CAS up your life.

17 December 2012 

Today, I began my Silat lesson together with my friends. The place is located in Surya Kencana in Bogor. We started off by making a circle in the center of the room and do an opening salutation for each other. This is meant to show respect towards each members in the PGB family. Then, we started by doing basic exercises to prevent ourselves from injuries. Then, we learned several techniques such as "Pa Hong", "Kuda Bergeser", and "Sekuntum Bunga". This are a few of the short walks for the white belt. Since this is the first time I do Silat, I have difficulties in doing the right movements. Though I am sure that with persistence, I will be able to do the movements smoothly. 

21 January 2013 

Today, we mainly practiced "Garuda Bergulir". This movement requires one to role to the sideways while using our hands to protect the chest. We had to do this movement several times until we are able to roll in a straight direction. It is difficult because when I move, I tend to move forward and not sideways. I am more aware of the flexibility of my movement that I need to improve on because I have not been doing much sports lately. hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello 

4 February 2013 

Today, we were given an additional movement which is "Menggeser Bambu". This technique requires one to use arms as a defending position. I tried to swing my arm in accordance to the movement shown by Ibu Heti, and I was able to do it correctly. The more power put when I swing my arm, the better the movement will be because it enables me to protect myself. hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello 

18 February 2013 

We are done with learning the movements for the white belt level. So today we reviewed all the movements and try to memorize the names of the movements. We are preparing ourselves for the exam. hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello 

18 March 2013 

Other than the short walks, Ibu Heti also gave us wind sequences. This movement is specifically for women to control our flexible actions and appreciate our body with the nature. Through the movements, I learned to appreciate the nature by impersonating them through the movements. It is not exactly used for defense, but rather the slow movement triggers myself to be patient and calm, which relaxes my thoughts from negative things.

8 April 2013 

The examination date is getting closer. This makes me a little nervous as this will be my first time joining the exam to gain the next belt for the next level. We carefully reviewed all the movements. Although some of the movements was not perfect yet for me to do, but Ibu Heti said it is okay. The examiner is looking for courage in doing the movements rather than the perfection of the movements. 

 14 January 2013 

Today, we continued to do our basic trainings. We reviewed techniques like "Pa Hong", "Kuda Bergeser", and "Sekuntum Bunga". We were also given another technique called "Garuda Bergulir" where we had to role to the sides in a sitting position. This technique helps us to defend ourselves when we fall against our opponent. I need to memorize all the names so when the teacher commands us the names, I am able to do the movements. hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello 

28 January 2013 

Today, we learned more movements, which are, "Kelabang Berbalik" and "Gunung Bergeser". These are the two most difficult movements because it requires strong techniques. Without the correct technique, we would likely to hurt ourselves. "Kelabang Berbalik" requires one to roll backwards with hands close to the ears. "Gunung Bergeser" requires one to fall backwards whilst sliding one's foot forward and let one's hands to spread to the sides to prevent the body from falling directly to the ground. I really need to practice these two movements because I still cannot roll backwards and I am afraid to fall directly backwards. This will be a challenge for me before the examination.

13 February 2013 

One of the movement that I struggle the most is "Kelabang Berbalik", where one has to roll backwards by swinging the legs above the head. I have a difficulty in rolling backwards because I do not have enough power from the swinging of the legs. I kept on trying and practicing for one session, which at the end I was able to successfully roll backwards without help. I challenged myself so that I can do it in a session, and I was able to do it through determination. Though, I will still keep practicing to prepare myself for the exam. 

25 February 2013 

Today we continued to review and practice all the movements for the exam. There was also three other movements for the examination where Ibu Heti forgot to tell us earlier. We were challenged to remember this movement as soon as possible before the examination. The movement requires a partner (Pinia and I) to repeat a set of drills. We did punching and blocking, kicking and blocking, and arm swinging and blocking. This movement enables us to learn the feelings of our partner and ourself.

1 April 2013 

We practiced movements for the examination. We took turns to say the names of the movements and act it out. This enables us in preparation for the exam setting, because the examiner will call out the name of the movements and we have to act that movement out without any hesitation. hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello 

15 April 2013 

As we are closer to the exam date, we tried to review all the movements we have learned. From all the sessions, I have learned many skills to defend myself when being attacked. I understood better that this martial art is not about violence, but it leads a person more to finding harmony through the movements because the movements are done help to build clear thoughts, just like doing meditation.