Sistem Senaman Tua

SEMBAH SALAM

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Terima kasih atas inspirasi ayahanda, Abdul Ghanie bin Abu Bakar, doa bonda, Rogayah binti Jaafar, doa dan sokongan keluarga - Hashidah (isteri) dan anak-anak, Az Muhammad Noor Iman Syaifuddin, Az Aisya Noor Athia Asyikin, Az Muhammad Noor Danial dan Az Muhammad Noor Airil Jumat.

Juga kepada keluarga, kekanda Dato’ Dr. Azman Zaini dan adinda, Aznie Dean Kamil.

Tidak ketinggalan kepada pengamal Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9 (dalam dan luar negara), pengamal Senaman Tua dan guru-guru beladiri yang sentiasa memberi sokongan. Terima kasih juga kepada Glenn du Long, guru Rob Brandt dan guru Nigel Sutton.

Yang turut menyunting buku ini - Kamal Hisham Mat Amin, Aini Mohd Yusoff, Mohd Nadzrin Wahab, Muhammed Hafiz Abdullah, Siti Khadijah Dahlan dan Ahmad Fuad Hamdan.

Buku ini mengenai senaman Melayu yang diberikan nama Senaman Tua. Ia juga mengenai pendedahan ilmu Melayu yang sewajarnya dikaji-selidik.

Azlan Ghanie tidak hebat, malah tidak tahu jawapan sebenar jika kecederaan dan penyakit pengamal senaman ini sembuh. Sebagai penganut agama Islam, penulis berpegang bahawa semuanya daripada Allah SWT. Buku ini hanya mendedahkan pengalaman penulis.

AZLAN GHANIE

Sembah Salam

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

My heartfelt thanks goes out to my greatest inspiration, my father, Abdul Ghanie bin Abu Bakar, to my beloved mother, Rogayah binti Jaafar, for her constant prayers, and my family for their prayers and support - Hashidah (my wife) and my children, Az Muhammad Noor Iman Syaifuddin, Az Aisya Noor Athia Asyikin, Az Muhammad Noor Danial and Az Muhammad Noor Airil Jumat.

The same goes out to my brothers, Dato’ Dr. Azman Zaini and Aznie Dean Kamil.

To the practitioners of Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9 (within Malaysia and internationally) and the martial arts masters who have always supported me. Thanks also to Glenn du Long, guru Rob Brandt and guru Nigel Sutton.

My appreciation goes out as well to those who helped to edit this book including Kamal Hisham Mat Amin, Aini Mohd Yusoff, Mohd Nadzrin Wahab, Muhammed Hafiz Abdullah, Siti Khadijah Dahlan and Ahmad Fuad Hamdan.

This book is about a Malay traditional exercise system called Senaman Tua. It reveals the ancient wisdoms of the Malay culture, a precious heritage that should be properly researched and developed.

I am only human and far from being extraordinary. When practitioners of this system are cured of their injuries or illnesses, I have no answers to satisfy the questioning mind. As a Muslim, it is my staunch belief that it is Allah SWT who heals, and that everything is from Him. This humble offering, then, is only a record of my experiences.

PENGENALAN

Senaman Tua diasaskan Azlan Ghanie (nama penuh Azlan Jumat bin Abdul Ghanie).

Beliau menamakannya Senaman Tua atau dipanggil “ST “ di kalangan pengamal senaman Melayu, kerana ‘senaman’ ditafsir sebagai latihan pergerakan fizikal dan ‘tua’ diambil daripada terjemahan ‘orang-orang tua’ yang bermaksud sudah berusia.

Kerana ia sudah berusia, maka penyampaiannya mengikut adat guru Melayu iaitu berpetua, berasa dan berahsia.

ST adalah inspirasi daripada didikan ayahanda Azlan Ghanie yang berketurunan Raja Melayu Sarawak berdarah Merpati Jepang (Abdul Ghanie bin Abu Bakar bin Abang Salleh bin Datu Patinggi Borhassan) dan digandingkan dengan silat istana atau daripada pahlawan Pahang keturunan bondanya, Rogayah Jaafar yang berdarah Bugis (Rogayah binti Jaafar bin Endut bin Awang Tatah). Endut telah menyatukan pendekar-pendekar (guru silat luar istana) Pahang dan turut menghidupkan silat di Gong Kapas, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, sekitar tahun 1930-an hingga 1940-an manakala anaknya Jaafar dipercayai diamanahkan mengajar kerabat Raja Melayu di Kampung Gajah, Perak dan sekitar Johor sekitar tahun 40-an.

