Back in November 2018, Tuhon Uli wrote an article about using the Thought Provoking Process in Armadong Kali training (Blog Thought Provoking Process). Now this article has been the source for an inspirational talk, that has been published on YouTube:
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All right. So get this. Imagine a martial art, right? Where you ditch all that rote memorization like forms and just dive headfirst into figuring things out on your own.
Sounds a little intimidating, maybe?
Yeah. A little bit – but that's exactly what we're diving into today.
All right.
We were looking at Armadong Kali and this thing they called the thought-provoking process.
Yeah. It really does flip the script on how we traditionally think about learning martial arts, doesn't it?
Totally. Yeah. And our guide for this deep dive is an article, it's called "Against the Wind". Okay. And it's by Tuhon Uli Weidle. He is a seasoned martial artist who discovered this really fascinating system. So we're going to be exploring how this method, how it pushes students to discover the art, uh, through experience, right? Rather than just copying what they see.
A lot to unpack there.
Yeah. Tons to unpack! … So before we go any further, can you give us a quick rundown of what Armadong Kali actually is? Like, what is it?
Sure. Armadong Kali is a Filipino martial art, known for its focus on weapons, especially sticks and blades.
Okay.
But what really sets it apart, what makes it really unique is the philosophy behind it.
Okay.
It's guided by three core principles: attack before defense.
Okay.
No idle hand or foot.
Right.
And this thought-provoking process that we're going to really explore today.
Okay. So I'm already intrigued, right? Now, the author of our article, the guy who wrote this, he had quite a journey, right? Like before he discovered Armadong Kali.
Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, this is someone who had already spent 15 years training in various martial arts like karate, kickboxing, you know. He was looking for practical self-defense skills. But what he found in Armadong Kali was like a complete shift in how he thought about learning and understanding martial arts, like all together.
It's like he went up a level and discovered this whole secret world of martial arts and a whole new way of thinking. So let's get to the heart of it: The thought-provoking process itself. How does this – this way of learning – how does it actually differ from these structured forms and routines that we often see in other martial arts? Like what's the difference?
Yeah. So you've probably seen those choreographed sequences of movements – like Kata in karate, Poomsae in Taekwondo. These are all about mastering preset forms.
Yeah.
But Armadong Kali, it throws that out the window.
Really? So no following the leader. What do students actually do in this thought-provoking process? Like how does it work?
Well, think of it like this: You're thrown into like a realistic scenario. Maybe someone's attacking with a stick and you need to figure out how to defend yourself.
Right.
And so the instructor, he guides you. But instead of like, instead of giving you the right answer, right? He prompts you to kind of find your own solution.
So it's a constant back and forth of questions and just like experimentation. No wonder they call it thought-provoking.
Exactly. And it's not about mimicking some perfect form, you know, it's about understanding, why does this technique work? How do I adapt it to different situations?
Right.
And just developing that critical thinking, like in real time.
Right.
Yeah.
That's a world away from just memorizing a sequence of moves. And I think the article even mentioned this, right? Western boxing and wrestling, they don't rely heavily on forms either. It's like they have a built-in thought-provoking process, right? Even if it's not explicitly called that.
It's an interesting parallel. Both systems, you know, that they emphasize adaptability, responsiveness to your opponent's actions.
Right.
Much like the thought-provoking process in Armadong Kali.
Yeah. So we're talking about a method that encourages you to think on your feet and develop your own understanding of this art.
Exactly.
But what are the, like, the concrete, the advantages of learning this way? Like, what are the good things?
Well, one of the big benefits is that it keeps the art alive and evolving, right? Each generation of students, they have to kind of rediscover and validate the underlying principles for themselves, like a constant process of testing and refining.
So, no dusty scrolls or outdated techniques here.
Precisely.
Okay.
This approach, it keeps the system dynamic.
Okay.
And make sure that it, that it remains relevant in, in a world that's constantly changing.
Yeah. That's fantastic. But beyond keeping the art form, like, alive – what does this do for the individual student? Like, what does it do for me?
Well, think about it. When you figure something out on your own, right? It sticks with you far better than something that someone just tells you.
Right.
The thought-provoking process, it really instills like a deep sense of ownership, right? And confidence in students, because they're not just passively absorbing information. They're actively constructing their own understanding of the art.
They're not just, they're not just learning techniques, right? They're learning how to learn.
Absolutely.
That's, that's powerful stuff. But, are there, were there any downsides to this approach? Like, are there any bad things?
Yeah. I mean, there are. And the author, he addresses this head-on.
Okay.
One potential drawback is the heavy reliance on a strong mentor mentee relationship.
Right.
This type of learning, it demands a very specific kind of instructor. Someone who can not only demonstrate techniques, but also guide the students' exploration and discovery.
So, it sounds like it, it requires a lot of trust.
Yes.
Right. And open communication on both sides.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
And because of the personalized attention involved, you know, the author explains that he mainly teaches Armadong Kali in small groups.
Right.
So, like, to really facilitate that individualized instruction.
So, well, this method might not be for everyone, right?
Correct.
Or easily scaled up to, like, massive classes.
Right.
It seems incredibly rewarding for those who do commit to it.
Exactly. And the author, he goes even further and argues that the thought-provoking process, it's more than just a teaching method. He describes it as a journey of self-discovery.
Ooh! Now, this is where things get really interesting. We're, talking about martial arts, but this, this sounds like it could apply to, like, any area of life.
You're picking up on a, a really crucial point.
Yeah.
You know, the author highlights, how this process, how it cultivates bravery, confidence, determination, qualities that reach far beyond just the training hall.
Yeah. I'm already starting to see how this concept could be applied to, like, learning new skills, problem solving, you know, even personal growth. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let's dig a little deeper into how this thought-provoking process plays out in Armadong Kali itself. Like, what does it actually, what does it look like? Like, in practice.
So, imagine this...
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Watch the full video to enjoy the rest of the conversation.