Water

Element Training in Silat #2 - Water. Training using the Element of water helps students to develop fluildity and smoothness in movements, allowing the body to flow from one technique to another, the body in its natural water state is not restricted by hard form, instead it blends to each situation and enviroment. Internally this element allows students to develop compassion and empathy for others.

Air

Element Training in Silat #1- Air. Students are trained how to use breathing exercises to increase energy in their strikes and fluildity in their movements. The benefits to students who begin to master the use of the Air Element in training is dexterity, contentment and diligence in your training, getting rid of Negative thought processes in your head by learning to center yourself and appreciating the good things in life, lightness and increase speed in your movements.

Double Handd Choke Defence

This is a example of a defence against an attacker who is trying to choke you with both hands. The finger jab strike needs to be done as hard and as fast as you can, towards the attackers Windpipe/ Throat

Silat Concepts of Time - Stage 5

Silat Concept of Time. Stage 5 The Time of Knowing and Giving. At the stage the Student is becoming a Teacher, his movements inspires and reveals more than it restricts. There are no thoughts or hestitation. He is watch and respected by younger members of the silat family with increase feeling of awe, and his guidence is sought by them to help in their development.

Silat Concepts of Time - Stage 4

Silat Concepts of Time. Stage 4 The time to Perfect. At the stage the student has began to reach the final stages of the physical body, where the physical actions are becoming second nature, where each movement is flowing with energy and strength. The students feels each movement from within and can tell if anything is out of place.

Silat Concepts of Time Stage 3

Silat Concepts of Time - Stage 3 Time to Execute. At this stage the physical movements, which the student has learnt are put together. Through the merging of the flowing fluidity nature of the art, with the combat techniques, a deadly, fascinating, dynamic partnership is being form between student and art.

Silat Concepts of Time - Part 2

Silat Concepts of Time . Stage 2 The time to Learn. During this time the correct understanding between student and teacher moves forward and strengthen. The student physical movements and balance are modified and the education of the body is developed to blend with Silat

Concepts of Time Stage 1

The time to understand. This is the stage where a student begins to understand the concept of the art, and begins to move the way the art wants him to move, the time of letting go and placing faith in your teacher and the art. By only allowing yourself fully to understand can real progression in mind and body be truly develop.

Eskrima Stick Training

Eskrima Silat Ground Fighting

Kermabit Training

June Issue of Irish Fighter Magazine - Interview with Guru Liam

In the June 2011 Issue of Irish Fighter - Guru Liam does a interview talking about this summer plans for urban silat - Combat Kali Association...


