Learning to Teach Yourself

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 Thouars.  As such, the low stances, grueling Iron Skills, explosive leaping, and bare knuckle sparring were all building upon an existing foundation.

This is why Pak Steve initially considered Malabar KunTao Silat to be a program for individuals who already had a black belt in Karate, Taekwondo, etc and possessed the discipline and will power to go further.  He has described KunTao Silat as a, “delivery mechanism,” for people to enhance their existing skills.  Concepts such as simultaneously attacking the upper and lower gate, using two hands at the same time, offense as defense, etc were not (and are not) especially common in the commercially available martial arts here in America (although it is also worth mentioning that even the “strip mall” schools of the 70s and early 80s were on average far rougher than the family friendly institutions so prevalent now).  As we have discussed before, KunTao Silat has very sophisticated body mechanics (“Destruction Theories”) which can supercharge the physical power of the practitioner’s strikes, throws, etc.  Given that so many commercial schools only scratch the surface of correct alignment and power, KunTao Silat does indeed offer advanced study.

However, on an even more profound level of study, KunTao Silat, by nature of the fact that so many of us come to it via the Distance Learning Program, forces us to learn how to teach ourselves.  All real martial arts contain the principle that past a certain level of experience, the student becomes responsible for their own learning. Sufficient understanding of a style’s Destruction Theories, tactics, training methods, and techniques will allow a player to “see” and “feel” new aspects of their chosen system without an outside teacher’s direct guidance.  This is the proverbial, “teach a man to fish.”

While this type of learning usually begins in the advanced stages of a martial lifestyle, KunTao Silat draws this from us at the onset of practice.  Yes, we have the ability to rewind and repeat the lessons, but without Pak Steve or another Guru present to point out the flaws in our technique, a much deeper self analysis and extensive trial and error process ensues.

This is indeed like college, wherein the professor presents a syllabus and study materials, but it is up to the student to make the most of these resources.  Only through personal practice and study can real understanding be reached.  When a roadblock arises, THAT is when the student must recognize their own limit and seek out the guidance of the teacher.  Once corrected, the student resumes study.  Knowledge hard earned becomes true wisdom.  The tricks of the trade must be discovered.

Dr. Jon