_Introduction
Senaman Tua ("petua" the advice of the elders/tip, while "Tua" means old) is founded by guru Azlan Ghanie. The word 'Senaman' is interpreted as a physical movement or exercise whereas 'Tua' is translated as ancient since it is inherited from the people of the past.

Senaman Tua was inspired by the teachings of guru Azlan's father, Abdul Ghanie bin Abu Bakar, who originated from the royal Melayu family of Merpati Jepang from Sarawak. His family is also connected to the silat family of his mother's Bugis ancestors (Rogayah binti Jaafar, Jaafar bin Endut).

Incidentally, Endut was the person who unified all Pahang silat gurus from Pahang and had also revived silat at Gong Kapas in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, during the 1930s and 1940s. His son, Jaafar, taught silat to the royal Melayu family in Kampung Gajah, Perak and Johor in the 1940s.

History
The exercises begin with the raising of one's spiritual and physical well being. This is why Senaman Tua begins with an upright standing posture and a smile before practising proper breathing (using the Nafas Melayu technique), and the physical exercises begin from the soles of the feet.

The concept of 'beginning from your feet' in Senaman Tua comes from the advice of his mother's friends who often stoppd by his home in Pekan, Pahang. According to Melayu culture, one has to pour cold water on one's feet first before proceeding to bathe the other parts of the body. With that, the first Senaman Tua exercise begins with the soles of your feet.

Joints and Senaman Tua Basics
Senaman Tua originates from the basics of standing, in particular, how the Melayu stand, sit, lies down and move. All of these movements tell a story like that of a complete and well-dressed warrior.

In the sitting exercise, they start with the cross-legged sitting position on the floor. from this position, one can extrapolate various different leg exercises such as folding, tiptoeing, squatting, stretching, etc.

In the concept of self-defense, sitting cross-legged will also train preparedness in defending against attacks from the 4 compass directions (front, rear, left, and right) with minimum movement.

The sitting exercise is followed by prone exercises (lying on your back).

After the prone session, Senaman Tua enthusiasts can do the hand exercises while standing. Focus is given to the joints and the strength comes from practising the 'petua'.

To the warrior, the palms are regarded as the 'fruit' or the 'furthest fruit'. The elbow is the 'inner fruit' and when the hand is straightened it is regarded as the 'branch'. The shoulder is the base of the branch.

Speed and Strength
This Melayu exercise system specialises in building speed and strength. More precisely, the exercises focus on joint strength via its various extrapolations.

One of the hand exercises strengthens the shoulders and, among is foundation for locking and takedown techniques in Silat Melayu by pushing the enemy's shoulders to the ground and livens up the body's movement in self-defense acts. It also heals injury in the shoulders, nape and waist if done correctly under the guru's supervision.

One of the hand dances can develop into strikes, traps, locks, counterlocks and other techniques. The knowledgeable martial artist will be able to unlock various locks with a minimum effort or strength.

Senaman Tua has an objective and to pursue this journey, it begins from an origin. Breathing too has an origin, i.e. concentration is focused in the navel. The same thing applies in performing Senaman eTua exercises when sitting, lying down, hand dances, standing and striding; there is a clear objective when it starts from the base.

In these gentle Melayu exercises, besides those done upon waking from sleep and the imitation of animal body movements, exercises like bathing, washingclothes by the river, boat rowing and various other movements have been adopted. the 'stretching out' movement culminates in the waist area whether the torso is raised or remains upright (focusses on the navel and waist).

In sports science this technique is called stretching and is also known in Senaman Tua as 'body relaxation', where one has to stretch out to acquire this stimulating feeling.

The ancient Melayu believed that the body will not be at ease either due to an improper diet or because of lack of exercise. It is believed that the body contains 'wind'. In sports, if you cannot perform well, it is said you are 'winded'. When you go for a massage you will definitely burp (so will the masseur) when you are releasing 'wind'.

