Happy New Year

Best wishes to all my students for 2011. I hope we can now continue our growth for 2011 and move forward in a progressive and exciting fashion. I want to thank all of you for your support throughout the past year and especially the Directors of the Association Alan, Dan, Tony and Mick who have been a rock for me. I look forward to seeing you all again on 10th Jan and to get back to some serious training again after the winter break. Best wishes and good luck for 2011... Liam

Student of the Month Competition.

New for 2011 we are introducing a "Student of the Month" Competition. Each month a student will win this award. This award will be based on a number of things for example, it may be,dedication to training, or a vast improvement in skills, or the ability to help others develop in class, or by introducing new students to the Art etc.... Each month the winner will be posted on the blog. At end of Jan 2011 we will announce our first winner. Good Luck everyone !

What does it mean to wear a Black Belt by Tony Devey

These are my personal thoughts and I am sure are echoed by many. A Black Belt is not what’s around your waist but

!!!! WHO YOU ARE!!!!

Wearing a Black Belt means only that, it’s something you wear. However if your prepared to accept the responsibilities which comes with wearing one only then do you have the right to call yourself a Black Belt.

Some of the responsibilities are
You treat your teachers with the up most respect
You treat your fellow students with the up most respect
You treat the art you are learning with the up most respect
You treat your own students with the up most respect
You lead by example
You leave any form of ego in the past where it belongs
You create a tolerance and patience for those whom strive to get where you are
You continue to train to keep a standard which allows you to earn continued respect from your pears and students alike,
Remember a Black Belt is someone that should be looked up to by everyone and completely respected. You should also remember you have a great deal of power and authority this is something again you have to completely respect. If you’re this person then you have the right to call yourself a Black Belt.

I started Silat many years ago after some time I set myself a goal to step up and train as hard as I could to earn my belt. Its only when I finally got it makes me realise what it actually means to wear one. It’s the start of a new and exciting line of training most certainly not a time to sit back and relax. There’s a joy and pleasure of passing on your knowledge to others. I have been very fortunate in learning from my teacher not only the skills required to qualify but the etiquette needed to stand firm lead by example and earn not only his respect but that of fellow instructors and students.

Remember your Black Belt is only the start for who and what you are. It’s completely up to you, the effort you put in to reach that initial goal the pride and satisfaction has to be sustained and built upon.

Thank you for taking time to read this and I hope it helps your journey in some way.

A Christmas Message from Guru Liam (click photo below to start)

Bad Weather

ALL REMAINING CLASSES BEFORE XMAS ARE POSTPONE DUE TO THE SEVERE BAD WEATHER CLASSES RESUME AGAIN IN NEW YEAR

FMA - event raises €635.00

A great big thank you to all the students who came along yesterday to help raise €535 and a furthur €100 in late donations for the Alice in Wonderland Foundation. A big thanks to Noel Mc Hugh of Nickelstick Eskrima and John Hoey of Warriors Eskrima who also help by co - instructing at the event. And finally a Big Thanks to Firhouse Community and Sports Center for giving the use of their facilities for free.

Maha Guru Richard Crabbe de Bordes Seminar Report

When I first move down to Dublin, one of the first things I made a promise to do was to bring Guru Richard to Dublin. It took alot longer than I had hope, but after 12 years I finally made it happen. For me Guru Richard is one of a few Gurus who I have been blessed by being able to learn from and give me my love of Silat. Not only is Guru Richard a Warrior but also a teacher and man of great insight and depth both physically and spiritually. He is the essence of Silat!

The first experience my students had with Guru was when he made a guest appearance at the children's grading, where 75 kids performed and tested in silat and self defence techniques, covering harimau aspects. Shortly after the test Guru Baharu Paul and his daughter performed a father and daughter silat demo, which show how the connections that silat can bring when families train together. Guru than made a speech to the kids explaining the benefits of silat training in school and family life and that they were the future of silat in Ireland. Shortly after this Guru Richard did a autograph signing and photograph session. The evening was finish off by a small gathering of Guru's in the club, meeting for dinner in my house and been able to listen to Guru Richard in a informal meeting.

