One of the hallmarks of many classical or Pre-WW2 martial arts, regardless of culture, is that a practitioner typically finds a sophisticated physical training theory and specific conditioning exercises as part of the curriculum. Whereas many “modern” systems make good use of the widely available strength and conditioning tools and approaches available to the modern […]
Author Archive | Dr. Jonathan Pyndus
Learning to Teach Yourself
By Dr. Jonathan Pyndus on January 6, 2023 in Applications, Forms, Informational, Teachers, Training, Uncategorized
Pak Steve has often referred to KunTao Silat as a, “collegiate martial art.” There are many reasons for this. First, it is important to remember that Pak Steve and the other founding members of the Kun Lun Pai were already experienced and highly proficient martial artists before they began training with Ba Pak Willem De […]
Happy New Year
Greetings, I just wanted to take this chance to reach out to the KunTao Silat community to thank you for your participation and support this past year. From the implementation on our regular online classes to Pak Steve’s life events to the (unexpected) passing of the lineage on to me for the next generation, it […]
Why Are You Hitting Yourself?
By Dr. Jonathan Pyndus on December 23, 2022 in Forms, Health, Informational, Training, Uncategorized
One of the distinctive motions of Pentjak Silat has to be the percussive slaps players inflict upon their own bodies as they practice Djurus or play Kembanggan. While many Okinawan, Chinese, and Korean Systems may feature an occasional technique wherein the practitioner strikes or slaps against their own body, Silat is generally full of such […]
The Difference Between Malabar and American KunTao Silat
Recently, I was asked an excellent question by a member of the Distance Learning Program: “What is the difference between Malabar and American KunTao Silat?” The answer can be simple or complex. Simple answer: Malabar KunTao Silat is the original curriculum granted to Pak Steve by the De Thouars family First Lineage Disciple, and contains […]
Engines of Destruction: The Difference Between Silat, Shaolin, and Taoist Mechanics
By Dr. Jonathan Pyndus on December 9, 2022 in Applications, Forms, Informational, Teachers, Training, Uncategorized
The following will also be found in some variation in the upcoming book: GuruMuda James Kern coined the phrase, “Destruction Theory,” to refer to how a martial art school develops and applies force (Fa Jin in Chinese) for combat. It’s a cute term, easily appropriated by any number of “internet tough guys,” but it gets […]
The Six Zones of Attack
By Dr. Jonathan Pyndus on December 2, 2022 in Applications, Health, Informational, Teachers, Training
As Ibu Rose mentioned in her recent guest post, Pak Steve and I are working on the definitive KunTao Silat book. Here is an early excerpt, subject to much change: One of the biggest victims of cultural misunderstanding and outright misrepresentation as the martial and medical arts of Asia have spread to the West is […]
That Doesn’t Work, Except When It Does
Recently I was re-watching an old Filipino martial arts instructional video from the 1990s. The instructor was highly qualified and clearly knowledgeable and skilled. He made a number of salient points about how many martial arts deal with knives using unrealistic methods. But then he made a statement to the effect of: “no one stabs […]
The Dead Man’s Ten
https://www.kbtx.com/2022/08/08/graphic-smoke-shop-owner-fights-back-stabs-attempted-robber/ I would think it’s safe to assume that everyone who practices martial arts, even those only interested in health, performance, or culture, still occasionally have the “hero” daydream. Faced with no way out they apply their training to an aggressor. Often the outcome of these mental scenarios is based largely on assumptions drawn not […]
A Message From Ibu Rose
Today I am honored to share this letter to the KTS community on behalf of Ibu Rose: “In regards to Kun Tao Silat, and what it has meant and will mean to me: Frankly without KTS I most likely would not be breathing today, as the spiritual and health side of this art has enabled […]