Teachers & Locations for Kuntao Silat Training

Uncle has recently posted an entry on silat.tv where kuntao silat training may be obtained through those that teach his system of martial arts.  Here is the post: http://www.silat.tv/group/kuntaosilatdethouars/forum/topics/the-pride-of-a-teacher

  I am glad to end, by making Guadalajara my main Headquarter, and the one here in Northglenn. The others are very important Centers where I opperate and conduct kun tao and silat farms. Especially geared to progress Hakka kuen kun tao silat and Ci mande silat the Deerns lineage.

   Things keeps me most strongly busy, and nearing 77 years in January, my life becomes even better. It keeps me going, for me not having to hide behind the pants of students - I am in charge, I am a martial arts leader and will act accordingly.

    My pride and joy is as a true venture lays in Guadalajara; I am very proud to lead and guide a special group, as nowhere else can be found. The folks there under sigung Mario Rainero, is my successor for South America and Mexico and others in the kun tao school there, are a continuation of all my previous attempts. They all become successors after Mario, and in my book they are the best of the best. Training with actually physically endorsing combat with empty handed training, is all part of the daily practice. Martial arts without actually physically intuned with the actions of combat is not martial arts. Mexico is still free as a country where people fight for the sake of fighting. Blades and in particular the karambit is the best weapon practiced by choice in my kun tao school - other blades, like the short and long blades to even up to swords are practiced to roam freely in my dusty and happy trails.

    My headquarter here in Northglenn is under sigung Marcelo Rainero, where I teach every Sunday our original ways in training. It is strictly private. I feel there the most at home here in the state of Colorado. With guru Keith Moffet, he has run his Kun Lun Pai for several years, successfully. His training in the school is different, he does many things to stay in business. Also with my praise for still practicing our art, but beside, also includes physicality in a well rounded gym, for people to come and train with weights. Unfortunate I have only time to teach in my Headquarter, in Northglenn. There are other schools here in Colorado where our art is practiced and taught - under Bob Austin in Fort Collins; Steward Lauper has three large schools in Denver - they also train people in my system. Guru Joe Jud, trains a group in Chicago, Ill.

My longest disicple for over 40 years, has a school in his basement (like my headquarter in Northglenn) and is also a leader of a school in Denver - led by Bryant Earnest, also one of my trained instructors.

   When it comes to Boston, in Mass, are two training centers I conduct teaching my arts. They are under Don Ethan Miller, in Acton and under May and mike Williams in Salem. They are one of my finest in that region and also a special well accomplished kun tao instructor, sigung Westly Tasker.

   In Florida is only one well trained instructor, (a disciple), sigung Chuck Stahman. In the state of Tenn, in Maryville is one of my fine internal instructors, a long follower, sigung Richard Clear.

    In Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the well outstanding guru Trent Beach, a true and dedicated instructor in kun tao silat. In Texas, in Laredo a family associate Professor Paul Buirton.

    In Santa Monica, Calif are two of my outstanding kun tao instructors - the sigungs Ray Roblos anbd Mathew Cowan. Going to Canada, in Montreal is another fine long outstanding disciple, sigung Randell Goodwin.

    For Hawaii are two formidable leaders, Behati Mershant and Dana Matos. For two countries in Scandinavia, are also my training centers in Stockholm, under leadership of Michael Marlow and in Norway, in Oslo under Jimmy Boharfa. In Norkoping another trained leader, Lennart Olson, in Norkoping.

    In South New Zealand is Shinicci Jason teaching people. In Tokyo his brother, another Shinicchi.

Through all of them, who keeps me busy training and teaching, is no need for me to go to other countries in Europe - several of the instructors from others organizations come to attend my seminars in Scandinavia or here in America.  There are other friends for quite some years, they are on all four corners of the world - who are actually far distance followers of my art. Even in Manila, the Philipinnes are our kun tao practiced and the Imua shantung. In my art under Jimmy Boharfa.

   They are always free to come and to find out if I know something about the martial arts. There is another training Center for my family gathering is with Sam Edwards and Frank Broadhead and James Painter. It is a total different environment of training with many spices. Is in Truckee, (Reno Nev) or Northern California. It is the headquarter for the Sierra Nevada internal arts, and Eureka Productions.

