Functional Filipino Martial Arts for the Modern World
Train timing, distance, awareness, and pressure through a lineage-driven system of eskrima, kali, and practical self defense.
Traditional Lineage
Rooted in Inayan Eskrima, Cacoy Doce Pares, VL Kali, Kajukenbo, and Jeet Kune Do influences.
Practical Application
Train through drills, sparring, timing, positioning, and adaptive problem-solving.
Structured Progression
Build real skill through a progressive system designed for long-term growth.
Cultivate ambidexterity
Control proximity with intelligent footwork
Hone personal physical rhythm
Develop hand-eye coordination
Build your martial literacy
Discover a new creative outlet
Enhance preexisting combat training
Learn safely in a supportive community
Our Training Pathway
Decuerdas
Learn the non-negotiable single-stick fundamentals (power, angle recognition, live-hand development, range control and basic disarms
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Sinawali
Develop rhythmic ambidexterity, bilateral symmetry, weapon independence, and live-hand awareness through double-stick weaving patterns and combat translation.
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Espada y Daga
Bridge weapon mechanics (asymmetry + footwork) and control range with footwork, dominate an opponent’s limb with the checking (daga) hand, and convert weapon patterns into empty-hand actions.
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Kadena de Mano
Translate all prior material through your most basic tools and add tactile sensitivity, positional awareness, clinch dominance, balance disruption, and adaptive flow under pressure
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Guro
Explore the depths of the combative arts with a new understanding of biomechanics and combat geometry to enrich your martial journey, or share the passion of Filipino Martial Arts with the next generation.
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The benefits of training in the Filipino Martial Arts include a wide variety of low impact drill sequences that can be adapted to all levels of mobility. Continued practice in our traditional sinawali subsystem strongly contribute to long-term neuroplasticity and fitness by introducing unique and functional variations, interjections, and application.
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Our literacy based teaching methodology allows for practitioners of all experience levels to hit the ground running when they begin their journey with us. Focusing on the overarching principles of effective combat makes it easy for experienced martial artists of any and all backgrounds to seamlessly integrate our teachings into their own expression.
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While sparring is critical for obtaining the full scope of any combat system, and essential for our competitive athletes, the Filipino Martial Arts covers such a wide range of physical skills that effectively and efficiently represent the “art” as well as the “martial” with respect for both.
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Class gets you moving! It is recommended to wear something you can comfortably stretch and move in, a shirt & athletic bottoms will do. Mat shoes allowed.
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At Dragon Sticks FMA, we beieve that martial arts should enhance your life–not replace it. However, you get out of your training what you put into it and consistent study & practice is the only real way to unlock the benefits of Filipino Martial Arts training.
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Our structured drill platforms are specifically designed to be accessible and beneficial to all physicalities. Turn your “one day” into your “Day 1” with us in the east SF Bay Area!
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Every day. Train your focus when the day drags on, hone your discipline when life gets hard, and channel your resilience with the lessons and experiences you’ve practiced on the mat with us!
The “Threat Triangle” is a decision making matrix that teaches you to recognize a potential danger to yourself or others with three questions: does someone seem willing to do harm, are they in a position to act right now, and do they have the means to make it count? It is designed to help identify trouble early, before it turns into contact, so it can be avoided with awareness, distance, disengagement, and exit rather than wait for certainty. This works well for beginners by providing a clear baseline for reading danger, and helps experienced practitioners organize fast judgement under stress.
“Through life’s ups and downs, Dragon Sticks has created a space for me to feel grounded, safe, and challenged to grow both on and off the mat.”
— DSFMA studentGuro Adrian Hipolito is a lifelong martial enthusiast with roots in Filipino Martial Arts, Kajukenbo, Boxing and influence from Jeet Kune Do, Wrestling, and BJJ.
Guro Arnel Mendoza, founder of Dragon Sticks, cultivated the art over 40+ years of training and has shared his passion with hundreds over three decades of instruction.
Whether your goal is self-defense, competition, fitness, or martial arts development, Dragon Sticks FMA is designed to make you more capable than when you walked in.
Comfortably homed within Dragons Den MMA