Silat Melayu Core
The moves in Senaman Tua come from Silat Melayu where it was practiced in the ancient palace households. It was used in countering attacks from their enemies. In their fights, speed, strength and accuracy were their priorities (they still are). Quick thinking, speed in dodging, strength in attacking and accuracy to the targeted points on the enemy's body had been and still are the major requirements.

When seeking combative knowledge, the warrior's highest priority is delving into his inner self. Such knowledge imparts thus: To be missed when stabbed at and to counter when evading. It means that, when facing his enemy, he is ready to evade, deceive and attack - all simultaneously. When attacked, he evades and deceives, and he attacks without the enemy being able to counter.

Silat is also acknowledged as a study in movements which deliver attacks and counter-attacks with speed, strength and accuracy. The breathing technique of Nafas Melayu enlivens or brings alive the movements in Silat, further enhancing these unique movements.

Nafas Melayu becomes the starting from which all movements are born. This method is thought to have been acquired from the reflex actions of frightened children. It is well known in the Melayu community as 'contraction of the stomach', where frightened children ran so fast that they literally jumped over wide ditches and climbed tall trees.

This method produces unique strength. In combat, the enemy attacks from different angles and one has to evade and step out of attacks or step in to deliver attacks. It becomes the basis of speed and liquid movement. After the Nafas Melayu routine, the body is ready to move like the wind.

The sole exercise is the beginning of the physical exercise to complete the body's movement in combat or Silat with the soles coming coming alive to step, to wiggle the waist, dodge or evade and to deceive with the flower hand dance.

That's the philosophy of Melayu self-defense in Silat. As proclaimed - where there's spirit, there's soul. The spirit means living, whereas the soul is the strength in the moves. Each exercise in Senaman Tua has its own story. The story is to stride or retreat and therefore your ankle joints need to be strong. The ankles are the key instrument in carrying the body's weight.

You can build such strength to carry the body by practicing the tiptoe exercise. Concentration then is on the knee joints because the knees need to bear the body's weight and to maintain balance. Concentration is then centred towards the waist before proceeding to the hand exercises such as the wrists, elbows and shoulders.

The Melayu warriors do not increase their muscles in size for strength. Strength is obtained from strengthening of the joints in exercise.

_Fight-choreography in West Java is a source of cultural pride
 Haji Uho Holidin is a 72 year old performer who lives in Bandung, West Java. He is a senior teacher in Pencak Silat Panglipur Pamager Sari, a club that teaches and performs pencak silat seni. This is a movement art based on the fighting techniques of pencak silat, the authentic martial art of the Indo-Malayan archipelago. Pencak silat practitioners consider it to be a sport, an art, a form of combat training and a tool for mental and spiritual development. Panglipur Pamager Sari is a prestigious school that attracts a large number of local students of all ages, both male and female.

Despite his advanced age, Haji Uho still actively surveys and monitors the progress of students. Training usually takes place after Isha prayer on Tuesday nights at a performance space near his home. Devoted students also schedule their own training sessions in their respective suburbs. At training, Haji Uho teaches movements and explains their functions, urging students to understand the intent of each movement so that their performances are both meaningful and attractive. Younger students model their performances on Haji Uho’s moves, which are still graceful and powerful despite his age.

Pencak silat as cultural art While pencak silat is traditionally regarded as a sport for men, the artistic component of pencak silat seni offers women an attractive way to learn fighting skills. The beauty of the music and the choreographed movement allow practitioners to enjoy the art without the pain and struggle of combat practice. Dian Nur Dini, a 22 year old female performer who has toured Korea and Malaysia with Panglipur Pamager Sari, said ‘Women must know how to defend themselves. Inside the beautiful music and movement of pencak silat seni, there are effective combat techniques.'