Introduction

Senaman Tua is founded by Azlan Ghanie (full name Azlan Jumat bin Abdul Ghanie). He named this exercise system Senaman Tua and is popularly known by its acronym ‘ST’ among its practitioners. The word ‘Senaman’ is interpreted as physical movement whereas ‘Tua’ is translated as ancient since it is inherited from the people of olden days. Even though this system is ancient, the Malay gurus or masters have adapted the teachings of ST accordingly.

ST was inspired by the teachings of Azlan’s father, Abdul Ghanie, who originated from the Malay royal family of Merpati Jepang from Sarawak (Abdul Ghanie bin Abu Bakar bin Abang Salleh bin Datu Patinggi Borhassan). His family is also connected to the silat family of his mother’s Bugis ancestors (Rogayah binti Jaafar, Jaafar bin Endut bin Awang Tatah). Incidentally, Endut was the person who had united all the silat gurus from Pahang and had also revived silat at Gong Kapas, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, during the 1930s and 1940s. His son, Jaafar, had taught silat to the Malay royal family in Kampung Gajah, Perak and Johore in the 1940s.

SEJARAH SENAMAN TUA

Dalam kelas ST, senaman bermula dengan ‘bangkit diri’ rohani dan jasmani. Ia berpaut pada sejarah awal Azlan Ghanie yang mengalami lemah fizikal (kerana lahir tidak cukup bulan) ketika dilahirkan.

Ayahanda beliau telah mula mendidik semangat dan kekuatan kepadanya untuk berdiri ketika beliau masih berusia tiga tahun.

Menurut bondanya, Azlan Ghanie mudah jatuh bila berdiri dan kerana lasak tidur, sering terjatuh katil. Sejak usianya tiga tahun lagi, ayahandanya mahukan Azlan Ghanie bangun sendiri jika terjatuh.

Kerana itu, ST mula dengan berdiri dengan berbadan tegap, senyum dan bernafas (bermula dengan kaedah Nafas Melayu), dan senaman fizikal bermula dari tapak kaki.

Konsep senaman yang bermula dari bawah ini juga adalah atas nasihat teman-teman wanita bonda Azlan Ghanie yang sering berkunjung ke rumahnya di Pekan, Pahang. Ia mengikut adat Melayu bersiram (mandi) iaitu bermula menjirus kaki dahulu.

Sehubungan itu, pergerakan tapak kaki dilakukan sebagai senaman mula dan ia bernama Tapak 9.

History

During ST classes, the exercises start with the raising of one’s spiritual and physical well being. This is based on Azlan Ghanie’s history as a youth with a weak physical condition due to being born prematurely. When he was three years old, his father gave him due encouragement to be positive and strong to enable him to stand properly. Due to his frail condition, he would easily fall over whenever he stood up and frequently fell from his bed at night. Whenever he fell, while trying to stand up upright, his father encouraged him to get up on his own, without anyone’s help.

This is why ST begins with the upright standing posture with a sturdy body and a smile before beginning with proper breathing (using the Nafas Melayu technique), and the physical exercises begin from the soles of your feet.

The concept of ‘beginning from your feet’ in ST comes from the advice of his mother’s friends who often stopped by his home in Pekan, Pahang. According to Malay culture, one has to pour cold water on one’s feet first before proceeding to bathe the other parts of the body. With that, the first ST exercise begins with the soles of your feet, and this exercise is called Tapak 9.


SENDI & ASAS SENAMAN TUA

ST berunsur atau bersendi kepada asas orang Melayu berdiri, duduk, baring dan bergerak.

Semua pergerakan itu bercerita seperti seorang pahlawan Melayu berpakaian lengkap. Pakaian yang dipakai dan senjata keris yang digenggam, semuanya mencerita atau memberitahu niat dan matlamat.

Contohnya, jika berdiri, badan dibangkit tegap supaya lelaki nampak tampannya, segak dengan pakaiannya dan sajak meluah (sempurnakan) pergerakannya.

Sehubungan itu, identiti orang Melayu atau orang istana jika berdiri sewajarnya tegap untuk menampakkan segak dan sajak. Ia juga sikap hormat pada majlis.

Dalam senaman duduk, ia bermula dengan bersila dan kemudian boleh dipelbagai dengan posisi bersimpuh, bertenteng, bercangkung, berlunjur dan sebagainya. Ia mengikut tenaga pengajar ST ketika itu.

