Shielding of the Upper Body

One of the main features of silat is the flowing hand movements. Most martial artist fail to understand the function of this. The flowing movements are to act as interceptors to the attackers strikes and to work as a decoy by funnelling the attackers strikes into a certain chosen target area for the defender to deal with either with by hit trapping, hard blocking, locking or with his own series of strikes towards the attackers hands, wrists forearms etc...

There is 4 main interceptors patterns that the silat player uses

1) The triangle (marked in red)

2) The figure 8 (mark in Yellow)

3) The circle (marked in Green)

4) The square (marked in Black)

The diagonal black lines represent the open hand decoy opening position one high and one low

These patterns allow the silat player to create a shield in front of his body, in much the same way window wipers are use on the car windscreen. Do they stop all strikes, no but they will connect with 70 - 80% of all strikes delivered towards the defender. Once intercepted the defender learns to destroy the attacker limbs so he cant use it again. This form of training helps students to learn to keep their hands up so they can protect the upper parts of their body.

You may notice the shielding describe here has no protection to the legs, that is another topic, which we deal with in another post, but in Silat the hands protect the body and face and the legs protect the lower body. If you look at the patterns you will notice very few parts of the body exposed.

When learning this at start practise slow and flowing, getting your body to move, add in your decoys, than when comfortable add in your strikes coming from the shield. We be working on this over the next two weeks in class and feel free to ask questions if needed.

New Children Self Defence Class

We are please to annouce a second Kids Self Defence Class starting Monday 6th April 6.30pm - 7.30pm at Firhouse Sports and Community Center. Training fee is €60 for 2 Months training Mondays and Wednesdays we also offer a family discount price of €100 for two months. To book a place contact guruliam@hotmail.com or 087 9956569. These classes focus on self defence and martial art techniques from Silat and Kali.

Silat Workshop : Guru Baharau Jonathan O' Neill

Intensive workshop on the methodology of movement (Bunga), this workshop will consist of exercises and drills based on the understanding of BODY-ISOLATION,REISTANCE,CONDITIONING, POSTURE, HAND & BODY ALLIGMENT, KUDAS KUDAS, LANGKAHS, each clearly broken down before blending them all together gaining deeper understanding of the concept of the Bunga.

Sunday April 5th.
Time: 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Venue: Blanchardstown.
Cost: 20 euros
For more info contact Jon:

Online Booking now Available!

You can book and secure your place online and save 10% at any of following venues for Adults Introductory Classes - Firhouse, Lucan, Walkinstown and the Children Classes in Firhouse.

Classes

Adult Self Defence - Firhouse Monday €72.00Adults Self Defence Classes Lucan Tuesday €72.00Adult Self Defence Classes Firhouse Wednesday €72.00Adult Self Defence Classes Walkinstown Thursday €72.00Children Self Defence Classes Firhouse Monday €54.00Children Self Defence Classes Wednesday €54.00

Spring Camp 2009

This Year Camp will take place in Kilrea, Co. Derry on Sat 25th Apr - Sun 26th Apr 2009. This year we will focus on the Blokop (Crane) Mannerism in preparation for the May Gradings, along with training in the Pendang covering aspects of Girang and Suilwa. This is an ideal opportunity to experience Silat and to prepare Physical and Mentally for the forthcoming May Gradings. As a bonus Guru Liam will be teaching combat aspects of Kera (Ape - Mannerism) covering exclusive material for the first time in Ireland. The cost of this year Camp is €110 (pre booking before 19th April €130 after) and this includes accomadation and Breakfast in Portneal lodge. Each room is ensuite, with satelite tv, tea and coffee facilities. Portneal Lodge has its own bar and Golf and Fishing is available to guest. The lodge is situated, on the River Bann in a small forest. There is excellent walks, and is ideally suited as a great getaway and de stressing break. A number of students are taking their cars so if you want to car pool let me know as soon as possible. Please note events you take part outside of silat training are a extra cost. For students not staying at Portneal Lodge training fee is €50 / £45 one day €75 / £65 for two Advance booking only!

