Southeast Asian Martial Arts - Bando Thaing, Liu Seong Kuntao, Sindo

Bando Thaing

Also known simply as "bando," this martial art is inspired by the bull, eagle, cobra, panther, and monkey, with the characteristics of each animal reflected in its forms or set movements. Key aspects of training include strict discipline, self-development, and self-defense. According to legend, Indian monks brought their martial arts to Southeast Asia; bando thaing originated among martial arts' disciples in Buddhist temples. Indeed, Buddhist thought informs much of the system's philosophy. Bando thaing is governed by the International Bando Association, which was formed in 1946 in memory of those people from Myanmar, China, and India who died during World War II.

Weapons and schools

Practitioners use weapons such as spears, sticks, knives, and swords. They always try to withdraw from the range of their attacking opponent, before reentering, often at a different angle, and delivering a three-tier response. The first response is a block or evasive move followed by sudden attack; the second response is the use of a locking or grappling technique; finally a throw is employed or a weapon is used.

A number of different schools practice various forms of bando across Myanmar. The most common are the Hard and Soft Way School, the Royal Palace School, and the Snake School. The Shan Province School may have more Chinese influences than other schools because the province is close to the Chinese border. Most schools have a belt ranking system. Generally, black-belt status is not reached until students have at least five years' experience.

Liu Seong Kuntao

A hybrid martial art with Chinese and Indonesian influences, liu seong kuntao is sometimes known as "Chinese hand and Indonesian feet." Its founder, Willem A. Reeders, was of mixed Dutch and Chinese heritage. Raised in Indonesia, he trained in a number of martial disciplines. His great-uncle, Liu Seong, taught him the family's kuntao close-range fighting system, but Reeders drew on many local pencak silat systems before developing his own version. Later, he took the art to the US, where it has become popular.

Combining principles of anatomy, psychology, and physics, the system's trademark is the rapid execution of multiple attacks at c quarters. Postures tend to protec most major vital areas and this protection is maintained at all times. This method is known as "closed body" movement. Weapons training is generally reserved for advanced practitioners, and yet it is an integral aspect of the art and is in keeping with Indonesian traditions, which often focus on being "blade-aware."

Fighting techniques

The open-handed aspects and evasive nature of the strikes have been likened to ba gua zhang, a northern Chinese system that evolved around the "bagua" symbol used in the classic Chines text Yi Jing (The Book of Changes) The footwork is Indonesian, favoring mobility and deep, grounded stances.

Sindo

A modern form of pencak silat, Sindo includes a number of self-defense techniques and internal martial-arts' training methods. It was founded by Kak Jimmy Thaibsyah, who trained in the controversial martial art of kateda, which critics have claimed is linked to organized crime and is "cultlike." To date, sindo has been able to avoid similar criticisms and notoriety.