Our Methodology
The Dragon Sticks FMA system is meant to be someone’s first martial art, or a martial art that someone with prior experience can use to take their ability to the next level. We structured our system step by step so that it can be learned the same way we attain literacy. First, we have to learn to recognize letters and understand what sounds those letters make. We have to identify the letters and then put them together so that we can form sight words. Sight words allow us to practice recognizing combinations of letters that we are likely to encounter regularly. With enough repetition, it becomes instinctual. From there, we begin learning to read sentences. In our case, that would be our drill sequences, such as sinawali or sumbrada. As students progress further and further, they should begin reading more complicated books and more technical tomes so that they become the equivalent of a high school graduate upon attaining black belt. After attaining black belt, or gaining literacy, students are expected to go explore the world and read all of the books it can offer in order to further develop their martial literacy.
We also think of it as a seasoning. If we think of arts like Boxing, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as meals to be made and prepared, like a signature dish, then FMA is the seasoning. If someone trains in FMA for six to twelve months, the movements will become natural to them as they go on to pursue a different art. If someone has an interest in Boxing, but studies FMA first, they will still be practicing Boxing, but their movements will be seasoned by their experience in FMA.
We also do not wish to cultivate a closed system. We do not believe that we have all of the answers because we ourselves are still learning, and we maintain the white belt mentality because we want to learn everything for the sake of curiosity itself. Our goal is for the people who train with us to be safer when they leave the mat than when they arrived. If someone else has a tool or technique that we do not have, or knowledge that can cover a gap in our training, we want our students to pursue it so that they have a higher chance of being safe as they go about their daily lives.
Our roots in Kajukenbo and JKD philosophy expressed that everything is to be studied so that students can sift through accumulated knowledge and discover what best allows them to honestly express themselves through martial activity.
Who are these classes for?
Dragon Sticks FMA welcomes:
complete beginners
experienced martial artists
cross-trainers
adults seeking practical self-defense
teens developing confidence and coordination
students interested in Filipino Martial Arts culture and application
We actively foster the “white belt” mentality: a desire for knowledge and pursuing it for the sake of curiosity itself. Our 14+ classes combine technical instruction, active drilling, partner development, scenario training, tactical discussion, and movement refinement. Classes begin with movement preparation and coordination development before progressing into focused technical material and live application. Students are encouraged to think critically about what they’re learning, not simply imitate movement. Filipino Martial Arts techniques are a result of understanding core principles of combat (footwork, timing, angles) that have been learned, practiced, and honed through repetitive drills that include progressive resistance and stress inoculation. Our purpose is to provide the technical education of these core principles and a safe, supportive environment to experiment with new knowledge.
Sparring is encouraged as a developmental tool for students to pressure-test their skills in a controlled environment. Students who choose not to spar are still encouraged to observe critically and develop an academic understanding of timing, pressure, rhythm, and tactical decision-making such as:
why techniques work
when they apply
how timing and positioning affect outcomes
how principles transfer across weapons and empty hand
Dragon Sticks FMA is built around combat literacy, functional skill development, and long-term growth through structured practice.
Q: What happens my first time at Dragons Den?
A: You will be welcomed warmly by “Aunty Pam” at our front desk. Upon expressing your interest in one of our programs, she will invite you to try the class out for yourself or sit in and observe your program of choice. An instructor will approach you, introduce themselves, and explain the class structure to see whether it matches what you are looking for.
Questions are encouraged; we want to make sure that what we do resonates with you.
Q: What do I bring with me?
A: Recommended apparel for your DSFMA trial class includes a comfortable shirt, athletic bottoms that do not impede movement, and either mat shoes or bare feet. No street shoes allowed on the mat
Rattan training sticks will be provided for the trial class, then a personal pair can be purchased from the front desk if needed.
Q: What happens in my first class?
A: Your first class is designed to introduce you to the structure, rhythm, and training environment of Dragon Sticks FMA without overwhelming you. New students are not expected to “keep up” immediately or perform perfectly. Your first session will typically include basic footwork, introductory striking mechanics, partner drilling, movement fundamentals, safety orientation, and equipment guidance. You will train at your own pace while learning how classes are structured and how students communicate and work together during training. The goal of the first class is not perfection. The goal is familiarity, awareness, and beginning the learning process.
Rules of the mat:
Introduce yourself to anyone you don’t know
Be respectful
Be open-minded
Our Training Pathway
Dragon Sticks FMA develops martial skill through four progressive stages:
Decuerdas → Sinawali → Espada y Daga → Kadena de Mano
Each stage builds upon the last, developing increasingly sophisticated coordination, timing, range management, weapon integration, tactile sensitivity, and adaptability. These are developmental stages, not guarantees of proficiency based on time served. Standard durations indicate the anticipated scope of training, not automatic advancement. Competence must be demonstrated through consistent practice, partner work, progressive resistance, and appropriate application.
Decuerdas - Single Stick Fundamentals
Establish the foundational mechanics and decision-making skills that support the entire curriculum. Students develop striking mechanics, defensive responses, triangle footwork, range recognition, live-hand awareness, counterstriking, and foundational disarms. They learn to manage long, middle, and close ranges while coordinating movement, defense, and offense. Fundamentals are built here; weapon handling, spatial awareness, timing, balance, and the relationship between offense and defense. Students begin understanding how to manage distance, protect themselves, create openings, and transition between striking and close-range control.
Sinawali - Bilateral Coordination & Flow
Expand foundational skills into coordinated two-weapon movement and adaptable striking patterns. Students progressively develop rhythmic ambidexterity, symmetrical hand competency, defensive transitions, and the moments between movements that prevent dependence on a single sequence. Previously learned material continues to be refined through left-hand practice and partner application.
Espada y Daga - Asymmetric Tools & Range Integration
Develop a deeper understanding of footwork, proximity management, and independently coordinating weapons with different physical properties. Students learn to coordinate different weapons simultaneously, manage offensive and defensive responsibilities, bridge weapon mechanics, and convert ambidexterity into synergistic offense & defense. Students benefit from more advanced coordination drills that challenge independent limb function, timing, adaptability, and the ability to manage competing tasks at different ranges. Single and double-stick foundations are being prepared to translate to weapon-based principles in close-range interactions.
Kadena De Mano - Empty-Hand Integration & Close-Range Control
Synthesize the curriculum’s principles into empty-hand striking, incorporating appropriate principles and methods from western boxing, panantukan, sikaran, kickboxing, wrestling, judo, and grappling through structured drills and progressive resistance to develop practical integration. Translate all prior material through your most basic tools and add tactile sensitivity, positional awareness, clinch dominance, balance disruption, and adaptive flow under pressure. Students develop the ability to transition between ranges without treating them as disconnected disciplines.
In-Person Membership Rates
12 Month Agreement
$144/mo
Month-to-Month
$161/mo
Weekly group classes with structured lesson plans
Family discounts up to 30%
Train against resistance with peers in a safe, supervised environment
Gain access to DSFMA Discord community
Progress through our ranking structure
Opportunities to challenge yourself through competition
Join us at seminars, workshops, gatherings, and social outings to cultivate the mind, body, and spirit
Drop-In - $30/session
Train with our regularly scheduled group classes at your convenience with no commitment
Private Training - $70/hr
Specialized instruction for self defense, combat sport, and recreation, tailored uniquely to the needs and wants of your journey
*Dragons Den MMA liability waiver required for all services