Welcome to the website of Master Brian Zawilinski

From the Ancient Filipino Warriors, to the “founding fathers” of the Filipino Martial Arts, to the modern day Masters, the magnificent Filipino Martial Arts continue to spread throughout the world . . .

For 27 years, Master Brian has been studying the infinite applications and living “flow” of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). Called the “art within your art” by the late Grandmaster Remy Presas, the FMA can be added to your current system, art, or style. It can also “stand alone” as it’s own system.

Filipino Martial Arts seamlessly integrate the empty hand, stick and knife into an extremely effective martial art for students, enthusiasts, instructors, school owners and law enforcement.

Strikes, joint locks, take downs, throws, groundwork, single and double stick drills, trapping, disarms, and locks blend together to give the individual an unlimited amount of techniques and skills to choose from and form their own unique “flow” which is the foundation of the late GM Remy Presas art of Modern Arnis.

Whether you are interested in martial arts, self defense, or tactical law enforcement training, there are plenty of opportunities in the pages that follow. Please take a few minutes to browse the site.

Master of Tapi Tapi Brian Zawilinski

Fourth degree black belt and personal student of Professor Lee Lowery (retired) since 1981 in  Kenpo Karate.

Personal student of Modern Arnis Grandmaster Remy Amador Presas the “Professor” from 1982 until he passed away on 8/28/01

Currently enjoying some “peer mentoring” with  Master Zhang Zhaoxun in learning the Hun Yuan system of Chen style Tai Chi.

Master of Tapi Tapi – (“Tapi Tapi”- a phrase coined by GM Presas that means counter for counter) a title separate from and above rank, awarded by GM Presas only to those individuals having achieved the highest level of proficiency in Modern Arnis.  There are only 7 people worldwide that have received this title from GM Remy Amador Presas.

In addition to his training under his primary Instructors, for over a quarter century, Brian has continuously expanded his studies by attending seminars taught by Grandmaster Wally Jay (Small Circle Jujitsu), Grandmaster Ed Parker (American Kenpo Karate), Senior Depasquale (Jujitsu), Sifu Richard Roy (Yang style Tai Chi, Qigong, Bagua Palm), Grandmaster Ron Van Browning (mixed martial arts), as well as numerous world champions

Ambassador of Modern Arnis:

For the past 10 years, Master Brian has traveled, taught seminars, camps, conducted workshops, and given exhibitions throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, and Southeast Asia. Brian continues to uphold the wishes of the “Professor” by spreading this incredible art and serving as a worldwide ambassador of Modern Arnis and FMA. Master Brian has written articles and assisted fellow martial artists in writing articles for numerous martial arts publications and books.

Rank, title, status, fame, fortune, and politics are of no concern to Brian. Regardless of skill or longevity, if you are genuinely interested in learning FMA, then you will quickly realize that you have a lot in common with  Brian as he shares his passion, experience and knowledge of FMA with you. 

Brian often gives public praise and thanks for the opportunity to have been one of Professor Presas’ personal students for nearly 20 years.  There are literally only a handful of people in the world that started their training under the Professor in the early eighties and remain active to this day.  Brian is enjoying an incredible journey with this art as he continues to travel, teach, learn, make “connections” and most importantly “give back” through this art all over the world . . .