TESTIMONIALS
"Fight of a Phoenix"
It is great to see a comprehensive documentation of the new direction and evolution of modern Martial Arts. Anthony Manning has based his principles on realistic pugilistic concepts, strong basic principles and hard training.
I am excited to be involved in this modern Martial Arts evolution and proud to be a Mentor of Anthony Manning and see some of my teachings documented. Anthony’s disciplined military back ground have has given him the experience to meticulously and critically evaluate Martial Arts which I am sure will create strong discussion.
A modern style requires a broader range of expertise than most original traditional styles generally offer. Computers, cars, planes, you name it have all improved, mostly for the better, so like it or not Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is here and here to stay. It works and can be tested in arenas all over the world. You can now see what works.
I would like to congratulate Anthony on his presentation. It is frank and I think it will give the many under-experienced kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts trainers out there a foundation to build from as there are many who are just punching and kicking without any formula or system to build their style.
I would also like to say that there is one thing that we must carry forward from our Martial Arts teachers and that is the respect, discipline and honour that it bred.
I am seeing it disappearing too quickly - Mick Spinks Double Dragon Martial Arts Gym. Senior CoachSifu – Jim Wu Koon.
"Martial Arts Re-defined"
Anthony Manning puts an astounding amount of effort into anything he does.
His personal achievement in the past decade or so since switching from non-combative 'traditional' martial arts to stepping in the arena and testing himself as a competitive fighter (winning an Australian kickboxing title in the process) is a testament to his work ethic and dedication.
Anthony successfully runs one of Australia's most successful kickboxing stables and full-time martial arts and fitness centres, Phoenix Gym.
Throughout 10 years plus of training champions and improving the fitness and health of the general public, Anthony has continued to seek out the instruction of the best in their fields to refine his own understanding of the martial arts.
Anthony has consolidated his learning experiences and tried and true training methodology into the work before you. He seeks to share his perspective on the martial arts in a modern context, to provoke discussion and encourage critical thinking amongst practitioners, teachers and laymen like.
The work is given additional weight by Anthony's systematic military approach, developed by years in the defence forces and national security.
The manual contains not only a detailed analysis on the current state of martial arts, but also an introduction to the fundamentals of the Phoenix System, a synthesis of the essential elements of kickboxing, boxing and grappling. As an individual seated firmly in the traditional camp, I found the handbook a relevant and thought provoking read. Congratulations on a job well done Anthony. I look forward to reading future editions as your experience continues to grow - Brendan Tunks, President, Tanglang Quan She (Mantis Boxing Society).
"Re-defining Martial Arts"
The Phoenix approach to martial arts and fitness training fits neither traditional martial arts, nor a contemporary fitness training model, and yet it is an effective form of both. On the one hand, it revolves around the conventional martial arts principles of self-defence, combat, tough fitness, respect and self-improvement, and on the other hand, it uses the best of current fitness training techniques and is motivational, modern and practical.
The Phoenix approach is not mainstream, and for that reason, it suits particular types of people, but not everyone. Those who stand to gain the most from it, and who are likely to become long-term devotees, are those who are individually focussed, enjoy hard physical work and seek ongoing fitness challenges.
This book describes what the Phoenix martial arts/fitness training system is and what it is not. In so doing it both questions and criticises some aspects of traditional martial arts and contemporary fitness training. Yet at the same time it shows some respect for their positive attributes. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in martial arts, hard fitness, or a modern blend of both -
Elizabeth Bennett, September 2008.
"Re-defining Martial Arts"
Anthony Manning’s book describing his martial-arts system is honest, straightforward, and challenging. Naturally these qualities are a reflection of Anthony himself. What is more important, however, is that these qualities also characterise his system.
After seven years training in a traditional Korean martial art, I was happy to have progressed through the coloured-belt system. I was also pleased at being able to perform various techniques that, as a novice, had seemed impossibly difficult. Nevertheless I still harboured doubts about my ability to cope with real-life self-defence situations. And related to these doubts was a growing feeling that most of the skills and techniques I had learned would be of no use in such situations. When I began training with Anthony, however, it was immediately obvious that everything he taught was useful. Martial arts now began to give me a deeper, more secure sense of confidence.
Anthony has taken what he considers to be useful from many martial arts and dispensed with what is impractical or unnecessary. The result of this process of distillation is the Phoenix system. As an eclectic but complete modern martial art, Phoenix is ideal for beginners. I also strongly recommend the Phoenix system to those who have done martial arts and who want to add meaning and coherence to their experience, and to derive real confidence from their training - Dr Walter Kudrycz |