Pencak silat practitioners consider it to be a sport, an art, a form of combat training and a tool for mental and spiritual development For dedicated practitioners like Dian, pencak silat seni offers opportunities to travel to other countries. But it is certainly no way to earn a good living. Even a well known and respected pencak silat teacher like Haji Uho has to run his own business. Haji Uho does not request payment for teaching pencak silat. To make money, he makes clothes for pencak silat performers. As a sign of appreciation and respect, his students and his students’ students buy their silat costumes from him. He employs a small number of young tailors to sew the clothes which he sells to schools in Bandung as well as to some affiliated training centres in Europe. At night, if Haji Uho is not training students in the front room of his house, he will often be found in his workroom (which is also his kitchen) cutting material and preparing silat clothes. For Haji Uho, it is a business of love. He believes that the art form fulfils a human need for beauty, and he gets great pleasure from creating pencak silat costumes that add to the beauty of the performances.

In West Java, pencak silat seni is accompanied by a variety of local instruments. The most important of these instruments are the kendang (a double-sided barrel drum), the tarompet (a double-reed woodwind instrument) and the gong. The drums are used to accompany and illustrate the performers’ movements. There are a variety of different rhythms which all have different origins, like the rhythm known as Paleredan, from the village of Palered, and Tepak Dua, from Cimande. The drummers follow the movements of the performer with their playing, and develop great sensitivity to the choreographed movements of the art form.

Pak Darman Santikahidayat is one of several blind musicians who accompany pencak silat performances and competitions throughout Bandung. He accompanies pencak silat on the double-reed tarompet, matching the rhythm and tempo of the performances. Although he cannot communicate through gestures or observation, Pak Darman can nevertheless respond immediately to changes in rhythm, speed and excitement. As he can play both woodwind and string instruments, he receives many invitations to perform at local events.

Being a musician enables Pak Darman to earn money and avoid the hardships often faced by people with disabilities in Indonesia. When not playing music, Pak Darman works as a masseur, an occupation not uncommon for blind people in Indonesia. Most of Darman’s patients arrive in the late afternoon or evening. During the morning to early afternoon, Pak Darman sometimes gives music lessons. However, music lessons, massage patients and music performances arrive sporadically, so a steady income is never a certainty.

From improvisation to choreography Maenpo is a form of pencak silat from from Cikalong, Cianjur (West Java). It differs in two ways from contemporary pencak silat seni. Pencak silat seni is largely a choreographed art form in which the movements are illustrated by the music. By contrast, maenpo is based on improvisation. The music is also different. Maenpo performers are accompanied by the zither and bamboo flute, a pairing that creates a soothing, melancholic atmosphere. To this music, they practice mostly soft and slow movements, punctuated with fast and lethal attacks and blocks.

The word maenpo is an abbreviation of ‘maen poho’ which means to play with your partner’s forgetfulness. The idea is to remember all your moves and to capitalise on the forgetfulness of your adversary. If a practitioner forgets to keep guard then the opponent can take advantage of the opportunity and win. If, however, the opponent forgets to take advantage of an opportunity, then it is he who loses the game. The soft lulling music ensures that this contest does not develop into a fight.

Maenpo has few followers in contemporary West Java. The popularity of the improvisation-based forms of pencak silat like maenpo have declined as the choreographed forms of pencak silat seni have become more popular. According to Haji Uho, pencak silat has undergone many changes since Indonesian independence in 1945, especially since the establishment of organisations that have systematised and standardised pencak silat. This has created a trend away from spontaneous improvisation such as maenpo to rehearsed choreography.

Sundanese audiences become very involved in the performance. The music is loud, and the audiences love to add to the atmosphere by shouting in time with the music and crying out their support for the performers The modern, choreographed form of pencak silat in West Java is performed at weddings and circumcision ceremonies. Clubs come together at contests and festivals to demonstrate and sometimes test their skills with one another. Sundanese audiences become very involved in the performances. The music is loud, and the audiences love to add to the atmosphere by shouting in time with the music and crying out their support for the performers. The double reed tarompet player contributes to the festive vibe by playing songs that match the tone of the performance and the audience’s reaction.

