786 Silat Tuo at Yale University

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~ ISFA@Yale Welcomes Bapak Waleed Back to Campus ~

~ Special Training Sessions ~

Bapak Waleed offered special training sessions on Monday and Tuesday, July 2 &3, on campus, upon his return to Yale University after extensive travel abroad in Indonesia. People came from around the country to greet and welcome Bapak back to campus and back to the East Coast. Those attending the sessions came from the local area, from the campus, as well as from elsewhere around the country, including the West and Midwest.

During these sessions, Bapak showed some video footage of his travels, including footage of the Traditional Silat Festival 2007 that was held in Padang, West Sumatra. At the festival, the esteemed officials presiding as well as the Mayor of Padang, West Sumatra, Drs. H. Fauzi Bahar, recognized Bapak Waleed as one of the elders and the pendekars, the traditional teachers of Silat Tuo and Silat Minangkabau. Bapak Waleed narrated the video clips which showed him present with such masters as the honored officials and representatives from IPSI Padang, IPSI West Sumatra, and IPSI Jakarta. Moreover, various officials from the ministries of Tourism and Education offered their support to Bapak Waleed and called for further collaboration with the International Silat Federation of America over the development of more programs to benefit the people of both Indonesia and the United States.

Although receiving such a high honor from the Birthplace of Silat, Bapak remained humble and renewed his intention will all present to keep moving forward and consider the recognition as a responsibility to continue maintaining the authenticity of the teachings and instruction – to carry the responsibility of that Pusaka here in America on behalf of the elders as their duly selected ambassadors. With that, the stepping began. As the sound and the rhythm of the traditional Minangkabau music rang out and the call to the center was made, a whole new energy became present and lit the atmosphere. All the students and spectators felt a sudden transformation as they began to move and learn the proper steps while dressed in traditional attire. Bapak also shared of his time to offer one-on-one instruction with each of the students in turn, introducing them to and guiding them through the various levels of sensitivity training and hand-to-hand exercises.

The students and participants also took some time to look through the many pictures, albums, cultural decorations, and literature that Bapak brought with him from his trip. Through this exposure combined with the sounds of the Gamelan music in the background, Bapak truly provided a ‘taste of Indonesia’ for those present, a glimpse of the first-hand experience of training in the home of the gracious Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. Even students studying nearby took a break from their studies to watch the sessions, and to come and speak in person with Bapak afterward about training possibilities.

Training on both nights continued until well after midnight, much in the manner of normal Silat training in Indonesia. The students, so happy to have Bapak back on campus after many months away, did not want to leave even after more than five hours of training.

On behalf of the International Silat Federation of America at Yale, we Welcome Bapak Waleed back to campus, with our appreciation of his sincerity and his efforts in teaching and our hope for even more to come…

Program Brief Description

Leonardo Stoute "Bapak Waleed", of the International Silat Federation of America, will guide participants in 'silat training' that develop skills for Self-Defense, methods for Self-Awareness, and a means by which to approach Self-Realization.

Bapak Waleed is a world renowned expert in the Sacred Arts of Silat Tuo, which focus on balance, coordination, and consciousness in motion to connect the body, mind, and spirit. While containing self-protection applications, Silat Tuo (and more specifically 'silat training'), concurrently teaches methodologies for healing oneself as well as others, respectively. In fact, healing of the body-mind-spirit, or perhaps better stated: "the balancing and fusion of the body-mind-spirit," is a necessary experience for silat practitioners.

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For info on requesting Bapak Waleed for workshops at your institution or venue please EMAIL US.

Thank you, ISF STAFF.

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