- Joined
- Oct 22, 2000
- Messages
- 147
Just wondering if anybody had any experiences they would share concerning training with this organization. Thanks in advance.
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AMOK! Please share your experience
- Thread starter Stormbringer
- Start date
Hello Stormbringer,
I have been a student of Professor Sotis, for about 3 years now. Ever since the first opportunity I had with Prof. Sotis, I have always been amazed at his willingness to share his knowledge, and his constant search for the betterment of the system and himself, through his research with notable martial artists. I originally was searching for Pekiti Tirsia and GT Gaje, when I happened across Prof. Sotis, through my relation with him, I have become a student of GT Gaje, and also Tuhon Sayoc(another fantastic martial artist!). He supports all of his people in the quest as a martial artist, so I don't think you will be disappointed in the training or with Prof. Sotis's organization. If you have the opportunity to train in AMOK! take it!
Train Hard, it is the Way!
Steve
ps: The AMOK! training camp is this coming weekend up in NH. Contact Prof. Sotis for more information.
I have been a student of Professor Sotis, for about 3 years now. Ever since the first opportunity I had with Prof. Sotis, I have always been amazed at his willingness to share his knowledge, and his constant search for the betterment of the system and himself, through his research with notable martial artists. I originally was searching for Pekiti Tirsia and GT Gaje, when I happened across Prof. Sotis, through my relation with him, I have become a student of GT Gaje, and also Tuhon Sayoc(another fantastic martial artist!). He supports all of his people in the quest as a martial artist, so I don't think you will be disappointed in the training or with Prof. Sotis's organization. If you have the opportunity to train in AMOK! take it!
Train Hard, it is the Way!
Steve
ps: The AMOK! training camp is this coming weekend up in NH. Contact Prof. Sotis for more information.
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2000
- Messages
- 147
Airyu,
Can you escribe any similarities or differences between AMOK! and your previous training in FMA? How does the Malyasian influence paly into AMOK!? You feel that it combines well with your SAYOC training? Isn't GT Gaje also one of the major influences on the Dog Brothers? Any similarities between Dog Brothers approach and AMOK!? Is AMOK! all blade work? So, you are saying that Prof. Sotis encourages his students to explore training options under other noted FMA teachers? Would AMOK! blend well with Sayoc and Dog Brothers training in your opinion? Thanks in advance. Sorry for so many questions.
Can you escribe any similarities or differences between AMOK! and your previous training in FMA? How does the Malyasian influence paly into AMOK!? You feel that it combines well with your SAYOC training? Isn't GT Gaje also one of the major influences on the Dog Brothers? Any similarities between Dog Brothers approach and AMOK!? Is AMOK! all blade work? So, you are saying that Prof. Sotis encourages his students to explore training options under other noted FMA teachers? Would AMOK! blend well with Sayoc and Dog Brothers training in your opinion? Thanks in advance. Sorry for so many questions.
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2000
- Messages
- 129
While I don't have the extensive experience with AMOK! that Airyu does, I thought I'd chime in too. Professor Sotis gave a seminar at my school a year or so ago, and I was very impressed. He was very friendly and personable, giving personal attention to everyone at the seminar.
Recently, I sent him e-mail asking about AMOK! Tribes in my area. He was very responsive and willing to help me find some folk to train with.
All in all, I've only got good experinces with Professor Sotis and his AMOK! guys. I definitely second the recommendation to try to study with him if you have a chance.
Recently, I sent him e-mail asking about AMOK! Tribes in my area. He was very responsive and willing to help me find some folk to train with.
All in all, I've only got good experinces with Professor Sotis and his AMOK! guys. I definitely second the recommendation to try to study with him if you have a chance.
Hello Everyone,
Stormbringer great questions(Cool name Elric's sword?) Anyway, let's see what I can answer.
1) GT Gaje has had a direct influence on the Dog Brothers art, through Eric Knauss(who once was GT Gaje's student) More recently Marc Denny has gone to the Philippines t train with him as well. You can see the Seguidas performed on one of the first DB series of tapes.
