Kali is the ancient fighting art of the Malay people of the islands now called the Philippines. Like many ancient tribal peoples, the Malay of the islands were warriors, as well as accomplished sailors. Throughout the archipelago and beyond, they sailed their ships, fighting or trading their way from shore to shore and establishing merchant routes throughout the Pacific.

There are numerous styles of Kali, hailing from many different areas, each with its own characteristics and fighting principles. Often they emerge as family systems, and sometimes they were the results of the sharing of varied techniques by a collective of groups or individuals.

Atienza Kali was developed by the late Edgar “Butch” Atienza in New York City. As a Kali practitioner and experienced street fighter he saw the need for a fighting system that addressed the challenges one encountered on the street, including defense against armed assailants and multiple attackers. He began to modify techniques and drills according to practical experience and refined his training methods for over three decades. The result is an extremely effective system that emphasizes intensive footwork and assaults against multiple attackers, with techniques in empty hand, blade, and impromptu weapons.

Kali Atienza practitioners are taught attacks and counter-attacks in single and double sword, single and double dagger, sword and dagger and the traditional single and double stick, as well as empty hands. A student will be introduced to the concepts of proper fighting range, Body Shielding Method and True Path tactics. Also, the use of proper body mechanics in conjunction with effective footwork is emphasized and reinforced at all times.