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One of the many sports that I enjoy is martial arts or silat. This traditional martial art I was able to follow for 3 years. Even up to now, though not routine, to launch circulation in the body, and relax the muscles, some martial arts movements are still practiced. The movements are like hand movements, feet, and strengthen the position of the horses.

I don't know the right words in english for this term, LMAO--The horses: is the position of the foot to strengthen the position of the body. Strong and sturdy horses are important to maintain the body's position so as not to be easily dropped. The horses are also important to resist the urge or to become the basis of the starting point of the attack (kick or blow).

My first shelter was Silat Tapak, but shortly there, I moved in with Merpati Putih pencak silat. Pencak Silat practice is taught that is to survive any attack, either using sharp weapons, wood, or other tools so forth. There we were also taught to fight crippling the opponent with his bare hands.

Ways are all poured in some moves or silat movements. I remember once with the key stance. Where when the opponent came to hit with his legs and hands, he would fall to the ground when I was able to grab and deflect his attacks appropriately.

This sport is quite fun if followed seriously. However this does not mean that this sport has no risk. The name of any martial arts sport still has a fatal risk. Things such as broken bones, sprains, to bloody wounds.

Wikipedia explains pencak silat ; in Western writings sometimes spelled "pentjak silat" or phonetically as "penchak silat") is an umbrella term for a class of related Indonesian martial arts. In neighbouring countries the term usually refers to professional competitive silat. It is a full-body fighting form incorporating strikes, grappling and throwing in addition to weaponry. Every part of the body is used and subject to attack. Pencak silat was practiced not only for physical defense but also for psychological ends.

The leading organization of pencak silat in Indonesia is Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia(Pencak Silat Association of Indonesia). The liaison body for international pencak silat is the International Pencak Silat Association or PERSILAT (Persekutuan Pencak Silat Antara Bangsa).

Although the word silat is widely known throughout much of Southeast Asia, the termpencak silat is used mainly in Indonesia. Pencak silat was chosen in 1948 as a unifying term for the Indonesian fighting styles. It was a compound of the two most commonly used words for martial arts in Indonesia. Pencakwas the term used in central and east Java, while silat was used in Sumatra and Borneo. In Minang usage, pencak and silat are seen as being two aspects of the same practice. Pencak is the essence of training, the outward aspect of the art which a casual observer is permitted to witness as performance. Silat is the essence of combat and self-defense, the true fighting application of the techniques which are kept secret from outsiders and not divulged to students until the guru deems them ready. While other definitions exist, all agree that silat cannot exist without pencak, and pencak without silat skills is purposeless.

Generalizations in pencak silat technique are very difficult; styles and movements are as diverse as the Indonesian archipelago itself. Individual disciplines can be offensive as in Aceh, evasive as in Bali, or somewhere in between. They may focus on strikes (pukulan), kicks (tendangan), locks (kuncian), weapons (senjata), or even on spiritual development rather than physical fighting techniques. Most styles specialize in one or two of these, but still make use of them all to some degree. Certain characteristics tend to prevail in particular geographical regions, as follows:

• Kicks - West Sumatra, North Sumatra
• Hands/Arms - West Java, Sulawesi,Kalimantan
• Grappling - East Java, Sumatra
• Strikes (hands and feet) - Bali, Central Java, Madura.

Hopefully useful. Warm Regards

OCXIE