Duduk menghadap komputer atau duduk terlalu lama kerana tekun bekerja boleh menjadi penyebab kepada sakit belakang. Orang Melayu dulu juga mengalami sedemikian jika bersila lama. Apatah lagi, adat dalam majlis tidak boleh duduk bersandar ketika bersila.

Penulis dalam merawat sakit pinggang melalui kaedah duduk bersila atau duduk atas kerusi, mengambil petua ‘temu sendi’ dan sentuh siku dengan lutut menjadi pilihan. Ia bukan sahaja dapat meredakan sakit pinggang malah menguatkan bahagian itu serta membakar lemak di bahagian perut.

Dalam konsep beladiri, duduk bersila boleh juga mengawal serangan empat penjuru (depan, belakang, kiri dan kanan) dengan pergerakan yang minima. Ada pergerakan dipanggil ‘tendang anak rimau’. Ada juga dipanggil ‘permainan buah golek’.

Sesudah senaman duduk, diikuti dengan baring dan posisi menelentang sebagai latihan mula.

Bila jaga daripada tidur, sebaik-baiknya ambillah nafas panjang. Bagi orang Melayu, mereka bersyukur dan selepas mengambil nafas, digerak-gerak seperti gelek bahagian pinggang. Diangkat kedua tangan ke atas dan digerak-geraknya kaki iaitu bahagian tapak. Kemudian mereka angkat tengkuk ke atas.

Penulis ilhamkan senaman ‘tengok ibu jari’ kaki. Kerana dalam kepercayaan Melayu, tanda mati adalah juga kepada kedudukan kaki yang kelihatan ‘jatuh’.

Ada juga senaman ‘bangkit tidur’ yang perbuatannya agak panjang (diringkaskan dalam buku ini) kerana ia meliputi dari hujung kaki ke hujung rambut atau maksud mudah, pergerakan semua sendi dalam pelbagai posisi.

Penghujung senaman baring, ia disudahi dengan ‘geliat anak rimau’. Ia juga panjang kerana banyak pecahan dan dalam buku ini disampaikan asasnya sahaja.

Senaman ini sememangnya popular dan baik untuk badan suami-isteri dan diakui ia wajar sekali dilakukan sebelum dan sesudah bersama.

Ia juga baik untuk atlit termasuk ahli beladiri semasa atau selepas latihan untuk mengelak mengalami sakit pinggang, sendi, otot-otot dan sebagainya selepas bangun tidur.

Sesudah baring, pengamal ST akan melakukan senaman tangan sambil berdiri. Tumpuan kepada sendi dan kekuatan adalah daripada petua.

Kepada seorang pahlawan, bahagian tapak tangan diistilah ‘buah’ atau ‘buah hujung. Siku pula adalah ‘buah dalam’ dan jika tangan lurus ia dianggap ‘dahan’. Bahu pula ‘pangkal’.


Joints and Senaman Tua Basics

ST originates from the basics of standing, in particular, how a Malay person stands, sits, lies down and moves. All of these movements tell a story like that of a complete and well-dressed warrior. With a keris in his hand he will thus show his intention and purpose. For example, if he stands, his torso will be upright which portrays his handsome and sturdy physique, dressed in his warrior’s clothing, completed by his manly movements. With the identity of a Malay man or a regal presence, when he stands, he will therefore definitely look smart, handsome and presentable at official functions.

In the sitting exercises, they start with the cross-legged sitting position on the floor. From this position, one can extrapolate various different leg exercises such as folding, tiptoeing, squatting, stretching, etc. Sitting in front of the computer or sitting too long engrossed in one’s work can cause backache. In the olden days, Malays suffered backaches from sitting cross-legged on the floor for too long. Add this to the fact that in official functions, one has to sit cross-legged upright with dignity without leaning against any wall or pole.

In treating backache due to sitting cross-legged or sitting on a chair for too long, employ the technique of Temu Sendi, i.e. do the ‘meet the kneecaps’ and ‘elbow meets knee’ exercises. This will not only reduce backache problems but will also strengthen the back and burn fat in the belly area.

In the concept of self-defence, sitting cross-legged will also train preparedness in defending against attacks from the 4 compass directions (front, rear, left and right) with minimum movement. There’s a movement called ‘Tendang anak rimau’ (the tiger cub’s kick) which is also known as ‘Permainan buah golek’ (the Rolling Fruit play), related to this kind of cross-legged self defence.

The sitting exercise is followed by prone exercises (lying on your back). Upon waking from sleep, it is best to first take a deep breath. For Malays, thanks is given to the Creator after taking a deep breath, for having waken up from the minor death (sleep). Then start to move, wiggling your waist. Raise both hands upward and move the soles of your feet, then tilt your head forward. This technique was inspired from the ‘Tengok ibu jari kaki’ (look at your big toe) technique.

