Tremblant Lifestyle

Traveling to a foreign country is always an exhilarating experience. The sights, sounds, tastes and smells expand our minds and broaden our cultural horizons. We try to absorb as much as we can by taking the tours, visiting all the hot spots, cramming our days with activities and then we try to bring it all home in our digital cameras. Why not absorb the experience into our bodies, literally? When planning your vacation’s activities, why not give some good ol’ hand to hand combat a try? You can learn a lot about a culture by the martial art practiced by its people, as it shares a symbiotic relationship with the country’s history, its religion, its survival.

When we hear the words “martial arts” countries like China, Japan, Thailand usually come to mind. But all countries have had to defend themselves at one point or another, and as a result have developed their own unique styles and weapons. Martial art schools are generally friendly, welcoming to visitors, and much less expensive than snorkeling or parasailing. The following are some vacation destinations with some lesser known fighting styles definitely worth sneaking into your itinerary.

India - Kalaripayattu

Whether it’s a spiritual journey to the Himalayan mountains or to visit the white marbled wonder of the world, Taj Mahal, India awe-inspires with its natural beauty and structural magnificence. Home of the oldest major religion still in practice on earth, Indian masters can also teach you the world’s oldest martial art, kalaripayattu. With origins tracing back 3000 years, kalaripayattu incorporates strikes, grappling, weaponry, martial dance and massage. The system draws strength from animal forms such as lions, tigers, elephants, snakes and crocodiles, oh my. Once learned you can move onto wooden weapons, and eventually onto metal swords, spears and shields. Fervent believers in health and healing, training sessions begin and end with massages, using oils and incense to calm the mind and improve flexibility.

To find a school in India, click here

France - Savate

Relatively low-key among martial arts, the kickboxing style of savate isn’t the first thing you think of when you think of France. But providing you’re not on honeymoon, a visit to the land of typically less violent passions can be a great opportunity to learn a new fighting style. Savate is named after the French word for “old shoe”, highlighting the peculiar fact that it is fought actually wearing shoes, unlike most martial arts. This graceful kickboxing style was formalized in France early in the 19th century, having evolved from street-fighting origins. It’s partially known for its particular weapon specialization, a type of cane.

Videos of savate in action:
Savate Training and Execution

The Eminem playing over this next clip is a bit lame, but the match shows the flavor of the savate style.

Find savate schools in France here
Knowing French would help…

Russia - Systema

An ancient country whose history is as rich as its culture, Russia is the birthplace for one of the most effective and devastating martial arts on the planet today. Unlike the rigid forms and animal stances of many Asian martial arts, systema emphasizes fluid and natural human movement. Understanding that combat is a state of chaos carrying with it an infinite number of challenges and opportunities, the Russians developed a system of defense adaptable to any situation. Outside the schools practitioners train in the woods, in the water, in the snow, in a car, anywhere, learning how to avoid and counter-attack all forms of strikes, kicks, holds, chokes, anything. They learn how to disarm knives, guns, sticks, as well as how to become deadly with improvised weaponry such as pens, magazines, and shot glasses (if you don’t think pens or magazines can be dangerous, please see The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy).

Don’t let the cheesy music and slippery movements fool you, systema is taught to the Spetsnaz, the most elite special force in the Russian military.

Brazilians know how to celebrate, and the martial art of capoeira literally embodies the celebratory spirit. Add martial spice to your visit to Brazil, and at least try to see some of the style in action. You can’t miss it – it’s a hybrid of traditional fighting techniques and dance-like moves. It began to take shape in the 16th century with the mass influx of West African slaves into Brazil. While there is certainty that there are African elements, there is no pre-slavery evidence of a capoeira fighting style in Africa.

The art, which is considered a kind of play, was developed as a cultural pastime for entertainment and fun, but also potentially as a means for slaves to practice defending themselves against their owners. Either way, the dance element could have a powerful psychological effect on an opponent during a fight.

Capoeira clips:
Peculiar music, but a nice clip of capoeira sparring.

An impressive demonstration of the acrobatic ability of the capoeira adept.

Keep learning about capoeira here

Find Brazilian capoeira schools here

Philippines - Eskrima

Known for stunning beaches and hospitality, the Philippines have always been a great spot to visit. An extremely favourable currency exchange means the possibility of an extended stay, perfect for the learning and cultivation of the local martial art, eskrima. Likely developed from a mix of Chinese, Indonesian, and Malaysian styles, eskrima differs from many mainstream martial arts in that students typically learn to fight with a weapon first, then move to open hand techniques. It is a strongly weapons-based style, specifically those that can be dual-wielded, like short sticks and daggers. Outside the Philippines, it is often referred to as Kali.

Here are some great eskrima videos:
The basics.

Eskrima skills display.

To read more about eskrima, click here

Finding Schools in the Philippines:
It’s actually quite difficult to find schools online. The best bet is to search around FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) Forums like this, or post a thread asking for help finding a school near wherever you are or plan to be.

So that’s it. Unfortunately, there’s no specific fighting style associated with Mont Tremblant!