(Coming soon)
Yoga is a sacred space where the body, mind and spirit get to dance and engage with each other. Next to building stamina and strength, the practice of yoga gives us an opportunity to become present with ourselves. Our Vinyasa flow yoga class places emphasis on breath work and an attention to detail. Each asana or posture as simple as Tadasana becomes rich and deep when held with intention and each flow becomes moving meditation. So come and stand still and flow with us!
Kali, also known as Eskrima and Arnis, is the national sport and martial art of the Philippines. The three are roughly interchangeable umbrella terms for the traditional martial arts of the Philippines (“Filipino Martial Arts,” or FMA) that emphasize weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, bladed weapons and various improvised weapons.
It is also known as Estoque (Spanish for rapier), Estocada (Spanish for thrust or stab) and Garrote (Spanish for club). In Luzon they may go by the name of Arnis de Mano, Pananandata (use of weapons), Sinawali (Pampanga, “to weave”), Sitbatan & kalirongan (Pangasinan), Didya and Kabaroan (Ilocos region). In the Visayas and Mindanao, these martial arts have been referred to as eskrima, kali, kaliradman and pagaradman. Kuntaw and silat are separate martial arts that are also practiced in the Philippine islands.
Kali also includes hand-to-hand combat, joint locks, grappling and weapon disarming techniques. Although in general, emphasis is put on weapons for these arts, some systems put empty hands as the primary focus and some old school systems do not teach weapons at all.
For all intents and purposes, kali, eskrima and arnis all refer to the same family of Filipino weapon-based martial arts and fighting systems. Both Arnis and Eskrima are loans from Spanish: Arnis comes from arnés, Old Spanish for armor (harness is an archaic English term for armor, which comes from the same roots as the Spanish term). It is said to derive from the armor costumes used in Moro-moro stage plays where actors fought mock battles using wooden swords.
Arnes is also an archaic Spanish term for weapon, like in the following sentence from “Ilustracion de la Deztreza Indiana” by Francisco Santos de la Paz in 1712: “Siendo tan infalible la execucion desta doctrina, que no solo consigue ésta superioridad en concurso de armas iguales, sino tambien hallandose el contrario con la aparente ventaja de venir armado de los dos arneses, Espada, y Daga; pues aun con ellos experimenta la dificultad de resistir á esta Espada sola…”
“The execution of this doctrine is so infallible, that not only does it prove its superiority in contests with equal arms, but also when finding the opponent with the apparent advantage of showing up armed with two weapons, sword and dagger. For, even armed with those, experience shows the difficulty of resisting the single sword used in this way…”
Eskrima (also spelled Escrima) is a Filipinization of the Spanish word for fencing, Esgrima. Their cognate in French is Escrime and is related to the English term skirmish. Kali has multiple theories on its origin: One theory is that the word comes from tjakalele, a tribal style of stick-fencing from Indonesia. This is supported by the similarities between tjakalele and eskrima techniques, as well as Mindanao’s proximity to Indonesia. According to Guro Dan Inosanto, Kali is a portmanteau of the Cebuano words “kamot”, meaning hand, and “lihok”, meaning motion. In the Ilocano language, kali means to dig and to stab. There exist numerous similar terms of reference for martial arts such as kalirongan , kaliradman and pagkalikali.
These may be the origin of the term kali or they may have evolved from it. According to Grandmaster Vic Sanchez, the Pangasinense term Kalirongan means “Karunungan ng Lihim” or Wisdom of (the) Secret (fighting arts) or “Wisdom of Kali”. In his book KALI – History of a Forbidden Filipino Fighting Arts, Fred Lazo put forward that Kali was an ancient root word for blade, and that the Filipino words for right hand (kanan) and left hand (kaliwa) are contractions of the terms “way of the blade” (kali daanan) and “without blade” (kali wala) as weapons are usually held with the right hand and the left hand is typically empty. In their book Cebuano Eskrima: Beyond the Myth however, Dr. Ned Nepangue and Celestino Macachor contend that the term Kali in reference to Filipino martial arts did not exist until the Buenaventura Mirafuente wrote in the preface of the first known published book on Arnis, “Mga Karunungan sa Larong Arnis” by Placido Yambao, the term Kali as the native mother fighting art of the Philippine islands.
Most likely, Kali derives from the pre-Hispanic Filipino term for blades and fencing, Calis, documented by Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition chronicler Antonio Pigafetta during their journey through the Visayas and in old Spanish to Filipino Mother Tongue dictionary and vocabulary books dating from 1612 to the late 1800s, such as in Vocabulario de Lengua Tagala by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura. The term calis in various forms was present in these old Spanish documents in Ilocano, Kapampangan, Ibanag (calit), Tagalog, Bicolano (caris), Waray (caris), Hiligaynon and Cebuano (calix, baladao – “kalis balaraw/dagger” and cales). In some of these dictionaries, the term calis refers to a sword or knife kris or keris, while in others it refers to both swords and knives and their usage as well as a form of esgrima stick fighting. While Mirafuente posits that the original term was “Kali” and that the letter “S” was added later, the late Grandmaster Remy Presas suggests that the “S” was dropped in modern times and became presently more known as “Kali” in FMA circles.