Saturday brought unfortunately bad weather, but despite that still just over 50 students attended the seminar from all over Ireland and even one person from America, and it was great to see old friends again. Guru Richard started the day off by teaching Auto response drills to most common street attacks, learning how to move off the center line, breaking and grappling techniques, harimau Elbow and Knee techniques. Guru Richard went into the deep understanding of how to use and overcome fear, and how harimau is the femine science of combat. Sunday was weapon day and despite all the bruises and sore limbs from the day before

students threw themselves into training, learning harimau knife defences and disarms against striking and retraction slashes, understanding the mentality of a knife attacker and how to deal with a knife if caught in the close range of grappling. At the end of the seminar Guru Richard presented certificates to all who train and completed the two days and was amazed at the strong silat presence in Ireland and said that for him "coming to Ireland was like coming home to silat" and that the students in our clubs could always depend on him for future support and help and he look forward to seeing them again in the near future when he returns to Ireland.

For me this was one of the best silat training weekends, I ever had and I want to thank Guru Richard for helping me not only in silat training, but also personally. The past 6 months have been the most difficult I ever had teaching silat. But people like Guru Richard and Guru Felix along with Dan, Alan, Tony and also my family, between you all you have been a rock for me and I would like to thank you all personally for helping me find the passion again. I'm proud of the way the kids performed and were amazing on Friday night and to see the joy and amazement in the students faces at the seminar, makes it all worthwhile. I hope to continue in my work, to bring to Ireland the best Instructors in the South East Asian Arts so you can experience then directly, and continue in my quest to develop Silat in Ireland.

what some of the students wrote about the seminar....

"Great days training, in bits myself fantastic seminar sweat rolling off everyone"... Alan

" Wow awesome days training I'm black and blue now but well worth it" ... Mick

" Thanks for brining Guru Richard over - what a great weekend !"... Dominic

" What a great weekend.. had such a great time.. many thanks to Guru Richard for sharing his wisdom with us"... Cormac

"I'm sore, bruised and in pain. But i've never felt so good. Thanks Guru Liam, for letting us meet and train with yet another world class instructor".. Mathis

"Excellent weekend seminar by Guru Richard De Bordes, I had an amazing 2 days and I may be sore! but it was worth every bruise. Cheers"... Dan

"Thank you Liam and Guru Richard, my daughter had an amazing night and never stop talking about getting her Yellow belt and meeting Guru Richard" ...Parent

3 Weeks to go !!!!

Great new Harimau video clip featuring Guru Besar Richard Cranne De Bordes and Guru Scott Mc Quaid. Want to experience this in the flesh than book a place for Guru Richard first ever Dublin Seminar the ultimate in Combat and Silat Training.

Guru Richard Groundfighting / Grappling Seminar 3 Weeks to go!!!

Ok guys just three weeks to go to Silat event of the year with Guru Richard De Bordes. Experience silat at it most combat!!! emial guruliam@hotmail.com to secure your place

FMA - Alice in Wonderland Foundation- Helping Children in Crumlin Hospital this Christmas

We are hosting a Fililipino Martial Arts Day in aid of the "Alice in Wonderland Foundation" on Sunday 12th Dec 2010 2pm - 5pm in Firhouse Sports and Community Center Dublin. The event will be split into two parts where students will get to experience training under different teachers, followed by a stick spar off. There are no prizes for the sparring instead everyone will get the opportunity to spar against other students in a friendly open way, to gain knowledge and build friendship. The event is co run by myself Liam Mc Donald of Valencia Lameco Eskrima and Noel Mc Hugh of Nicklestick Eskrima.

Every single cent lifted at the door will go 100% to the charity and will be use to decorate the Children Cancer Ward in Crumlin Hospital for Christmas and New Year and to help bring some happiness in a small way to the children. We are asking students who like to attend to donate minimum of €20. If you like to attend (or donate )please email me at guruliam@hotmail.com

The Alice’s Wonderland Foundation has been established in the memory of Alice Dillon. The objective of the foundation is to carry out projects that will benefit in particular the quality of life of seriously ill children and their families. The focus of these projects will largely be to provide tangible deliverables that endeavour to improve the quality of life of ill children and with a focus on increasing their experience of joy and happiness in difficult times

For more info http://www.aliceswonderlandfoundation.com/

Lameco Eskrima

6 Week Lameco Eskrima Class starts Sat 6th Nov 2010 Fitness Dock Gym, Camden St. Dublin at 10am. Training covers Stick, Knife, and Ground Fighting. All welcome. Contact guruliam@hotmail.com tel 087 9956569 Places limited to 14

