The One Inch Punch

Before stumbling into this video clip, I was already familiar with the term one inch punch made popular by the legendary Bruce Lee, but I didn't care much to know deeper about it. Not until I found this interesting video and discovered some similarity to a striking method that was taught to me by Guru Jak.

The similarity lies not in the traditional Chinese method of centering of the Chi, nothing as complex as that, as I being a new student will have no idea whatsoever in what is that going to be about. It lies simply at the flicking of the wrist joint when delivering the one inch punch. That, with the help of this video, I can easily understand.

However, instead of using the lower knuckles, the method shown by my Guru uses the base of the palm to make contact. I asked my Guru if this method is similar to Bruce Lee's One Inch Punch and he said yes, almost, kind of. He said this striking method is called Kepak Ayam. I hope he was not kidding me because, translated, it means Chicken Wings, which I find it very amusing. However, after making a little demonstration, probably after sensing my sceptism, (not that I don't trust my teacher, but sometimes being a jovial character, he does sometimes pull my leg once in a while) I understand that Kepak Ayam means more like Flapping of the Chicken Wings instead of just Chicken Wings.

Silat training is on as usual tonight, and probably I will try to practice my Kepak Ayam on a pad tonight. Practicing Kepak Ayam on myself hurts.

Salam.

Scary Urumi

Image via Wikipedia

Many came for training last night. The seniors are back to train Silat. Good for me as their return would make our learning environment more lively.

Tonight, I did some warm up with some belati moves, did a quick revision on the eight Belati Buahs, the eight Tekpi Buahs, and four Sakti Pencawangan Buahs.

During training, I asked Pendekar Scott, his opinion about Merantau, the latest Indonesian Silat movie that is currently playing on Malaysian cinemas which features Silat Harimau. Well, his opinion matters because he and Guru Ed is a Guru in this system. His comment was something like, if you like watching Tony Jaa, then you'll enjoy the movie. I think he also said that there are more knees than what they usually do in Silat Harimau.

After class, as usual, had a quick tea session with Guru Jak and fellow students. Interesting topic that Guru Jak talked about was something about Bodhidharma and his possible origin, (a theory that would probably shake the entire Martial arts world). He also said something like Kalaripayattu being one of the most deadliest Martial arts in the world and described how Urumi, a Kalaripayattu weapon, would be a really terrifying to go against, as it is a long sword made of flexible steel, sharp enough to cut into flesh, but flexible enough to be rolled into a tight coil. A Kalaripayattu practitioner wielding an Urumi would probably laugh at our own Ekor Pari (Stingray's Tail) flexible weapon used in Silat Harimau Berantai if they were to go against each other in a duel. He probably says so to describe how devastating this Urumi can be.

I looked up Wikipedia.org and Youtube.com about this particular flexible weapon, Urumi. Take a look.



What do you think? Scary? Share your thoughts and leave some comments.

Salam.