KunTao Silat as an exercise integrates both the mind and body into the constant training. Yes, you become stronger, more flexible, healthier as you mature in American KunTao Silat training but you also learn to integrate your mind/body connection leading to a stronger mind and healthier body enabling you more efficiently to pursue the Spiritual connection.

KunTao Silat is much more than just exercise it gives you the knowledge and ability to truly understand self defense and to give you the honed tools to effect that understanding in the real world. The confidence that comes from knowing that you can protect yourself improves your entire life your work, your relationships with others.

Everyone has their own reason for training for health, for self defense, for fun. KunTao Silat training is unique in that it can offer all of those things. No matter your age or interest, KunTao Silat supplies a unique training experience that will transform your life if you dedicate yourself to the constant training we reveal in this Distance Learning Program..

What is KunTao Silat?

KunTao Silat is a term first coined in America by the first generation of students from the practitioners of Dutch-Indonesian descent. The term honors both the Chinese and Indonesian teachers that influenced this art. There are a plethora of styles either KunTao or Silat that come from the spice islands. Many of these systems are mixed systems, yet due to cultural prejudice are often referred to as KunTao (Chinese) or Silat (Indonesian).

KunTao Silat is the product of Dutch-Indonesian teachers, who because of their unique position in society were able to cross over and learn from both the Chinese and Indonesian teachers. The American KunTao Silat Association teaches a martial art that has its origins in West Javanese martial arts.

The Distance Learning Program has two branches, one for the practitioner starting early enough in life to train the low stances that are Signature of the Pre-WWII Indo/Chinese martial arts of kuntao and silat. The Malabar KunTao Silat System is a very difficult art and hard training is one of the first pre-requisites. This is the obvious evolution for the Young Black Belt looking for higher education in the martial arts.

American KunTao Silat is designed for the working American who must balance a career, Family and physical fitness/self-protection into a modern life style. American KunTao Silat provides a realistic approach to increasing health, providing effective self-protection, developing mental and physical focus, training through injuries and developing your personal Martial LifeStyle predicated upon your prior training, chronic injuries and goals.

 In the American spirit of freedom and the universal need of humanity to express each individual soul as separate and distinct, the American KunTao Silat DistanceLearning Program provides a foundation of solid basics from which each individual practitioner chooses from a vast ocean of martial acumen to build their own personal Martial LifeStyle. Building the basic training mechanisms into their daily life, AKTS Practitioners progress through several levels of Indonesian and Chinese Martial arts to arrive at Practitioner or Guru Muda level from which their individual journey commences.

American KunTao Silat has seven levels of progress to GuruMuda.

Level One: LegWork & HandWork - First we train the stances, so they can be incorporated into the daily life and movements of the student.  Basic HandWork is then added to the stances and incorporated into movement drills.  The First Five Djurus are learned at this level.  DVDs are available as training aids.  Weapons   Traditionally, the blade and the stick are the weapons of choice. 

Level Two: Djurus Satu - First Form   Having practiced the stances and hand movements from Level One, the student now begins to study traditional choreographed form which carries the combat knowledge from the Indonesian lineage and provides a means of personal practice any where and any time.  Djurus Satu is very direct, explosive and offensive.  The best defense being a strong offense, Djurus Satu teaches effective self defense understanding and training.   A DVD is available for this level.

Level Three: Lanka Dua - The Flower   Non-confrontation is always the most effective way to deal with aggression.  It takes longer to develop and even longer to refine, so the student receives the initial training early in their KunTao Silat development.   A DVD is available.

Level Four: PoQua Zen - The Dragon   With hands and legs now integrated, the student now develops circular motion strength and mobility of uncommon proportions.  The Dragon provides enlightenment in movement unlike any animal.  A DVD is available.

Level Five: I Shing Po/Tai Keah - The Internal/External   With the preceeding elements now developed, the Internal/External  provides a solid base for hitting, grappling, tearing, ripping and smashing techniques and training methods and another level of applying the legwork and hitting tools.  A DVD is available.