   In San Francisco, Northern California another distinguished instructor, Dr Conrad Bui, and for other places in regard of my system - need to look up my current list of teachers.

To all who are my followers and friends who bought my book, through Amazone or the Eureka productions, my most sincere thanks and for all who had introduced my book.

My prime and main object for teaching and sharing my skills, remain in Hakka kuen kun tao and in Cimande tulen silat. It is my special reason to stay within the boundaries of my limitations and not to exceed. There is much for me to consider for staying only with my martial extended families - it is a large group of people and loyal as followers. May we all prosper in wealth and in health in the New Year, bapak willem de thouars.

Martial Sport vs. Martial Art, A Mindset that Controls Behavior

Lars Anderson changed his mindset, or perception and cognitive response, to "re-discover" techniques for martial archery as opposed to sport archery.  They both have their place; each creates and nurtures attributes that bolster archery ability.  However, sport techniques make someone far better at shooting a single arrow under very controlled circumstances.  Martial art techniques make someone able to shoot well enough to dispatch an unknown number of enemies under any, or seemingly losing, conditions.  It speaks to the essence of martial sport vs. martial  art.  I'll provide a blog post that goes more in depth regarding the principles of each.  Hope you enjoy the video.

By the way, Kuntao Silat is not a sport.

Uncle's New Book!

An apt title to Uncle's book, "A Journey Through Time."  Probably the last of the "old school" masters from a time that has been long gone in history to the present day, this book is a first-hand account of the trials and tribulations of a living legend.  Yep, I said it. It is not hyperbole.  Stories of training with kuntao and silat masters as a young child using ancient methods of practice with ancient expectations of the students.  Students of any martial art should purchase a copy, but especially those who practice kuntao, silat and kuntao silat, so that they may see the roots of their practice.  (Note:  it has been well established that karate has roots in the kuntao of southern China and the te of Okinawa.)  There's an excellent description of the book on Eureka Productions web page that reads as follows:

"Written in the unmistakable voice of Kun Tao Silat master Willem de Thouars, A Journey Through Time is an autobiographical reflection of de Thouars’s combined lifetime passion for martial arts, history and philosophy. The great grandson of a Dutch tea plantation owner and his African American wife, Willem de Thouars inherited a complex cultural legacy. As the grandson of a skilled Silat practitioner, he was also uniquely positioned to partake in the rigorous martial arts training found in Indonesia. A Journey Through Time chronicles De Thouars’s over six decades of studies and observations of both eastern and western martial disciplines.

De Thouars, like a Kendang dancer or circling Bagua practitioner, weaves his personal odyssey into the larger theater of human migration, trade, and conquest in the island nations of Indonesia. The reader is taken though de Thouars’s boyhood in the Dutch East Indies, internment during Japanese occupation (1942-1946), displacement upon Indonesia’s independence from the Dutch, relocation to the Netherlands, and subsequent immigration to the United States in 1960.

The reader comes away with a richer understanding of the origins of Willem de Thouars’s style of Kun Tao Silat.A Journey Through Time represents the bounty of what life has taught de Thouars, including his devotion to the natural world, which is joyfully depicted in his animal illustrations found throughout the book.

About the Author

Willem de Thouars’s skills as Kun Tao Silat master and teacher have made him a sought after instructor at international martial arts seminars. Originally from Indonesia, he has lived in the United States since 1960. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife Joyce.

Product Details

Paperback: 191 pages
Publisher: Eureka Productions
Price: $14.99 U.S.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615710743
ISBN-13: 978-0615710747"

You may purchase your own copy for only $12.99 through Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Through-Time-Willem-Thouars/dp/0615710743/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352122829&sr=8-1&keywords=willem+de+thouars

