Growing up, Karen Gionson-Coloma had a fascination with martial arts, watching "Black Belt Theater" and fawning over Bruce Lee.

Years later, with her hectic schedule — working nights and raising two daughters — she never had the time to take classes.

But six months ago, she took a job working at her daughter's school, which freed up her evenings.

She immediately signed up for escrima.

"I was attracted to working with the sticks, " said Gionson-Coloma, 39, of 'Ewa Beach, who takes classes at the Pedoy's School of Escrima twice a week with her 6-year-old daughter. "I wasn't interested in taking judo or karate."

Escrima — or eskrima — is a centuries-old martial art that originated in the Philippines. It emphasizes stick and sword fighting, though various forms of the sport have evolved to include boxing and grappling.

Locally, the popularity of the sport has steadily grown in line with the interest in mixed martial arts. But more women, such as Gionson-Coloma, are signing up for escrima for workout and self-defense benefits. About half the students in the adult classes at Pedoy's School of Escrima are women.

"Mentally, it's relaxing. You're able to forget everything that's going on in your life while you're in class," she said. "And physically, you're definitely a lot fitter. You're trimmer, more slender and stronger. You're definitely working your legs and arms ... I feel better in my clothes."

What sets escrima apart from other martial arts is its primary use of weapons, said Tyrone Takahashi, grandmaster at Pedoy's and grandson of the school's founder, Braulio Pedoy.

"We specialize in the blade and the stick," said Takahashi, who works full time as an electrical contractor. "But it's not just stabbing each other. It's about the interaction with the sticks."

Takahashi, who's half Filipino, grew up training in escrima but dabbled in karate, too. He preferred escrima because of its more passive style of combat.

"You don't have to fight your opponent with power," he said.

The Pedoy's School of Escrima opened more than 40 years ago, promoting the Derobio style of the sport, which emphasizes disarming and defensive techniques rather than aggressive actions.

The school has grown to include training in mano mano (open hand), sikaran (kicking), panantukan (boxing) and dumog (grappling).

But part of learning the sport is to understand and appreciate its history and place in Filipino culture, Takahashi said. Students learn about the history of escrima and the proper terminology in Visayan.

Preserving this tradition and perpetuating the culture were what his grandfather, who died in 1992, wanted Takahashi to continue.

"If he were here with me today, he would be very proud," Takahashi said. "The school right now is at a level where it's never been."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.