“Animal” MacYoung to Visit Ireland’s Silat in August

“Sadly, after years of the Celtic Tiger, what we have now in our current climate is a group of people who feel the world owes them and that they have a right to take it out on others. Their anger is already potent enough to provoke disastrous situations, but as they try to cope by using drink and drugs, the problem has become all too grave…” Guru Besar Liam McDonald
There’s no prize for guessing that the Ireland of today is one suffering a very real and pressing rise in violence. With the endless reports of beatings, attacks and even killings, it’s sad to see the myth of safety on our streets now leaving a bad taste in the mouths of those we classify as “victims”. If anything, our current socio-economic climate has highlighted not only the fact that violence has always been present in society, but also that it can only lie dormant for so long before it must once again rear its ugly head.
For the men and women of Silat, these are sentiments not taken lightly. With an ethos clearly driven towards self protection and personal development, Guru Besar Liam McDonald of the Penchak and Kali discipline is careful in drawing a fine line between combat and violence, where the latter is accepted and understood, instead of ignored and underestimated.
With a Martial Arts career spanning over three decades, McDonald’s journey in Silat has been a long but rich experience where he has dedicated himself to sharing and spreading the Art as far and wide as possible.
But this Summer marks a very special event for both the Guru Besar and his students, as a long awaited guest finally arrives in the Emerald Isle. Aug 27 & 28th will see Martial Arts and Self Defence legend Marc “Animal” MacYoung take to the Firhouse Sports and Community Centre, Dublin for a two day master-class seminar on techniques surrounding personal security and dealing with physical conflict. Having amassed nearly half a century of training and expertise in various arts, MacYoung has to date written fifteen books on combat defence and has gone on to train both police and military officials, using his knowledge and experience. For McDonald, the arrival of “Animal” sees a much-anticipated ambition come to pass and a truly unique learning opportunity presenting itself for Guru’s and students alike.
“Setting up the seminars and workshops has gained more and more importance over the past few years, purely because it’s such an effective learning tool. It’s a great chance to meet Martial Artists from other countries who practice different styles. Having someone of Marc’s caliber here generates a lot of excitement in us and it’s something that we can’t help but look forward to. Personally, I’ve been trying to bring him over now for quite a while and it’s really fortunate that things have finally worked out. For us it’s going to be one hell of a close to the Summer…”
From its humble beginnings in the mid 1980’s, Silat has steadily grown into one of the leading specialist Arts in the country, where their technique for deflection and assault of an attacking entity has a clear and distinct voice of its own. In its approach to handling external threats, Silat shares a strong common ground with MacYoung’s teachings in that they have a solemn respect for the consequences of violence, regardless of who inflicts it. In short, self-defence is not a quick-draw parlour trick,
but rather a last resort to ensure your own personal safety and it is this crucial, grounding logic that at the end of the day can save a life.
“ I think to be honest most people actually need street awareness more than street protection, as Martial Arts is not for all. What’s most important for the average Joe is to know what do when confronted and how to react. After all, the number one goal is to survive and see another day. I always encourage people to hone the power of self defence and know how to keep themselves safe, but basic awareness skills can go a long way in preventing you from being attacked in the first place…”
Of course, while it is only right and proper to teach the importance of walking away from conflict, both McDonald and MacYoung fully realise that such an option may not always be available for someone caught in a situation. People get cornered; pressed into circumstances they cannot leave and it happens all the time. With the August seminar, MacYoung seeks to touch upon the skills in assessing ones surroundings when faced with violence, as well as handling the emotional and psychological damage that violence reaps.
“What Marc will be teaching is essentially a bridge between training and application, where he will address issues around communication and strategic thinking, in order to reduce a conflict. On day two he will be branching more into the body mechanics of Martial Arts and teaching the students how to draw more power from their techniques, regardless of their style. It’s a nice mix of both the mental and physical aspects of self protection and it’s sure to be an eye-opener in many respects…”
Like all reputable Arts today, Silat has realised the need to be flexible in this modern age. As the means through which violence is perpetrated has changed and become more and more elaborate, MacDonald continues to explore and incorporate new avenues of Martial Arts into his training, urging his students to see what’s happening on the other side of the fence.
“Silat, by its very nature, is ever-changing. It adapts to its environment and the way in which violence is played out. At the end of it all, we have to be functional and understand the manner in which people attack. As the rules of combat constantly change, we can’t afford to be rigid, especially when things such as weapons are brought into the equation. And so to pressure-test our Art, we have to look to others, examine what they do and how they do it, and if necessary improve ourselves. This is the core of Silat thinking. We don’t discard the heritage and history of the Art, but instead build bridges between the old ways and the new…”
Having just concluded yet another successful stay at their Spring camp in Kilrea, there’s no shortage of action on Silat’s calendar for the remaining season. Before MacYoung’s visit, July will bring another legend of the Asian Arts to Ireland to share his wisdom, this time in the form of Guro Felix Valencia of Silat’s Sister Art Lameco Eskrima. Being the protégé of Eskrima founder Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite, Valencia’s ties with Silat run deep and solidify the relationship between the two Arts as they continue to grow and develop.
But while McDonald is determined more than ever to fuel Silat’s progress outside the class, he never fails to recognise his fellow Martial Artists and patrons, all of whom share what they call the “Vision of the Thread”.
“I’ve been very lucky to have a great bunch of guys who help me teach and run the Association and without them I couldn’t keep it going; people like Dan Mc Hugh, Alan Walsh, Tony Devey and in the North, Robert Scott, Denny Hughes and Peter Hughes. These guys are the Gurus, the foundation and rock for the future growth of Silat in Ireland. It’s all about living and finding a way to be at peace with yourself the best way you can, but Silat’s true beauty lies in the fact that everyone helps provide

Silat Combat Concept #3 - Principle of the Thorn

Principle of the Thorn.

