Lanka Silat
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What is Lanka Silat?
Lanka Silat is one of the ancient warrior dance sequences from the Philippines. These combat dance exercise is very common in the Mindanao Region of Southern Philippines as well as its southeast Asian neighbors. These movements commonly represent the distinct bravery of the Filipino people. Lanka Silat is one of the exercises performed by warriors when preparing for battle. The southern Filipino warriors are well known for their proficiency in battle especially when engaging in bladed weaponry.
This ritual is traditionally executed with warriors dressed in colorful attire depending on their region and accompanied by the beating of the gong. There are different versions of this warrior ritual. It can be performed as a solo sequence, or as a mock combat dance where performers brandish head axes and spears together with the clashing of blades. A bigger crowd dancing also shows a duel or combat of two warriors who later joins them. In this dance, the hide and seek movements which follow the rhythm of the gong keeps the participants safe from their blades while executing the lethal attacks to their opponents.
What are the benefits of practicing Lanka Silat?
The proper execution of Lanka Silat exercises the body to be fit and limber, tones the muscles to become powerful, revives the spirit to be stronger, makes the mind sharp, active and agile, and generally prepares the warrior for battle. The body movements are carefully coordinated, and refined through the generations with the sole purpose of preparing the human body for war.
Contrary to most mystical theories, Lanka Silat is based on eastern science. There are distinct breathing and meditation exercises that are very easy to learn, and once acquired can be very useful to the practitioner.
Lanka Silat Today
People practicing Lanka Silat continue to grow in number nowadays. People are slowly starting to discover the benefits of learning this once secretly guarded warrior art. Present practitioners have discovered that practicing the dance that prepares warrior for battle actually helps keep them stronger, more fit, balanced, and ready to face their everyday duels. Just like well known wellness systems, it tones the muscles, improves blood circulation, and prevents high blood pressure. And as an added punch to it, Lanka Silat also mentally prepares the practitioner for martial arts training. Each Lanka Silat forms, or “anyo” is carefully analyzed and can be converted to lethal energy movements that can be used as martial arts, wherein the practitioner is able to defeat larger, more powerful opponents, with minimal effort.
