Why Did You Choose Kuntao Silat as your Martial Art?

[Travis C]

This is a place to discuss why you want to study Kuntao Silat.

[Travis C]

Here is an earlier conversation between myself and Guru Muda Art Kidwell…..Art: I got to thinking. Why didn't you choose the UFC/MMA routeMy response: There are a few reasons. One is the fact that I don't think MMA is good for combat. Maybe in a ring or cage, but not when someone is holding a gun or knife. MMA doesn't train you for taking a guy out just scoring points by submission or punching. Its brutal and all but not geared for what I was needing. Second, and it may sound corny, but I like that feel of traditionalism that is found in these tribal arts. It gives me a feeling of belonging to a tribe or group that stretches back for a very long time! The exotic factor is always a turn on as well. Silat is gaining in popularity but not like the MMA did or Tae Kwon Do did back in the 80's. It maintains a certain level of anonymity. Last, I love a knife! The Philipino and Indonesian arts are known for the ferocity found in the blade. The poisonous blade of the Kres or the crazy claw blade of the Karambit. I am hooked! I always thought that the blade is such a personal thing. A person has to have brass gonads to get into a knife fight just because of the range and close fighting nature. You don't stand back like a katana or gin sword or a gun or bow. You are in close! Nuts! but a lot of fun.Travis C.

[Anonymous]

Hi Travis,Thanks for posting this conversation.

[Elijah Gartin]

I want to study KTS for the reasons above mentioned in the fact that this is able to be applied in real life situations.

[Derric]

If I may- Where are all of you in your training?

[Travis C]

I am fairly new. I

[Anonymous]

I was drawn to it because of it's effectiveness (brutal or kind depending on the circumstance) and the good moral Christian folks associated with it…..in addition, I was honestly blown away by the skills exhibited by Mr. Gartin and others……some amazing artist here, I truly feel I will be learning from the best!

[Tim Nichols]

I started like most people, in TKD and karate — decent stuff, but not meeting my specific concerns for self-defense very well.

[Sihing73]

Hello,I would be hard pressed to claim to be a practicianer of Kuntao Silat as I am just now starting to explore the art. However, I have always heard good things about the art and the skill of those practicing it. My primary art is Wing Chun and I feel that this blends well with AKTS. However, as I am still a complete infant/babe I will have to wait and see if this is true. I am also excited about the prospect of training and learning with those of a Christian Moral Background as most of the arts from this region which I have trained previously, Pekiti Tirsia, could hardly be considered "Christian" in nature. As a matter of fact, after certain levels if you are not of the same "religousphiloshpical" bent your progress will cease. Anyhow, to answer the question:The reason I am now interested in studying AKTS is because of its combat efficiency, the strong moral character of those who practice and the flexibility and fluidity of the art itself.

[Travis C]

Hello,I would be hard pressed to claim to be a practicianer of Kuntao Silat as I am just now starting to explore the art. However, I have always heard good things about the art and the skill of those practicing it. My primary art is Wing Chun and I feel that this blends well with AKTS. However, as I am still a complete infant/babe I will have to wait and see if this is true. I am also excited about the prospect of training and learning with those of a Christian Moral Background as most of the arts from this region which I have trained previously, Pekiti Tirsia, could hardly be considered "Christian" in nature. As a matter of fact, after certain levels if you are not of the same "religousphiloshpical" bent your progress will cease. Anyhow, to answer the question:The reason I am now interested in studying AKTS is because of its combat efficiency, the strong moral character of those who practice and the flexibility and fluidity of the art itself.

Welcome to the fam! I too have some background in PTK. My Kali and Muay Boran background has definately helped me with the movements in AKTS. The one thing you will notice though is that there are a lot more soft fluid movements. Either way I am sure it will help "soften" the learning curve.

[islandtime]

I found it interesting that most everyone came from another ma and finally gravited towards this one. I've been doing ma for as long as I can remember, (my first lesson was in 1955). I have multple bbs but think that AKTS is so far above 99% of them that it is amazing. Pure KM and Kali definitely have their places but for all around skill sets I'll take AKTS..Always Moving forward agressivley does it for meislandtime

[nelson]

[Travis C]

Welcome and you wont be disapointed. Sigung is here with all of us in spirit. Once you have given yourself to the art and become one with it, it is impossible to not be able to feel what Sigung has been trying to pass on to us.

[Royal Dragon]

KTS found me. I am definitely not following the prescribed program, but somehow it's gotten into my blood anyway. Maybe it's because I made a Ponchar and I “Play”on it all the time.

[Anonymous]

Peace to all on the forum. I'm new here but I would like to also share why I chose american kuntao silat. First I'd like to say that real in real life situations this is really going to work. Not stepping on the toes of other systems out there(as I'm well seasoned in), but this seems to really be applied to all aspects of living. Over the years, I've learned that the martial arts should help to carve the individual. This I can see here as well.American kuntao silat also looks like it has some individuality. What I mean by this is no two praticioners will perform (ie djuru satu) the same. As a whole, this art seems to fit me.

[Steve]

Message: Greetings Kuntao Silat Players, I am interested in the distance program and am curious as to weather or not there are any other Kuntao players in the Michigan area ( I currently reside in Michigan). I have been studying martial arts for a little while now. First starting in Shaolin Long Fist, Chen tai chi, and now a indo-Chinese variation of Bagua. I am pursuing the Bagua system with the intent of eventually teaching the system and would love to have a complimentary system to teach alongside. I have a passion for martial arts and would love to at least start a conversation about my intent to see if this system would be a good fit and to get a brief introduction as to who Steve is and what he values out of students/ teaching.
Thanks for your time and consideration
-Tyler

This question came in from the Contact Us page, but I think Tyler really wants to hear from people who are studying KunTao Silat so I’ve posted it here.

[Author]

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