American KunTao Silat is a personal martial lifestyle. As such, each practitioner must individualize their training. In furtherance of this goal, Sigung Steve instituted the Practice Leader Program.
The core concept is based upon the fact that teaching is the best way to learn. Because others are observing, the teacher is internally compelled to excel and to always display the best of their performance, honor and morality.
A practice leader can begin the journey at any point in their training. Sigung Steve always advised students to begin practice within their family, particularly with the children. Those desiring to take a more pro-active approach to the PracticeLeader status are encouraged to contact me and provide information whereby local people can make contact with you in order to join your practice group.
There are NO minimal educational requisites for PracticeLeaders. PracticeLeaders must be enrolled in the Distance Learning Program, that’s it. In theory, the PracticeLeader will stay at least one step ahead of the practice group.
There are some dos:
1. Open your training sessions to the public
2. Adhere your public training curriculum to that provided in the DLP DVDs
3. Treat all who come with respect and honor them as your equal
1. Open your training sessions to the public
2. Adhere your public training curriculum to that provided in the DLP DVDs
3. Treat all who come with respect and honor them as your equal
There are some don’ts:
1. Do not abuse your training partners
2. Do not denigrate your training partner’s skill or previous style or system
3. Do not copy DVDs for your training partners
1. Do not abuse your training partners
2. Do not denigrate your training partner’s skill or previous style or system
3. Do not copy DVDs for your training partners
On the topic of training DVDs; as a registered AKTS member, you receive a 30% discount on all your DVD orders. Please order DVDs directly from www.thunderrockmedia.com and provide them to your training partners at the retail, or sale, price and keep the 30% for yourself, in order to off-set your own training expenses.
On the topic of abusing training partners; most styles and systems do not engage in the level of physical contact you will find in American KunTao Silat. It generally takes a while for people to become accustomed to the impact of the blocks and strikes incorporated in the AKTS system. What may not seem abuse to you may be considered so by new-comers, so Sigung Steve always admonished those teaching his system to be “gentle” with their training partners.
On the topic of adhering to the program; most of the people attracted to AKTS are long-time practitioners of other systems or styles. Every style and system has its strong points and value. AKTS is unique in many ways and it takes a concerted effort on the part of the practitioner to make AKTS their “first nature.” Therefore, during the public training sessions it is critical to focus on AKTS and nothing else in order to minimize confusion and maximize the training and teaching time.
Teachers and PracticeLeaders have their Forums at www.americankuntaosilat.org/Chat where your questions, answers and observations can be posted where only other teachers can read and respond to.
There is a blog at: www.americankuntaosilat.org/blog where a lot of information will be available.
Your DLP discount for DVDs requires that you register at: www.thunderrockmedia.com and send me an email to make sure that I designate you as a DLP student, if you don’t get one from me before making any purchases.
Questions regarding becoming a PracticeLeader can be posted on the general forum at the same place. There are others who have questions about making that leap, so that is part of the general AKTS discussion.
Thank you for your interest in American KunTao Silat. Please email me with any questions or comments you may have; or simply join the forum and get involved with others pursuing the same journey.
Peace,
Art Kidwell, Guru Muda
art at kuntaosilat dot com
Art Kidwell, Guru Muda
art at kuntaosilat dot com