2017. He began his Martial Arts training at the age of 14, learning ITF Taekwon-do. He studied this style for over ten years, eventually becoming an Instructor and reaching the rank of 2nd Dan.
In 2008, He was introduced to Reality Based Martial Arts and in early 2016 qualified as a Tactical Edge Instructor under the system Founder, Mark Davies.
Following his relocation to the Bournemouth area, he will be opening a club of his own to share what he believes to be a dynamic and functional Martial Art within his local community.
Assistant Instructor | London | John Hutchings
John is an Assistant Instructor level 2 in Escrima Concepts and has been training since 2015. He is qualified as a level 2 Assistant Instructor and has passed grade 8 in Escrima Concepts. He trains and teaches with Jason in the South West London area.
John has over 20 years Boxing experience and has also trained in both JKD and Panantukan.
Assistant Instructor | London | Steve Layton
Steve is starting out as an assistant Instructor and has been training since early 2018. He is qualified as a level 1 Assistant Instructor and has passed grade 7 in Escrima Concepts. He trains and teaches with Jason in the South West London area.
Steve started Martial Arts Back in 1977 with Shotokan Karate and then moving on to Boxing reaching an intermediate level with both. Steve also has some experience in Wing Chun, Thai Boxing and Kick Boxing.
Assistant Instructor | London | Tom Birtchnell
Tom is starting out as an Assistant Instructor in Escrima Concepts and has been training since 2018. He is qualified as Assistant Instructor level 1 and passed grade 7 in Escrima Concepts. He trains and teaches with Jason in the South West London area.
Tom also has a background in Kickboxing, reaching the rank of 1st Dan (black belt) and competing at an amateur level.
Tom is also a Professional photographer and is responsible for all of the amazing photography on this website.
Check out his website here -
Vivian Birch Photography
Questions? Contact info@vivianbirch.com