Review : Baringin Sakti Pencak Silat Harimau

In 1955, at the Asia Africa meeting there was a demonstration of silat at Kartika Bahari building in Bandung. After the ceremony there was a meeting between Mr. Nasution and 3 other silat teachers (pendekar) from Minang : * Mr. H. Abu Zahar, * Mr. Umar Makthub, * Mr. Lebe Malin Sutan. These 3 pendekar promised to build an Silat school and they chose the name : Baringin Sakti that specialize in Silat Minang. They chose the name Baringin Sakti, because in the center of the city Padang, grew a big and strong Baringin tree for hundreds of years.  Baringin Sakti incorporated many styles of Silat from Minang. * Harimau Style : Harimau is defined as "tiger" in Indonesia. The Harimau exponent, on the ground, tigerlike, has five foundations-his two feet, two hands, and his back which can be an advantage against his opponent who only has 2 feet for standing. In executing the ground tactics, the Harimau fighter find his legs most important. Postures, body movement, attack and defense tactics, all depend on strong and flexible legs. The Harimau fighter possessed of exceptional developed legs. This style is deceptive and many an upright attacker is surprised by quick defeat. The ground-hugging Harimau fighter is evasive and clever. The speed and power of his legs and feet can demolish an ordinary upright defense. * Kumango Style : Silat Kumango originated from Kumango, a village (we, in Minangkabau call the term of village Nagari) situated in Tanah Datar Regency whose capital city is Batusangkar, in Sumatera Barat, Indonesia. Nagari Kumango is located around 8 (eight) kilometres from Batusangkar. It is composed of characteristically Minangkabau footwork which puts the operator close in on the enemy so that seizure can be followed by striking and/or throwing attacks. Soft, flexible action typifies the Kumango tactics. Kumango fighter can escape from almost any imposed situation of holds, joint-locks, or choking attacks. He uses an evasive "giving in," but immediately redirects the situation to his advantage. Blocking and parrying is directed against the outside of the enemy's arms to turn him against his free arm and limit its counterattack usage.
* Lintau Style : Lintau style is similar to the Kumango style and is original to the Bukititnggi-Pajakumbuh areas. This system also focus in joint-locking techniques. It is also known for hard foot-stamping actions and thigh-slapping. In Special Harimau, fighters use the Lintau rolling motion to initiate attacks when the opponent is at a great distance away. The rolling motion generates great speed to close in on the opponent. This would leave the opponent surprised and unable to counter. * Pauh Style : Pauh Style consists of stepping movements in advance and retreating motions. This art also signifies thigh-slapping. Also known for its stepping on the opponents foot. Fighters main objective is to hit their enemy's center line on the body.

Pak Guru Eric Kruk has been doing Indonesian Pencak Silat for more than 16 years. Some of the styles he has trained in are Mande Muda and Harimau. Guru Kruk has lived and trained in Indonesia over the course of the past 13 years and is currently the Head Representative of Baringin Sakti USA. The system that is taught at this time in the USA is called Harimau Minangkabau. Harimau Minangkabau can be used for street fighting purposes and consists of extensive leg conditioning, power kicking to the lower body, open palm strikes, and quick body movement for effective ground fighting.

In 1994, Eric Kruk started his beginning of Pencak Silat. First training with Sifu Paul Marrero in Mande Muda for 6 years. During this time training with the late Pendekar Herman Suwanda during several seminars and a first trip to Indonesia in 1997. Starting in 1999 , while living in Indonesia, Guru Eric Kruk started his training under Grandmaster Edward Lebe of Baringin Sakti Pencak Silat Harimau Minangkabau. Grandmaster Lebe was the senior student of Grandmaster Abu Zahar, and succeeded him as the head of Baringin Sakti Pencak Silat Harimau Minangkabau. After returning from Indonesia, Guru Eric Kruk was appointed Head Representative Of Baringin Sakti Pencak Silat Harimau Minangkabau for the USA under Grandmaster Edward Lebe from 1999-2007.

Guru Eric Kruk has since started a new organization, Baringin Sakti Pencak Silat USA Harimau Minangkabau, and is currently teaching to a small group in Anthem, Arizona. He often does seminars across the USA and in Europe, promoting Pencak Silat and Indonesian culture, and often travels with students to Indonesia for training and cultural experiences. He has also trained a unit of Indonesian Special Forces (Kopassus). Baringin Sakti Pencak Silat USA Harimau Minangkabau under Guru Eric Kruk, is taught for combative purposes and for self-defense. Training consist of groundfighting, palm strikes, kicks, knees, sweeps, and intense conditioning.

Website : http://www.baringinsakti-silat.com