Journey through Pencak Silat: Treatise on Pukulan Pentjak Silat Sera, the western version of the ancient Indonesian martial art

"What is the purpose of practicing martial arts?" "What are the reasons that may motivate a person to practice Pencak Silat?" These are just some of the questions that a mindful practitioner should ask himself, going beyond everything related to the physical aspect of martial arts. It is necessary to understand what our opponents really represent and why we should fight them, to give a reason for the confrontations, especially the inner ones. Focusing on the Sundanese (West Java) style of Sera, the book not only provides a general introduction to the fighting systems of the archipelago, but also documents several Sundanese styles and schools and offers an in-depth zoom on variants that have developed more or less independently in the West, the Netherlands, the United States and Italy. Based on more than 40 years of practice, numerous interviews and patient observations, the author provides a comprehensive approach of the technical and conceptual aspects of the practices. The author also teaches martial arts, giving seminars in Italy and in various parts of the world.Based on his long and intensive experience, he shares in this volume his reflections on the philosophical and humanistic dimensions inherent in martial practice as a way of life.