Guru Felix Seminar

Guru Felix Valencia will be teaching a two day seminar in Dublin Sat 25th June / Sun 26th June 2011. Level 1 and Level 2 Knife Gradings will take place during the grading. Going to be a great seminar so don't miss out.

UK Training Group

Our second training group in the UK, is now up and running and at Claverham Village hall. Claverham, just outside Bristol and training is on Sundays 9.30am - 11am . Training group leader is Kevin Dorrington, if you like more details email guruliam@hotmail.com All welcome.

Student of the Month Jan 2011

We are please to select Paul Nally as the Student of the Month for Jan 2011. Paul has been a great student and has excellent attendence. Recently Paul has updated his training by taking in a extra class each week when he can, and that has already begin to show his development improving quicker.

Every class Paul attends, he bring with him a open mind and a willingness to get stuck in and have a go. I 'm proud to have students like Paul in the class and look forward to see him developing over the next year.

Well Done!!

Combat Umbrella

A short instructional clip in the use of the Umbrella in place of Eskrima Stick. Shown are two basic Locks and takedowns.
Classes now enrolling for Spring 2011

When faced with violence and words fails, you have 6 options:

Ignore/leave: The vast majority of violent encounters have a lead up time of some kind. It can be by using threatening behaviour, verbal abuse etc. If you sense tension that could develop into violence, a reliably good option is to simply leave. You should only ever deal with aggression physically when it is thrust upon you and you no other practical alternatives.

Comply: If you are faced with a potentially violent situation and for whatever reason you can’t negotiate a non physical solution or you’re unable to leave the scene, then the wisest and most appropriate course of action may in fact be to comply. Do what they want. If there is a reasonable chance that complying will work and you think and feel the cost of non compliance would be too great, then do it. Comply.

Dominate: Another option available to you in a hostile situation is to dominate your opponent by demonstrating that you are not easy prey. Use you LOUD voice, your attitude and your body language to let your attacker know that you are not going to passively cooperate. Predators can read non combative attitude. If you’re not prepared to fight when attacked then that attitude will be reflected in the way you move, the way you stand, look and speak. A predator will read these signs and interpret them as a weakness. To dominate, it’s not always necessary to get physical, but it is necessary to let the attacker know, by whatever means available, that you are not easy prey and if push comes to shove “you will fight”

Stun and Run: If circumstances dictate that you should leave as quickly and decisively as possible, stun and then run! The distraction-the “stun” is vital for success, because you need to cause your attacker to experience a brain blink! You need to do something that has them thinking “what the hell was that” This is the most difficult option as you are required to physically overpower you’re attacker with brute strength/skill. This option should only be used when there is urgent need, if you must pursue this course of action, it is imperative that you precede with a “brain blink” and you should also accept in advance that you are more than likely going to get hurt in the process.

Incapacitate: This is the last of you’re options because it’s the last resort. You have been back into a corner where there is no escape. The cost of complying is too great. And all other options have failed or where not appropriate. If you are face with a situation where the most appropriated option is to incapacitate your attacker, the actual mechanics of what you do will depend on you as an individual. Are you capable of gouging an attacker’s eye out to stop him assaulting you/loved one? Or does the prospect of blinding someone override the welfare of that? The answer is something that only you know and in all probability you wont know for certain until you are unfortunate enough to be in that situation.

Guru Jak

This is the latest photo of Guru Jak Othman. This man is a legend in the silat world and is truly one of my greatest inspirations in why I do silat. When I was just 15 he first stayed with me and my family, sharing his knowledge of silat and friendship. If you ever get the chance to train with him, you should as one moment with him can generate a life time of memories.

New 10th Anniversary Jak Othman Seminar dvd

To mark the 10th Anniversary of Guru Jak Othman Visit to Dublin we are re launching a Special Limited Double Dvd Set with over 2 and half hours of top quality silat footage from the Dublin Malay Silat Seminars. Training covers, Buahs, Grappling, Striking techniques, Locks, Sweeps, Knife and some Keris Application, many of these techniques cannot be found elsewhere. This is a unique opportunity to learn and to see the techniques on dvd format. The Double Dvd set is €30 and includes free postage worldwide.

Also now available is the 2008 Valencia Lameco Eskrima Seminar Dvd. This is the footage from the first Seminar Guru Felix Valencia taught in Ireland. The material covers the fundalmental and core or Valencia Lameco Eskrima in Empty Hands, Knife and Stick. Ideal for anyone wanting to get the core of the Art. Price is €25 and includes free postage world wide.

New Training Group : Bristol UK

We are please to announce we are in the advance stages of setting up a New Combat Cimande Silat Training Group next month in Bristol. The Training group Leader is Kevin Dorrington, and we wish him great success. If you living in the area and like to experience the Art, than email me guruliam@hotmail.com and I will forward your detail.

We look forward to developing the nextwork in the UK in 2011 and look forward to seeing the art grow now in Bristol.

Thurles Co. Tipp. Workshop

Guru Liam will be teaching a second Workshop following last year successful Intro. The workshop will be hosted by Terence Kearney and will be held on Sat 29th Jan 2011 7pm - 10pm.

Workshop will divided into 3 Training and Applications sections

7pm - 8pm Malay and Indonesian Combat Staff

8pm - 9pm Valencia Lameco Eskrima

9pm - 10pm Malay Silat Locking and Groundfighting

To book a place contact Terence 087 2058820 or email guruliam@hotmail.com Cost is €30 and discounts available if you bring a friend or for groups. This is a great opportunity to experience the Combat fighting Arts of South East Asia. Event is open to all.

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