Training Logs

New Training Logs will be given to all students next week in class. The logs will be your own personal record of your training. A copy will be kept by your class teacher and each month a review of your training will be given. This way you can easily see how your training is progressing and to make sure you are on target for your grading. Only hours completed in class with a teacher will be accounted for and all Logs must be fully completed before you can grade If you any questions about the logs please email guruliam@hotmail.com

Hoodie Sweatshirts

First in our new range of Training gear will be in stock next week. Our new black hoodie sweatshirts will be available, price €35. The design follows the exact same layout as the t- shirts, and we offering a combo of sweatshirt plus t shirts for €50 saving of 10%.

New Urban Combat Training Bottoms following shortly.

Gradings : Dublin

Congratulations to the Students who passed the last Gradings of 2010 on Sunday 17th Oct in Dublin. Bela Diri 1 Paul Nally, Stephen Foy, Michael Melley, Adam Cummingham. Bela 2 Aiveen Ford, Peter Brennan. Intermediate Level Ular (Snake) Stephen Fortune (Brown Belt) Michael Lloyd (Brown Belt) Mathis Hasle (Red Belt).

Well done to all of you and along with the grading each student had to take part in a Full Contact Weapon Sparring session which all completed to a high standard.

Gradings- Ballymena

Congratulations to the Ballymena Guys who recently passed their Silat Bela Diri Grading on 13th Sept. Keep up the good work guys, you're doing the Art and your Teachers proud.

Bela Diri 1 (White Sash) Jonathon Kelly, Dougie Coulter, Michael Davidson

Bela Diri 2 (Yellow Sash) Robbie Gibson, Michael Arbuthnot

Maha Guru Richard de Bordes

St. Annes GAA Sport Center
Bohernabrenna, Tallaght Dublin 24
Sat 27th Nov 1pm - 5pm
Sun 28th Nov 11am - 3.30pm
Cost €100 for 2 Days (€80 if paid in full by 15th Nov)
To book email guruliam@hotmail.com
or pay online below with Paypal

Free Kids Halloween Party

We hosting a Free Kids Halloween Martial Arts Party for all our Junior and Cadets members.

The parties will be for the Firhouse Class Wednesday 20th Oct '10 6pm - 7pm Firhouse Sports and Community Center (Main Hall) and for the Lucan Class Saturday 23rd Oct 2pm - 3.30pm Lucan Sports Center (Main Hall).

We giving away prizes for the best Halloween / Martial Arts Costume and we will have some ghoulish games mixed in with Martial Arts Training. The Parties are "FREE" and if your child can bring along family members or friends to enjoy the party.

We look forward to seeing you there. Any questions please feel free to contact me Liam 087 9956569

Kids Mid Term Classes - Monday 25th (Closed) Tuesday 26th / Wednesday 27th open as normal 6.30pm - 7.30pm. New Cadet (11 years and up) classes starting in November 2010

Thanks

I just want to write a few words of thanks to James Terence, and his students in Thurles who give me a great warm welcome and look after me so well at the Workshop. The brotherhood these guys show towards me and each other is what Martial Arts is all about. Terence has being teaching Martial Arts for 25 years and has great ability, dedication and skill, and yet with all this knowledge can still be a student in his quest for deeper understanding of Martial Arts.

I look forward to seeing the Thurles guys next month at Guru Richard seminar and a second workshop in Thurles has been organised for end of Jan 2011. Future Workshops planned for Dublin, Athlone, Letterkenny, Ballymena and Lurgan

Introductory Silat - Kali Self Defence

When a new student joins our Introductory Trial they go onto our Rotational Program, this is a 8 week continuous program. Beginners can join the cycle at anytime and over the 8 weeks will cover all the material on the course. For example if you join on Week 3, than the following week program will be Week 4 than Week 5 etc... When we get to Week 8, the following Week will be Week 1 and so on. Each class will also have basic Pad Drills / Co ordination Drills to work on developing your natural strength and increasing your Street Awareness Skills. At the end of the 8 Classes, when you get the fundamentals you can move into the second stage of training.
This course is open to all, and no previous training or skill is required.
Introductory Cycle

Week 1 - Defences Against Wrist Grabs
Week 2 - Defence Against Chest Grabs
Week 3 - Defences From the Ground
Week 4 - Defences from Strangles / Chokes
Week 5 - Knife Defences
Week 6 - Multiple Attacker Defences
Week 7 - Defences Against most Common Locks
Week 8 - Defences Against Punches / Kicks

Cost of Introductoty Program is only €80 and all you need to bring is yourself, we will supply all the equipment you need, during this time.

