Generating Power in Kali and martial arts

September 15, 2022 Mark Warner Commentary 0

Let’s start at the very beginning

The first thing we learn in DTS Kali is our 12 basic strikes, much the same as you would basic strikes or kicks in any style of martial arts. The proper motion is tag to the students to be reviewed time and time again. The proper chamber is taught as well as angles and stoke zones. Basic power is generated through the mechanics of the arm (or Leg) itself.

Hips don’t lie

The next step is to incorporate the movement of the hips back and body. Like Shakira says Hips don’t lie. By using the torque of the hips and body the power of the strike is increased significantly. The same mechanics would be used in the generation of power for a reverse punch, elbow, or round kick as well as a plethora of other techniques.


Legs like springs

Now let’s engage the legs. When we think of utilizing our legs when striking with our arms or hands, we should imagine how a hydraulic jack would be used to pick up a car to change a tire. We should think of the legs as springs using the ground as a base to propel the forces from the ground to the tip of the hand or weapon.


The how

So how do we strengthen and prepare these natural weapons that we have and train? There are many answers to this question, but I will give my humble opinion. If we are going to strengthen the muscles of the body, I am and always will be a huge proponent of body weight training. I believe weight training should only be used to make yourself look better. And for me to look better, it would take a miracle. The best upper body exercise would be push-ups and the best lower body would be squats or pistol squats, (Tom Tui’s for you Kung Fu fans). I would like to suggest whistlekick’s own strength training program. I recently started using it and I would say it is very effective.

And a little extra

With the arts themselves, to build strength and power in motion repartitions is key, 10,000 times as the saying goes. If you train Kali using a Baston, you can vary the size, length, and girth as well as the different densities of the bastions themselves. Metal ones and thin ones are exceptionally good for increasing grip strength, and heavier ones develop increased striking power. In addition to solo drills in the air, there are numerous amounts of equipment drills that can be used to assist us in our quest. Tires are one of the favorites in the Filipino arts. You can also use heavy bags for power, and hanging targets for accuracy. There are also countless partner drills to project the power properly. You should develop power in your partner drill with proper control, so when you need it in a self-defense situation, you will not hesitate.


And a little more


There is one more training option I would like to suggest to expedite your training. That would be the inclusion of some Qi Gong drills to strengthen the ligaments and joints in the body. These are the drills that make a great difference when training with someone with decades more experience than you. I won’t go into depth here. If you’d like, send me an e-mail and I’ll send you a few of my favorites. I promise they will be quick and easy.

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About Mark Warner 35 Articles
Tashi Mark Warner has trained in the martial arts for almost 50 years. In the early 70s, inspired by the likes of Bruce Lee, Tashi Mark started in Kenpo Karate under Richard Ladow. After serving in the US Army, traveling twice to Korea and once to Germany, Tashi Mark found inspiration in the JCVD movie Bloodsport and decided to one day open his own school. On April 8th 1998, his passion project was finally achieved and the doors finally opened. As Tashi Mark likes to say, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." Also in 1998, Tashi Mark started training Northern Mantis Kung Fu and Shaolin Kung Fu with Sifu Scott Jeffery. In 1999 Tashi Deborah Mahoney, training with Tashi Mark, became the Black Belt Hall of Fame recipient for the KRANE rating to include all of New England. Since 2007, Tashi Mark has furthered his training, adding Dekiti Tirsia Siradas Kali with Grandmaster Jerson "Nene" Tortal, as well as Baringin Sakti Silat with Grandmaster Edward Lebe. Tashi Mark is a full-time martial artist. "One of the greatest things in the martial arts is the transmission of knowledge to the next generation." - Tashi Mark Warner

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