Timetable - Sat 26th April

11.00 Training comences

15.00 Guru Baharau Gradings

16.00 Go Kart - Dirt Buggy Afternoon Activitity at largest race track in UK (Golf / Fishing available for the more sedate students).

19.30 Evening Banquet at Manor Lodge

Timetable - Sun 27th April

08.15 Morning Breathing / Jurus Exercises beside River (weather permitting)

09.00 Breakfast at Portneal

11.00 Training Commences

15.00. Workshops Ends - Guru Babarau and Guru Award Cermony.

The camp is open to all levels of students and even if its your first time experience the art you are more than welcome. There are only 24 beds available at Portneal lodge so it the upmost importance you book early. If you wish to stay a extra night this can be arranged. Contact Guru Liam 087 9956569 or e-mail guruliam@hotmail.com

Exclusive Event - Cass Magda to Visit Ireland

We are please to host Cass Magda, who will be conducting his first Irish Seminar in Dublin on Sat 17th - Sun 18th October 2009. The seminar will cover aspects and concepts of Silat, Kali and JKD. This event is sure to book out early, so pre registered your interest if you like to attend. More details of this exciting event to follow soon.

Name change - Mission Statement

You may notice across the world over the past few months the vast majority of Pukulan Cimande Pusaka clubs have change their last name. We as a Silat style are Pukulan Cimande Combat. This change of name was necessary for a number of reasons.

1. We as an Association could no longer follow the direction, promotion and leadership of Mr. William Sanders. We are a combat style of Pukulan Cimande and the art was now been directed in an ever increasing manner into a non functioning combat system.

2. After forming closer links to the Motherland of our Art in Indonesia, we discover that the term "Pusaka" should only be reserved by the Indonesian for the original Cimande. It was a sign of deep disrespect to all the other Cimande brothers, sisters and Gurus for us to continue to use this term. So we drop the name.

3. The Art that I teach, is the exact material and requirements, that Mr. Sanders taught me over the 11 Years. We have an extensive catalogue of Dvd's showing every single seminar that Mr Sanders taught and you can see what we teach is exactly the same, before he completely change the art again in 2008. I reach the highest grade possible in his Art "Guru Besar", and I was the only Guru or Rep in Europe who has actually actively train directly with Mr. Sanders in the art throughout the past 11 years.

4. The latest development in PCP is now to offer Grades for money or power. It took me 11 years of sweat, dedication and sheer will power to earn my grade. Now Mr Sanders is offering Guru grades in return for buying 4 dvd's and sending money. In my own country two different students with no added training, were given Guru grades, in return for offering seminars and money. This is disrespectful to every single student who has actively train or try to promote silat,to devalue it to the level of a couple of dvds and a money Cheque.

Pukulan Cimande Combat is a living energy, we have a long distance programe, but you will have to actively train with us in some format. This art cannot be learnt looking at a tv screen, and if all you want is a cert which has no meaning than PCP is for you. However if you actually want to train and learn this beautiful art, tradition and unlimited combat system, than give us a email.

At the end of the day, whats really in a name? It's what lies beneath the name that matters, the emotion, the knowledge and friendship. Over the past few months, it has been a great time for all of us. Not only have we rejoined up with all our Pukulan Cimande silat brothers and sisters and who we all share our knowledge with. But it's our common goal and views to open our art up, to the World and to work together.I personally like to thank all the well wishers, and offers of help that been given by other Gurus and Styles, and to my students, who I dedicate my time to, who without their continual support I could not have achieved all that I have.

Finally this Art is not for chosen select few, but for all people, of all races, religions and nationality, for the rich or poor, for the very young and the very old. If you come in friendship we will share our knowledge. Silat is the "Art of the People"

Pukulan Cimande Combat Display

This is a short Pukulan Cimande Combat Display that was put together by Guru Jonathan O'Neill




The demo was performed as a special performance at the recent children's grading in front of parents, spectators and silat students. A big thanks and well done goes to Guru Jonathan and the team, Gavin Byrne, David Cranmer, Alan Walsh, Dave Murphy, Kathleen Mc Cabe, Christopher O'Connor and Andrew Miller.