Special Autumn 2010 Offer !!! Join with a friend and you get the second course for "Half Price!" so the two of you can join for €120 (€60 each). Wait there more!!! Book Online today by Paypal and you will get a Free Dvd covering the basic of Silat Kali Self Defence, when you join, Value at €17 Only available to the first 16 to Book Online !

Joining Options

Yourself €80.00 Join with a Friend €120.00

Kali Roots

Hi, I just wanted to share this clip from the "Kali Root" Dvd. On this Dvd my Teacher Guru Felix is teaching various aspects of Empty Hands, Stick, Sword and Gun Disarms. Guru Felix is a superb teacher and his style of Lameco is a very direct combat system. If you like what you see I would recommend getting this Dvd and get along to one of our classes to experience the Art.

Monday 20th Sept

Due to special request I will be teaching some Malay Staff Training on second half off Monday Class in Firhouse 7.30pm - 8.45pm. We be covering the 6 Angles of Attack along with counters. Don't miss out come along and don't forget to bring a 4 - 5ft staff.

Blade / Stick Angles of Attack

In Lameco Eskrima there is 12 Angles of Attack that is used. These are the same for both stick and knife. Angles description is as follows 1. High Diagonal slash from right to left, striking Temple 2. Low Diagonal Slash from top of Attacker Leg to Knee going from Left to Right 3. Opposite of side #2 going from right to Left. 4. Opposite side of #1 going from left to right. 5. Thrust strike to attacker groin (Knife) Upward Thrust to attacker stomach (Stick). 6. Horizontal Slash mid section striking attacker elbow from left to Right. 7. Opposite of #6 going from right to left. 8 - 9. Thrust to attacker Chest, follow by diagonal strike to Collar Bone going left to right. 10 - 11 Opposite of #8-9 but striking right to left. 12 Center line strike down through the attacker body or opposite way upward Center line strike.

Lameco Eskrima classes are held every Saturday morning in Fitness Dock Gym Dublin City Center. If you like to attend drop me a email at guruliam@hotmail.com.

The core and foundation of our Silat system (Pukulan Cimande Combat) is based around 18 Buah's which are combat sequences (10 Grappling and 8 Striking) and 18 Jurus ( Short Training Forms / Combat Application). This is the crux for all students to learn and develop. Once a student completes this they have the tools and understanding to move to the next Level.

The progression of the Buah is 1) Understanding the movement / Developing the Body Mechanics 2) Be able to do Buah on both sides of Body 3) Undertstand the 3 parts .. Entry, Destruction and Finishing 4) Interchange the Buahs 5) Counters the Buahs.

The Progression of Jurus is 1) Understand the Jurus 2) Be able to move in the 6 Directions 3) developing the use of mannerism and elemental energy in the Juru 4) Combat Attitude 5)Interlocking the Jurus.

Students than can blend Jurus with Buahs at will, and from this have a unlimited combat system.

Nov 27th - 28th Dublin Ireland

" I do not condemn,Nor do I convert. All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered the point is to discover them.Truths are also based on free will ".. Guru Richard..

Where will you be in November, Experience one of the Greatest Living Silat Master in the World and secure your place Today!

New Silat - Kali movie

Jjust saw this and it looks interesting, any movie which shows silat in combat mode is well worth having a look, website is www.songoftheknife.com be aware if you clip below there is abit of gore, you have been warn

Lets Party

Ok guys, summer now over, no more Big Brother, no more Rose of Tralee, no more trips to the beach, so lets get together to welcome in the Autumn ! We organising a party (thou some may call it a pub crawl) get together in city center for Sat 18th or Sat 25th. This is great opportunity for students to meet other students from other classes and have abit of craic. So throw away the bedroom slippers, put on your 70's hippy gear, stop being anti social and lets have a bit fun. Use the comment box, email me or talk to me in class and we sort out details.

We going to have a social night every couple of months, and if you any ideals of fun events then email than to me or the head of our social group.

