About Silat Silat or Seni Silat, Gayong, Bergayung, Gayung, is a collective term used to denote the native martial

arts practiced in South East Asia. It is a combative technique of survival and fighting. Silat evolved in the civilizations of alaysia and Indonesia for centuries and is considered there a part of tradition and social culture. !uring colonial times, practitioners of the martial art used it as a form of liberation from foreign rulers. Silat has matured a lot over the years. any ne" techniques and styles have been incorporated into Silat. It has also spread all over the "orld from its place of origin in South East Asia. any people are no" trying out Silat for the first time because of the many benefits that it has to offer. At the same time, many people have become e#perts in it and they are helping to spread the $no"ledge about Silat. %here are many health and mental benefits of learning Silat. %he student of Silat "ill not only end up "ith a fitter body but "ill also have a more focused and agile mind after his Silat training. How is Silat different from other martial arts? Silat is distinctive from other Asian martial techniques li$e $arate and $ung fu. Its cultural aspect separates it from its more famous counterparts. &ombat is not everything in Silat. If it is combined "ith traditional musical instruments li$e $endang, the martial technique metamorphoses into a fol$ dance. 'or e#ample, in Indonesia(s )est Sumatra province, in the inang$abau area, Silat is one of the oldest traditions in the region and is integral to the performance of inang$abau fol$ dance. A *ourney through alaysian tradition reveals a type of Silat $no"n as silat pulut "here it is considered a dance form and accompanied by traditional musical instruments. In this case, it can also be considered a performance art. A variety of Silat+penca$+is also practiced in Indonesia(s )est ,ava province. %he art is generally attended by music in the form of the local Sundanese suling instrument. %he many varieties of Silat all have the same overarching theme, "hich is the personal development of the person and the strengthening of his mind. %he different varieties have been standardized for the purpose of e#port to other parts of the "orld. History of Silat Silat began to be practiced all over the alay Archipelago from the Seventh &entury A! on"ards. %here is no historical documentation over its origins. )ith the advent of Islam in the region in the fourteenth century, the religion "as taught along "ith Silat. %hus the martial art form also came to be regarded as a form of spiritual training. %he martial art form "as soon adopted by the ruling class and Silat became the martial art of choice among successive alaysian sultans, prime minister and "arriors. It "as particularly prominent at the time of Srivi*aya, a*apahit and alacca Sultanates. Silat, at this time, came to be taught across Sula"esi, Borneo, Bali, alay -eninsula and the entire alay peninsula. alaysians consider the legendary character, .ang %uah as the father of Silat. %he post colonization phase sa" Silat being evolved into a formal martial art. It is no" included as a sport game and is an event during Southeast Asian Games.

Why should you learn Silat? Silat focuses on both the internal and e#ternal development of a person. -racticing this martial art "ill impose discipline, patriotism, citizenship and morals. A student of Silat learns ho" to defend herself or himself. %he student learns all the moves that form a part of Silat. Gradually he learns ho" to apply them and ho" to use them in self defense. After many years of practice, he becomes a master and can use his s$ills quite effectively in combat. /earning Silat ta$es place via a number of stages "here students are first taught the basics li$e correct lang$ah or right steps. %hen a student is taught the attac$ing techniques and other forms of self+ preservation. A Silat practitioner uses a variety of "eapons li$e machete, "al$ing stic$ and $nife, ,urus is a collection of movements that includes bloc$s, stri$es and maneuvers. Bunga or flo"er movements teach fluidity of movement and grace. It is essential in Silat. %empur means a battle bet"een t"o Silat practitioners.

At Go01arate "e list a large amount and variety of martial art schools that "ill serve your needs in the category of mi#ed martial arts. /earn Silat at any of our participating institutions to $eep yourself healthy and fit.