Practitioners of the arts are called Arnisador (male, plural arnisadores) and Arnisadora (female, plural arnisadoras) for those who call theirs Arnis, Eskrimador (male, plural eskrimadores) or Eskrimadora (female, plural eskrimadoras) for those who call their art Eskrima, and Kalista or Mangangali for those who practice Kali.
Kids freestyle class is comprised of martial arts, fitness, games, and most importantly, life skills. Kids are exposed to a variety of martial arts, their history, fun and culture. We have a great balance between discipline and fun. Kids learn how to work and harmonize as a team, helping and encouraging each other to attain the goals they have set. The study of martial arts, much like real life, has many peaks and valleys. As children struggle while exploring their body mind and spirit, our teachers, along with parents, in a controlled environment, help them get over their fears and obstacles that they encounter. This in return equals true confidence and indomitable spirit. Respect is a huge part of training and enforced daily. Through ancient drills kids are engaged and have no choice but to immediately focus, conditioning their right and left sides of the brain. Watch your child transform and secure a new sense of self and attitude toward all aspects of their life.
Savate, the French fighting art is a shoe art. It’s literal translation means old shoe or boot. This sophisticated kickboxing art encompasses boxing with your hands and feet. Utilizing precise range, geometrical angles and elusive footwork, one can bewilder the opponent with sniper-like multiple strikes that are delivered with high accuracy. Learn to touch without being touched. Sigung Bruce Lee studied and borrowed from this beautiful art. Savate is a self defense art, however, its sports version is Boxe Francais, with the same concepts, however restricted, to be more sportsmanlike. This program is under the supervision and instruction of professor Salem Assli, one of the leading figures in the U.S. and abroad of the French fighting arts.
Muay Thai, also known as the art of eight limbs, is a devastating striking art using punching, elbows, knees, and kicks. This kickboxing art comes from Thailand. It is a ring sport, and also a major component of self defense. This is also one of the best cardiovascular, stress-relief workouts out there. Our lineage comes from Ajarn Chai Sirisute, who is responsible for bringing Muay Thai to America in 1968. Get ready for high energy classes, as Muay Thai embodies the warrior spirit and energy.
The founder of these arts is Sigung Bruce Lee. These arts are a blend of many different martial arts, primarily a self defense art and not a sport. These arts cover all ranges of combat; kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling. Learn how to seamlessly connect all of these areas of self defense.
JKD in itself is a concept, which is what The Way of No Way is. "Using No Way as Way, and having No Limitation as Limitation. Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own." -- Sigung Bruce Lee
We are blessed to train directly under the legendary Sifu Dan Inosanto, which puts us only one degree of separation from Sigung Bruce Lee. Come train these timeless arts.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is derived from traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Primarily a ground game, this sport is a major component of self defense. It's crucial to know what to do when the fight goes to the ground. As we have always committed to bringing you the best martial arts instruction from around the world, we introduce to you Maestro Rey Diogo.
Adult Mixed Martial Arts, Jeet Kune Do concept of training in multiple disciplines: Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing), Savate (French Kickboxing), Boxing, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Kali, Silat, Grappling, combined with functional fitness, conditioning and flexibility. Learn how to drive your body in a martial way. Learn to be efficient in all ranges of combat, from long-range, medium range, close range, trapping and grappling range, take-downs and off-balancing, ground fighting, submission locking and breaking. Be able to transition seamlessly between all ranges of combat, with weapons or without.
In order to be a complete martial artist, one must develop certain attributes. The Mixed Martial Arts Class is designed to teach you how to effectively drive the human body in a martial way. Although it is free of any one style, in order to learn one must have some point of reference. Hence goes the saying, “learn the principle, practice the principle, dissolve the principle.”
During your training, all three stages are necessary. But without having a solid piece to chip away at, you have nothing to sculpt. Empty your cup and trust your instructors.
First Line Of Defense—Footwork
Our footwork is derived from Savate, Muay Thai, Jun Fan, Kali, Silat, and Boxing, which comprises your mobility system. If you are not moving, you are a sitting duck.
Second Line Of Defense—Upper Body Evasion
Pulling from various arts, your bob and weave game has to be solid. Your upper body muscles have to become developed in order to move like a snake, spineless.
