Monday, July 23, 2007

Harimau Pencak Silat

This past weekend I had the opportunity to take part in a Harimau/Minangkabau pencak silat seminar. The seminar was led by two very capable players Guru Eric Kruk and MaHa Guru Richard Crabbe de Bordes.

What a treat. It was great to be able to work with these to guys even if only for a day. The seminar lasted for two days but I could only attend one of those. It was great and well worth the 2 hour trip to meet Maha Guru De Bordes and Guru Kruk.

We were also treated to traditional Indonesian dance by Guru Kruk's wife Mia (sp?). Excellent!

Guru Eric Kruk's teaching was great. He was able to really break it down simply and focus on some key elements, working them over and over again and into many other applications. His skill is high and it was a pleasure to meet him and have the opportunity to train with him.

MaHa Guru Richard Crabbe de Bordes was a blessing to me. I could relate very well to his principles, mentality, and applications. His movement was great to watch and I really enjoyed just being there - the fact that I got to participate as well was an extra blessing. Of course, MH Guru De Bordes is very intense. If you ever get a chance to work with him do so. He is a man with great experience not only in martial arts but real world stuff so he "cuts to the chase" and brings it home. I appreciated the fact that he was able to get to the intensity of pencak silat without a day of prep. and you can tell that there is a phenomenal foundation of training under MaHa Guru's background.

What gentlemen both Guru Kruk and MaHa Guru DeBordes were and I hope that we can continue to connect and spread pencak silat to the world.

The seminar was sponsored by one of my Tampa students, current organizer of AOPSA.com - The Association of Pencak Silat America.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Pencak Silat Training Camp

PENCAK SILAT TRAINING CAMP
"KELUARGA 2007"

This is the 4th annual camp. Each year has been better than the last. Open to all pencak silat players, as well as those who are just curious. Personally, I'd love to see silat players and teachers come together and share and grow in this open environment.

Date: Aug 3rd-5th
Theme: No. I don't play nice!
Location: Des Moines, IA
Length: 3 Days of training
Cost for Training: $180

Hotel: Heartlands Inn - link: http://www.heartlandinns.com/loc_DesMoinesAirport.php
Room Rate: $67.50 per room, per night, plus tax for a traditional
room with one king size bed or two queen size beds.
10 Rooms set aside (8 Doubles, 2 Singles)

Group name: Keluarga (ask for Keluarga Rate when you book a room to get the special rate. Also, please let Jay know if you book a room so if we need more we can add some AND you must book them at least 2 weeks before the event to get the special rate. You can't wait until the last minute.)
Complimentary Breakfast Daily 4:30-10am (hot and cold items)
Wireless Internet
Pillowtop Mattresses in Every Room
Indoor Swimming Pool and Fitness Center
Complimentary Evening Snacks
24 Hour Airport Shuttle Service

Airlines:
American,
Comair,
Continental,
Midwest Connect,
Northwest,
Skywest,
United,
US Airways

Car Rental:
Recommended by Jay - Enterprise (at the airport)
Event Information:
Plan on tuning up your pencak silat. We will work on:
PSP fundamentals
jurus-jurus,
harimau-monyet,
applications - bela diri,
understanding and doing pencak silat movement,
connectivity of fundamentals to create techniques,
training methods,
weapons work,
Explosive Entries,
Level Testing,
various adhoc discussions on strategy, psp, philosophy, spirituality, pencak silat, leadership, teaching, and growth.
bonfire at Jay's
It's going to be a great three days of training to introduce people to PSP and help those who are midway and nearing the end of the general curriculum. As always, it's a great time to test. Don't wait for Keluarga, but if you can push a little to test in person is a great opportunity.

We will probably work play harder this year than in past years.

Equipment to bring:
MMA style training gloves,
Full face headgear,
kicking shields,
focus mitts,
training and "sharps" (pisau - knives),
Golok,
Looped sarong or full-size ikat
Pay for the event by sending payment to pesilat@combat-silat.net via paypal to reserve your spot. We are looking to have around 20 people this year so get in before it's full.

If you have questions about ammenities, training location, car rentals, or event resources, contact Jay at ksmaguro@hotmail.com.

Event particulars, equipment, and questions related around partiicipation in the event should be sent to Guru Stark at pesilat@combat-silat.net.

Hormat saya,
Guru Stark