Pencak Silat Techniques

Guru, what style would you recommend for someone like me who is short, thin, and tends to be aggressive when fighting?

well, that's not entirely true. Even different silat styles from the same region can have completely different langkahs. For example Pamacan which uses lower stances and physically-demanding langkahs, compared to Cimande and or Cikalong which use more straight stances and lankas. Benjang is even different. All are styles from West Java.

What i really enjoyed is the atmosphere of the dojo...Open and free... cool vid thx

Silat is very very similar to Kung Fu, Both have different styles like you said. But Kung Fu is more Diverse and haves more Styles that actually are diffrent unlike Silat that haves a lot of the same type of Lankas.

Terima Kasih, justAdit!

One thing that a lot of people do is they believe Silat to be one style. The word "Silat" can be compared to "Kung Fu". Just as there are many divergent forms of Kung Fu, so are there in Silat. If you were to look at a form from an area in Sumatra, let's say, and you see a style coming from Sulawesi; they would look VERY different. Being a teacher of one form of Silat myself I have had the opportunity to research many of these styles. Finding the right one to fit yourself is the key.

There are many forms of silat.
In fact many are influenced by chinese and indian martial arts. The malay archipelago has enjoyed many benefits from the rich culture and civillisations of china and india and even the middle east. How can you generalize saying a form of martial art is better than the other. We should learn from each other and not be rigid.. trust me siat is and ever changing form of martial art. Silat is just another name for "martial arts" in Malay. :)

mantap

The Technique at 0:17 was cool

You are very welcome Guru Mckay. Its individuals like you that inspires and makes ppl like me proud of my heritage. My support in your martial journey.

what a nice and smart movement!!

Terima kasih! Mande Muda is also an aliran from Jawa Barat with a strong Cikalong influence. Cikalong is a great art! It's good to see so many people all over the world who share a love for silat. I'm grateful that so many teachers from South East Asia are willing to share.

Thank you. I am honored by your comments. I have enjoyed many of your YouTube videos, which show a wonderful mix of both the artistic and practical. I especially appreciate your videos demonstrating techniques on the ground!

Agreed, people quickly dismiss silats' validity. Most cast rocks because it's an art not really for sport- often crafted to 'life and death scenarios'. As you stated this poor guy would be in the hospital if practiced 'at speed'.-Respects

Nice demonstration. Good technique that could be devastating if done real speed/real time (which can't be done with many silat moves in demonstrations unless you want to put your demo partner in the hospital). Silat is indeed a very deadly art when done well.

Obviously, this is just a demo. A real fight will be much different.
Regardless, Silat is an art that was brought about by centuries of warfare in the Malay Archipelago...from fighting between each other and also against foreign invaders that includes Siamese, Mongols(yes, Mongols) and early european colonialists.
So anyone doubting the martial aspect of Silat should keep that in mind. At its core, its an art to do battle and destroy your enemies.

Obviously, this is just a demo. A real fight will be much different.
Regardless, Silat is an art that was brought about by centuries of warfare in the Malay Archipelago...from fighting between each other and also against foreign invaders that includes Siamese, Mongols(yes, Mongols) and early european colonialists.
So anyone doubting the martial aspect of Silat should keep that in mind. At its core, its an art to do battle and destroy your enemies.

True on that one.

some of the moves look effective, although the only real way to practice is in a real senario, where im sure some of the above moves would be cut short, nether the less a pretty art with seemingly effective techniques, KRAV MAGA RULES lol

As far as "the techniques themselves being the art," consider why the UFC started standing up fighters in the ring. To people who understand it, a 20 minute BJJ chess match can be interesting. To most, however, it is not. On the subject of BJJ, knowing that pesilat carry knives 99% of the time, I could just snicker at the typical ring strategy employed by BJJ (suicide against a blade). Instead, I appreciate the effective elements of the art and know that it could be adapted to handle a knife.

I disagree with you on the last quote! I would much rather have a murder-minded martial artist than a murder minded nuclear physicist. Only one of those really scares me! Thanks for the comments!

The initial roots of the art were purely combative, but over time it has evolved to encompass an entire lifestyle, including art and philosophy. The Kembangan (or flower) of silat is performed to traditional music; not something that would apply to a fight. Still, within these movements, there are techniques that have earned silat respect as a fighting art. I always say, "If you want to learn to kill people, study nuclear physics. If you want to grow as a person,study silat."

and perhaps you could enlighten me on the value of making a fighting style all hammed up and flowery for a video? Shouldnt the ACTUAL techniques themselves be the art? Not the flourishes put in for this demonstration? And fortunately for me I do not want to agree with everything I watch on Youtube, but find critique and even negative commentary just as enlightening and enjoyable as mindless agreement! I do thank you however for approaching your disagreement with a polite, if sarcastic tone.

Allow me to direct your attention to the space to the right of the video. This contains a helpful description. Had you taken the time to read it, you might understand what is represented here. If you've no appreciation for art, please consider passing by the gallery next time. I'm certain that there are many other videos on YouTube, which would better suit your tastes.

wow... really effective... i will use this next time my opponent lets me sweep his leg and does not resist me at all. (pointless)