Adult Filipino Martial Arts in Oakland · Ages 16 & Up
Latosa Escrima Returns to
Bay Area Martial Arts
One of the most respected Filipino martial arts systems in the world is back on Grand Ave. Train in the concept-based weapons and self-defense system founded by the late SGM Rene Latosa, passed down through BAMA founder Guru Adrian DeSilva to his direct student, Sensei Michael Danner. Classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening. No experience required.
Tell us where to send it. We will follow up with class details, what to expect on your first night, and how to reserve your spot in the Latosa Escrima program.
OUR DIRECT LINEAGE
Latosa Escrima was founded by the late Supreme Grandmaster Rene Latosa, one of the most influential figures in the Filipino martial arts. SGM Latosa has passed on, and his system now lives through the students he trained personally.
One of those students is Bay Area Martial Arts founder Guru Adrian DeSilva, who trained privately under SGM Latosa for 13 years and earned the title of Guru. Guru Adrian in turn trained Sensei Michael Danner, who now leads our adult program.
That is the line you step into here: SGM Rene Latosa, to Guru Adrian DeSilva, to Sensei Michael, to you.
SGM RENE LATOSA
The late SGM Rene Latosa devoted his life to the Filipino martial arts. His teachers read like a Who’s Who of the art: Angel Cabales, Maximo Sarmiento, Dentoy Revilar, Leo Giron, his uncle Pedro, and his father, Juan Latosa.
At twenty-three, while serving in the U.S. Air Force, he introduced the Filipino martial arts to England and then to the rest of Europe, winning over skeptics one school at a time. He went on to teach for the European Wing Tsun Organization for more than twenty years and shared his system through seminars across the United States and Europe.
SGM Latosa is no longer with us, but the concept-based system he designed continues through the instructors he trained personally.
GURU ADRIAN DESILVA
Adrian DeSilva has been teaching martial arts in the Bay Area since 1993. In 1998 he put down roots in Oakland, where he built Bay Area Martial Arts and Oakland’s Filipino Martial Arts Center into places where kids, families, and adults train side by side.
From 2007 to 2020 he trained privately under SGM Rene Latosa, earning the title of Guru in Latosa Escrima. He also trained under SGM Ernesto Presas Sr. and holds the rank of GM Lakan Walo, an 8th-degree black belt in Kali-Kombatan-Escrima. He earned the title of Sifu in Wing Tzun under GM Dai-Sifu Emin Boztepe and is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Everything taught in this program comes from that firsthand training, handed directly from teacher to student.
Guru Adrian’s guiding philosophy, in his own words:
“Always be a ‘white belt.’ Constantly striving to learn is the path to improvement, and it’s how you evolve from where you are today. It’s the martial arts way.”
— Guru Adrian DeSilva
SENSEI MICHAEL DANNER
The Latosa Escrima program is led by Sensei Michael Danner, Head Instructor and Co-Owner of Bay Area Martial Arts and a direct student of Guru Adrian DeSilva. He trained under Guru Adrian right here at Bay Area Martial Arts, which places him in a direct line to SGM Rene Latosa.
Sensei Michael is a Program 12 student in the Latosa Escrima system and is closing in on the Tohan level. He is also proficient in the Kali Serrada system, giving students a deep, well-rounded view of the Filipino martial arts.
He teaches the way the system was designed to be taught: working with each student to discover how their own body can best express the concepts, instead of forcing everyone into the same rigid positions.
WHAT MAKES LATOSA ESCRIMA DIFFERENT
A very small, simple repertoire of movement concepts and strategy that applies to any weapon in any situation, so you can react without confusion or technical thought.
Learn to generate serious striking power from your body mechanics, even when the strike begins only a few inches from the target.
Realistic training teaches you to manage stress, prevent panic, and keep a clear head. That confidence carries into every area of life.
THE ESCRIMA CONCEPTS
Every technique in Latosa Escrima is tested against a short list of core concepts to determine whether it is effective and structurally sound. The concepts are interdependent, each one strengthening the others, and they work together with the box alignment, the forward and reverse directional energy triangles, and figure-eight offensiveness to make the system complete.
The Concepts You Will Train
The overriding concept in the system and the prerequisite for all the others. Nothing can be accomplished reliably if you are off balance.
Proper body mechanics deliver short power through any weapon, object, or part of the body, without a big swing. You gain economy of motion and can strike immediately from any position.
A Latosa Escrimador is focused on the goal, not the obstacles in the way. You direct your energy at the target and stay offensive, even in defense.
Useful speed is timing and distance. Economical movement at the right moment defeats fast, wide movement at the wrong one.
The same concepts apply to any weapon and any situation, so you adapt on the spot instead of searching for the “right” technique.
Learn to channel fear and adrenaline into a clear, performance-enhancing mindset, with the explosiveness to go from stillness to action instantly.
WHAT TRAINING LOOKS LIKE
Beginners start by learning how their own body moves. You will learn to produce short power with a single stick while keeping your balance, both standing still and moving in every direction.
From there you apply that power with focus and speed, and learn movement relationships through the Box System and the Five Strike System. Partner exercises begin within your first couple of classes.
As you advance, the same concepts carry over to all weapons, all ranges, and real self-defense situations. Classes are for ages 16 and up, and no prior martial arts experience is needed.
FAQs
No. Beginners spend most of their early training learning how their own body moves and how to generate power with balance. Sensei Michael works with each student individually, so you start exactly where you are.
This is an adult program for ages 16 and up. It is a great fit for complete beginners, experienced martial artists looking to add a weapons-based system, and former BAMA students who want to get back on the mat.
Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:15 to 8:15 PM at Bay Area Martial Arts, 3719 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610.
No. Training usually begins with a single stick, but the concepts are built to transition to any weapon, any everyday object, and empty-hand self-defense.
Fill out the form on this page. We will send you the schedule, let you know what to expect and what to bring, and help you reserve your first class.