Nick Stevens
Nick Stevens
Nicholas began his training in 1992 in Tae Kwon do. In 1996 he received the rank of 1st Dan and began teaching his first class. After getting into a fight with a boxer, he began looking for more a combative approach to martial arts. In late 1999 he met and began training with Guro Steve Lefebvre. With Guro Lefebvre, Nicholas began his training in Budo Taijutsu, a traditional japanese martial art, and Combative Concepts, which was a modern approach to fighting with elements taken from Western Boxing, Muay Thai, Shooto and Catch wrestling and Filipino Kali. It was also at this time that Nicholas was introduced to Tuhon Chris Sayoc and Sayoc Kali by Guro Lefebvre. In 2001 Nicholas was promoted to the rank of Kayan Isa Guro (Associate Level 1 instructor). In 2005 Nicholas was promoted to Kayan Dalawa Guro Katipunan (Associate level 2 instructor). In 2005 Nicholas also began training with Guro Carl Atienza, one of the chief instructors of Atienza Kali. Mr Stevens holds the following Ranks:
Sayoc Kali is a highly evolved Filipino martial art that emphasizes the correct and effective use of the blade. Sayoc Kali is one of the many facets of the Sayoc Fighting System as headed by Tuhon Christopher Casta?eda Sayoc. The 5th generation heir to the System.
Sayoc Kali is taught in a three part methodology Sayoc Kali, Sayoc Kali, Sayoc Silak, Sayoc Bikal. Each part is taught separably then integrated together to complete the training. Training begins with the Sayoc Kali portion of the curriculum.
Sayoc Kali Students begin learning the use of a single blade then progress on to deploying and using multiple blades. Vital Templates (road maps of the human body) are taught to teach vital targets on a target as well as on themselves. Transition Drills are sophisticated, two man drills, which contains attacks and counterattacks, Striking, grappling and joint control/immobilization. Sayoc kali is an energy based system. Because of this contact is needed against a living breathing opponent which helps to further help build the timing and reflexes needed to survive an edged weapon encounter. Free-sparring and realistic combat scenario practice are also important training tools. The drills also contain a basic teaching formula, and is primarily concerned with the development of the "Feeder". The feeder-based mentality of Sayoc Kali is best described by answering this oft-asked question: "How would you defend against a guy with a knife?" Feeder-based mentality : "I have the Knife".
Sayoc Silak Sayoc Silak (Blade Trapping and Locking) is the second part of the training - the counter offensive - and contains the second learning formula. This training revolves around the "Receiver" (or the "defender") and is started with empty hands. Sayoc Silak teaches the development of unarmed skills, footwork and body mechanics necessary to trap, lock, position, and disarm an attacks blades.
Sayoc Bikal The Sayoc student will all so learn the use of projectiles. Everything from knives to pens to bottles. Sayoc Bikal teaches how to throw, how to close the gap to an opponent or how to keep them at bay if need be. Sayoc Bikal comes compliments both Sayoc Kali as well as Sayoc Bikal and makes for a complete blade fighting system. For More information please go to www.Sayoc.com