Depending on the system and the teacher, a martial arts student will often hear references to posture, structure, frame, or stance. All of these are referring to the same core idea: proper alignment of the body. Classical martial arts of all cultures place a premium on developing structure, and it’s common for teachers to require […]
The Burden of Teachers
Recently, I had a patient come through my clinic who ended up having a spirited conversation with me. He grew up in a very conventional “Western” demographic, playing football in high school, joining a fraternity in college, and entering the “rat race” as an adult. Yet he practices Qigong and looks to Eastern Medicine when […]
Internal/External Horse Stance: The Root of KunTao Silat
By Dr. Jonathan Pyndus on September 2, 2022 in Applications, Forms, General, Health, Informational, Inner Circle, Teachers, Training, Uncategorized, Video
Depending on long you have been in martial arts, or how wide your experience has been with the innumerable traditions available to us now in the 21st Century, you may or may not have noticed that some version of Horse Stance (aka Tiger Stance in Malabar) is found in virtually every system. Even “modern” combat […]
Why Forms?
In American martial arts culture, particularly with the influence of Bruce Lee, it can be common to encounter the argument that the choreographed solo practice routines we call “forms” in English and “Kata,” “Djurus,” “Hyung,” “Taolu,” etc. in other languages are a waste of time. When you consider how most “strip mall” Dōjō conduct their […]
KunTao Silat: The Healing Art (?)
Greetings to all in KTS, Recently I found myself undergoing an emergency appendectomy, or the removal of my appendix due to inflammation. While the entire experience is an educational story all its own on many levels (which I may share at some point for those of you who are interested in the healing arts), for […]
Djurus Satu: One Form to Rule Them All
By Dr. Jonathan Pyndus on August 12, 2022 in Applications, Forms, General, Health, Informational, Inner Circle, Knife, Training, Uncategorized
It does not matter how many years or repetitions I have playing Djurus Satu. There is always so much more combat lore to mine from its depths I truly stand in awe of it. Of the various forms I have studied in 21 years of martial arts, an argument could be made for Djurus Satu […]
A Guide to Gunting
“Good!” Pak Steve expressed his approval as I managed to keep my footing in the dry creek bed while we played Sticky Hands. “But now we add Gunting!” Next thing I knew my wrist was caught in a painful hold. I escaped only to have the flesh on my inner bicep snatched. Then the fingers […]
KunTao Strong
Although the Hollywood fairytale usually depicts a small or physically inferior individual thoroughly trouncing the proverbial 200 pound bully via “secret techniques,” the truth is that successful self defense, and indeed vitality, require the cultivation of functional strength. The subject of resistance training can be controversial among the different schools of martial arts, with claims […]
Message from Ibu Rose
By Dr. Jonathan Pyndus on July 6, 2022 in General, Health, Informational, Inner Circle, Interview, Letters, News, Teachers, Uncategorized
Hello, Dr. Jon here. The following is a message from Ibu Rose which she asked me to share with the KunTao Silat community on her behalf: “I speak from with-in my heart a moral outrage, lost words changed meanings,Freedom, pride, patriot, all criminal words in this day and time. My life, country, home have […]
Please Help Pak Steve – Donate to His Legal Fund
Hello, On behalf of Pak Steve and Ibu Rose, I’ve been asked to set up a PayPal donation drive to help them with Pak Steve’s ongoing legal expenses. Any amount is helpful, and only give if you can. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=VDRS8P8SP34RG&no_recurring=0&item_name=Donate+to+Pak+Steve%27s+Legal+Fund¤cy_code=USD Thank you! Dr Jon