Thurles Workshop Sat 2nd Oct 2010

There will be a Foundation Workshop in Silat and Lameco Eskrima in Thurles Tipperary on Sat 2nd Oct 7pm to 10pm. The workshop will cover elements of Malay, Indonesian and Fililipino Martial Arts which will range from, blade, to stick to empty hands grappling, groundfighting and striking. This will be an exciting journey and great opportunity to experience the art for the first time. If you interested in attending or like more details email guruliam@hotmail.com or Tel James 087 2058820

Awareness and Prevention

For a crime to happen there is three importact factors a criminal need "Opportunity" "Escape" and "Time", the less of these available to the criminal the less chance you will be a victim ! Here is a few insights that can build up your prevention and awareness skills.

1) Always trust your Instincts!
2)Learn how to say "No" and mean it.
3)Don't keep valuables on display
4) Lock Car doors and close car windows when driving.
5) Always look inside you car before you get in.
6) Don't give away personal information to strangers
7) Don't overload your hands
8) If in doubt.. cross the street.

Next few weeks we will go over these in more details and if you like the info on this or on Silat self defence or Eskrima, join our mailing list....

Thurles : Tipperary

We are very please to announce that we will be officially opening a Branch of our school in Thurles Tipperary under the guidance of James Terence Kearney who is a Martial Artist of over 35 year experience. We are delighted to have and his Students on board and look forward to helping promote Silat and Lameco Eskrima in Tipperary.

We plan to have a Foundation Workshop in Oct / Nov in Thurles and if you living in the area and like to attend email guruliam@hotmail.com

This along with our new branch in Lurgan and existing branches in Letterkenny, Athlone, Ballymena and our extensive network in Dublin gives commitment from us to help promote and established Lameco Eskrima and Combat Silat in Ireland and UK

Guru Jak

New clip of my first silat teacher Guru Jak on youtube and I wanted to share with you. Guru Jak is a great teacher and warrior and anyone who get the chance to train with should. Great memories I have off him, hopefully will meet him some day soon.

Kids Classes restart Sept 2010

Kids Self Defence Classes restart from Tuesday Sept 7th 2010, and we now accepting bookings.

Lucan Sports and Leisure Center Tuesday 6.30pm and Saturday 10am (New Class)

Firhouse Sports and Community Center Mon / Weds 6.30pm

New for Autumn 2010 "Kids Black Belt Club" more details to follow. E-mail guruliam@hotmail.com or tel 087 9956569 to secure your child place. Family Discount available!

Sat morning classes restart Sept

The Sat morning Lameco Eskrima Classes will restart Sat 11th Sept in the Fitness Dock at 10am. Classes will focus on combat and street application of Eskrima and cover Empty Hand, Knife and Stick. More details to follow.

We will also be running a Stick Combat Competition at end of Sept which be open to all students. So if you want a chance to experience the Art in combat mode, or wish to experience the thrill of stick fighting, let me know in class (email guruliam@hotmail.com) or talk to one of the seniors. All who take part will receive a certificate and prizes will be awared to 1st - 4th.

Gradings

Gradings now will take place every 3 Months, so all Students will know exactly when they on. The gradings will now take place at the end of each term which will be at the end of Oct / Jan/ Apr/ July, due to a recent seminar, we had to reschedule the July grading to last weekend in Sept. With this time table all students will know exactly when to have all their training completed and be prepared for the grading.

Committee

Due to increasing work load, due to new classes and seminars and my increase training in Lameco Eskrima and Mande Muda, I have set up a committee of senior students who will help me with my work in class and running the Association . If at any time you have a problem in class or maybe you need help with a technique, or to clarify a situation, please feel free to ask any of the following guys in class, as they have my full support.

Firhouse (Mon / Wed) - Dan Mc Hugh / Simon Bass

Lucan / Walkinstown (Tues / Thurs) - Alan Walsh / Tony Devey

City Center (Lameco) - Mick Lloyd

There is a lot of exciting developments that's are now taking place, that you will see over the next few weeks which will greatly help all the students.

Guru Richard de Bordes to Visit Dublin

We are proud to host Guru Richard De Bordes in Dublin on the weekend of 27th - 28th Nov 2010. I've hosted Guru Richard a number of times in the North of Ireland ,but this will his first visit to Dublin.

