The 8 Cardinal Principles of the East Coast Jornales System taught at the Easton Martial Arts Center:

1) Respect

2) Humility

3) Character

4) Discipline

5) Self control

6) Sincerity

7) Etiquette

8) Loyalty

These principles serve as a guide in day-to-day decision-making.   They are the cornerstones to being a good leader. They are meant to steer our students on a good path through our civilized society.   Each Principle helps our students know how to interact with others in a positive way.  The Easton Martial Arts Center strives to develop good people, not just good martial artists.

It is sometimes difficult to know right from wrong. There is an exception to every rule, so no law is without loophole or all-encompassing. You must learn to live by Principle rather than by Law.  Obeying the law, while important in our society, is not the same as being moral and ethical.  So often we see examples of leaders comfortable with the idea that as long as they follow the law, then their conscience is clear.  We do not think that is enough.  The Easton Martial Arts Center wants to develop leaders who will act on principles with compassion and care for others.

A principle serves as a guide to making the best choice in the moment. Being principled allows you to move nimbly through the course of life as temptations and distractions come your way. They keep you focused on your goals (that is the secret to attaining them!).

The Jornales System Logo

The Easton Martial Arts Center is more than a karate school.  We are the East Coast Chapter of the Jornales System, which has its roots in the Filipino martial arts of Arnis-Kali-Eskrima. This system includes varied methods of training and drills utilizing assorted sizes of rattan sticks, Asian weapons, forms and empty hands. Combined with the kicking and striking system of Sikaran and the grappling curriculum of Dumog, the result is an effective self-defense system. The Jornales System has produced several multi-time world champions and compliments other martial arts styles and encourages an overall balanced system.

Cardinal Principles at the Easton Martial Arts Center

(text paraphrased and taken from Modern Arnis – “Philippine Style of Stick Fighting” by Remy Amador Presas, 1974)

Dao De

A ruffian or bully has no place at the Eason Martial Arts Center.  Refinement in CHARACTER is important.  A student must be taught the moral (and ethical) values of everything.  It is an obligation of the teachers at the Easton Martial Arts Center to mold the character of the student in such a way that their behavioral structure would be motivated by righteous desire.  It is what a person is that counts not the number of trophies they have won.  In spite of the abetted fallacies of values in the present world, it is who you are that will matter in the end.

Cardinal Principles at the Easton Martial Arts Center

(text paraphrased and taken from Modern Arnis – “Philippine Style of Stick Fighting” by Remy Amador Presas, 1974)

The cardinal principle at the Easton Martial Arts Center is RESPECT for one’s opponent as a person and as a fighter, and as a sportsman.  It should always be remembered that an opponent is a human being with a dignity as you have and worthy of respect.  Also, do not underrate his fighting ability.  Over-confidence would be costly, if not fatal.  There fore never underestimate the ability of an opponent.  Sportsmanship on the other hand is the measure of a fighter or player.  The laurels of victory should never be worn with superiority but with humility.  Victory is not a stamp of invulnerability but rather a reason for magnanimity.