“How can I learn silat at home” you ask? Well, thanks to the Internet and its numerous resources, you can. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds.
You want to choose a good instructor that won’t leave you hanging in the middle of your training. The last thing you need is spending money on a course but not having anyone to answer your questions if you get stuck. Before we go into the specific of silat you may want to know a bit more about the art itself.
What is Silat?
Pencak Silat is a multi-style Indonesian martial art method. Pencak silat, there are many styles and variations practiced in Indonesia such as Pentjak silat or Katjang Silat. It’s an umbrella term used to describe the reality that there is no one single “silat style” but rather a robust family of styles and each style has its own unique identity, history, and flavor.
Pencak silat is often compared with other martial arts because it is easy to see their differences when we look at it from armors, weapons and techniques used. However, what makes us different from other martial arts is our philosophy about life and the way we practice pencak silat.
Pencak silat philosophy does not divide the world into “good” and “evil” nor does it insist on absolute harmony or balance between two opposite forces. Instead, pencak silat believes that all things are composed of energy (chi or qi) which should be directed through one’s body and mind to produce good health and well-being.
Here are some tips on how to choose the right instructor:
Choosing the right silat instructor can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the art. Here are some tips to help you find the right online teacher for you.
A good instructor should have easy-to-access information on their website. It should contain contact details, including an email address or phone number, so that you can easily communicate with them. They should also display a clear schedule of classes and other useful information like payment methods and duration of classes.
Code of Ethics: A good instructor will have a code of ethics posted on their website or social media pages. This lets potential students know how they run their online school, what rules they expect students to follow, and how they deal with difficult situations in the dojo. If an instructor doesn’t want to divulge such information, it could mean that they’re hiding something from you – or that they don’t care about their students enough to post such information. Either way, it’s not a good sign.
Learn More About Them: The best way to choose an instructor, however, is by taking lessons with them first or watching a video of their content. Be sure to ask questions about their martial arts background and experience as well as details about their curriculum and teaching style.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a silat instructor online, finding a reputable one can be a challenge. The reasons for this may vary, but it usually boils down to the fact that Silat is a martial art with roots in Malaysia and Indonesia. You may have to do some research and legwork to find an instructor who lives and breathes silat – rather than just teaching it as a side job or marketing ploy.
If you know anyone else who practices silat, ask them if they can recommend any instructors. This way, you have an “in” with someone who already knows the online trainer. If this doesn’t work out, ask them if they know anyone else who trains silat – maybe there’s someone they can pass your name along to.
If you don’t know anyone personally, check out Facebook groups related to silat. There are tons of these on social media; just search keywords like “silat,” until you find something that looks good. Make sure to read through the comments and posts before joining, though – sometimes these groups can be hotbeds of infighting or even intimidation tactics used by certain instructors. If you are located near Springfield, Ohio you can learn Silat at Warrior Silat martial arts where the instructor has over 17 years of teaching experience!