Baguazhang / Pa Kua Chang / Po Kwa Zen, Old School Ideas and Movement

The higher levels of Kuntao Silat contain internal forms of movement and training methods for use in combat. It does utilize the acquisition, storage and movement of qi or chi at the higher levels once the external methods of movement and structure of the forms have been appropriately mastered.  Prior to studying with Uncle I studied a Cheng system of Baguazhang, spelled out Pa Kua Chang at the time.  I had six years of intense study and practice with Sifu Cheng. Yes, virtually every day of practice as I and he wished me to learn the system asap due to his very advanced age; therefore, many of the old Chinese ways of holding back were dispensed with once he was satisfied with my character and mental acumen.  Understand, this did involve me  agreeing to only show the movements "appropriately" to students who have displayed a certain loyalty and ability.  Yes, still the old ways attached.  Hey, I agreed to it, and while the old strategies seem anachronistic in today's world, there is certainly wisdom to be gained from the ideas involved.  In fact, for much of my past, while being a student or an instructor I would simply move or show something exactly at, or just below, the ability of my training partner.  Why?  As a student, I'm there to learn, not show what I know.  Blank slates and empty cups retain more information, and without interference from previously learned material it's learned more completely.  I'm also not there to compete with my training partner.  I'm there to learn, and help my partner learn.  Consistently whacking my partner with something just because I can, or know something else, is flatly not helping either one of us learn anything except that I'm a selfish ass.  As an instructor, showing proper internal structure and flow while breaking down external movement distracts the student from what you're actually teaching and is far beyond what they are trying to understand.  They have no framework in which to operate or comprehend. As an instructor at a seminar I would frequently show movement just above the person I was teaching.  That way, they would actually learn and be able to incorporate the movement instead of mimic the movement poorly and not be able to recall what I was trying to teach only to remember the movement(s) improperly and propagate a falsehood. Would you teach Calculus I to someone who hasn't learned Algebra I?  No, because you couldn't. You could try, but all that would happen is frustration and misunderstanding leading to improperly understood movements, principles and concepts coupled with a student that thinks "I have it!" and nothing could be further from the truth.  Moreover, using a Taoist concept, humbling oneself by not displaying knowledge especially if learned somewhere else, allows another person to understand you have nothing to prove, and is a show of respect.  Tactically, if you don't really know another person's intentions why let them know you are much further along in real ability than you actually are?  Yes, it has actually worked out well for me in the past allowing people think I know, and can perform, far less than I do.  Besides, I have nothing to prove to them and don't really care what they think.  Truly.  I've had many think that and wish to "spar" (not drill but actually trade spontaneous, free-for-all strikes and throws), but suddenly realize much of what they assumed was incorrect, and I'm not moving like they observed in the past, and goddamnit he hits much harder than I thought he did, why doesn't anything work like it's supposed to...?  (Note: the pretense of sparring was often a reason to actually fight me due to their own insecurities.  Another thing they didn't know was that I genuinely loved to fight in the past.  Call it a psychological flaw that has been overcome.)

That said, old school methods spawn the idea of "secrets", but there really are none.  It is merely knowledge and understanding at different levels.  The analogy of mathematics is appropriate here. Overall circumstances dictate what may be performed or revealed for a myriad of reasons.

The reason I typed the previous is simply to state that the embedded video contains Cheng style Baguazhang demonstrated at a level not typically learned until the practitioner reaches a certain level of ability.  It makes me smile that a Chinese group has decided to demonstrate it to the public.  Baguazhang rarely displays jings within the form except to advanced practitioners, and not because it's a secret, but because someone who hasn't mastered the movements without jings can't possibly perform them properly, and will only cause injury or improper movement in an attempt to duplicate what they think is happening.  Most of the Baguazhang practitioners I've met aren't even aware that the type of movement shown is even possible within Baguazhang.  Yep, it is.  Worked on diligently in fact.  Of course, they could've simply been avoiding  the totality of their knowledge and ability because I'm just a white guy that isn't showing anything special.  That's cool, too.  No reason they should.  You will notice that there are no applications in the video.

Baguazhang is often known as Po Kwa Zen within Indonesia. Be certain that the Indonesians utilize internal energy in their forms and transmit the knowledge and practice.  The methods are there.  It's just that most folks never reach the level where they are able to learn it.  Notice the skeletal structure of the person in the video as compared to Hakka Kun Tao practitioners and the huge similarities despite the difference in the styles.

Keep at it, don't stop training, and you will learn that secrets are merely something you haven't learned yet because a proper foundation must be laid.  I tell all of my students from the very first day, "You have to change everything you understand about the way you move to learn this properly."

I wish to sincerely thank Uncle and Sifu Cheng for allowing me to learn and practice their arts.

