Silat Suffian Bela Diri – survival combat art from Brunei Darussalam
will have three United States seminar weekends in New York City and the dates are:
February 19-20, 2010
May 21-22, 2010
October 15-16, 2010
May 21-22, 2010
October 15-16, 2010
Please email: Duane at silatnyc@gmail.com for more information.
Silat Suffian Bela Diri is primarily a weapon-based family system from Brunei Darussalam as practiced and handed down through four generations within family members. It was used effectively in jungle warfare of Borneo in WW2. This system is not for sport. Its about what works when the need arises. The art encompasses the old sword techniques of the native Iban Head-hunter Warriors of Borneo and Pencak Silat influence of the surrounding countries in Southeast Asia.
Although primarily based in the blade techniques, Silat Bela Diri covers 3 classifications of weapons, and unarmed methods. Regarding the unarmed methods, it employs nerve and structural strikes, pain-point constrictions, joint-locks, fighting from the ground, chokes, throws, sweeps etc. Due to how the system was used in World War 2, its training differs from how silat is generally perceived nowadays.
Training progression starts off with the blade and empty hands later in its training. It does not encourage its practitioner to think but to train only on physical reaction. If the muscle remembers, the brain will be less stressed during a confrontation. The less the brain thinks, the faster you are. Training emphasizes coordination and practical application. Moving oneself from the path of danger is very important. Various footworks and hand movements are practiced in integrated drills.
Silat Bela Diri also places heavy emphasis on weapons free flow practice as a method of acquiring the psychology of a confrontation experience. Only the courage, dedication and patience of the practitioner limits the amount of skill, knowledge and experience that can be gained from weapon sparring and free flow practice against one, multiple attackers and fighting together as a pack.
