Plan to spend an enjoyable and enlightening weekend with Sigung Steve Gartin
focusing on the unique training methods of American KunTao Silat in an
outdoor wonderland. Use the email address spelled out above for
details and reservations or visit the American KunTao Silat Discussion Group
at Yahoo.
Two rich martial heritages melded into a
synergistic American Martial Lifestyle
Historically, kuntao and silat have been practiced by ethnic groups divided by language and cultural diversities. Kuntao was the term describing the ethnic Chinese martial arts and silat was the generic term for the warrior arts practiced by the indigenous Indonesian peoples.
Our GrandTeacher,Willem de Thouars had the rare privilege of studying both arts in Indonesia.
In the late 1970's and the early 1980's three of the four de Thouars brothers, Willem, Paul and Victor and a Chinese Indonesian I shing Ie grandmaster, U. Un Surya came to Colorado to live and teach. A small group of dedicated practitioners had the honor of studying with these four world-class grandmasters of kuntao and silat. Steve Gartin and Chas Clements are among that small group.
In 1981 KunLun Pai was introduced to the world in an event hosted by Pak Victor de Thouars in Southern California. This was the first melding of the two diverse martial styles.
The brutally hard training and the extreme contact kept the student rolls very small during the first 20 years or so. Until 1988, none of the de Thouars brothers cared to promote their arts publicly.
In 1993 Steve Gartin introduced KunTao Silat to America. Maintaining the heart and soul of the two great martial arts, Guru Gartin adapted training methods geared for the American life-style to the tactical considerations and training required to actually apply silat and kun tao principles in combat. Seven levels of training take the novice to practitioner level. We consider a "practitioner" or Guru Muda to be a very good black belt level martial artist.
Practice Leaders conduct KunTao Silat classes all over the world. It is possible to study at a distance with modern technology, so we do offer a DistanceTraining Program and a vast offering of video and DVD documentaries, seminars and training aids. We also conduct seminars and workshops and are available by email and phone most of the time.
KunTao Silat is designed for personal self defense, not military service.
One of Three of Willem de Thouars longest term disciples, reveals secrets and principles of Indonesian and Chinese martial arts and demonstrates methods and techniques for incorporating KunTao Silat martial art principles into the modern American lifestyle.
Basic elements of Serak® Silat meld with KunTao concepts to create a direct, no-nonsense approach to personal self defense, whatever your physical condition. The Founder, Chas Clements, has over a half century of martial study, training and pursuit to draw instruction from. Chas conducts classes every Sunday at his home in Aurora. Call for time and directions: 303-910-2685. Specialty Self Defense training for the physically impaired.
The CommonDefense is simplicity in self defense. The course is streamlined and adapted for integration into the modern American life style. Train at home program is expected to be completed this Spring.
Martial Arts Links:
Friends and associates.Karate, Kung Fu, Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, Ju Juitsu, Boxing, Wrestling, Kickboxing, and a wide range of esoteric martial arts will ultimately be found on our links page. It is now under construction, but worth a visit and a page you will want to add to your favorites in the Dutch Indo/Chinese martial arts we know as silat and kuntao..
Martial Arts for Citizens Only:
Self Defense for everyone enjoying good health. The secrets of Indonesian and Chinese kuntao and silat martial arts applied to a modern American home self defense training program. Suitable for all ages and all levels of physical conditioning. KunTao and Silat, as Village-style martial arts, focus on the individual - rather than the agenda of the King. The individual must be capable of joining in defense of the Village, and must be trained to live at peace with his kinsmen.
the "old timers" who were there during the inception of Kun Lun Pai and its early growth, the first American gurus.
Elder Teachers and Senior Disciples. Video MPGs of forms and techniques, links to the Founders' WebSites and historic information about *Serak®*, Imoa Shantung Chinese kun tao and pentjak pukulan petjut kilat silat in Indonesia and America
American KunTao Silat™ brings the most effective techniques and training methods of the Chinese Shaolin and Indonesian Silat arts together into an easily learned, highly effective, self defense program. Even learning at a distance is possible now, with the vast library of training and documentary videos and DVDs available to the KunTao Silat student. AKTS is comprised of forms, techniques and training methods of poekoelan pentjak silat systems of Pamur, Ci Calong, CiMande, Serak, Kendang, Si Kwetang, Bondo Waso and Pejut Kilat Silat.
or if you'd like to contact me, 