Article on Sera / Serak Silat by Bapak Ventje De Vries; late student of Mas Djut and Uncle to Our Uncle.

Saturday, February 24, 2007 originally written by Michiel Meijer

	(Serak publication pak Ventje De Vries; late student of pak Masdjoed; Tong Tong; The Netherlands 1962) Pak Masjoed is student of pak Sera; founder of Serak Style
In next story; I will tell some about my youth. At young age I left my parent house (of course against the will of my parents); to get life experience to be become independent. Because of my few income; I lived with humble family in a small lane in Buitenzorg, among locals. That’s how I learned Soendanees languish and adat; so I could good concentrate on poekoelan. Afterwards my master Masjoed gave me permission to give lessons myself. Finally people didn’t called me “djoeragan” (meneer) or anom (shortage of djoeragan anom (jonge meneer); but mamang (uncle); to express respect; what seems to be when they talked with each other discussing about “Mang Depris”. When they met me on the street; they welcomed with “Poenten Mang, bade angkat?”(Good day Mang; where are you going to?) Even aged people greeted me like this. I assume it’s because I never absence Pentjak competitions; as New Year celebrations in the stalls of Governor General and wedding and sunat parties. Parties with Governor General dated from period of Van Heutsz and were very popular; because winner of competition won 25 guilders (€ 12). There; many djagos and styles became famous. Even if losers were injured it never occurs; it became case for civil court. It was honest fight; to through your opponent; without weapons; and without revenge. In Soenda area; there are 3 main Poekoelan styles; “Tjimande”, Tjikalong” and “Sera”, last one I practice. Main styles are divided into sub streams like “Tji Matjan (Tiger), Tji Monjet (monkey); and Tji Kampret (bat). So far I know about Batavia; well known style of Mr. Petite de Rooy; “Petjoet" of Mr. Schoor from Petodjo; also called (nickname) Si Pantek. In Padang; they practiced Padang style; mainly kicking. There is also Koentau; divided into 7 sub streams. My experience is that this style is practice in Palembang (see article T.T. 15-9-1962). Most famous practitioners in Buitenzorg are; Baha Boek and Baha Boit; both large / strong guys. That’s why they use heavy sikoe –sikoe’s in there style. Sikoe-Sikoe is made of steel; and has length from under arm to elbow. In Pontianak there is kind of style; where “les” is main issue. Body is trained to avoid punches; by stepping backwards or step aside. Hands of experienced practitioner of Pontianak can be tied behind his back; without to be hit. Lets practice; in Lankah Lima. (See figure A to E). Right foot on B and left foot on E; while body weight is on right foot. This stand is called koeda koeda. He stands in langkah 3. Cross on figure is extended with triangle FGB. Man from Pontianak stands with his right foot on G and with his left foot on F (with front to opponent). His third point is B; (right foot of opponent). Situation is as follows. His arms are not is fight position; asking to be hit. Opponent sees no defense; and tries to punch. Pontianak moves body backwards; and counters when opponent strike back arm; to give second punch. Body of Pontianak close to opponent; so that bodyweight of opponent (B - E) is based on E. Then followed with sapu sideway; to throw opponent. This les is also incorporated in Sera; so our counter would be almost similar; using arms and legs. Would be too complicated to write down on paper. Now follows description; of fight of Pentjakkers in pengkalan pentjak (pentjak arena). All Pentjak styles are split into Kembang (bloem) or dance; djoeroes (alphabet) or techniques; langkah’s or steps with techniques; and samboetan; fighting system of severe kinds of Pentjak. Included sabet (kick away opponent) and sabet (shift away opponent, by placing your foot at foot of opponent; while pushing body of opponent) Guiding music is wooden trumpet; 2 gendangs; and gong. Gendangs are elongated drums; both side played (called male and female) with the start of gendang “tepak tiloe” (3 rhythm) or “tepak doea” (2 rhythm); female sound start; and male answers with variations. For beginners it’s hard to recognize severe melodies and gendang rhythm. It’s also not easy to dance; stepping and movements at the same time. Rhythm of Tjimande is slow and dragged; because dance is mentioned to show agile arm- and hand movements; while Tjikalong rhythm is faster and pleasant rhythm. Written by "Mang Depris” Alias pak Ventje De Vries (Notice the low stances as demanded by Uncle.-- Trent)

