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Thick as Thieves (Blog)
Bob Orlando Sets the Tone As to the form itself, . . . it serves the purpose. It's not outstanding, nor is
it mediocre,
but . . . the interpretation . . . is far and away some of the best demonstrations
of pure Kuntao and Pencak Silat you will find on video today.
Bob Orlando knows his stuff, and is willing to give it to you with no nonsense or
mystical oogah-boogah. This point alone makes him stand out from the typical martial arts
DVD crowd like a circus freak at a child's birthday party,
but where he really shines is the rationale behind the moves.
Bob interlaces his physical demonstrations with a technical lesson that's difficult to ignore.
He points out various possibilities and directions you can take a move, and intelligent discourse
behind his reasoning for doing it the way he does. It's the kind of DVD you continue thinking
about for hours after you turn off the TV. [emphasis added]
There are hundreds of videos on Silat and Kuntao out there, with more coming out every month.
It's easy to spend a lot of money on something that wasn't worth the box it came in. However, if
you are looking for some serious insight into the Indonesian martial arts, Bob Orlando's
"Fighting Footwork of Kuntao and Silat" and "Fighting Forms of Kuntao-Silat" are the
perfect place to start.
Full Review E-mailed Comment
Thank You For Your Videos I purchased your Fighting Arts of Indonesia, Reflex Action and Fighting Forms of Kuntao-Silat videos and I must say these videos are real gems. I've been involved in Martial Arts since 8 years of age and am now 61 – I've studied Judo, Shotokan, Taijiquan, Xingyiquan and earned Shodan rank in American Kenpo, and your videos are so refreshing I felt I should tell you. Thanks a million, Kevin ReviewStream.com
The world of martial arts has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Decades ago, forms training were the main way students practiced their art. This practice has fallen by the wayside since many money martial arts disapprove of the method. Those that are fortunate enough to view a copy of Bob Orlando — The Fighting Forms of Kuntao Silat may walk away from the experience with a renewed interest in forms training. Kuntao Silat is a traditional self-defense art of Malaysia and Indonesia. Bob Orlando is a USA based martial artist and Kuntao Silat expert that has released a number of excellent videos on the subject. With this "Fighting Forms" video, he demonstrates a rather lengthy form and then breaks it down into its practical application components. Far too many DVDs that deal with classical forms training only cover the movements as seen in the forms. On Orlando's DVD, we are shown the meanings behind the forms as well as self-defense applications. These self-defense applications are simple, basic, practical, and easy to train. While that may not sound like a spectacular description of the material, it is a description of a straight forward methodology that is easy to become proficient with. And is that not what most martial artists would prefer? Bob Orlando is also quite laid back and humorous and his lighthearted approach makes watching
the DVD a lot of fun. For those looking to learn about the art of Kuntao Silat, this DVD is
definitely worth the price of admission. Amazon.com, Customer Reviews:
As all the videos presented by Bob Orlando, this video is also superbly produced with very clear
presentation verbally and visually. I highly recommend this video to any person interested in
enhancing their knowledge and training on close fighting. Very Practical Approach
Mr. Orlando is top notch and has a very practical approach to the djurus and their application which is a plus in the urban western setting. I have seen a lot of silat techniques that would not be suitable in the concrete northern jungle because of the terrain. But Mr. Orlando presents a very good package that would compliment any style or setting especially his lower limb destructions. Good video as always. Amazon.com, Customer Reviews:
One other very good performance from Mr. Bob. The description is very good and the datails are there! Your combat skill will have one very
interesting boost here!
Amazon.com, Customer Reviews:
Another great DVD Up there with Remy Presas of Modern Arnis and Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming of YMAA, who teaches
Chin Na, Shaolin White Crane and Tai Chi, Bob Orlando's videos land in my favorite group
as far as Martial Arts video training is concerned. I have seen many videos concerning
many arts such as Kali/Escrima/Arnis, Silat, Hapkido, Krav Maga, Chin Na and Tai Chi Chuan and
many others. There are few out there that can convey their art into video form with limited
time. Bob Orlando's best asset is his ability to capture the art of Silat and teach it
in a common sense form that's easily digestable. This is certainly a recommended DVD for
the new Silat student. ReviewStream.com
The world of martial arts has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Decades ago, forms training were the main way students practiced their art. This practice has fallen by the wayside since many money martial arts disapprove of the method. Those that are fortunate enough to view a copy of Bob Orlando's The Fighting Forms of Kuntao-Silat may walk away from the experience with a renewed interest in forms training. Kuntao Silat is a traditional self-defense art of Malaysia and Indonesia. Bob Orlando is a USA-based martial artist and Kuntao-Silat expert that has released a number of excellent videos on the subject. With this "Fighting Forms" video, he demonstrates a rather lengthy form and then breaks it down into its practical application components. Far too many DVDs that deal with classical forms training only cover the movements as seen in the forms. On Orlando's DVD, we are shown the meanings behind the forms as well as self-defense applications. These self-defense applications are simple, basic, practical, and easy to train. While that may not sound like a spectacular description of the material, it is a description of a straight forward methodology that is easy to become proficient with. And is that not what most martial artists would prefer? Bob Orlando is also quite laid back and humorous and his lighthearted approach makes watching the DVD a lot of fun. For those looking to learn about the art of Kuntao Silat, this DVD is definitely worth the price of admission. Rating: 10 Amazon.com, Customer Reviews:
I LOVE THIS VIDEO SET!