Third Line Of Defense—Active Blocking, Trapping & Destructing
In combat you will at times need to efficiently block, deflect, parry, or ride your opponent’s blows. Through extensive research, my teachers and I have borrowed from many different arts to give our students sets of tools to choose from. During your clash with an opponent, opportunities arise when an environment is provided to trap your opponent’s limbs, or to destruct them at will, or all by itself (reflex). Our trapping is from Kali, Silat, Jun Fan Gung Fu, which has its roots in Wing Chun. Jeet Kune Do (JKD) is a concept and not an art. Our whole program is Jeet Kune Do, hence the name, The Way of No Way—using no way as way and having no limitation as limitation.
Fourth Line Of Defense—Your Body
Conditioning and learning how to take hits.
In order to move your body effectively, a martial artist needs to develop flexibility, agility and conditioning. Our classes are longer than the average martial arts class because we place importance on teaching/educating and guiding our students through an eclectic way of properly stretching, cardiovascular and other forms of conditioning and rehabilitating our temple, the human body.
Salem Assli was born in Lille, France, and discovered martial arts through Bruce Lee movies in the 1970s. He was a competitive gymnast and soccer player as a child, but began studying Jeet Kune Do alongside his other interests.
At the age of 23, Salem traveled to the United States to train under Sifu Dan Inosanto. Salem was the first Frenchman to graduate and be certified as a Full Instructor in both Jun Fan Gung Fu Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino martial arts by Guro Inosanto. Salem also studied Muay Thai under Ajarn Chai Sirisute and earned his instructorship from the Thai Boxing Association of America. He then became the first Muay Thai instructor of the Inosanto International Instructors Association.
Guro Dan Inosanto encouraged Salem to study the art of his motherland, Savate, so that he could teach it to the students of the Inosanto Academy. Salem studied Savate, starting with an old book that Guro Inosanto lent him, and traveled back to France where he earned his 1st degree Silver Glove from France’s National Technical Director, Bob Alix. Salem finished first in his class of 50 students, acquiring the highest grading, all without previously having an instructor. One year later in Los Angeles, Salem earned the prestigious diploma of Professeur of Boxe Francaise Savate and his 2nd degree Silver Glove with members of the French Elite Team such as Richard Sylla and Robert Paturel.
Professor Salem is currently one of the first and few professors of Savate in the United States. He is recognized as a leading authority in teaching techniques and historical background of the traditional French martial arts, bringing Savate and French Boxing to the United States, and also introducing these arts to Japan.
Professor Salem is also a published writer and has been featured in countless martial arts publications such as Black Belt Magazine, Inside Kung Fu, and Budo International. Outside of martial arts, Salem is a collector of swords, enjoys horseback riding, archery and guitar, and has a passion for archeology and cultural history.
Kylie came to The Way of No Way in 2012 when she was 17 years old for a women’s self defense class. She has been hooked ever since. Her favorite part of training at the academy is meeting so many great people while she learns fulfilling and humbling arts. Kylie has been an assistant in our Kid Transition and Kid Freestyle classes, and loves being a role model to young martial artists. Kylie is an active competitor, and took second place nationally in the Muay Thai Classic 2015 competition. Her goals include bringing home the Muay Thai Classic championship belt, maintaining a positive competition record, and remembering to keep her “glass empty” so she can continue to learn all there is to learn. Kylie is originally from Northridge, CA, and is now a student at San Francisco State University.
Sebastien Gueuble is a second degree black belt in Judo, and a first degree black belt in Yoseikan Budo, a Japanese martial art that combines strikes, throwing, and weapons. He was born in Paris, and started Judo when he was 11 years old. Sebastien fell in love with Judo immediately and trained himself every day, which led to him earning his black belt only five years later, when he was just 16 years old. Sebastien trained in Japan on a Judo internship, where he honed his skills and decided to teach when he returned home. He earned the honor of being selected to be a sparring partner of the French Judo team and helped prepare the athletes for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
Sebastien has also trained in Savate, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Krav Maga. He came to the United States in 2007 to train with Guro Dan Inosanto, and has since received his instructorship in Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, in Filipino Martial Arts, and is also one of five students to earn a Level 5, the highest level to attain, under The Way of No Way. He also currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Practicing martial arts is a huge chess game to Sebastien, he loves the different "battle fields," such as standing, ground fighting, weapons, etc., and the endless opportunities for each. It is important to know how to defend yourself, and to be more confident. Martial arts has changed Sebastien's life forever by facilitating self discovery. He believes everyone gains health, wellness, strength, and self control from the martial arts, but most importantly, everyone will learn things about themselves that they never knew.
"The most sensational thing is when you train with someone that you don't even know. In just one hour, you will learn so much: if he is brave, if he gives up easily, if he is smart, if he is a cheater. Because during a sparring session, you can't lie about yourself."
