System

At the Academy of Chinese- Indonesian Fighting Arts, there are two martial arts that are taught, Chuan Fa and Silat. These martial arts comprise a system of self-defense that Willem Reeders (Liu, Siong) taught and shared with his students.  Willem Reeder’s also taught a number of different Chinese and Indonesian Martial Arts. 

Chuan Fa is derived from Shaolin Chuan. The word, Chuan Fa refers to the Chinese martial arts and is much like the word, Karate is used for the Japanese and Okinawan martial arts. Chuan Fa is a Mandarin word meaning “Fist or Fighting Principles.” It means much the same as the American usage of the term “Gung Fu”, which literally means hard work or great skill and is a description of how one practices the Chinese martial arts. Chuan Fa practiced in this system encompasses much of the external (hard) Gung Fu training. Students learn how to root and lock their body to develop a strong foundation in which to execute their techniques effectively. In this system it is referred to developing the square. Lateral (side to side) movements are used to evade and counter an attacker’s techniques. The Chuan Fa of this system is a combination of the five animals (Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Crane, and Dragon) and a number of Southern Gung Fu systems (Lau/Liu Gar, Hung Gar, and Lohan Chuan). The Chinese weapons learned at the Academy are the staff/spear, the sword (Broad, Butterfly, and Double Edge Straight swords), and the Titjiu (Sai). The training in advanced techniques and internal Chi development is begun by hard Chigung exercise called Tai Soo (tension) breathing. Also a student begins work in Fa Jing. Fa Jing is striking with extreme force and is the expression power through the techniques while striking. Students will begin training in the five elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, and Wood) with various training exercises.

Silat is a word for the indigenous fighting arts of the Southeast Asian Archipelago of Indonesia and Malaysia. It is often referred to as Penjak Silat (Indonesia) and Bersilat (Malaysia). This system utilizes a number of Silat systems that Grandmaster Reeders had learned while living in Indonesia. Primarily, the Silat that is taught is a combination of Pukulan Cimande and Tjikulang. It develops the use of the triangle and angular movements for evasion and attacking an opponent. The movements of Sepok and Depok are employed in techniques for close fighting. The Indonesian weapons that are taught are the knife (Pisau), stick, and machete (Golok or Parang).

Students at the Academy, begin instruction with learning basic blocks and strikes then move on to double blocking and simultaneous blocking and striking, and evasive movements. As a student progresses they learn shielding and whip striking and blocking. Beginning students develop the use of the “square” and finding their “root”. From there, students move into the “triangle” and begin work in angular movements off of an opponents attack. Chin na (seize and control) is learned and well as throwing techniques. At advanced rank, students begin internal work and move into the female system (circle). They start to develop Fa Jing and train to develop the use of Chi energy. The system is based on natural movements of the body and promotes good internal and external health. It is a system that is agreeable on the body and can be done through out ones whole life, young to old. It provides good physical exercise and excellent self-defense skills. The system also helps to develop mental and spiritual discipline.

Kuntao was taught to only a selected few of Grandmaster Reeders' students and his family art.  Though Kuntao is a word that describes Chinese martial arts in Southeastern Asia, in Liu Seong Gung Fu it is something much more.  It is a deadly fighting system that is rarely used and seldom shown.  The Kuntao is closed door system that is not taught openly and is not taught at ACIFA.