Using the movements of the improvised art-form as building blocks, the choreography has developed to allow the expression of a certain kind of cultural memory that gives important meaning to the music and movement. Haji Uho has been a key figure in developing many new choreographies based on the material taught to him by his teacher, Abah Aleh (who is said to have lived from 1856 to 1980). These choreographies are much loved by the West Javanese and are a source of cultural pride. Dian Nur Dini states, ‘Apart from being a hobby and a great way to keep fit, pencak silat is part of being Indonesian. It is a way for me to preserve my culture.’ As Dian Nur Dini suggests, pencak silat is part of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. From the young practitioners to the handicapped and elderly, it empowers communities and adds beauty to the lives of those who encounter it.    

Paul H. Mason (paul.mason@scmp.mq.edu.au ) is a PhD candidate in Anthropology at Macquarie University in Sydney. He is researching practices of fight-dancing in Indonesia and Brazil.

_Alhamdulillah its been a tough 40 hours of silat training, but amidst the harsh summer heat, kids still turned up for training. This holiday course was held for 2 hours every single weekday, where participants trained inside the Goodwood street Masjid between the 12th Dec and 6th January.

The idea came about when I (Faheem Jackson) was approached by Moegammad Noordien on behalf of Imam Ebrahiem Tofa to start silat training at the masjid every saturday. I then offered the Imam 2 options; the first bieng weekly classes, and the second option was an intensive 40hours of silat aimed at youth over the holidays to give them a kickstart in martial arts education. Needless to say, option 2 was preferred.

Initially we had 58 applicants registered for the course, and 48 of them which actually followed the course. Eventhough only 30-40 regularly attended, the turnout was successful. The same course was also offered to the  Colorado Park Masjid which gave us an extra 10 participants.

Seni Silat Pukulan Melaka was the silat style taught and participants learned the basis of self-defense tactics of the first level (bengkong kuning). Stretching, warm-ups, and martial arts drills were part of their daily routine. Although the training seemed very tough for some, only 40% of the actual course content was completed. This was mainly due to the fact that we worked with a vast age group ranging from 6yrs - 37yrs. Kids are naturally excited when they are taught something new and many of them were too eager to try out the techniques before instruction was given. Alot of time was taken to regulate and control the excitement.

Students felt an improvement in self-esteem and confidence which was evident from the improvement in application of techniques. Kicking, punching and blocking drills were also practiced with a partner. Learning to tolerate and work with each other during exercises helped students overcome self-esteem issues and taught them respect for their peers. The fear for aggression is decreased when martial arts is practiced. Correct breathing methods also helped maintain mental focus.

Not only were students taught martial arts, but mainly the correct co-ordination between mind, body and spirit through daily Tazkirah (islamic advice) which is important in silat training. Honour, dignity, respect, discipline and focus are words which will not be forgotten by participants of this course.

To officially conclude the 40hours course, participants will be honoured for their effort and sacrifice of their holiday time. A certificate ceremony will be held on Saturday 14th January 2012 at the Colorado Park Masjid between 5pm and 6:30pm Insha-Allah.

We let the students speak for themselves when we asked them to relate their experience in a short paragraph. Here are some of their comments.
"Assalamu Alaikum. My name is Abdun-Nur Jacobs and 10 years old. I was taught self defense, self discipline. I loved all the techniques that was taught to me. I would love to go to Malaysia to study silat further, Inshallah. Tramakasi, Abang Fahiem."

"Yes. I like the silat. I like the kicks and boxing and kudah. I will not forget is silat."From: Qudsiyyah May, 10 years old. Grade 5.


Ma'rouf Kriel: "To Aadang: The first time i came here I did not know what to expect. I never heard of the word silat. I whould to know more about the art. Yes, i would like to continue practicing silat.

"It was insperational, it helped boost my confidence and self esteem. During this course we met new friends and made peace with others. It taught me respect and honour to our fellow maits and others. We believe the class should continue becuase it keeps us busy, fit, and active during the holidayz"
From: Zaheer Boltman & M. Saliegh Kader - The Warrior Gang! ;)

"I enjoyed silat very much because it is not only a self defence but also a life skill. A life skill that teach you to respect other human beings and not to think you are better than the next human being. You become humble.
The Fatigah is one aspect I will forever practice. When I'm about to patrol at night in my community, I recite the Fatigah & I can feel the presence of Allah protecting me & the community.
Yes, I would like to continue with silat and live a life of fulfilling the 5 promises of silat."
Abduraghiem Latief. Wednesday 4 January 2012/ 9 Saffar 1433.

