School Info
Welcome to Phoenix Academy of Martial Arts!
Our curriculum is drawn from the arts described in the following introductory summaries. Please contact us if you have additional questions about any system, its principles, or our training methods. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to assist you!
ADF
ADF is an acronym for “Action Defeats Fear”. The course objective is to prepare students to survive a real, violent encounter. The ADF curriculum blends the principles and techniques found in Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Silat, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Japanese Shoot, Chinese Chin Na, and a variety of grappling systems. Through the ADF curriculum, students will quickly become proficient in a variety of ranges, with and without weapons. Additionally, ADF provides students with the foundation required for a more intensive study of each of the parent arts.
Jun Fan Gung Fu / Jeet Kune Do Concepts
Radically ahead of his time in his training and teaching methodology, Bruce Lee developed a martial art system and fighting strategy that has lost none of its effectiveness over time. Emphasizing the “ranges of combat”, students are taught to confidently “flow” with ease from long range to middle distance and into close quarters. JKD affords the practitioner a means by which to effectively pursue the most direct line of attack. Once an attack has been launched, there are no breaks or interruptions. As one technique nears completion it blends into the next: one continuous flowing motion until the conflict is resolved. The Jan Fan Gung Fu classes taught at the Academy are devoted entirely to teaching and preserving the art and philosophies of the late Bruce Lee, as taught by his protege, student, and training partner Sifu Dan Inosanto.
Wing Chun Kung Fu
The Phoenix Academy proudly offers its students Wing Chun. The Wing Chun system of Kung Fu was developed in the Shaolin Temple about 400 years ago. It is considered one of the most sophisticated styles of Kung Fu in existence today. The foundation of this extraordinary system is an economy of motion, emphasizing quick reflexes, sensitivity, and continuous flow. Wing Chun is a close range system known for its use of straight line attacks and hand trapping skills.
Filipino Kali / Indonesian Silat
The weapons training program at PAMA is Filipino Kali. Kali varies from other systems in that it starts the student off by learning to use weapons. The primary weapons introduced are the stick, double sticks, stick and knife, staff, and sword just to name a few. The empty hand, grappling, ground fighting, and trapping methods are learned later in the system. It is considered one of the most comprehensive, effective all around fighting systems available today. Kali is the chosen art of the fighting elite including the U.S. Navy Seals and Presidential Secret Service.
Brazilian Jui-Jitsu
In 1914, Japanese Jui-Jitsu champion Esai Maeda migrated to Brazil, where he was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish descent. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie’s assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian’s oldest son Carlos the essential secrets of the ancient martial arts system. Carlos taught Maeda’s techniques to his four brothers, and in 1925 they opened the first Jui-Jitsu academy in Brazil. For the Gracie brothers, teaching the art was more than an occupation. It was their passion. One of the brothers, Helio Gracie, paid special interest to the use of the techniques. Helio, being of small frame, light in weight (only 135 pounds) , and in frail health, was 16 when he began learning Jui-Jitsu. Being unable to participate in classes, he would sit and watch his older brother teach every day. One day when Carlos was unable to make it to class, Helio was asked to instruct. Because of his size and stature, he began to work with and adapt the basic rules of Jui-Jitsu. He introduced the application of leverage to the art, making it possible for a smaller opponent to defeat a larger one. He began experimenting, modifying and enhancing the basic techniques to make them effective for a person regardless of his or her stature. Thus began the development of a new and more technical art: Gracie Jui-Jitsu. Our lineage into BJJ is through Professor Pedro Sauer who earned his Black Belt from Helio and Rickson.