Guru Richard is a World Class Master of Harimau Silat and Urban Combat and is without doubt one of the greatest living Martial Artists on the Planet Today !! He is a teacher I admire and is one of my inspirations for doing silat, his unique combat driven perfection demonstrates with ease the effectiveness of how good silat is. This is a seminar you do not want to miss and will be a sell out, so please registered your interest now as tickets will be on sale next few days.

You will not forget the weekend you got to train with Guru Richard Guaranted !!

Lameco Eskrima Gun Disarms with Guru Felix

Clip of some advance training in Valencia Lameco Eskrima dealing with Gun Disarms. The clip was film at a back yard training session with Guru Felix. If you're interested in Lameco training email guruliam@hotmail.com for details of classes, workshops, dvds and gradings in Lameco Eskrima

To celebrate the launch of our new Online Programe we offering a special promotion for new Long Distance Students.


Training Covers
Co ordination Drills, Padwork,
Bela Diri Self Defence Techniques,
Intro to Buahs,
Footwork.
3 Months Registration of the Silat online programe
Bela Diri 1 Dvd
Free Official Club T shirt
E - mail support from me
1 personal telephone call with me
Grading Fee and Certification (apon passing)

All of this for €97 0r $127To Start your 3 month course contact guruliam@hotmail.com
or pay by paypal below.

Lameco Eskrima

We are now working on the next Module for Lameco Eskrima which is the Empty Hands : Stalemates Module. Students wishing to grade need to complete the training for this module and pass test. Testing will take place end of Sept. Once a student passes all 5 modules they can then test for Valencia Lameco Level 1 Certification : Empty Hands

Gradings

The next Silat Grading will be held on Sunday 26th Sept 2010. Students wishing to Grade can inform Guru Liam in Class or by email. Following Silat Grading will take place Sunday 12th December 2010. Gradings after this will take place every 4 Months.

Master Classes

Starting in August we will be hosting Master Classes each month in Silat and Eskrima. Training will cover advance material on Silat and Eskrima. These Master classes are open to all who wish to get a much deeper insight into Silat and will cover advance Topics in both internal training and advance weaponry. Classes will be held at the weekend to ensure students can get chance to attend.

As part of offering the best service we can to our students. We are hoping to bring Guru Richard de Bordes over to teach a seminar on Harimau. Guru Richard is one of the World's top Teachers

. More info on both these events shortly.

New Training Group Autum 2010

New Kali - Silat Training Group is now in process of being set up in Lurgan Northern Ireland. The group leader is Tony Mc Atamney and if you living in the area and want to take part in the classes or workshops than email guruliam@hotmail.com

Valencia Lameco Seminar 2 Dvd Box Set now Available

If you, missed out of Guru Felix 2 Day Seminar in Dublin (which many ranked as the best seminar they ever attended) you need to asked yourself why did you not go? Well all not lost the Seminar Dvd box set is now available, so now you have a chance to experience the seminar or to relive the weekend. Every single technique has been capture on film, so you can remember and practise what you learnt from one of the World Greatest Living Teachers. This two dvd box (approx 2 and half hours) set is available for €30 and price includes postage's world wide and can be order in class directly or through paypal (details below) Techniques cover - Warm Ups, Stick and Knife Locking / Trapping / Striking / Angles/ Disarms/ Takedowns. Empty Hands Entries, Striking, Groundwork, Dumog, Muscle Destructions, Defence against Weapons. Blending, Padwork and loads more. This box set is simply 100% one of the best overview of the Destructive and Unlimited Combat System of Valencia Lameco Eskrima !!!

Clip of back yard Lameco Eskrima Pad work with Guru Felix and Amanda. Padwork is great for developing cardio, co - ordination., timing and power

Valencia Lameco Eskrima : Stick Grappling

Short clip of Guru Felix in action showing basic stick locking/ grappling at end of class at Sheldon Park Gym in Walkinstown

Facebook

We have now got a new page on Facebook, so come along take part and join us and invite your friends. Just click Facebook logo near the top of this blog page.

