ar tta l Sophomore Joshua Joiner began practicing Arnis de Mano, a combative system of Filipino martial arts. when he was 16 years old. His love of the art led him to organize Searcy Filipino Combatives, a group dedicated to training others. The group had approx imate ly 20 members, including students and local Searcy residents. The focus of the group was to train others in the system and to grow as a family through the art. Amis de Mano was a form of Filipino Martial Arts that focused on both weapon-based and unarmed combat. The system originated during rhe Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire. Through this art, members of SFC learned how to use a combative system to defend themselves, growing both mentally and physically. "(Amis de Mano) trains you to fight armed and unarmed, as well as with different length weapons," Joiner said. "It produces a mentality that is combatively applicable and fluid within the flow of a fight. A mentality that allows you to adopt in the flow of a flight, as well as in the flow of training the martial art." Joiner practiced Arnis de Mano in order to develop his own technique and skills, but the formation of SFC offered him more. He described the club as a community experience. ''Filipino martial arts grows you as a person as well as a martial artist."' Joiner said. ·'Jt surrounds you with a family that supports you and presents an understanding of combatives that are first rate. Through (Filipino martial arts) people grow close and get lo know each other through working together and overcoming tasks in the system. Myself as well as my students grow through this learning process." Junior Chase Adair met Joiner through mutual f1iends and began practicing with the group, which met several times a week. "I've always been fascinated with martial arts growing up. and it allows me to know and have the confidence to protect myself and others," Adair said. "Josh has been doing this for a long time ... he has the skills to explain the concepts to us very well." When Joiner started the group in the fall of 2014, his focus was to create a Christ-centered group. Through the group's training efforts, the participants would grow in their faith and assist each other in the practice of Amis de Mano. "I started SFC to spread Filipino Martial Arts and to collect a group of people that would become an encouraging light for Christ to each other," Joiner said. According to Cole Pearson, graduate student and member of Searcy Filipino Combatives group, Joiner successfully accomplished his goals with the SFC. The group deferred to his leadership both in terms of technique and discipline. "The environment of the group is very respectful, and we understand if Josh is trying to teach us something, we pay attention," Pearson said. "The group cultivates maturity and promotes self-d iscipline." Sof>lto11101t' Jo1/11w ./oi11,·r 11,ed hi1111111io11 Jor I ili1n110 111111 uul 111 /\ to ji,1111d J-h Mi..Jwl'i OcS11/1 o 1/1£ Seurcy li/ipino Co111ba11rc.1 gro11f1. I l'/wro In U,,, u Ni/er SOP 11 0 ~IO HES I '1 0
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