Teachers of KunTao Silat

Since our Guru Joe Judt moved his Kuntao Silat classes from Chicago proper out to Plainfield Illinois, a few of us have started training during the week in Rosemont, IL. The group leader, Jeff Fargo, is a certified practice leader in the system and can show you plenty of Kuntao.

We are looking for serious, dedicated students to join us. We usually meet on Wednesdays from 5:30 - 7pm and are looking for a space indoors to train as the summer wanes. The space will most likely be around Cumberland and the Kennedy in Rosemont. The cost, when that happens, will just be to cover rent. Of course, you will be able attend Saturday classes with Guru Joe out in Plainfield as well - we are doing this because Plainfield is too far to make the Tues and Thursday classes.

The Kuntao Silat we study is from Willem deThouars, by way of Guru Steve Gartin and Guru Joe Judt. Guru Joe is a very insightful, methodical teacher of KS and Jeff (the practice leader) a diligent, detail-oriented student who can definitely get your Silat practice going.

We would prefer people with some martial arts experience - most of us come from years of studying other systems. Jeff studied Jun Fan/JKD for years, and I was a brown belt in Hwarangdo and a Shidokan kickboxer before we found Guru Joe. Kuntao Silat is VERY different from the more common martial arts taught - it would just help to know the basic mechanics of stances and breakfalls etc.

"From the low-style of Monkey Movement. . . " "Lower as you can . . . lower!" Willem de Thouars

A kind and gentle businessman with a contagious smile and sparkling eyes, "Bill Chang" could change in a mili-second into the fierce I shing Ie GrandMaster that was known and feared all over the Orient. Mr. Chang came to Denver to live and work sponsored by the de Thouars Brothers. He termed his martial art a "royal gung fu," not to be confused with the peasant arts of Indonesia. He explained his art as a musical scale, wherein a few specific motions are trained to flow into infinite possibilities controlled by an open and inviting mind already confident of the ultimate outcome of the encounter before it began. "Before you fight, you win!."

Pendekar Paul is a model of technical refinement. His guidance and direction has been invaluable in the evolution of our martial understanding.

Pak Victor has always directed much of his engineering prowess into the mechanics of Serak® and has been an enduring source of technical knowledge. From the early days of living with Pak Vic we were inspired and instilled with the "work ethic" that actually builds the skills that a mature practitioner can rely upon for self defense. We also had a Pantjar taped on the livingroom floor and Pak Vic began introducing us to the Serak® Platform and its uncanny effectiveness over 25 years ago. I continue that education today.