Felix Valencia Seminar 2010 Dublin

A short clip of Guru Felix Valencia in action at the Dublin 2010 Seminar. The dvd of the seminar will be available from Wednesday 7th July. If you interested in learning Valencia lameco Eskrima and enrolling on the programe, or like to set up a training group in your area or country email guruliam@hotmail.com

Training Tip #5 - Control your ego

A week can be a long time in Martial Arts and the past 7 days was no exception to this rule. On one end was a teacher who is one of the greatest Martial Artist's in the World (Felix Valencia) who travel over to train us, and during his visit and seminar mixed and trained with everyone, no matter what level or ability. To the other end where a Junior student with a couple of grades, refused to train with another student and laying down ultimatums. What was the difference in theses two Martial Artists ?? A great big wallop of Self importance and Ego shown by the Junior !

Ego mixed with martial arts politics is a scrooge that go hand in hand with Martial Arts across the world. For some reason, some students are prone to this. In my belief all students no matter their religion, sex, age or level of ability or equal and everyone trains with everyone else full stop! This is one of my few cardinal rules in my Clubs and Association and if a student won't agree than they can find another teacher very quickly.

Ego is something which you need to keep in check as it can ruin your relationship very quickly with your fellow students and teacher. It also stops you ability to learn or to have empathy to understand a situation or the ability to forgive. Forgiveness along with theses other characteristics are not signs of weakness, but signs of strength and maturity. Having a ego stops you from learning or trusting as you start to believe what you know is better than what the teacher is showing.

When you look at another person, look for the positive things in that person and don't start comparing yourself. Enjoy the wonderful opportunities you have been allowed to experienced in your club and under your teacher. Work with the other students on a equal bases and you find threads of common goals that will help your continual development. And Finally stop worrying about the fragment of wood that caught in your friend eye, when there a great old piece of tree trunk sticking into yours.. otherwise you ain't perfect in fact No one is !! except me (ego speaking here lol) onto next time Train hard and Train well

Lameco Seminar Photos

Guru Felix Valencia

A few words from Guru Felix Valencia, one of the World top Martial Artist.

What students said after training with Guru Felix evening class in Lucan last night. So can you afford not to go?? Don't miss out on the weekend of the year !

Felix valencia is a real nice down to earth guy with amazing stick and knife skills...Loved the training and cant wait for more this weekend...Respect... Anto

Awesome!!!... Just had one of the most amazing nights training Guru Felix Valencia is a legend.....Mick

An absolute gentleman as well, looking forward to the weekend... Harry

OOOOWWWWWHHHH... Dan (If you were there you're understand)

See you all on the weekend, have loads off fun

Guru Jak

A short clip of Guru Jak who is a true Warrior teacher of Silat. Guru Jak was the reason I started doing silat and I have many very fond memories off him. I will always appreciate what he show me and the gift of silat he give me. Thanks Guru Jak...

Training Tip 4 - Understanding the Animals Mannerisms

"What is the purpose of the animal mannerism systems?" Is a question that is ask by a lot by beginners. In Pukulan Cimande Silat there is 4 main systems, Monjet, Ular, Blekok and Harimau now thou each of these systems is a animal name, for the moment I want you to look at it from a different viewpoint!

Each of these animal represents a range of combat for e.g. Harimau is the groundfighting range, which in this area students would learn how to fight and defend on the ground, they would learn how to lock, counter, wrestle etc.. either against an opponent who on the ground, or against a attacker who still standing. If you go to Blakok the complete opposite to Harimau, than you working in the Kicking range or the longest distance range of combat. Here footwork and striking that involves a lot of kicking and punching, which is design to either to keep the attacker at bay, or allowing you to crash into an attacker by closing the distance. It's important when closing the distance we move into Monjet (trapping range) which is Elbow and Knee range then to Ular which is very close range where you learn how to use your body to develop maximum striking power with extremely little distance (another training tip).

Each animal system is therefore name after a range of combat! But we need to aware as in Combat very few fights stay in one range, therefore for students to be successful he/she needs to learn to master how to fight in all ranges and to be able to blend all ranges together when needed. Pukulan Cimande is not when completed 4 different systems or ranges, its is one unlimited complete combat system! This system even has its own name "Raja Naga" A system which is completely your own personal system which uses your natural talents and abilities to the maximum and strengthens your weakness. This type of learning how to fight has been brought to forefront first with JKD, than Cross training and now with the rise of MMA who have been credit with given birth to this line of thought in Martial Arts, even though its been a silat concept for centuries ! Kinda like reinventing the wheel.

So next time your teacher mention a animal name, link that to the range of combat, and work on the techniques you can use in that range of combat and what you can do to make you a more complete fighter.