Elijah Gartin

Howdy Jon,
The day got away from me. Sorry I don’t have time for a more exhaustive reply, but you brought up several cogent thoughts that I did not want to leave for later. I’ll quote you and respond so that no one will have to go back and forth to figure out what I’m responding to:

“I eventually become an instructor and have worked to preserve…[Read more]

A fine day to you Jonathan,

‘Twas a pleasure to review your video of Djurus Satu and the first four Serak Djurus!

I posted my review of your performance on the KunTao Silat Testing Group: https://vimeo.com/kuntaosilat/jonpyndusdjurussatu

I’m quite impressed with your performance, particularly in light of the fact that you’ve only been in the…[Read more]

Well, there is a lot going on in KunTao Silat; and those of you who are not on the Vimeo Testing Group are missing a whole lot.

Those who know me oft decry the fact that I have such disregaurd for money; but if that is a failing, I accept full responsibility.

From now until Sunset Tomorrow, when the Sabbath begins, anyone who can get a test…[Read more]

Well, there is a lot going on in KunTao Silat; and those of you who are not on the Vimeo Testing Group are missing a whole lot.

Those who know me oft decry the fact that I have such disregaurd for money; but if that is a failing, I accept full responsibility.

From now until Sunset Tomorrow, when the Sabbath begins, anyone who can get a test…[Read more]

Well, there is a lot going on in KunTao Silat; and those of you who are not on the Vimeo Testing Group are missing a whole lot.

Those who know me oft decry the fact that I have such disregard for money; but if that is a failing, I accept full responsibility.

From now until Sunset Tomorrow, when the Sabbath begins, anyone who can get a test…[Read more]

The topic of “Learning by Video” is evergreen. Lot of People will tell you that it can’t be done, but I’m not sure that those of that persuasion do not have a vested interest in martial arts classes in their locale.

Now I’m not trying to say that learning by video is the best way to learn, but for some in this world it is the ONLY way available…[Read more]

A grand good day GentlePeople,

Today I’d like to discuss training through injuries.

I realize that life throws us some curve balls from time to time; but the Martial LifeStyle demands continuous training. I have had my share of injuries and continued to train. I’m interest to hear how others have done that. . . or failed to do that.

Chas Clements had a very significant role in both the introduction of KunTao Silat and its development in early years. People who came to KunTao Silat via Chas and his students are always most welcome additions to the KTS Family. This is one of the reasons I’d like to maintain the first Eight Djurus as an integral part of the AKTS System, if not…[Read more]

Gian,
Yu’ve been looking at the Bill Chang stuff for a decade. You just did not pause to listen. 😉

Good morning GentlePeople,
I just viewed a new video that Joe and I collaborated on that resides in the Vimeo Testing Group. For a thrown together project it did not turn out too bad.

The reason I wanted this up is that the Chang Style basics appear simple, but there are many layers of information built into them that must be explained for most…[Read more]

Well that was my original thought, but I always like to triple check things that become semi-permanent such as parts of a system ~ and for that I rely on the intelligent consideration of more than just myself.

I grok what Joe and Derric are saying, that it is unnecessary. . . to a point. One small part of the equation is that I indeed learned and…[Read more]

Well that was my original thought, but I always like to triple check things that become semi-permanent such as parts of a system ~ and for that I rely on the intelligent consideration of more than just myself.

I grok what Joe and Derric are saying, that it is unnecessary. . . to a point. One small part of the equation is that I indeed learned and…[Read more]

Well, that may, or may not be true. One of the things that Bill Chang told me so often I wanted to gag every time he said it was, “Steven, you have TOO many moves. . . welly confusing!”

Bear in mind that at this time I was studying with Willem every day, Living with Victor and visiting Paul a lot ~ so there was a lot of martial input I was…[Read more]

This concept actually parallels what I teach about applications in that three levels of the opponent’s body must be controlled for a technique to work properly: the feet/legs, arms/torso and head.

As Joe so perfectly said, in KunTao Silat the displante can oft be controlled with a mere finger if the legs are placed advantageously.

The…[Read more]

This concept actually parallels what I teach about applications in that three levels of the opponent’s body must be controlled for a technique to work properly: the feet/legs, arms/torso and head.

As you so perfectly said, in KunTao Silat the latter two can oft be controlled with a mere finger if the legs are placed advantageously.

The…[Read more]

Muscle memory is a key Joshua, this is the reason and purpose behind the “constant training” Martial LifeStyle and a huge part of the instinctive response mechanism we expect to result from it.

We simply learn to move just exactly as the way we fight, so there is no disparity between what we envision and what our body does.

This is one of the…[Read more]

@ Joshua.

Base, angle, leverage.

This is simply the realization that all 3 of these must be in place for a clean Serak ‘technique.’ And at least two must in place to make something happen.Your base is having your legs under you, you angle is your dominant position that separates their upper art from the lower art, leverage is the thing that…[Read more]

Hey Joshua, check out my good friend Mike Roberto:

Welcome to KunTao Silat ~ the American Martial LifeStyle

He will discuss some of those principles.

I agree that your opinion has merit, especially in light of the fact that you have been witness to many evolutions in the program over the last fifteen years.

Joe is also quite correct in that I do not constantly practice Serak, as I do Chang Style ~ but I cannot ignore the fact that my time living and training with Victor had an impact on my…[Read more]

Joe, you do have a way with words! You also have a great deal of experience in direct study with Pak Vic and some of his top, dismissed, practitioners.

Your study of the internal martial arts also gives you unique qualifications to express your opinions on this subject, which appear obvious with a little reflection and introspection.

I’m of the…[Read more]