__"My name is Aneeqah Jacobs. I enjoy silat, I was taught self defense and love all the techniques. I really enjoyed being with Abang Fahiem. Tramakasi Abang Fahiem."

"My name is Leilah Jacobs. I was tought self defence. My fav tekneeks are all the tekneeks. I love is sow much. Tramakasie Abang Fahim."

Muhammed Solaaguddeen May: "To Aabah. Yes. I like the Silat. I like the Bunching and the kicking. One thing I can say is the TECHNIQUE. Shukran Aabah for the technique you have teach me and the ather."

"I like the SILAT. I like the seretches, and the TECHNIQUC. I like the boxing and the kicking and Blocking."From Azzaam Ghazalie, 8 yrs old, Grade 3.

"Assalamu Alaikum. My name is Abdun-Nur Jacobs and 10 years old. I was taught self defense, self discipline. I loved all the techniques that was taught to me. I would love to go to Malaysia to study silat further, Inshallah. Tramakasi, Abang Fahiem."

"Yes. I like the silat. I like the kicks and boxing and kudah. I will not forget is silat."From: Qudsiyyah May, 10 years old. Grade 5.

Ma'rouf Kriel: "To Aadang: The first time i came here I did not know what to expect. I never heard of the word silat. I whould to know more about the art. Yes, i would like to continue practicing silat.

Luqmaan Tofa: "I enjoyed everything i learned at silat. it was lots of fun. Silat taught me to save my life.

Taufeeq Hassiem: "I learned so many things in silat. One of them is being a better person and

respecting other people."

Tanweer Salie: "I think the silat was nice because I learned how to kick and punch. I had a great time. And to use breathing to strenthin our muscles.

Tawfeeq Salie: " I think the silat is nice cause we learned how to kick and punche in the right

way way where a persons weakness is. And to use our breathing in a certain way to strenthin our

muscles."

"Dear Abang Fahiem... Shukran for teaching me silat and shukran for useing your time to teach

me silat. I really enjoyed learning silat some days i did not want to come but i came. because

my mother said that selfdefense is very important and the exersices are very good. I learnt

lots of stuff like how to punch, kick, lanka, lanka ebo, kode and lots of other stuff." shukran

once again from Eemaan Batchelor

Salaam Abang FaheemI enjoyed silat. I enjoyed the exercises during class they really helped me.I will never forget the techniques I've learnt, it was fun and helpful.  I really hope I will be able to come back to silat Inshallah.WassalaamPesilat Sakeena Lagardien



"The experiences were challenging for me. i liked the programme and the techniques and

exercices. i would like to learn more about silat."
Waseem Abrahams

""I love Silat Its the Best. I Want to come back I am happy that I could do silat. Thank You...

Jazak-Allah"Ruqayyah Omarjee

"I like silat of its moves. I did not like pushup. I want to do it again."
Aqeeb Ahmed

"I am dissapointed that the silat is so short. I enjoyed it because it was fun and we learned

how to protect ourselves on the street."
Moegammad ferris

"I liked the silat because it was good for me. I liked it when they taught me how to block when

somebody is kicking you. There is much more things that i like but i like that the most. I

would like to do more silat training because it is exiting and I enjoy it very much."
Shuaib Ferris

"I enjoyed everything that i learned at the silat classes in the morning. It was my first time

doing silat and i had lots of fun. Silat taught me how to defend myself."
Muadth Tofa

"Silat classes showed me many ways to save my life in the streets. It helped me with my

streches. But on top of it all i enjoyed everything in Silat classes"
Ismaeel Tofa

