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.