Synopsis: Membership as a scholar will be open to anyone interested in gaining proficiency in the self-defense aspects of Pentjak Silat AnakSerak. To gain the most from this series, it is recommended that you work out with the videos, like a virtual martial arts class. If you want to really understand a concept, rewind, listen closely, and study Sepuh Andre’s movements. Review every episode until you have them memorized and believe you truly understand each concept and can apply it if needed.
 
Your host, Sepuh Andre has gained recognition in the United States, Europe and Asia as a talented teacher who brings clarity to difficult theories and principles related to the study and training of Pentjak Silat. His seminars and workshops have been well received the world over by military as well as law enforcement and he has been a guest teacher sharing the stage with such notables as Guru Dan Inosanto, Sigung Willem De Thouars, Guru Besar James Ingram, the late grandmaster Rudy ter Linden, Sir Don Kessing, Maha Guru Victor De Thouars, Sifu Janet Gee, Guru Steven Plinck and other gifted teachers.
 

A brief history of the style now known as Anakserak

For the record, the islands of Indonesia, Java in particular have not been submerged in the last 20 million years. This has allowed for the development of one of the oldest known societies on the planet that has an unbroken line of succession. Some of the oldest known fossil records of early man exist on Java. The indigenous peoples became very attuned to the natural world around them and over many centuries, this led to the development of a mystical consciousness and way of living that fostered a respect and close interaction with the elemental powers of nature itself. From this beginning the art of Pentjak Silat was born. It is not really an “art”, as the Indonesian language has no word for art. It is actually more of a form of living life. Art is not separated from life.

Pentjak Silat is the romanized form of the concept for “stylized lightning motion”. At its roots are the preservation of the self through the harmonious movements of redirection and deflection of movement, force and energy. A true master of Pentjak Silat practices the ability to ward-off attack through the redirection of energy in and around his /her immediate environment. This takes a few years to develop and requires the help of a master. An apprentice is usually brought into the fold and taught as a member of the family. In this manner the information and training is passed on from generation to generation. Entire Pentjak Silat societies were formed and from these societies a culture was developed. It is accepted that the West Javanese Pentjak Silat style reached a level unsurpassed in the islands and became the model for other styles to mold themselves after.

In more recent times a gifted practitioner of West Javanese Pentjak Silat created a method of training enabling his students to rapidly advance in the theory and movements of Pentjak Silat. Because of his raspy voice his students nicknamed him “Pak Serak”.
Pak (respectful title for an elder ) Serak (meaning… one with a raspy voice). Pak Serak.

Pak Serak became widely recognized as a “wise person”, a gifted teacher and healer. He took on two apprentices and educated each one in the finer points of “Pentjak Silat Pak Serak” until they acquired mastery. One was named Abang Djut. Abang Djut taught two apprentices, brothers named John and Ernest de Vries who also reached a level of mastery that satisfied the requirements of the style. These two, in turn, taught “Pentjak Silat Pak Serak” to their nephew Maurice de Thouars until he too fulfilled the requirements.

In February of 1999 Maurice de Thouars gave recognition to one of his students and conferred upon him the designation of full apprentice. Then in May of 2004 Maurice de Thouars gave Dr. Andre KnustGraichen the title of “heir and successor” in Pentjak Silat Pak Serak. Because of the nature of the practice of Pentjak Silat Dr.Andre was assigned the task of making the art more available to those interested in learning this form of Pentjak Silat. Therefore with the approval and guidance of his teacher Dr. Andre has formulated a teaching approach which is called “Anakserak” (anak means child of ). This new approach would allow those individuals who express a sincere desire to learn an opportunity to do so.

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