An Echo from the Net

Keluarga 2007

Theme: No. I don't play nice!
Location: Des Moines, IA
Length: 3 Days of training
Cost for Training: $180
Hotel: Heartland Inns
Room Rate: $67.50 per room, per night, plus tax for a traditional room with one king size bed or two queen size beds.
10 Rooms set aside (8 Doubles, 2 Singles)
Group name: Keluarga (ask for Keluarga Rate when you book a room to get the special rate. Also, please let Jay know if you book a room so if we need more we can add some AND you must book them at least 2 weeks before the event to get the special rate. You can't wait until the last minute.)
Complimentary Breakfast Daily 4:30-10am (hot and cold items)
Wireless Internet
Pillowtop Mattresses in Every Room
Indoor Swimming Pool and Fitness Center
Complimentary Evening Snacks
24 Hour Airport Shuttle Service
Airlines:

American,
Comair,
Continental,
Midwest Connect,
Northwest,
Skywest,
United,
US Airways
Car Rental:

Recommended by Jay - Enterprise Rent-A-Car(type in DSM for the airport location)
Event Information:
Plan on tuning up your pencak silat. We will work on:
PSP fundamentals
jurus-jurus,
harimau-monyet,
applications - bela diri,
understanding and doing pencak silat movement,
connectivity of fundamentals to create techniques,
training methods,
weapons work,
Explosive Entries,
Level Testing,
various adhoc discussions on strategy, psp, philosophy, spirituality, pencak silat, leadership, teaching, and growth.
bonfire at Jay's
It's going to be a great three days of training to introduce people to PSP and help those who are midway and nearing the end of the general curriculum. As always, it's a great time to test. Don't wait for Keluarga, but if you can push a little to test in person is a great opportunity.

We will probably work/play harder this year than in past years.

Equipment to bring:

MMA style training gloves,
Full face headgear,
kicking shields,
focus mitts,
training and "sharps" (pisau - knives),
Golok,
Looped sarong
Pay for the event by sending payment to pesilat@combat-silat.net via paypal to reserve your spot. We are looking to have around 20 people this year so get in before it's full.

If you have questions about ammenities, training location, car rentals, or event resources, contact Jay Carstensen.

Event particulars, equipment, and questions related around participation in the event should be sent to Guru Stark.

My Turn

Every once in a while one of these fun quizes pops up and I get pulled into trying it out.

Drink Me

The Monk
You scored 33% Closed Fist, 50% Open Hand, and 80% Honor!
And so, like all things, it ends. Let's see where you fit... Your score is predominantly Open Hand, thus you tend to think before you act, and view each situation from all angles, before taking action. You tend to meet force with avoiding action, rather than retaliation. While this may seem more "RIGHT" than the Closed Fist, it is no more, and no less correct, it is merely a different point of view. But that's only half the story... Coupled with a high Honor score, you tend to be a caring, giving person, more than willing to take the hardships of others as your own. You see the downtrodden as those who need the most attention, and you will go out of your way to help if you can. Though rarely one to force your viewpoint on someone else, your opinions are strong, and you will defend them, often zealously, however violence is always the LAST option. While this view is more "socially acceptable", bear in mind that it is easy to lose ones self in selflessness to others. Seak an emotional center, and work from there. You would most likely find yourself drawn to the "softer" martial arts, as well as those which seek physical and emotional harmony equally. The various forms of Shaolin Temple, Kung Fu, as well as Aikido, which has no strikes at all, may appeal to you. Well, that's it. Thanks for taking my test. Remember, these are only suggestions, nothing is set in stone. This test is NOT meant to pass judgement in ANY way, nor is it designed to tell you EXACTLY which Martial Art to study.

Shameless Plug for a Friend

New PSP Book
I intend to get this book and so should you. It has everything from jurus-jurus to gun stuff. The first volume is an excellent source for PSP and goes well with the DVDs available here: Buy Me
CONSUME!

Keluarga 2007

I will be hosting the 2007 Keluarga here in Des Moines, IA on August 3-5, 2007.
For more information on the art of Pencak Silat Pertempuran visit the PSP website at www.combat-silat.net
I look forward to seeing some friends and making more.
I will have balur on hand for the bruised.
Jay

the future

Just over one year ago I was handed the reigns to Kapatiran Suntukan Martial Arts. In that time I have looked at the group, discussed ideas with active members and we move forward. All things evolve to meet the needs of the community at large. I hope that some of the ideas that have come out of this thinking cause either thought or understanding.
To me, the overriding aspect of KSMA has been and is the community it forms. Regardless of system, style, or creed we come together to discuss this thing we do.
I am not an overtly wordy guy and tend to go with the flow. My purpose is to train and share the information I have had the good fortune to have access to, yet I am also the glue binding together this organization so I have to speak out every once in a while. Right?
KSMA was never about a style. One thing I think that may have been misinterpreted is the idea that we are a Southeast Asian martial arts group. Granted the name tends to lend itself to that, as it is in Tagalog and what most people consider a martial art is Asian in origin. It is what it is and we'll keep it for a while longer. In essence, this Boxing Brotherhood will always be there regardless of what you call it anyway. When one looks past the name and sees the group, the true meaning of the group is there.
When I started training more fervently, I came to understand that one should explore any avenue presented to reach a better understanding of what you have; perhaps even learn a little more. Thus, I have been exposed to gung fu, kempo, western boxing, bowie knife, grappling arts and various Filipino arts. Eventually my paths crossed a few that I wanted to stay on. For me, Pencak Silat has been the most rewarding art to study. That is not in any way detracting or belying any other arts I have studied or not, it is just what I have gravitated toward. There are still aspects I really enjoy about all the arts I have participated in and may continue to do so off and on.
I love training. I love meeting new and interesting people and maintaining the relationships I have made over time. KSMA may not be a huge corporate entity (please don’t let that happen), but what it is has meaning to direct members and their students or families.

An aside: When KSMA was formed, online forums were in their toddler years, now they are a full-grown aspect of society. Most of the time they are used as a tool for discussion free of egos, however, the occasional flame does erupt on them. Arguments are cyclical in nature as they lead participants back to their own starting point without gaining an understanding of the subject at hand. Too bad. The unfortunate truth is that we need to live on this planet together and that takes a little compassion and patience.

I wish you Happy New Year and good luck.
Jay