Level Six: Serak/Battle Djurus - Serak  Precision hitting and furious speed and the use of body levers are now added to the student's arsenal of martial skills.  Timing, precision and control are honed in this level, in preparation for Level Seven.  A DVD is available.

• At this point, the student has reached Practitioner Level and can continue practice for a life time without ever needing further instruction, although seminars and workshops will always be available. When the Student becomes a Practitioner a world of options opens.  The parent arts of KunTao Silat and over a hundred classical forms are available for deeper study and the Practitioner is urged to experiment in the areas of their interest and ability.

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Level Seven: GuruMuda {Young Teacher}

This training prepares a Practitioner to teach.  We find many who currently teach come to us with the desire to teach the Family System from the beginning of their training.  In such a case, the elements of teaching are built into that Student's training from the start.  The group of aspiring gurus seen in the GuruClass Series are experienced martial artists, learning to teach KunTao Silat from the beginning, to Practitioner level.

Malabar KunTao Silat has seven levels of progress to GuruMuda.

Long Distance Learning Program:   

There are only 12 Sigung Instructors of the Willem de Thouars Branch of the Family Arts in the world.  Most practitioners will not have personal access to the top level teachers of KunTao Silat.  However, there are many PracticeLeaders around the world who are working toward Guru Certification and conduct training sessions in their neighborhood.  You are all welcome to join the fun. 

It costs two hundred bucks to join and Ten DVDs are included to provide the practice material required for advancement.  Proceed at your own pace.

Whenever you feel ready for the next level, you simply video your performance of the current level and upload it to the Testing Site for critique along with a hundred bucks.  When the Gurus are satisfied with your videoed performance of the level's material, even if it takes several exchanges, you will receive certification.  Once a year, the Distance Student should endeavor to either host or attend one or more of the Family Gatherings and Workshops.

The Distance Trainee also receives the following benefits:

• On-line training video downloads 
• 50% discount on all DVDs and Videos
• Training focused Discussion Group and the Secret Teacher's Board with Video Review Peer Group

There are no time requirements to limit your progress.  You can test for the next level any time you feel confident with your understanding of your current level.

Guru Certification Course Student Membership

Training is available to interested students. Entering the Guru Certification Course training program requires making a very special commitment to training. There is a saying in the martial arts world: Many are called, few are chosen. Throughout history, the only way to learn was from your village guru, family or friends who had a contact with a legitimate guru (teacher).

Today the world has changed. With modern transportation, the internet and video, it is now possible to gain training even if you are not located near an authorized school. To take part in this opportunity, all you have to do is pay $200 registration fee, which also provides you with the exclusive Eight DVD Training Set, which includes all the requirements up to Practitioner Level in both American KunTao Silat and in Malabar KunTao Silat. 

Thereafter, DistanceLearning Students have access to all available DVDs at a 50% discount as well as exclusive access to 12 GuruClasses with Grampa Bill for only $200.

From there you are on course. You will have to discipline yourself to train hard, practice the material, and then video yourself performing the material when you feel prepared to advance to the next level.

Your performance will be reviewed and you will receive corrections.  The $100 fee for each level of advancement covers corrections, refinements and official certification.

In addition to this, you will have access to AKTS coaches via members only chatrooms on the world wide web where Sigung Steve teaches deeper elements of the systems by video .

To achieve certification, it is always best to attend seminars and workshops offered by the AKTS gurus. 

This program is systematic and designed to teach you American KunTao Silat, it will also instruct you on how to teach this art.

Sign Up Now:

Registration = $200

with PayPal

Credit/Debit Cards:

Everything you need to progress to Practitioner/GuruMuda level is included with registration.  You may desire additional knowledge and information about KunTao Silat, which will be available to you at a 50% discount.  Happy Training!

Testing & Certification Fee = $100

Testing Fee include corrections and refinements based upon your video detailing your performance of the forms and applications and Official Certification.

Special 12 DVD set of monthly Guru Classes with Uncle Bill: See how KunTao Silat is taught in the old way, straight from Uncle Bill. This 12 DVD set is a rare treasure, once available only for Guru Certification Course members is now available to the public, although GCC members receive a 50% discount.