Understanding Silat Fitrah

Silat Fitrah is a principle-based art.

We have two sets of principles. These are:

1. Principles of Movement.

2. Principles of Performance Management.

These are the key principles that, for us, underpin both physical movement and attitude development and management.

As students we train to understand and express these principles through our practice of the syllabus, during impact training, and when engaged in combative partner-work. During our performance of the Tari – the flowing martial dance – various principles are expressed without conscious deliberation.

It is by understanding these principles and exploring different ways to express them, that we learn to combine both the martial and the life art aspects of Silat Fitrah.

Over time our responses to attack, and our movements in the Tari, become ever more instinctive and natural; they become a reflection of who we are – and how we are – right there and then.

Through our practice of the principles, we become consciously disciplined and subconsciously creative. We also learn how the principles can be applied both within and outside the gelanggang in everyday scenarios. – This is why we refer to Silat Fitrah as both a ‘Martial’ and a ‘Life Art’.

Guru Tua Chris Parker