Arnis vs. Kali vs. Eskrima: Understanding Filipino Martial Arts in Calgary
- Jeff Estrada
- May 31
- 4 min read
One of the most common questions we get from new and prospective students at Flow Martial Arts Academy in Calgary is:
“What’s the difference between Arnis, Kali, and Eskrima?”
After more than 13 years of teaching Filipino Martial Arts, we’ve learned that once people understand the terminology, the entire art starts making much more sense. If you’ve started researching Filipino Martial Arts, you’ve almost certainly encountered the terms Arnis, Kali, and Eskrima — sometimes used interchangeably, sometimes presented as distinct arts. It’s one of the most common sources of confusion for newcomers here and around the world. Let’s clear it up once and for all.
In this post:
The Short Answer: One Filipino Martial Art, Three Names
All three names — Arnis, Kali, and Eskrima — refer to the same martial tradition. They are regional names, not different arts. The confusion is completely understandable: depending on which YouTube channel you found, which book you picked up, or which school you contacted first, you may have encountered any one of the three presented as the “real” name. Today, the terms are often used interchangeably depending on lineage, region, and instructor preference. So if you’ve been searching for Filipino martial arts in Calgary or Arnis classes in Calgary, you’re in the right place.
Think of it like regional dialects of the same language. The vocabulary differs, the accent differs, some expressions are unique — but the underlying grammar and meaning are the same. A practitioner of Arnis from Luzon and a practitioner of Kali from Mindanao will immediately recognise each other’s techniques, even if they use different names for them. This is why the terminology debate, while interesting, rarely matters in practice.
“Arnis, Kali, and Eskrima are like regional dialects of the same language — the vocabulary differs, but the underlying grammar is identical.”
Where the Names Come From: Origins of Arnis, Kali, and Eskrima
Arnis comes from the Spanish word ‘arnes,’ meaning ‘armour’ or ‘harness.’ It’s the officially designated national martial art and sport of the Philippines, enshrined in law in 2009 — which is why it tends to appear in formal and academic contexts. If you see it referred to as the “national sport,” that’s why. We explore more unique historical and cultural aspects of Filipino Martial Arts in our article on 10 fascinating facts about Filipino Martial Arts.
Eskrima (also spelled Escrima) derives from the Spanish ‘esgrima,’ meaning ‘fencing.’ Both Arnis and Eskrima carry the linguistic fingerprints of three centuries of Spanish colonization — a reminder that the art survived and was practiced even under colonial rule, adapting its vocabulary while preserving its substance.
Kali is the term most favoured internationally — and the one you’ll encounter most often searching for Filipino martial arts in Calgary — partly because its etymology is debated and may predate Spanish contact entirely. That pre-colonial quality gives it cultural weight for many practitioners who want a name untouched by the colonial era. Whether or not that etymology holds, Kali has become the dominant term in Western FMA communities, and you’ll hear it most often here.
Do the Styles Actually Differ? What FMA Training Really Covers
While the names reflect different regional origins, in modern practice the distinctions are largely stylistic rather than fundamental. All three traditions share the same core principles: weapon-to-empty-hand translation of techniques, emphasis on angles of attack and defense, training across all combat ranges, and the same fundamental striking system.
Different lineages and instructors bring different emphases — some focus more on weapons, others on grappling or empty-hand striking — but a practitioner from any FMA tradition will immediately recognize the common roots.
For Calgary students deciding which school or style to train with, the name used matters far less than the quality of instruction and the authenticity of the curriculum. These are the things worth asking about.
Filipino Martial Arts Classes in Calgary at Flow Martial Arts Academy
At Flow, we use all three names interchangeably — because we think the terminology debate, while genuinely interesting, is the wrong thing to focus on when choosing a school. The question worth asking isn’t “do they teach Kali or Arnis?” It’s “is the instruction authentic, and does the curriculum cover the full scope of the art?” If you’re ready to find out, check the class schedule.
We’ve had students arrive calling it Kali, others who only knew the word Eskrima, and plenty who had never heard any of the three terms before walking in. Within a few classes, the name stops mattering entirely — what remains is the art itself. If you want to understand what that art actually involves, our beginner’s guide covers exactly that.
Come Experience the Art That Goes by Many Names
📍 Classes at Flow Martial Arts Academy, Calgary. flowma.ca | 587-891-8108 | 602 22 Ave NW. .
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