My Great Endeavors : September 2024

Introduction

What is it and where did it come from? There are several dimensions to it. How do practitioners train and what are the principles? What music got to do with it? What are the different schools, styles and techniques? There are many cool weapons in this martial art. It has a long history and its awesome!!!!!!!!

Definition

It is a collection of martial arts from different parts of Southeast Asia. It consists of 4 aspects. They are as fellows: Spiritual, Self-Defense, Art, and Sport. These 4 Aspects help you become a greater human being. Possibly super-human, if you stick to it long enough.

4 Corners

Spiritual: This section helps you become a brave and honest person. It may help develop super powers as well!!!!!

Self-Defense: This section teaches you how to a very effective warrior.

Art: This section helps you get more in touch with the cultures that spawned this martial art.

Sport: This is 4 fun and it builds character and muscle.

Those sections are intertwined and sum schools may emphasize one section more than the others.

Principles

Destruction: Disable the opponents arms, legs, muscles, joints, and/or nerves so you can get away.

Body Armor: Your posture gives you sum defense to your opponent's attack.

Adhesion: Get in the opponent personal space and attack!

Off Timing: You keep the opponent off balance by doing fast "snappy" movements.

There are several other principles, but this will suffice.

Training

First you learn proper posture. This is foundational 2 to the rest of your training. The second step is solo forms (jurus). You would learn different sequences of movement. It will help you develop a strong mind. The third step is partner jurus. With this, you will learn how to defend yourself. After that you may start sparring with other fighters.

Styles

There are many different forms of Silat. There are over 100 different ones!!!! These marital arts are called Pencak Silat in moat of Indonesia. In Sumatra, Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar is called Silat Melayu. I will list and explain 3 of them.

Harimau: It is based the moments and power of the tiger. The movements of this marital art are quick and agile. The attacks immobizes the opponent. Practitioners of style use the karambit as well.

Inti Ombak: It has 4 forms of training. It will teach you how to fight like certain animals. The Agni Tactical Knife is paramount in this martial art.

Cingkrik: It is based on the movements and counter attacks of the monkey. It has 12 solo jurus and 3 partner jurus.

Techniques

They consists of strikes and grappling. The practitioner strikes with their feet, hands, elbows and knees. The grappling is throws and joint-locks. Sum fighters even target pressure points.

Click here to learn sum basic techniques.

Schools

Silat Institute: It's located in Washington D.C. and it has been around 4 ova 20 years. This school has 8 expert instructors. There is a grappling class, girl's class, and kids class. Students from this school have won metals in martial art tournaments.

World Silat Federation: It's located in various countries and it rules ova many different schools. I think it originated in Malaysia. They have 3 types of sports and sparring. It has training 4 people 7 and up.

Tandez Academy of Martial Arts: It has been around for 19 years and it was created by SiFu Adrian Tandez. It is located in California in the U.S.A. You'll be taught how to fight with a karambit @ that school. Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, Kali Escrima, and Muay Thai is taught there too.

There are many other schools besides these.

Weapon

Karambit: It is a curved knife that looks like a tiger claw.

Tongkat: A walking stick that can be used 4 self-defense.

Kris: A wavy mini-sword.

Cambuk: A whip that is made from animal hide or plastic.

Toya: A long rod.

There are many other weapons, but this will suffice.

Music

People dance to it based on the rhythm. Most of the time these dances are during a wedding and royal events. Sum traditional dances have been influenced by Silat dances. B4 a match music is played. Drums, gongs, flutes, and gamelans are used 4 music making.

History

It started in Riau and spread from there to Srivijaya. From Srivijaya it spread to various parts of Southeast Asia. Legend has it there was a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma taught jurus in Srivijaya. He also made Shaolin Temple Kung Fu. Silat was also influenced by Chinese wrestling.

Hindu and Buddhist priests introduced animal styles to Silat. Pirates led by Chinese generals helped spread the martial art to various islands. Japanese people that lived in Indochina also influenced it. Muslim traders brought new weapons to Indonesia which became part of this martial art. Since the 1980's sum Muslims have tried to Islamify it. But it very Hindu and Buddhist in origin.

Conclusion

Silat has a long rich history. It is various martial arts of Southeast Asia, but has it's origin in Indonesia. It has 4 corners: spiritual, self-defense, art, and sport. It has 11 principles and great training. There are many styles, techniques, and schools of Silat. It has it's own music.!!!!