A frequent source of online martial arts debates (as these questions could be easily resolved in person) is on whether or not a particular technique or even whole style “works.” That the functionality of any endeavor ultimately rests in the effort of the individual notwithstanding (because who wants to take responsibility for their actions), these […]
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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 Physics of Entering Stance
Stances are a key component of KunTao Silat, as they are in any system. Integral to our Family Art is the Entering Stance, as it is from this position that much of the ingress and body to body contact with the enemy is conducted. If we look at the structure of Entering Stance we see […]
Self Defense vs Fighting
By Dr. Jonathan Pyndus on September 30, 2022 in Applications, General, Informational, Training, Uncategorized
Depending on your background and life experience, the following statement may or may not make sense to you: fighting and self-defense are NOT the same thing. Now, let’s clear some semantics up: by “fighting” I am referring to a mutual physical conflict between two or more participants. “Self-defense” in this essay refers to the protection […]
Book Review: Meditations on Violence
Many people begin their study of the martial arts with the intention of developing self defense capabilities. Yet few people appreciate that the subject of violence is a complex one, and that self defense is as much a legal concept as it is a physical one (much less an ethical or moral one). Is a […]
Structure, Frame, Posture: Combat Shape!
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 […]