This Principle is known sometimes as the “Principle of the Rose”. The concept behind this Principle is basically to strike and destroy everything an attacker throws at us. This is done by using the hard striking parts of our body to intercept the softer tissue muscle, tendons, joints and even small bones of the attacker. A few examples of this would be to use our elbows to smash the attacker hand when he striking, or to guide the attacker hook kick into a Elbow smash against his knee, or to kick the attackers ankles with out foot (when wearing shoes) Other areas to hit are soft tissue areas like the muscles on his arms and legs when he attacking, or to impale a elbow strike into the attackers chest if he rushes in, or finger jag or gorge into the attackers eyes or throat. The harder the attacker strikes out the more he gets damage.

When we look at this as the concept of the rose, a beautiful flower to look at, but if we reach out and grab the stem, it can be a painful experience. Likewise looking at a silat player it can be very beautiful and graceful to see him move, but try to grab or hold him against his will and suddenly you will find that’s you body will be in a lot of pain.

Teacher Mission 1

For receiving such a beautiful gift as silat, then we should think of giving something back by teaching & helping our students develop properly, not by showing off & making out we know more than we do, or by feeding our ego's. Rather in the interest of keeping our Art alive. For we are only temporary holders of the vessel of life,if we don't share life & art with others, how can it be pass down for others to benefit.

Week 2 - Continuous

The translation of our form of Pencak Silat - Pukulan Cimande Combat means a system which is like continuous flows of water. Pukulan means Hitting, Cimande is from Cimande River (Water). The secret and key behind all of silat lies in the movements must be of a flowing manner..... to read the full article and future weekly articles on the Silat Combat Principles email guruliam@hotmail.com or join our Free mailing list at top of blog

Grading Dates

Silat Gradings will take place on Sat 28th May 12pm Sheldon Park Leisure Club. There is a Eskrima class still at 10am in Fitness Dock and I can give a lift from there to sheldon, if anyone needs it. Grading fees is €30 for (Urban Silat Levels 1 and 2) and Advance Monjet Level €50. If you wish to grade please let me know as soon as possible.

Malay Silat Knife Entries

A video clip of Guru Liam showing some Malay Silat Knife Entries at the National Irish Silat Kali Spring Camp in April in Kilrea. If you like more details of Training, contact us by email guruliam@hotmail.com

Silat Clip of the Week :

Guru Tony Showing the Cimande Long Elbow Shield

Student of the Month : April

Silat Student of the Month for April is Aiveen Ford. Aiveen has been a fantastic student and in the 15 Months in Training she only missed one Thursday class. Always helpful, she now can be seen helping the beginners settle in. Aiveeen always keen to give everything ago and now beginning her next stage of training in the Cimande System.

Aiveen will be a great asset for the future of Silat. Well done Aiveen

The Combat Principles of Silat

There are 11 Combat Principles that make up Silat. No one principle is any more or less important than the others and in order for a system to work, all principles need to be present. Over the next term we will spend time each week focusing on one particular Principle and understanding it better, and how it benefits us in developing the core of the art.

Week Commencing

25th April - Penetration

2nd May - Continuous Flow with Camouflage

9th May - Adhesion

16th May - Bamboo

23rd May- Off Timing

30th May- Compacting

6th June - Thorn

13th June - Decoying

20th June -Trapping

27th June- Destruction

4th July - Body Armour

Each week we will describe the Principle we working on in greater detail, if you like a free copy of this report, than you can receive this two ways either join our mailing list, or join our facebook page. All can be done with a simple click at top of this blog page.