Seminar Was Fantastic; Hours of Video to Review

My apologies for not posting sooner to the blog as an update; however, since returning to work I've been inundated since I was out the last week dealing with the seminar and catching up with family.  The seminar was phenomenal!  Unfortunately, Uncle was struck ill at the last moment and unable to fly in, but Sigung Philip Sailas was able to make it and greatly awed my students.  His amazing skill and wonderful personality truly won everyone over immediately.  43 years of training with Uncle!  I also have approximately eight hours of video to review.  Nothing will be available to outside folks, but those who attended the seminar and other kuntao silat brothers will be able to purchase DVDs for a nominal fee (probably $20 plus shipping just to cover my costs of the DVDs, packaging, labels, ink, delivery and wait time at post office, etc.  No, it doesn't even come close to paying for edit time and burn time otherwise I'd simply burn the whole thing raw to multiple DVDs and be done with it.).

That said, what did we cover?  As promised we went over Uncle's Serak Silat.  Sigung Phil could see we have been practicing and my students did have many of the basics, therefore we quickly went into more advanced apps.  Outstanding!  From there, we reviewed Uncle's Cimande / Tjimande Silat system as inherited and practiced by him from his father-in-law, Bapak Carl Deems.  Truly a wonderful system with many things to impart.  Similar to, but also very different from, Serak.  One of those things you have to experience and/or study to understand.  We spent a great deal of time on the buah and sambuts as well as the 18 djurus and langkah of Cimande.   Later we worked on Kuntao Monyet, or Monkey Kuntao, as well as the advanced drunken movements of the system.  It must be understood that I have one student that is truly huge, and athletically so.  Former powerlifter, elite level college football player, former pro football player until a knee injury; also a blackbelt in multiple arts and law enforcement officer that instructs others-- very nice guy.  But to provide comparison, he is in his mid-thirties approximately 6'4" and nearly 400 pounds, squatting ability of 900 pounds and bench of 500 pounds for reps...raw.  Yeah.  Sigung Phil is 63 years old, approximately 5'3" and 130 lbs.  He effortlessly and repeatedly threw my student over his head, end over end, to the mat with a thunderous thwack!  Drunken monkey is no joke.  Later, we moved to internal striking which opened up many eyes, then kuntao silat knife.  We ended the seminar with kuntao silat stick techniques and Q&A. Two days of joyful mayhem for practice.

I wish a speedy recovery and constant well being to Uncle and a heartfelt thank you with much gratitude to Sigung Philip Sailas for making this seminar such a resounding success.  It's cliche', but it truly was awesome.  I hope to get Sigung Philip back along with Uncle as quickly as possible.

Uncle Arrives Tomorrow for the Seminar

Here is a video of Uncle performing a langkah from his art.  He and Philip Sailas, his longest studying student, arrive tomorrow for the seminar.  It appears that heavy rains are in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday and I reserved space in the park as outside training in good weather is always best.  Now I'll need to reserve a gym at the last minute.  The video is Willem de Thouars: Hakka Kuntao Silat de Thouars - Pasang 1

Only Four More Days!

I'll be picking up Uncle and Philip from the airport this Friday afternoon for the workshop this weekend.  A large crawfish boil is scheduled at a student's house right after I pick them up.  Attached you'll see Sigung Philip Sailas performing some of Uncle's forms.  The years of dedicated training sure do show.  I'm greatly looking forward to seeing them both again.  I'll be presenting some clips of the seminar once I download it all.  The theme for this weekend will be silat serak, kuntao silat knife and monkey kuntao, or as I like to call it, "Blood, Sweat and Steel".

Pentjak (Pencak) Silat Pamur / Pengasinan Jalan Enam

This series of movements looks similar to the pentjak silat pamur djurus that Uncle showed me many years ago although there are some definite differences.  Pamur is from the island of Madura and what I was shown was  a series of blade movements that was also trained empty-handed.  Now, I see something that uses hand transitions similar what I learned at the time that I haven't seen since except in a couple other silat arts.  The clip is entitled "Pengasinan Jalan Enam" and is labeled as being from the area of Jakarta, not the island of Madura.  I hope you enjoy it.