"It was a great experience I really enjoyed it I learnt many new things But one of my

favourites the cradle. I wish it lasted longer." Thank You
Maahier Maloon

"It was insperational, it helped boost my confidence and self esteem. During this course we met

new friends and made peace with others. It taught me respect and honour to our fellow maits and

others. We believe the class should continue becuase it keeps us busy, fit, and active during

the holidayz"
From: Zaheer Boltman & M. Saliegh Kader - The Warrior Gang! ;)

I Extremely enjoyed it. It taught me respectrespect and how to fight. It is just a pity it was

so short." Thank You
Dawood Miller

"Slam.... It was very nice and enjoyable and there was one thing I really did not like was

waking up in the morning"
Ghalieb Dollie

"I really enjoyed silat. I loved the training. It was and honour to be in your class. " by

Ayesha

"I really liked silat. I didn't like sit-ups. I want to do silat again."
Aliya Ahmed

"I really enjoyed silat training it enhanced my abilities and skills and it taught me how to

defend and to take care of myself in tight situations. I would like to carry on with training

next time. "
Muzaffar Ebrahim

"Silat message: I enjoyed doing karate in the holidays. I can do moves that I never thought I

could do. I would like to continue with karate."
Salmaan Khan

"My experience with silate... I found silate very interesting and enriching. I think I have

learnt alot and will be able to defend myself if need be. I felt we have an assertive teacher

who helped us achieve our personal best. My only negative comment is that we as a class were

very disruptive and our teacher found it hard to control us and therefore we lost alot of our

time when our teacher stopped the class to discipline and talk to us. I found this course to be

physically challenging which helped me improve my physical power."
Najma Yusuf

"I enjoyed the Silat course alot. My favourite parts were the kicking and the evading

techniques. One thing that I won't forget is that you can see a persons attitude by looking at

their body language. I also won't forget the breathing exercises. I would come back again,

because I still know there is more for me to learn. It is fun and you're learning discipline

and how to push yourself at the same time."
Zubair Shabodien

"What I like about silat is the streching and the punch and I like the streching becuaes its

easy to do so is the punch. Thank you for teaching me."
Achmad Thomas

"What I like about silat... Silat is hard but fun. You can learn lots of things when you do

silat, like respect you also learn how to defend yourself ect. Silat is something that will

take 3 years to perfect. What I like about silat is that it's lot's of fun and when you get to

try it out on people. what I learnt...respect."
Kulthoom Ferris, Age:9

"I experienced respect and defending. I enjoyed it alot and want abanng to teach at mosque."

"My Personal Silat Experience: This is my personal experience in a 20 day, 40 hrs of silat

program.

Positive remarks: I really enjoyed the silat training. I would like to carry on with silat and

proseed to the red belt ( the highest belt). They helped us through the things that we didnt

understand, in other words - they were very nurturing. Ivé ;earnt alot of different 'ways'and

techniques of silat. the kind of silat that we learnt was called 'pukulan melaka. and I would

like to carry on with it. Our silat teacher told us about a trip to Malaysia for a tournament

in 2013. I really want to go.

Negative remarks: They could have given us longer breaks! And they could have been more

punctual!"
Don't mess with a Pesilat! Use silat wisely. By Zahraa Kaskar

"Siluts are very nice. It's a littil hard but good. I really like it alote. Siluts are youst

for sulf-defents. It's note for black bults and yellow bluts. It's for sulf defents. That maens

to preteked your sulf. The best pote is wen we do haurmute, punching, kicking and bracks. I

prackters with my piers."
Hishaam Ho-kim

"I think silat is ok and fun at the same time. Some technique's and hard and tricky and you are

there to help me thank you for the lovely time. I hope you start a class for the year becaes I

want to come."
Saeed Thomas

"I enjoyed silat very much because it is not only a self defence but also a life skill. A life

skill that teach you to respect other human beings and not to think you are better than the

next human being. You become humble.
The Fatigah is one aspect I will forever practice. When I'm about to patrol at night in my

community, I recite the Fatigah & I can feel the presence of Allah protecting me & the

community.
Yes, I would like to continue with silat and live a life of fulfilling the 5 promises of

silat."
Abduraghiem Latief. Wednesday 4 January 2012/ 9 Saffar 1433.