Ryan Fathi began training martial arts at the age of three with Sifu Reza. He had always wanted to train in the martial arts, and as a child he would beg his mom to let him go into every martial arts studio he saw just so he could watch. Ryan loves every aspect of training, and his goal is to be the most complete and well rounded martial artist in the world. He is also a competitor - Ryan has competed in multiple Muay Thai championships and won the Thai Boxing Association Muay Thai Classic in 2014. His life has been changed by martial arts; giving him confidence, getting him in incredible physical shape, and improving his overall health. Most importantly, as he puts it, it has given him the ability to impact other peoples lives in a positive way. Ryan encourages each student to enjoy martial arts as much as possible and to find their own passion for the art.
Sifu Richard Padilla began his martial arts training literally in Sifu Reza's backyard in 2009. The two were coworkers in a very stressful job and Sifu Reza introduced Richard to the martial arts to relieve stress. Richard has since become devoted martial arts for their ability to detach his mind from everything. He loves The Way of No Way- the concept of adapting to different styles, and encourages new martial artists by emphasizing the appreciation of the art and the difficulty of learning new techniques, rather than becoming frustrated. Richard has trained under Sifu Saeed, Sifu Todd, Sifu Reza, Guro Corrado and Guro Dan Inosanto. He is one of Sifu Reza's first pupils to reach a Level 5, the highest level to attain under The Way of No Way, and instructs Transition, Kids Freestyle, Teen Freestyle and Mixed Martial Arts classes.
Marvin has been training with Sifu Reza for six years and will be assisting with the Kids Program. He is one of The Way of No Way's original team members. Marvin has always been a steadfast student and is now ready to share his knowledge with our youth. He enjoys teaching kids because it gives him an opportunity to give back and help shape the next generation of Martial Artists.
Sina Faal has been training martial arts for over a decade. He is one of the first people to achieve the highest level given by Sifu/Guro Reza Moazezi, Level 5, in The Way of No Way. His fluid movements and agility have earned him the nickname “Spider Sina” among fellow students. Sina has earned the title of Full Instructor and competes on the Fight Team, representing The Way of No Way in local bouts and regional Savate and Muay Thai competitions. His dedication and love for the arts started at a very young age, where he first started training under Sifu/Guro Reza Moazezi and Sifu Saeed Badiei in traditional martial arts. Sina later went on to receive his second degree black belt in Hapkido Blend. Today Sina continuously searches for knowledge, training in various arts under various instructors. He has also been a student under Guro Dan Inosanto. Sina also attends college, working toward a degree in physical therapy. This “perfect son,” as his mother describes him, is an amazing young martial artist with the potential to be world class.
Navid Kossari has come to The Way of No Way as an eager young man with an empty cup. Although Navid was a high school competitive wrestler and dabbled in traditional martial arts as a kid, he had no preconceived notions about training, which accelerated his learning process. He is a very gifted and humble martial artist. His talents have earned him the title of Assistant Instructor and a spot on the Fight Team. Navid has represented The Way of No Way in local smoker bouts and regional Savate and Muay Thai fights, including the 2012 Muay Thai Classic which is the largest national Muay Thai competition. Look out for this young man as he has a very promising future in martial arts.
Corrado was born in February at a New York hospital way back in the early 60's. Some attribute his penchant for the creative to this planetary moment in time, but his mother has a completely different take on things and tends to take most of the credit for anything exceptional in Corrado's life. The rest, she blames on his father. As a young boy, Corrado displayed a natural flair for distorting reality which, as you know, is paramount in the photo retouching business(his current vocation). Altering report card grades, forging the ocasional sick note and concealing the many bumps and bruises he allegedly inflicted upon his little sister- usually caused by one of many failed attempts at trying to emulate Bruce Lee- were an important part of growing up for young Corrado.
· BA: Music Production/Engineering from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA
· 20+ years performing & recording as a professional drummer/musician
· 17+ yrs editing & manipulating photographs for high-end advertising, editiroal and celebrity clients
· Established photography post production company; ConradDigital in 2006
· Began martial arts training at age 40 in NYC
· Studied Wing Chun Kung Fu & Pekiti Tirsia Kali before moving to Los Angeles
· Currently in my 5th year at the Inosanto Acadmey
· Black belt in Inosanto-Lacoste Filipino Martial Arts under Guro Dan
· Black eckot in Maphilindo Silat under Guro Dan
· Green glove in Savate under Professor Nicholas Saignac
· Instructorship in Lee Jun Fan Gung FU & Jeet Kune Do under Guro/Sifu Dan
· Instructorship in the Filipino Martial Arts under Gurl Dan
· Instructorship in the Filipino Martial Arts under Guro Daniel & XTMA
· Instructorship in Jun Fan Gung Fu under Sifu Daniel & XTMA