New Designs and Products and the Kuntao Silat A'ir Shop

Click here for more new designs and products at the Kuntao Silat A'ir

Basic Internal Art Principles

Here is an excellent article on some very basic principles of the internal arts, yes all of the internal arts, that must be instinctive when used, from a blog entitled "The Way of Least Resistance."  The article's title is The Way Internal Arts Work: Part 1 and eloquently breaks down the usage of footwork coupled with momentum and mass to develop power.  Naturally, since the internal styles (e.g., taijiquan / tai chi chuan, baguazhang /  pa kua chang, hsing I chuan / xingyiquan, I chuan / yiquan, liuhobafa, etc.) each do this differently, it doesn't break each style down into specific detail; however, the article does provide a nice overview of those concepts for the three major internal styles as known in the West.  Each internal style also has its unique methods for relaxation and skeletal usage to employ its own power generation mechanics based upon the tactics and core theories of the style, but indeed it is physics and not magic.  Kuntao Silat relies heavily on the principles of internal martial arts especially at more advanced levels, but a trained eye can spot it even at the introductory levels.

Bapak Willem de Thouars Seminar in Niles, IL June 24, 2012

If you can't make it to the "Blood, Sweat and Steel" Seminar I'm putting on for Uncle in New Orleans on May 12  & 13, 2012, please attend the seminar my kuntao silat brother is putting on near Chicago on June 24, 2012.  Guru Joe Judt is hosting the seminar and Guru Kris Roberts will be assisting Uncle when he teaches.  I'm adjusting my schedule now to try and attend.  You can register at www.studiogaruda.com

Profile of Sigung / Guru Marcelo Rainero Video

Here is a video profile of one of Uncle's senior instructor's in Kuntao Silat de Thouars.  The video clearly shows the family style of training and friendship between the practitioner's while providing a glimpse of the potentially lethal techniques trained.  You'll also see some other familiar faces. A link to Marcelo's website can be found to the right of this page in links.

Guru / Tai Si Hing Philip Sailas at a Seminar 2010

Here you can see Uncle's most accomplished and longest practicing student, an amazing martial artist and person in every sense of the word, Philip Sailas.  This video shows a very casual bit of instruction during The Family Gathering 2010 Seminar for Kuntao Silat de Thouars.  Guru Sailas will be here for the Blood, Sweat and Steel Seminar in the New Orleans area May 12 & 13, 2012 demonstrating Monkey Kuntao, Kuntao Silat knife and Uncle's Pencak Silat Serak.  It will be so good to see them both.  It's been too long.

Fencing with the Sabre

Uncle speaks quite often about the integration of the fencing he learned while living in Europe.  Kuntao Silat de Thouars contains quite a bit of fencing in the footwork, lunges, and usage of the arms while entering.  Fencing is a simple system to learn, but takes a lifetime to master to any real degree...much like good Kuntao Silat.  The attached video demonstrates the fundamentals of sabre fencing.  It's the closest to a large knife you'll find in an officially sanctioned international sporting context.  Notice the timing required for even one pointed moves.

The Kuntao Silat Design Store is Now Open!

Be as water.  Kuntao Silat Designs including the Seminar Shirt for Uncle's arrival May 12 & 13, 2012.

The Kuntao Silat Design Shop for a shorter link.  Exclusive designs for Kuntao Silat you can't find anywhere else!  Proudly support your art.

Basic Sapu and Besset Drill with Guru Stevan Plinck

Video of a great basic exercise to assist with awareness, sensitivity, familiarity and mechanics in a relaxed manner with some langkah movements.

Pukulan Pentjak Silat with Guru Stevan Plinck

Here is video of some well instructed, very basic information regarding silat movement that is universal to the de Thouars silat arts.

Pencak Silat Five Experts

These short silat videos were sent to me asking some questions about our art.  Many of the same techniques are used in Kuntao Silat.  There is some difference due to the kuntao influence and the shen fa, or body movement/expression, is necessarily different causing some change in response and technique, but many are very similar.  It must be remembered that Kuntao Silat incorporates several different styles of silat and kuntao.  Each practitioner, once obtaining a solid foundation through many years of practice, eventually specializes in what suits their nature.

Djuru Satu performed by Trevor.

