Pencak Silat has been described as one of the most dangerous and deadliest tradional Martial Art Systems of the Indonesian Archipelago.
like for so many other Eastern martial arts, the origin of this martial art is surrounded by legends.
This can probably be found in the first prehistoric people, who came as immigrants to Indonesia.
Spread over more than 13,000 islands of Indonesia there are approximately 150 different traditional Pencak Silat styles.
Each of these styles has its own traditions and identity, which are caused by social and geographical influences.

The style practiced by our school, the "Setia Hati Terate", originally comes from East Java.
"Setia" means "faith", "Hati" means "heart".
Both words are connected to the word "Terate".
The "Terate" is the name of a particular flower, that both can live with and without water (this under long-term difficult conditions).

This flower is also a symbol of perseverance and persistence.

The name "Setia Hati Terate" thus betraying the philosophy behind this system.

The use of traditional kendangmusic, combined with graceful movements, makes it understandable that Pencak Silat often mistaken as a dance form.
The effectiveness is clear when the movements turn into little full-controlled quick punches and hard kicks.
Pencak Silat therefore consists of two parts:

• Pencak: graceful controlled movements  and smooth body control.

• Silat:     lightning-fast movements, based on hardness intended for defense, neutralization and counterattack.

A well-trained Pencak Silat practitioner will never attack, but waits patiently and controlled until his can use and perform his techniques.
Pencak Silat, performed against an aggressor / enemy, leaves no doubt that it is a fully art of self-defense.
During the training at our school, students will learn to fully control the body and the mind.
During the training process, power, confidence, resilience, endurance and flexibility will be developed as well as a number of skills such as balance, posture, movement, orientation and speed.
Meditation contributes to both the physical and mental development, which are closely linked.

In a later stage, some special ingredients are added to the training, such as learning to handle traditional Pencakweapons, such as:

• long and short stick (tongkat)

• knife (pisau)

• machete (golok)

• trident (tjabang)

• sickle (celurit) etc.