Obviously, for those who have trained with Mr. Orlando in person, they get the best
of both worlds. Hands-on training with Mr. Orlando is absolutely the way to go and
the videos are great as an addition to their training and for reference. However,
if you have not been able to train with Mr. Orlando in person, this is definitely the
next best choice. These videos are worth their weight in gold. Tristan Sutrisno
I consider Bob one of the best Kuntau-silat players and a good friend.
I am familiar with Enam Matjan, an excellent form and very thoughtful and smart/wise applications.
Joanna Zorya
In his latest double DVD "The Fighting Forms of Kuntao-Silat", Bob Orlando creatively examines
two of the major forms of his school. What is there here for those of us who don't practice
these forms or train in his school? A lot.
A Silat Brother in Europe
The DVDs are GREAT! The DVDs are GREAT! GREAT material, fantastic breakdown and explanations, excellent production. Absolutely the best material I have ever seen on any MA! And I really like the workbook. Both forms are great. I have watched the video this weekend four times and with each viewing I see something new. I can honestly say that everything I have learned so far in our style of silat is clearly present in your forms: Djurus, Langkah, Garisan, Gayongs and the Sambuts. Putar Kepala, Kenjit, Angkat, Beset--they are all there. What is important to me is how they have opened my eyes to whole new dimensions in our system's techniques. I especially like your breakdown on the Putar Kepala family. Yesterday I have started to learn the Elbow Exercise, just to get the feeling. I practiced
the salutation for almost an hour and I really enjoy it. Thank you so much. Francesco Cotti
I have purchased, along these years, all Bob Orlando's Paladin Press videos,
but I must say that the latest, Fighting Forms of Kuntao-Silat, is the best,
most informative video I have ever seen for describing a form to a Western
martial artist. Great production, excellent storyboard and very, very clear to understand.
Thank you for creating such an instructional video. From www.malayarts.net: Forum
Bob, I must say that I fully disagree with you, you are very good at your forms. People must realize that there is no one way of teaching these arts. Just because one teaches Jurus and the other teaching forms doesn't mean one of these teachers are wrong. This just means they teach their art differently. You make some very good points in this DVD series. I like the point you made about relaxing and not keeping your body stiff. One great point you made is that most street hoods don't get into a right lead. They get in a left lead and the importance of practicing against the left lead. Your forms will give the Kuntao/Silat practitioner a very good understanding of blocking, striking, and evasion and the forms possible combat application. As you have always said, what is in your DVD is only a few of many different applications of these forms. I feel by stressing this gives the person buying your DVD an endless amount of discovery and techniques to practice. I found that this DVD and booklet series will help people of many systems have a better understanding of combat. Well done Bob, you're a great teacher and I really enjoy your DVDs. Guru James Hogue Deb Field
No one has ever accused me of being the forms or kata queen and there is good reason for that, because I'm not. I have never particularly liked doing forms and I'm also not particularly good at them because I am fundamentally a fighter. So when I look at forms, I examine them for practical techniques and movement that I can use in a real fight. I also look for forms that are esthetically pleasing to watch. Bob Orlando's kuntao-silat form, Enam Matjan, is beautiful and combat applicable [emphasis added]. Enam Matjan means "Tiger Six" in English. Bob approaches the form with his usual precision and elegance. The form is performed several times in its entirety, then broken down into several short series, and then combat applications are demonstrated for each series. This two-DVD set is fun and there's plenty of extra information throughout. This is Bob's best DVD to date. He is relaxed and practiced, and his Bob-isms add flavor throughout. The Paladin Press first-rate editors have done an excellent job showing techniques and movement from several camera angles so there is no question what each technique looks like. Everything about this 3-hour DVD set is well done and has some really great extras included. The first is a lovely, practical little elbow exercise created by George Morin and broken down by Bob for your combat pleasure. The second and third extras are Enam Matjan and the elbow exercise demonstrated with Bob's amazing stick figures included in a workbook! You have to see these stick guys to believe what a great addition they are! I won't tell you what the fourth extra is, but watch the DVDs all the way to the end, it's worth it. |
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Aug. 6, 2016 by Bob Orlando |