Fanchento \u2013 the way of the cobra<\/strong><\/p>\n When older people are asked if they think that they could offer themselves any form of self-defence or learn to do so, they will almost always respond that they might have in their youth, but that these days their bodies do not work so well, or their legs are weak, backs are gone, or they have lost their strength. The same goes for youth, too. Either they don\u2019t have the skill, the powers of observation, or strength. The martial art Fanchento flies in the face of these common misbeliefs, and takes the approach that if you can move your head, then you can at least head-butt, or if you can make a fist, you can throw a punch. Just seeing people dawn with the realisation of this simple premise brings a smile to Toni Roomer, Second Dan and Vice-President of the South African Fanchento Martial Arts Federation.<\/p>\n Striking effectively when needed, the cobra is a deadly snake that aims its venom directly at the heart of the problem that it faces. When it must attack, it does so with full force, leaving little room for failure. Fanchento (the way of the cobra) is a form of Jujitsu, both a self-defence and combat Martial Art, as well as a sport and a form of fitness exercise, which starts with the fundamental that \u2018strength is relative to how it is used\u2019. Fanchento incorporates aspects of Judo, Jujitsu, boxing, and traditional Kung Fu. The self-defence aspect of Fanchento is 70% awareness \u2013 which is what you think and see \u2013 and 30% skills for the fight. \u201cOur awareness programme is based deeply in the psychology of self-defence and body language,\u201d explains Toni, and this is why most instructors and accomplished martial artists will tell you to get out of the fight before you get into it, or to use the best weapon you have \u2013 your legs. And run away.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has nothing to do with cowardice or a lack of belief in one\u2019s abilities. Firstly, one has to be very aware and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are no rules in a real fight. It is common knowledge that there have been and will be skilled fighters that have been taken down and will be taken down in a real fight. So the best prevention is actually to look for a way out of a real fight. Secondly, if you can\u2019t get out of one, you should develop the awareness that you don\u2019t have to be big and strong in order to come out on top. You just have to know what to do if a fight is inevitable.\u201d For this fundamental premise, Fanchento focuses particularly on women and children who might not have the physical prowess to overcome their attackers, by teaching them to fight, not with strength, but to focus on the attacker\u2019s weaknesses.<\/p>\n \u201cAwareness teaching enhances mental acuity, and fitness and fighting enhances physical acuity. We concentrate very much on the fighting that will potentially work well in a real fight. We do not want to give our students a false sense of reality. But if a real fight were to occur, our students would have a \u2018good fighting chance\u2019.\u201d Fanchento says yes \u2013 a punch is a punch, and a kick is a kick \u2013 but it goes on to offer its students the proper techniques to use, so that your punch is not just a punch but a knockout out punch.<\/p>\n It appeals to all types of people. People who want to develop their fitness and simultaneously want to acquire fighting skills, irrespective of their starting level; those who want to challenge themselves and are prepared to try something new, irrespective of their age; and even children who don\u2019t want to be bullied and want to be respected. \u201cYoung and old feel very inspired to empower both their mind and body.\u201d<\/p>\n Take for example the highest Dan, Head instructor and Executive member of the Federation, Mickey Davidow, one of the highest ranking martial artists. \u201c<\/strong>Grandmaster Edward Liang was a student of Bruce Lee, and founded Fanchento using Lee\u2019s principle: \u201cAbsorb what is useful and reject that which is useless,\u201d which has become one of the most quoted statements in martial arts circles in recent years. Lee did not have one particular style that he trained. He taught that one must not bind oneself to the restrictions of a single style, and so Fanchento began.\u201d Davidow learned from Liang himself, and, starting from his garage in Joburg in the 60s, developed the art in South Africa.<\/p>\n Now, decades later, he is still strong and still very active in the affairs of the federation and instructing \u2013 the archetypal example of how Fanchento can be learned and excelled in at any age. SOSA (Shiur on Sally\u2019s Alley, a NPO for the older people in the community) has teamed up with the Federation with the aim of encouraging the older people to learn some self-defence skills and strengthening exercises. And as part of the self-defence aspect of awareness, Fanchento also includes some programmes run by Koleinu to merge efforts in the fight against abuse, and Technical Advisor Michele Engelberg runs women and girls only classes as well. Girls can excel at Fanchento because it eliminates gender inequalities and teaches that you can do it no matter what society might tell you, and some girl\u2019s high schools now offer it as part of their sports programme. Kids as young as four can get involved, through games and exercises adapted to developing fighting skills, like throwing a ping pong ball related to throwing a punch, and games using different scenarios teaching what can be done in each.<\/p>\n Fanchento has four components: Nage Waza, (throwing techniques); Katame Waza (which includes arm and wrist locks, strangulation techniques, finger bends and breaks, as well as leg locks); Atemi Waza (strikes and kicks); and Kobu-Jitsu (weaponry).\u00a0Through the instruction in these areas, one not only learns fighting and awareness skills, but also skills for life: how to use one\u2019s energy to the fullest; how to generate power; how to work one\u2019s mind and body in tandem; co-ordination; and strength. And for those looking for a fitness device more than learning the skills of a martial art, Fanchento cardio box is set to start soon, introducing basic fighting skills and fitness to music, which, Toni says, is a \u201cfun way to experience the flow and rhythmic movement that is so encompassing to any form of physical art\u201d.<\/p>\n For more information contact: <\/strong><\/p>\n Toni roomer: toniroomer@gmail.com<\/a> or<\/p>\n