CREST Mixed Martial Arts & Self Defence in Edinburgh

CREST MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: Tuition in MMA and no-nonsense Self Defence with classes throughout Edinburgh: Knife & Gun Defence, Close Quarters Combat, Jujitsu, Pencak Silat, Suffian, Kali, Eskrima, Arnis, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Brazillian Jiu Jitsu (bjj), Jeet Kune Do (JKD), Ninjitsu, Filipino Combat Systems (FCS), Aikido, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Sayoc, Pekiti Tirsia, Doce Pares, Fighting, Combat, Scotland, Bagua, Kung Fu, Kupso, Throw, Throwing, Weapons, Machete

Aspects of the following martial arts are taught within CREST:

Denkou Jujitsu

Jujitsu is an art form that has a long and varied martial history. "Ju" meaning harmony and "Jitsu" meaning techniques, Jujitsu is a japanese fighting art which has become associated greatly with the unarmed combat system used by the Samurai in Feudal Japan. Classical Jujitsu puts its emphasis on the use of close quarter grappling techniques, throws, takedowns and joint locks in order to incappacitate an opponent. Traditionally it was designed for use against a heavily armoured enemy where striking techniques would have a limited effect - thus making throwing and joint breaking techniques highly effective in allowing enough time to dispatch an enemy with a side arm, or to restrain an enemy long enough for help to arrive.

Modern versions of Jujitsu have risen to popularity recently with the advent of combat sporting events such as the UFC. One of the better known styles in the sporting arena is Brazillian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) which was popularised by the Gracies who used BJJ to great effect as a form of ground fighting.

Denkou Jujitsu is a well balanced style of jujitsu unique to CREST. It teaches the throwing and locking techniques of classical jujitsu for use both in sport and reality, similar styles of ground grappling to that seen in BJJ, and highly effective pressure point techniques (which are often shrouded in mystery but are really quite simple to grasp).

Integrated Close Quarters Combat

ICQC is a fully comprehensive combat system taught within CREST, which covers an broad range of combat disciplines. It forms a large part of the basis for our Self Defence training and is primarily comprised of South East Asian Arts such as Silat and Kali.

Juniors are taught a slightly limited ICQC curriculum with the emphasis being on confrontation management and basic self defence techniques. Adults, however, may have the opportunity to be introduced to the full system (depending on a number of factors) which includes extensive hand-to-hand combat, body conditioning, defence against (and use of) weapons including the short stick, knife, machete & firearms* and tuition in projectile weaponry (combat knife throwing)

Pencak Silat

Pencak Silat forms the core of our classical martial arts training. Silat is an extremely lethal martial art system from the Indonesian Archipelago with a number of different derivatives. Most of our silat heritage originates directly from the jungles of West Java. Below are a few of the syles of silat we most commonly practice in class.

Harimau: A brutal ground fighting system based on the movements of the tiger. This forms the basis of our self defence from the ground practice, as well as contributing largely to the sporting aspect of our ground fighting. Harimau specialises in efficiently taking down an opponent from a standing or crouched position, before quickly and efficiently dispatching them.

Kari: Another extremely effective system based more on the upright aspects of Silat. This is particularly well known for its use of a specific yet versatile hand position which it uses for all its striking techniques. This system also makes use of a number of locks and takedowns.

Sera Bandung: A rapid, mid-range system focussing on knife tactics.

Cimande Sera: A "two phase" system incorporating both aspects of Cimande and Sera styles. Sera is traditionally a knife based system, with a lessened focus on the Tarian aspects covered by other systems. Cimande is a Pukulan based system focussing on powerful strikes and traditional tarian. The first phase of this system focuses on the use of powerful, aggressive, forward pressure to close the gap to mid/close range to start destroying. No Gelek is used here. The Second phase focuses on the deeper Cimande aspects including Tarian, Animal styles and Gelek.

These systems form the main focus of our classical training. Each of them are HUGE systems! Following introduction to some of these systems, a few select students who show particular promise may later be introduced into the deeper, classical aspects of Silat and Kali. This is strictly by invite only and regardless of grade, there is never any entitlement to this form of training.

In general, Silat may well be able to be considered one of the most effective martial arts around. The above are the main systems of silat we teach—however, there are many more to which we have some access such as Buaya (crocodile), Monjet (Monkey), Madi, Syabandar, Cikalong, Rikesan and some others. Silat also forms the basis of our blade and stick training along with Kali.

Kali

Kali is primarily considered a weapons system, although it does teach a number of empty hand techniques. Originating in the Philippines, Kali specialises in the use of a number of weapons including sticks and a variety of blades.

Kali Training in CREST Martial Arts follows a truly comprehensive program. Students initially learn a number of empty hand methods and drills which help to ingrain martial movement to the extent that it becomes reflexive. From Green belt onwards, students are introduced to the stick aspects of the syllabus.

A few select students who show particular promise may later be introduced into the deeper classical aspects of Kali and Silat. This is strictly by invite only, and will often be at short notice. Regardless of grade, there is never any entitlement to this form of training.

Tae Kwon-Do

Tae Kwon-do translates literally as “Foot Hand Art” in Korean, and is a popular martial sport which is taught around the world. Known in particular for its wide variety of kicking techniques, TKD specialises in scoring points through strikes to the torso and head.

TKD officially began in 1958. Prior to that, Korea had a somewhat turbulent history. One of the “original” Korean martial arts was known as Taekkyeon—a versatile martial art with a dance like appearance. However, during the Japanese occupation of Korea, Taekkyeon was banned and replaced with various forms of karate. Following the Japanese occupation, Korea tried to reclaim some of its martial heritage. As a result of this a number of karate-like martial arts began from which Tae Kwon-Do eventually emerged.

Although it is often impractical in real world self defence, it provides excellent benefits in fitness, flexibility and general kicking ability which proves extremely useful in the right contexts, while also being lots of fun.