Weisbaden, Germany - 24th/25th Jan 2009
double click to view larger imageThe 1st Bruneian Martial Art seminar in 2009.
It was organized by Grant Scruggs in Weisbaden, Germany on the 24th and 25th January 2009. It was a 2 days (10hrs) event and covered Blade Mechanics.
MY APPRECIATION
I would like to express foremost my appreciation to Grant Scruggs for organizing the seminar, the Scruggs family for thier hospitality. I met old friends and made new ones. All that attended for thier support, participation and their openness to attend the seminar. All instructors from various other arts, those travelling from different parts Germany, Badr from Holland, Dimas from Switzerland, Juan from Milan, my thank you. To all those who tried thier best to attend the seminar, especially Cristian Velici (SSBD German Group Leader), Evi, Igor, Julian Chees and his son, Sixt and all the Pekiti Tirsia boys for thier constant support. To Lillo and his students. To Joseph, Christian (the big guy) and everyone who became a reciever to my movements. My sincere apologies if I miss anyone.
This seminar like my other events aims primarily to raise the curiosity and awareness among people from different nationalities about the martial heritage and culture of Brunei Darussalam in general.
Below is a review written by Grant Scruggs.
DAY 1
The first day started by welcoming our many guests from throught Germany as well as neighboring lands as well. Represented were martial artists and instructors from, Escrima, Jet Kune do, Kali, Karate, Jun Fan Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Pekiti Tirsia, Tapak Suci just to name a few.
Guru Maul began by teaching the basic core knife drills, to warm everyone up to the blade and the angles of attack. Emphasis was immediatly given to explaining knife responsibility as well as sensitivity and awareness. The first half of the day was spent practicing these drills so that muscle memory would take over instead of thinking. Guru Maul stressed understanding of using the knife in self-defence.
After lunch, Guru Maul proceeded to show the progression of the drills into application. We started with simple disarms and were mesmerized not only by the simple explanations but by the simplicity and effectiveness of the movements. No “fancy” anything here, disruption and softening the target were the key words to describe the techniques that the practitioners learned. Emphasis was placed here on learning how to use as little force as possible to inflict the most damage.
Guru Maul placed great importance in eye contact with our training partners, the idea being that an attacker is less likely to engage if they feel that the other person is not only confident but also prepared for the possibility of conflict. The day ended with the progression of disarms into takedowns to subdue an adversary. The authors day was not yet over as I also learned first hand, the effectiveness of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu from Kristian Velici, being choked out three times in as many minutes as well as recieving a free chiropractic session, a nice way of saying I got my neck streached. I can honestly say I´m a bigger person from the experience- about an inch taller.
DAY 2
The second day began with a review from day one. All three angles were again drilled to warmup for the next progression- transition in height. Dropping into a kneeling position with the drill provided a new challenge as partners were forced to, not only drop to the kneeling position but also be aware of staying in the drill while doing so. Considerable time was spent moving on our knees to accostomize us to the feeling of walking on our knees and change of direction. To complicate things even more, our spatial awarness was also tested with an unknown third attacker added to the drill. This sharpened periferal vision skills as well as spatial awareness. Attendeees were forced to learn to use one attacker as a shield if necessary during a confrontation, while never disengaging from the basic drill. People then teamed up back to back doing the drill, this again an integral part of self defence, to protect a second party from attack while still being engaged in battle.
After lunch Guru Maul changed from his traditional clothes into more suitable attire for what was to be the second part of the day, throwing techniques, locks and takedowns. Immediatly it became clear to all involved, why we had spent so much time in the kneeling and sitting position. Taking the knowledge from the morning session, people began to apply these skills into the application. Through Guru Mauls clear and concise presentation of the material simple movements now took on new meaning and gained intention. The constant adaptation and progression brought, step by step each of the attendees to a closer understanding of the blade and specifically this impressive traditional Bruneian blade art, Silat Suffian Bela Diri.
Please enjoy the pictures below;
It was organized by Grant Scruggs in Weisbaden, Germany on the 24th and 25th January 2009. It was a 2 days (10hrs) event and covered Blade Mechanics.
MY APPRECIATION
I would like to express foremost my appreciation to Grant Scruggs for organizing the seminar, the Scruggs family for thier hospitality. I met old friends and made new ones. All that attended for thier support, participation and their openness to attend the seminar. All instructors from various other arts, those travelling from different parts Germany, Badr from Holland, Dimas from Switzerland, Juan from Milan, my thank you. To all those who tried thier best to attend the seminar, especially Cristian Velici (SSBD German Group Leader), Evi, Igor, Julian Chees and his son, Sixt and all the Pekiti Tirsia boys for thier constant support. To Lillo and his students. To Joseph, Christian (the big guy) and everyone who became a reciever to my movements. My sincere apologies if I miss anyone.
This seminar like my other events aims primarily to raise the curiosity and awareness among people from different nationalities about the martial heritage and culture of Brunei Darussalam in general.
Below is a review written by Grant Scruggs.
DAY 1
The first day started by welcoming our many guests from throught Germany as well as neighboring lands as well. Represented were martial artists and instructors from, Escrima, Jet Kune do, Kali, Karate, Jun Fan Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Pekiti Tirsia, Tapak Suci just to name a few.
Guru Maul began by teaching the basic core knife drills, to warm everyone up to the blade and the angles of attack. Emphasis was immediatly given to explaining knife responsibility as well as sensitivity and awareness. The first half of the day was spent practicing these drills so that muscle memory would take over instead of thinking. Guru Maul stressed understanding of using the knife in self-defence.
After lunch, Guru Maul proceeded to show the progression of the drills into application. We started with simple disarms and were mesmerized not only by the simple explanations but by the simplicity and effectiveness of the movements. No “fancy” anything here, disruption and softening the target were the key words to describe the techniques that the practitioners learned. Emphasis was placed here on learning how to use as little force as possible to inflict the most damage.
Guru Maul placed great importance in eye contact with our training partners, the idea being that an attacker is less likely to engage if they feel that the other person is not only confident but also prepared for the possibility of conflict. The day ended with the progression of disarms into takedowns to subdue an adversary. The authors day was not yet over as I also learned first hand, the effectiveness of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu from Kristian Velici, being choked out three times in as many minutes as well as recieving a free chiropractic session, a nice way of saying I got my neck streached. I can honestly say I´m a bigger person from the experience- about an inch taller.
DAY 2
The second day began with a review from day one. All three angles were again drilled to warmup for the next progression- transition in height. Dropping into a kneeling position with the drill provided a new challenge as partners were forced to, not only drop to the kneeling position but also be aware of staying in the drill while doing so. Considerable time was spent moving on our knees to accostomize us to the feeling of walking on our knees and change of direction. To complicate things even more, our spatial awarness was also tested with an unknown third attacker added to the drill. This sharpened periferal vision skills as well as spatial awareness. Attendeees were forced to learn to use one attacker as a shield if necessary during a confrontation, while never disengaging from the basic drill. People then teamed up back to back doing the drill, this again an integral part of self defence, to protect a second party from attack while still being engaged in battle.
After lunch Guru Maul changed from his traditional clothes into more suitable attire for what was to be the second part of the day, throwing techniques, locks and takedowns. Immediatly it became clear to all involved, why we had spent so much time in the kneeling and sitting position. Taking the knowledge from the morning session, people began to apply these skills into the application. Through Guru Mauls clear and concise presentation of the material simple movements now took on new meaning and gained intention. The constant adaptation and progression brought, step by step each of the attendees to a closer understanding of the blade and specifically this impressive traditional Bruneian blade art, Silat Suffian Bela Diri.
Please enjoy the pictures below;