The demo team have been invited to preformed at a number of events this year to help promote Silat in Ireland

Children's Silat Gradings

On Saturday 7th March over 30 kids took part in the spring silat gradings in Firhouse. For the first time the kids in Firhouse were join by the newly formed Lucan Branch. The kids put in 100% effort and show great skill and talent and were great representatives of the art. A big thanks to all the parents for supporting the clubs and a big thanks to Guru Dan, Guru Baharau Tony and assistant Alan Walsh who have been teaching the classes and putting in the extra effort getting the kids ready. A special well done to the kids, you all make me proud... Liam

Felix Valencia returns to Ireland 2009

Felix Valencia will be returning to Ireland this year, in a follow up to last year great Introductory Seminar. The seminar is open to all, and places are limited to accommadate quality learning, so if you're interested in attending reserved your place early.

Felix Valencia Seminar
Sat 4th July / Sun 5th July 11am - 4pm Both days
Firhouse Sports and Community Center, Dublin 24
Advance Booking : €70 - 1 Day / €110 - Both Days
At the Door : €85 - 1 Day / €140 - Both Days
Group Discounts Available

ATTN: Bring your focus mitts, thai pads, kali sticks, practice knives, protective gear, eye protection.




Background on Felix
In his twenties, Felix became known as “Edgar’s Brawler” in full contact knife/stick matches. Felix is undefeated in the famous Dog Brothers full contact stick/knife fighting matches. Now retired from fighting, Felix continues to train fighters for full contact fights and recently two of his students fought at the Dog Brothers match and were undefeated. Felix is also a two time inductee into the Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame and was recently inducted into the Karate Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He is the founder of “Defensive Edge” which is an organization dedicated to training law enforcement and civilian personnel in high risk positions (pilots, security screeners and other non-enforcement personnel) in defensive techniques from edged weapons.
Felix has become known in the military and law enforcement agencies as one of the premier, most sought after instructors in close quarters weapons instruction. Felix has trained some of America’s elite, including
• CIA
• FBI
• U.S. Marshalls
• LAPD
• SWAT
• and numerous other agencies around the countr. He is a certified Close Quarters Battle instructor with the Police Combative Training Academy in Arizona. In addition, Felix has taught at a number of tactical weapon schools, including the FARM in Utah, Blackwater in North Carolina, Frontsight in Nevada and HALO in California. As a result of this, Guru Felix has become one of the few martial artists to earn a reputation in both the martial arts and law enforcement communities as one of the most versatile and effective martial artists alive.This 2 day seminar is a rare opportunity to train with this true legend in the martial arts. Drawing from his extensive background in Pencak Silat, Lameco Eskrima, Muay Thai, Shooto, Wrestling/Boxing, BJJ and Hawaiian Lua, Valencia presents an intensive program that includes all phases of edged-weapon tactics. The topics to be covered will include:• Long-range knife / stick tactics• Medium-range knife stick tactics• Knife fighting in the clinch• Knife / stick grappling• Empty-hand against knife / stick• Contact-distance knife / stick defenses• Weapon sparring tactics• Hard-core empty-hand fightingATTN: Bring your focus mitts, thai pads, kali sticks, practice knives, protective gear, eye protection.

Valencia Lameco Eskrima classes are currently held Saturday mornings 10am at the Fitness Dock Gym Camden Street D2 Contact Liam 087 9956569 / e-mail guruliam@hotmail.com to book a place at the classes or seminar.

Website Revamp

We going to revamp and bring our website up to date, during April. So over the next few weeks, if you have any ideals off what you would like to see on the website, or features which we can add, please let me know. The website belongs to the members of the club, so let us know what you would like.