What is White Crane Silat ?

Silat or Kung Fu is not merely an exercise system nor is it a religion. Originating in Indonesia(but mainly from Chinese roots: Shaolin), it is an ancient holistic system of health, self-development and non combative self defense art that begins with the body as tangible way to affect all aspects of our being - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, trying to unify them. This practice includes graceful, powerful forms based on the 5 elements which can be done mainly alone. Integrated into a daily practice, Silat helps to wake up and remember that happiness and freedom come from within.

Brief Content of White Crane Silat practice

For initiation only:

- Chi Breathing techniques

- Martial art (including meridian) stretches

- Essential Silat warm-ups (standing and on floor)

- Short movements and short forms

- Partner exercises

For more advanced:

- Throwing techniques(ambilan)

- Long forms

- Dragon gate

- Tui Cu

Health benefits: Reduces tension, increases circulation, flexibility and coordination, strengthen and tones muscles, improves concentration, re-energizes the mind and body, rebalances the five organs, improves sleep patterns, calms nervous system, recovers long forgotten pathways of energy flow.

Self-discovery benefits: creates a state of peace, tranquility, reestablishes trust, self-confidence and self respect, teaches you to act out of courage/not fear, practices sensitivity to the surroundings and yourself, create a shift in consciousness, keeps you alert, brings lightening up under pressure, teaches you tolerance and loving-kindness, gives you unwavering focus which erases the self Consciousness of “I am doing it”.

What makes this art interesting and almost unique is that it is a “complete” martial art with most aspects of the martial art tradition within the style.

What is Flora´s special approach to Silat?

She is offering a more gentle and meditative approach to it. More later….