Indonesian in origin, Serak was developed in western Java in the early
1800's by Bapak Sera. This formidable system is comprised of nine different
martial arts, 3 Indonesian, 3 Chinese, and 3 Indian. The result was a
system which combined minimal movement with maximum effectiveness. Serak is
practiced with empty hands and short and mid length blades and sticks.

Pentjak Silat, translates roughly as choreographed fighting. Pentjak
without silat would be dance, while Silat without pentjak would be brawling.
Bapak Sera the founder of this system was renowned as a fighter,
defeating all challengers during his time. He was also handicapped with a
club foot and an arm which ended at the elbow. These handicaps rather than
limiting him, challenged him to develop a system which is superior in its
understanding, and application of the physics of the body.

He understood the movement patterns of the body, combining them with the
basic principles of physics. Utilizing base, angles, and levering
principles Bapak Sera developed an extraordinary system which utilized
minimum movement and requires almost no strength to create maximum effect.
Bapak Sera was also a Shaman of renown and incorporated many of these
aspects in the most advanced levels of Sera Serak.

FORMS
Jurus or short choreographed forms, develop muscle memory for close
infighting techniques which utilize tight, very precise angulations to break
the opponent's structure (alignments / stances). The Jurus act as play books
for intense structural alignments and all movements incorporated within the
system. The term play book is being used to denote fluid movement patterns
to be instilled in the body, rather than specific techniques or
applications. Additionally this type of form training teaches movement of
the body from the strongest physical structure while utilizing precise
angles, levering principles, base stances, and sophisticated footwork
patterns.

TECHNIQUES
Sambuts and Buangs are the core fighting techniques of silat. These close
infighting techniques build on the muscle memory developed in practicing
Jurus. Applications are applied using precise angles and levering mechanics
of the body to create maximum force against an opponent with minimum effort,
and movement. The precise base stances, footwork, angles, and lever theory
of silat are applied to an opponent's weakest structure in order to collapse
the body in an unpleasant fashion. Silat specializes in chokes, breaks, and
tight throws along precise angles as its primary fighting methodology.

The 30 Sambuts and 24 Buangs are not practiced as techniques, but rather as
a methodology for understanding how to collapse and break and opponent. The
principles of Base stances, Angles, and Levering, are a living science which
have to flow and change with any combat situation. Sambuts and Buangs teach
the basics of these principles, which can then be generalized to any given
situation. Advanced practitioners develop the facility to mix and match
these principles (techniques) to fit any possible alignment of bodies and
situations.

Sambuts and Buangs are first learned as empty hand techniques
and later with sticks, knives, and swords

PLATFORM WORK
Pantjar or platform work: Penjcat Silat Sera Serak uses a geometric design
drawn on the ground to study strengths and weaknesses of any given position
relative to one or more opponents. Beginning platform work consists of
practicing Juru's along specific patterns within the Pantjar in order to
understand different lines of attack and defense. Sambuts and Buangs are
then incorporated into practice on the platform to further understand
strengths and weaknesses along these same lines of attack and defense.
Opponents attack along different lines within the Pantjar in order to
teach/give the practitioner an understanding of three dimensional space and
its breakdown of strengths and weaknesses.

Flow Drills practiced with Silat
Flow drills are 2 man training exercises practiced at 1/2 or 3/4 speed.
This type of exercise is done to develop and maintain continuous movement
during attack and defense. This trains the body and especially the mind in
fluid unbroken movement while practicing free form techniques. This type of
training also instills an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in
any given situation relative to one or more opponents.

Advanced Silat training includes free sparring which is done under
supervision and in a controlled fashion as the techniques when done to fast
and wild can be extremely dangerous.

Classes in: Internal Martial Arts, Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua Zhang, Hsing I Chuan, Pentjak Silat Sera Serak, Chi Gung, Nei Gung, I Liq Chuan, Meditation, Gao Style Ba Gua Zhang, Wu Style Tai Chi and Chen Pan Ling Style Tai Chi.

©Copyright Richard Upton 2007-2011
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