2) AMOK! is primarily a blade art, with stick and empty hand also a part of the curriculum. Silat principles and techniques are also a part of the curriculum. For me it was easy to adapt to the AMOK! system, through my other FMA training.
3)Prof. Sotis has never had a bad word for any other training that people do. In fact AMOK! has been taught in many schools as an additional part of their curriculum. He has encouraged me to continue my training with other instructors as well.
4)On a basic note the AMOK! system and Sayoc system, would appear similar, but they are different and approach their training in different ways. Not better or worse, just differently. Currently I am pursuing Sayoc Kali, and AMOK! and I find myself having more fun then ever!! The Sayoc Kali system has an incredible wealth of information that is only being recently shown to the public. I've only been with Tuhon Sayoc for a little more than a year now, and I feel I am starting to scratch the surface of what his art is like. Prof. Sotis's AMOK! I am more familiar with, and now is much more direct in the way they approach their tactics, principles and strategy, with application in combat.
Whichever you choose or plan to blend together. You certainly cannot go wrong with either Tuhon Sayoc, or Prof. Sotis. As for the Dog Brothers, Marc Denny has recently been to Tuhon's house for training and is now hosting him at the up coming Gathering, as one of the featured seminar guests. As well "Raw Dog" Nick Sacoulas, was just at Sama-Sama, and is training in Sayoc kali as well.
I hope this helps a little.
I can answer more if you would like? You post the questions, or email me at airyu@hotmail.com
Gumagalang
Steve
Stormbringer great questions(Cool name Elric's sword?) Anyway, let's see what I can answer.
1) GT Gaje has had a direct influence on the Dog Brothers art, through Eric Knauss(who once was GT Gaje's student) More recently Marc Denny has gone to the Philippines t train with him as well. You can see the Seguidas performed on one of the first DB series of tapes.
2) AMOK! is primarily a blade art, with stick and empty hand also a part of the curriculum. Silat principles and techniques are also a part of the curriculum. For me it was easy to adapt to the AMOK! system, through my other FMA training.
3)Prof. Sotis has never had a bad word for any other training that people do. In fact AMOK! has been taught in many schools as an additional part of their curriculum. He has encouraged me to continue my training with other instructors as well.
4)On a basic note the AMOK! system and Sayoc system, would appear similar, but they are different and approach their training in different ways. Not better or worse, just differently. Currently I am pursuing Sayoc Kali, and AMOK! and I find myself having more fun then ever!! The Sayoc Kali system has an incredible wealth of information that is only being recently shown to the public. I've only been with Tuhon Sayoc for a little more than a year now, and I feel I am starting to scratch the surface of what his art is like. Prof. Sotis's AMOK! I am more familiar with, and now is much more direct in the way they approach their tactics, principles and strategy, with application in combat.
Whichever you choose or plan to blend together. You certainly cannot go wrong with either Tuhon Sayoc, or Prof. Sotis. As for the Dog Brothers, Marc Denny has recently been to Tuhon's house for training and is now hosting him at the up coming Gathering, as one of the featured seminar guests. As well "Raw Dog" Nick Sacoulas, was just at Sama-Sama, and is training in Sayoc kali as well.
I hope this helps a little.
I can answer more if you would like? You post the questions, or email me at airyu@hotmail.com
Gumagalang
Steve
Airyu has stated things very well. I'd just like to report on my own experience with Professor Sotis and Amok!.
I've trained in knife and sword work, including various FMA styles, off and on for many years. Like everyone else, I am always searching to improve my skills, and for new training partners. In early January of this year, I happened upon Prof. Tom Sotis' International BLade Fighters Guild Website. Impressed by Prof. Tom's CV, I contacted him. He was quite friendly and very open to training together, so I arranged to observe a regular Friday night class. I was extremely pleased by what I saw.
All of Prof. Tom's students moved and fought like true knifefighters, rather than just as EHs fighters with knives in their hands. The principles that he taught that night were excellent, as was his understanding of bladefighting as a whole. I therefore arranged to meet with him the following Tuesday afternoon to train privately. I've been training with him every Tuesday ever since, and to tell you that I am in Hog Heaven is an understatement.
