What to Know About Kali 4 Coordination: Martial Arts for Neurological Disorders
by Jamie Sparling, Kali Martial Arts Instructor
Jamie trains 7 different styles of martial art from all over the world, in addition to teaching mental focus and concentration to students who want more tools for attention deficit, increased memory and stress relief. Here he highlights how Kali can help with neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Kali is a Filipino Martial Art that sometimes is referred to as Escrima or Arnis.
The Filipino Martial Arts are weaponry based systems. This means that the student usually starts with weaponry, such as single or double stick. The coordination that is developed usually instills combat motions that we use in empty hand self defense and instills a left/right brain connection that adds health and well-being benefits as well.
Kali and Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) in general are being used by physical therapists to help many different people with several conditions.
One of my peers in the Inosanto Instructor Association had developed a program called Cognitive Kali after having an experience helping our instructor teach a FMA seminar. One gentlemen at the seminar came up to our teacher and thanked him for helping the man get his memory back. The man had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and he had started to forget his wife’s name. After beginning training (especially the double stick portion of Kali), he felt sharper and began to not struggle with his wife’s name. After closer consideration, my peer realized that a great deal of our masters were in their 80s and 90s with exceptionally sharp minds.
There seemed to be an honest connection to left/right brain health and cognitive decline. At least SOME connection.
In our experience with Affinity Martial Arts, we have seen Kali 4 Coordination help at least one of our students, Ralph Kronenwetter, who struggles with Parkinson’s. Ralph began training with us shortly after his diagnosis and was able to stay off of medications for the first year or two. This was very important to him and he partly credits his double stick training at 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness with his ability to stay off of medication. Of course, his iron will doesn’t hurt either.
Our Kali 4 Coordination is currently offered in an online format. We offer sticks available for purchase in that program. We encourage students to watch first and perhaps try some of the movements without sticks first. You can start by just moving your hands and feet—that is the core concept.
Here are what some of our students have said about Kali:
Ralph Kronenwetter has been participating in Kali 4 Coordination through 5 Koshas ever since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015.
“When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I learned it’s a disorder that affects movement—like tremors, rigidity, slowness, posture and balance. I appreciate Kali with Jamie, because it’s such an honest way to combat a discouraging disease. The deliberate and rhythmic movements Suzi and I do with Jamie, give me a confidence that, ‘I can still do this!’ It gives me hope and lifts my spirits with the camaraderie we have together. I recommend Kali for anyone with a mobility or balance disorder. Synchronizing your brain with your body is therapeutic, no matter what is happening. I consider this class an integral part of my treatment program.”
Susie Miller started Kali class on the recommendation of a friend and has continued classes for 8 years.
“I love the class. It challenges me every time I attend. It is great for coordination even better for the mind. I call it ‘brain food.’ By brain food, I mean eye and hand coordination. I need that as I age, now being 78 years old. Jamie is one of the most patient people I know. His love for martial arts and what it can do for mind and body comes through regardless of age or ability. I love it and it has taught me how to laugh especially when I mess up.”
To learn more about Kali Martial Arts, check out classes available through 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness HERE
Follow Jamie’s Kali 4 Coordination page on social media HERE