How to Learn Pencak Silat

Pencak Silat is an Indonesian fighting art that is practiced around the world. It is extremely popular in Asia. This art involves striking, breaking bones and fighting with knives and swords.  It is possible to learn this martial art by following a few quick and easy steps.

1.  Determine what type of learner you are. If you are able to learn information by just watching, you can buy CDs, follow instructional videos on the Internet and buy books in order to learn. If you are a person that learns better in classes, you can locate a school and take lessons. Make sure that you choose a school that has a good teacher and is located nearby.

2.  Learn the basics philosophies of the art. This can be done by talking with a teacher in a Pencak Silat school, by reading books or going online. The philosphies wil tell you how the art can be used and what type of attitude that you should have when practicing the it. You can think how they relate to your daily life and how you can dedicate yourself to applying these philosophies and ideas. Learning a martial art requires hours of dedication.

3.  Learn the basic fighting stance. Knowing the stance is the beginning of mastering the art. You will want to know the stance well enough to do it without even thinking. It is impossible to know when you will need to use the stance to defend yourself.  

4.  Master the strikes and blocks of this art. You will want to be able to win a punching or kicking match effortlessly. Your strikes should be powerful and fluid. The blocks should be timed perfectly. Your knife strikes should be deadly and powerful.

5.  Master the joint locks. This art includes a lot of moves that break the bones of opponents. You will want to practice each move until you are able to do it without thinking.