Please note, this video of our first form in kuntao silat was done spontaneously and I missed the very first movements of my student. I walk with the camera a bit to show the movement more clearly, but it changes the perception of the angles.

Silat Serak in Uncle's Own Words

  At the beginning when Paul started to teach in Los Angeles and later upon a (drift) of my invitation to come to Colorado, (there was stories to behold), coming from Paul himself - most was recorded and through notification he stated that pak serak had practiced, " several Chinese styles, 4 Hindu arts, 5 Muslim and unique to history telling, also several other pentjac silat styles".  it was also noteworthy being written dawn, by several of my old students and to top it of, his spoken words in a voice, was also on tape. Victor can much relate to my actual fact to minus serak's history.     It was before he created the Bukti Negara fighting art, impartial to old kung fu (san soo) and for sure Serak. Try to deny it, and an embarrasment is to follow a great reputation. When Bukti Negara was created, he founded the art based on a vision from God, also noted and candidly, Paul tries to declined Pak's Serak's  Chinese arts, out of pak Serak's systems. There are actually to many who can actually attest to my statement in issues. Nothing against Paul, but is time for him to be more truthful to himself, because by hiding the truth, relates only to a misinterpretation to actual facts, and can worsen the true history, that is non to discover - and leads only by confusing it further - in later years. There are others in Holland and here in America that had gone off the side, when it comes to serak, the art of Pak Serak.   I decided to strengthen my bond with the VDT Academy under pak Victor and guru Horacio. Serak at the academy is more stable with information and also in the practice and training of serak. My headquarter here in Colorado, is an information source for Hakka kun tao and with the VDT academy is a centre source to obtain informatio for the value of the art Serak. There are two opposite styles in djurus and langkas being taught; the Mas Djoet art and the Mahroen art, makes the practice and training of serak, a very huge fighting art, with a great history and a large formatted art to choose from. I too have been for a long time, (knowledgeable in the art of serak )- and had gotten it through other very reliable sources, outside Paul's, Maurice or de Vries family in Holland.   It is necessary for me to openly attest my declaration of my intent for also starting to teach Serak.

Will only be taught to just a chosen view, of my liking. The VDT Academy and the kun tao silat de Thouars, are closed related associates as one family. Other serak related organizations are far apart from us, and should be noted, that we don't have anything in common or are doing the same serak art. I am delighted to notice that guru Dan Inosanto had gone to study further in the art serak from Victor. He had achieved a high rank of guru under pak Victor and in my consideration congratulate him, and consider him our wealthiest martial ambasador in the South East Asian arts, a rewarded legend for a broad scaled knowledge.   In closing we need to stay separated issues, in order to gain success in comprehension.

                                      Bapak willem de thouars.

Kuntao Silat de Thouars on the Bayou! A Seminar

Bapak Willem de Thouars (Uncle) and Sigung Philip Sailas (Uncle’s most senior student) Hai Deng Shrfu Willem de Thouars and Sigung Philip Sailas will be teaching an aspect of Kuntao Silat de Thouars rarely shown outside of inner circle teaching—silat serak djurus, langkahs and buahs, kuntao silat knife and monkey boxing from monyet kuntao. May 12 & 13, 2012 (Saturday and Sunday) from 8am to 4pm each day, Lafreniere Park at 3000 Downs Blvd. Metairie, LA. (LaQuinta Inn at 5900 Veterans Memorial Blvd. is blocks away across I-10, 504-456-0003). • Cost is $150 for both days of training if paid before April 30, 2012, postal money order. May 1st or later is $100 per day payable upon arrival with cash only. Registration with this form must be completed as a liability waiver and agreement to terms or participation will not be allowed. Please bring a personal training practice knife or safety equipment for your own use and plenty of fluids. *You may e-mail for a pdf form to be sent to you to register as it must be legible to participate and you must mail it in to my address to be provided.

Empty Hand vs. Knife Basics with Kuntao Silat

Today I had my students work on some empty hand vs. folding knife attacks from our first form, Langkah Satu, also known as Djuru Satu. Please note that the speed was decreased and the hits were only indicated with body power to avoid injuring the training partners in training. These movements must be experienced to better understand structure and positioning with root which is nearly impossible to demonstrate via video. The knife was continually controlled by the person once contact was made passing the point/edge as necessary.