[The Crack Taoist]

I had a treat this weekend.. I got to see Pencak Silat
for the first time.
The school/class in question was a Mande Muda school.
The most compelling portion of the class was the Harimau
portion, which is a substyle heavy on the groundwork,
low (kneeling type) postures, and joint/leg destructions.
Obviously being a FMA addict I thought it way cool.
The conditioning neccessary to pull off the moves the
instructor was making was intimidating. Moves DIRECTLY
from a seated position to a standup (no hands, no roll, just
hop/bounce and up he comes). The footwork.. my god
my ass hurts. I skinned the hell out of my feet dragging
them under my crotch trying (pathetically) to follow
these moves. I had to put on socks so I wouldn't bleed
on their mats. I got deep soreness in places I haven't
felt soreness EVER (this on maybe 4 years of varied
experiences).
Below is a clip for y'alls edification. As a point of order
I went by to watch mainly cause I saw the instructor had
some body movement skills. (this sort of complex
response to a simple attack by a NRO could be bogus
in the extreme). This was a GOOD move, and I'm
proud I made it.

http://www.pecahan.com/mmdemo.WMV

If anybody out there in Bullshido land gets the chance
to train with genuine Mande Muda folks.. taste it.

SWEEEEEET.

[Freddy]

MAnde Muda is considered to be the JKD of silat systems. They mixed quite a number of different silat schools. I cant remember which???

[grimel]

17 or 18, Cimande being one of the latter styles. Combining multiple styles isn't rare in silat.. The Indos and Filipinos remained practical about the fighting. What ever works and meld it into the core.

[deus ex machina]

PERSONALLY, I don't really care for the more esoteric of the silat styles. Kneeling and going after their legs isn't my cup of tea. Just straight up closing the distance, strike, and sweep is what I like. And it doesn't require as much specialization in conditioning as Harimau.

[The Crack Taoist]

Most of what was drilled in the class was Cimande and Hiramau
(those were the names mentioned anyway).
The instructor did some standup stuff (Cimande I'm assuming)
and then asked what everyone wanted to do. When no one
voiced a preference (me being the visitor kept my large mouth
SHUT) he decided to train his favorite, which is Hiramau.
Most of the students present at this session were fairly new.
(The most senior had only a few months).
My theory here is my ground/grappling range is weak..
and the hiramau is incredibly cool. I have never seen
ANYTHING in martial arts this friggin bizarre.
I want legs that can do the sorts of things this fellow did.
That kind of conditioning is insane and I gotta gotta have it.
I asked for basic Hiramau lankha and was so sore I was
having to scream my way through a simple 3x25 set of hindu
squats the next day.
This shit rocks!!

Excuse my enthusiasm, I'm a big kid with a new toy.

Deus,
Which styles have you gotten a chance to train?
Inosanto's Maphilindo stuff or something else?

[Vyyk]

This definately makes me want to learn more about Pencak Silat. I hope one day to be able to learn, but right now it isn't possible. Such a shame. I'll just have to satisfy my craving through all forms of media.

[Boyd]

You know Deepzblue, I'm glad you found something that makes you happy, bt that video clip...errm....

[Deadpan Scientist]

is pretty...

[pazman]

some the feet tricks he was pulling in the video were, well, kind of neat. but what's going with striking those stupid poses at the end? is that really necessary? when does paulie zink come into this picture?

okay, sorry. but...is there any video of the class sparring?

oh, and i'm glad you found something you're impressed with.

[Hedgehogey]

IT IZ 2 DEADLY 4 SPARRING.

But seriously, if they do spar I wanna see it. It sounds cool.

I think I did something like that last move in sparring the other day.