I freely admit that Prof. Tom has taken my bladefighting to a new level. He quickly assessed and accepted my skill level and immediately took it from there, while at the same time filling in what gaps there were in my training.
The Amok! system contains the most well thought-out and organized progressions of blade skills, principles, tactics, and strategy that I have ever encountered. I believe that my earlier training partners, like Guru Jason Silverman and his great students, would freely admit that I was no fun at all to spar against, but under Po's (Prof. Tom's) tutelage my footwork, my offensive and defensive skills, my trapping, my disarms, my Dumag and other EHs Vs blade skills, my enganyos, my tactics, and my strategies are easily an order of magnitude better than they've ever been. Plus, Po has been incredibly generous in sharing his personal knowledge with me, not only from Amok!, but from Pekiti and Silat as well. And, best of all, there's still Degaso and Qol to explore
.
Finally, all of Po's students and instructors have been equally open, welcoming me to the Amok! family like a long lost brother. I have more excellent training partners than I can shake a stick at now.
The bottom line is that becoming part of the Amok! family has been as useful and positive an experience as any I've had in 35yrs of MA training.
Good luck on your path,
Mario
I've trained in knife and sword work, including various FMA styles, off and on for many years. Like everyone else, I am always searching to improve my skills, and for new training partners. In early January of this year, I happened upon Prof. Tom Sotis' International BLade Fighters Guild Website. Impressed by Prof. Tom's CV, I contacted him. He was quite friendly and very open to training together, so I arranged to observe a regular Friday night class. I was extremely pleased by what I saw.
All of Prof. Tom's students moved and fought like true knifefighters, rather than just as EHs fighters with knives in their hands. The principles that he taught that night were excellent, as was his understanding of bladefighting as a whole. I therefore arranged to meet with him the following Tuesday afternoon to train privately. I've been training with him every Tuesday ever since, and to tell you that I am in Hog Heaven is an understatement.
I freely admit that Prof. Tom has taken my bladefighting to a new level. He quickly assessed and accepted my skill level and immediately took it from there, while at the same time filling in what gaps there were in my training.
The Amok! system contains the most well thought-out and organized progressions of blade skills, principles, tactics, and strategy that I have ever encountered. I believe that my earlier training partners, like Guru Jason Silverman and his great students, would freely admit that I was no fun at all to spar against, but under Po's (Prof. Tom's) tutelage my footwork, my offensive and defensive skills, my trapping, my disarms, my Dumag and other EHs Vs blade skills, my enganyos, my tactics, and my strategies are easily an order of magnitude better than they've ever been. Plus, Po has been incredibly generous in sharing his personal knowledge with me, not only from Amok!, but from Pekiti and Silat as well. And, best of all, there's still Degaso and Qol to explore
.Finally, all of Po's students and instructors have been equally open, welcoming me to the Amok! family like a long lost brother. I have more excellent training partners than I can shake a stick at now.
The bottom line is that becoming part of the Amok! family has been as useful and positive an experience as any I've had in 35yrs of MA training.
Good luck on your path,
Mario
Just a quick post regarding last weekends Summer Camp. It was the first IBFG/AMOK event that I have had the opportunity to attend, and I must say that it has made quite a positive impression! I sincerely wish to thank Prof. Sotis, Mataas na Guro Mike Williams, Guro Steve Perrin, Art Sennott, and all of the wonderful men and women present for their knowledge, guidance, patience, and camaraderie which they willingly shared throughout the weekend. The beautiful setting of the camp, the free and wide-ranging exchange of information, friendships made, and the expertise and skills present made for a tremendous weekend. As a newcomer to the world of the blade fighting art, I can truthfully say in reflection, that this event will definitely impact upon future paths which I will choose. I would certainly suggest to anyone who has any interest in the blade arts, that the time and energy which they might expend in attending future events will be returned many fold. Again, my sincere thanks to all in attendance, and I look forward to seeing everyone at an event in the near future.
AMOK!
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AMOK!
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