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
