Customer Reviews

Complete Sinawali: Filipino Double-Weapon Fighting (Complete Martial Arts)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Complete Sinawali by Rey Galang describes about two dozen "Sinawali" or double stick drills as done by the Bakbakban group in New Jersey. The sinawali patterns described here are not the usual symmetrical patterns that most beginners are used to, and careful attention should be paid to the footwork, which allows the practitioner to perform the strikes with the proper distancing, timing, speed, and power to make them effective.

Bakbakban offers a videotape series that features some of their double stick patterns and there is usually a seminar once a year based on these as well. I would recommend attending a seminar after I had purchased the book and video in order to fine-tune the body-mechanics that are presented therein. All in all, an excellent book that belongs on the shelf of any Filipino martial artist.

This book is very informative. It gives a good understanding of what stick fighting is and how to train in it. With its simple steps it takes you from a drill to its applications. I highly recomend this book to anyone wanting to learn FMA on their own.

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This book isn't as good for beginners as Modern Arnis: The Filipino Art of Stick Fighting

I have had the privilege of being one of Master Rey Galang's students for over a year now. We cover many different forms and styles, and sometimes it's hard to remember the exact techniques after class has ended. This book has been very helpful in perfecting my form, and reinforcing my knowledge while training on my own. It clearly demonstrates the techniques that make up this advanced form, and although I do not recommend it for beginners as one cannot truly understand sinawali without being taught in person, it is a very good aid for those familiar with Filipino Martial Arts and who are interested in seeing some of the things we do at Bakbakan.

Picture quality is poor. I am a JKD practitioner and am trying to incorporate some of these techniques. But this will not help a beginner or an intermediate level martial artist. Also there is lack of counter moves. Some are shown but poorly illustrated.

This is an excellent book on beginning to advanced sinawali techniques. About two dozen are included, which makes it more diverse and exhaustive than the other books I've seen on kali although this one is on a narrower topic. The only reason for the four stars is that the photos are a little small and hard to follow, but that's common in many other martial arts books as well. It's amazing that practical martial arts books (as opposed to more conceptual or theoretical) are even being published anymore considering how much better videos convey the techniques and movements, and how relatively inexpensive they are, although typically more expensive than the books.

Finally, I would only say that the book should be used in conjunction with the great four-volume video series from guros Ricketts and Galang. It is perhaps my favorite DVD set on the Filipino and Indonesian martial arts and the last DVD on espada y daga was especially well done I thought. If you use the book with the videos you should be in pretty good shape even if you're without a teacher and are using them for "distance learning" as I am. As I am a certified instructor in two other Filipino arts I'm able to use the combination of the two for distance learning pretty well. But even someone less experienced would still benefit from this book and the videos.

Good for those who are a little better than begining level. Shows different combinations of Sinawali. Pics are a bit small and had to understand but a mist have book for the developing artist.

If there is such a thing as great "value for your money" deal in the world of MA books, than this is it! I was amazed how much information did GM Galang manage to put in such a concise and small book. It is really too bad that the hotos were not done in a little bit bigger format, or text a little bit more elaborate, but my guess is that the publisher had set some limitations regarding those issues. On the other hand, maybe that would make the book more expensive, therefore making it less of such a great deal...

This book does a decent job of describing the movements it describes you making when picking up double sticks, however, some parts can be difficult to follow.

This in depth book gives a great background on the history of sinawali and has 70 forms in total. The photos are clear and easy to follow- but you will have trouble if no one has shown you the basics in person before.

I was very impressed with the two-person drills which accompany the forms as this allows the book to really "come to life" and is a great way to introduce friends to FMA.