Urban Silat Summer Camp 2012

Just back from the Urban Silat Training Camp in Kilrea in North of Ireland. What a weekend it was. Over 40 students attended, and what's even more remarkable, is having this number of students from one Association proves how strong, loyal and dedicated the students are and makes these guys the premier outfit in Ireland. Silat is now into its 27th year in Ireland and each year students make there way to Kilrea the birthplace of silat in Ireland, where it had it humble beginning in the local school hall.

The camp was extended to a second evening this year, and after the initial get together and something to eat, some of the students were took on a tour of the venues where silat began in Ireland and a history of it's development.

Saturday began the training in earnest, with Guru Denny taking the students through Langka (footwork drills), than followed up by Guru Liam teaching the Cimande Jurus and their applications, followed by an Introduction to Kera (Ape) especially focusing on Orang-outang combat concepts of "Clearing the Jungle" a intercepting technique and "Bringing to center" a Body Shielding concept, these techniques form part of the advance training of Pukulan Cimande. After the short Break Guru Robert took over and taught Pamacan Cimande, which help get the Harimau students ready for their grading.

After the grading the students prepared and tested on their Harimau and what a awesome grading it was. I was so very very proud of what I saw, to see students at such skill full level, reaching deep into themselves to produce such powerful combat techniques, makes me feel so lucky to have the students I have. No ego's, no nonsense, just students who want to train and develop.

Sat evening the students decided to do a bonding exercise and despite the weather made there way to Carrick-a- reed rope bridge where gathering up their nerves made the adrenaline rush crossing of the bridge. Everyone helping each other cross, some taking longer than others. After this hunger was the next to be overcome so a club meal at the the theme "Charlie" restaurant was in order, followed by a evening at the Portneal Lodge.


Sunday morning started with a Silat Internal session in the forest beside the River Bann, where students were taught exercise to use with Nature, to invoke deep relaxation and meditation. After Breakfast students made there way to the training venue, where Guru Denny taught a section on Silat Body leverage and Triangulation. Guru Liam then covered Silat Stick Grappling which is unique to Silat. followed by Cimande the devastating Tari Kolot Knife Work, and then some Cimande Sarong, where students were shown how to use everyday clothing as weapons. The last section of the day was covered on the use of how to increase energy, speed and power through the use of auditory sounds in both Offensive and Defensive techniques.

A great two days, full of fun, excitement and most of all friendship. If you living anywhere in Ireland and you want to learn silat, then come along to any of our classes in Ballymena, Letterkenny or Dublin and experience Silat taught by real teachers, who goal is for your development


Some comments from the students attending the Camp


Great Weekend Guru Liam Its good to see everyone, old faces and new ones too the start of a new generation of young ones coming up through the ranks and spreading silat in Ireland its good to see it and be part of it. and thanks again Master Liam for your time and effort..Denny


 I'm exhausted just reading all the fantastic stuff we did this weekend. Pushed to the limit at times, trained with guys I've never met before and learned from every one of them. Blown away by the skill of our northern brothers at the end of the grading....Sean


Thanks to Guru Liam and all the silat brothers, north and south, for coming together and making a great weekend. As an old face, probably a stranger to many, I was made so welcome that I forgot just how long i've been absent from the family. It felt good to be back!... Richard


Fantastic training as always, great to meet up n train with our friends in the north, always made welcome, once again a huge thanks to our main man Liam who makes this possible and gives up so much of his time to bring us together and learn.. Alan

www.urbansilat.com

Grading in Silat

Next week a number of our Silat Students are grading, so I thought, maybe this be a good topic for this week topic.

Most Martial Arts clubs have some form of grading, and is a way of recognizing the effort, work and development of a student. In the past in Indonesia and Malaysia before silat became alive in the Western World, there were usually 3 Grades - Student, Teacher, Master. Due to the cultures of the Western World the development of splitting up the levels into sizeable chunks for students to grasp was develop. Some say this is a good ideal others bad, that's another day debate. In Urban silat we have 3 Levels of grades
1) Beginners / Intermediate 2) Advance 3) Instructor

Each of these levels required a different level of training, each level much more progressive, requires more dedication, commitment. For example if a student in class who going for a Instructor Grade, and is doing less classes / training then another going for their Intermediate or even Beginner level, then obviously either they not really serious about training for that level or there is very little chance of them actually passing that grade. So Grading Tip number one! Turn up for class and train this is simply the bottom line, no student fails to develop by turning up regularly for class. In my views training for a Advance or Instructor Grade needs to be minimum of 2 - 3 classes a week for at least a year. If you're training less than that, you are bluffing yourself you preparing for a Grading at that level. You can talk as much as you want saying you are committed but actions will always speak louder than words, and your teacher will notice you absent in class.

Grading Tip 2) Don't Crammed, this is a big no no, and is often practise. The month before a grading a student who hasn't been training suddenly starts cramming. Yes they may be able to show the technique on the day of the Grading, but a few weeks later when the student despite what he said just before the grading, will revert back to old habit of attendance at class / training and will have forgotten the techniques, or preformed them at a very poor level. Give yourself time, usually 6 months out, or 12 months for a Guru Grade you need this time to start preparing yourself mentally and physically for your grading. Give yourself and your teacher the proper time to train well.

Grading Tip 3) Research yourself, begin to find more out about the techniques, or the art itself, it background. Become interested in what you are actually learning. Make it become part of your lifestyle, not something you do 1 or 2 hours a week and forgotten about till the following week. Find other ways for your mind and body to develop, that compliment your training. These very simple easy steps can make a big difference in how you approach a grading and how well you preformed on the day. www.urbansilat.com

Harimau Take Down and Follow Up

A short clip taking from one of our classes showing a Urban Silat Harimau Takedown with a Follow up. The follow ups can be many and individual, as they flow to the needs and the variation of each take down.