Have you ever seen how beautifully the Aikido expert manipulates his opponent’s energy until he falls down? In several styles of Silat, the concept of “flowing” with the opponent’s energy isn’t alien at all. For example, the technique called ‘buang kelid” or piceunan in Sundanese, is an essential technique that illustrates this concept. the Cikalong style for example, flows with the opponent’s energy rather than ‘crashing’ against it. This is done by parrying or deflecting attacks making the opponent’s size and power irrelevant.

I’m reminded when practicing on a Saturday at the Pencak Silat training hall near Taman Mini, a friend was describing a technique to escape a wristlock that he learned from Pak Azis (Head teacher of Cikalong Pancer Bumi). By following the opponent’s energy and pinning his arm to his body without using force, my friend was able to release his hand from the locking technique regardless of his opponent’s strength.

Techniques like this are known by the term ‘loading-dumping’ (isi-kosong), wherein the Silat practitioner understands when to resist and when to flow. It appears as if this concept is also found in other martial arts like Aikido. As we ‘play’ with this energy loading and dumping more often, our understanding and our application will become more and more perfect.

One of the conditions for training the loading-dumping concept is training the jurus in a manner where we ‘stick’ (menempel) to our opponent. This kind of training develops sensitivity to the opponent’s energy and we can then feel and understand how to use the loading-dumping concept. Another important concept that needs to be examined regarding playing with energy in this manner is ‘circle energy.’ This can be seen in every Aikido technique in the way the Aikido practitioner can redirect his opponent’s energy. This is done by turning one’s body in a circular manner. The opponent’s energy is redirected offering the opportunity for a counter attack.

Turning one’s body to redirect energy isn’t the only aspect of redirecting the opponent’s attack: it must be done together with the well-trained and lively footwork to channel the energy. In Silat, techniques like this are already common in the traditional arena. A unique feature of Sumatran Silat styles (called Kumango or Silek Tuo) is the circular footwork used to redirect attacks. Meanwhile in the Sundanese region, Silat Maen Po has its own unique footwork called Pancer (four directions).

So when it comes to redirecting the opponent’s energy, Silat is just as competent as other more renowned martial arts.

Source : silatindonesia.com
Author : Rizki Noviandi
Translated by : Garland ‘Ray’ Hook