The ‘Bangkit tidur’ (the waking up) technique is quite lengthy as it involves movements from the tip of your toes up to the tip of your hair. In short, it means movements of all joints in different positions.

The finale of the ST prone exercises is the ‘Geliat anak rimau’ (the tiger cub stretch) technique. This technique is quite lengthy and has many extrapolations but only the basics are shown in this book. This exercise is very popular and is proven to stimulate the libido for married couples. It is encouraged to be practiced before and after sex. This exercise is also beneficial for athletes and martial arts enthusiasts as prevention from backache or osteoarthritis after training, and can also be practiced upon awakening from sleep.

After the prone session, ST enthusiasts can do the hand exercises while standing. Focus is given to the joints and the strength comes from practicing the ‘petua’. To the warrior, the palms are regarded as the ‘fruit’ or the ‘furthest fruit’. The elbow is the ‘inner fruit’ and when the hand is straightened it is regarded as the ‘branch’. The shoulder is the base of the branch.

CEPAT & KUAT

Senaman Melayu ini menjurus kepada kecepatan dan kekuatan. Justeru, senaman menumpu kepada kekuatan sendi dengan pergerakan yang diolah dan dinamakan secara am dengan ‘tari tangan’. Daripada inilah dihasilkan ‘gerak 9’, ‘bunga teratai’, ‘gulung ekor naga’ dan sebagainya.

Senaman Gerak 9 adalah untuk kekuatan bahu kerana antara asas kuncian dan jatuhan Silat Melayu adalah dengan serkah atau cabut pangkal. Gerak 9 bukan sahaja menguatkan bahu tetapi juga menghidupkan gerak badan dan ‘dahan’ dalam bertindak balas kepada serangan.

Senaman ini juga untuk merawat kecederaan di bahu, tengkuk dan pinggang jika dilakukan dengan betul atau berguru.

Tari Tangan Bunga Teratai menyimpan 1001 rahsia. Ia boleh menyampai buah, menangkap, mengunci, membuka kuncian dan sebagainya. Sebaik-baiknya berguru pada yang tahu untuk mendapat penjelasan yang betul dan tepat.

Begitu juga dengan Gulung Ekor Naga. Kepada ahli beladiri yang tahu, dia boleh membuka dengan mudah pelbagai kuncian dengan kekuatan yang minima.

Penulis mengambil senaman ini daripada tari inang dan tari piring, dan amalkan senaman ini sewaktu remaja untuk bermain hoki dan tenis.

Bila tangan sudah kuat, latihan senaman kepada gerak dan kaki mula melangkah dengan pelbagai kaedah asas dan petua silat sebagai riadah penghujung.

Ini bermakna ST ada penghujung dan untuk perjalanan itu, ia bermula dari pangkal. Bernafas juga dari pangkal iaitu tumpuan dari pusat. Begitu juga bila melakukan senaman duduk, baring, tari tangan, berdiri dan berlangkah, ada hujungnya tetapi bermula dari pangkal.

Kata orang tua Melayu; “Akan sampai ke hujung kalau tahu pangkalnya”.

Dalam senaman Melayu ini, selain kaedah bangun tidur dan gaya pergerakan binatang, senaman seperti mandi, wanita mencuci pakaian, dayung perahu dan pelbagai lagi ada juga dilakukan.

Pergerakan ini, dulunya lebih dikenali dengan sebutan “geliat” kerana ia berkesudahan di pinggang sama ada kaedah bangkit badan atau tegap badan yang fokus kepada bahagian pusat dan pinggang.

Perbuatan itu, dalam sains sukan dipanggil regangan. Dulu, ia dianggap perbuatan untuk “sedap badan” atau geliat untuk sedap badan.

Kepercayaan orang Melayu dulu, bahawa bila terasa tidak sedap badan kerana silap makan atau lama tidak berpeluh, dikatakan mereka; “Badan dah masuk angin”. Dalam bersukan, jika tidak dapat bermain dengan baik, dikatakan; “Tiada angin”. Begitulah antara sebutan kepada diri mereka.

Ketika diurut, samada yang mengurut dan diurut bersendawa, dikatakan; “Angin keluar”, kerana mengurut atas kepercayaan orang Melayu adalah untuk ‘buang angin’.

Dalam kelas ST, ada pengamal baru akan sendawa selepas beberapa kali melakukan Nafas Melayu atau melakukan Tapak 9.


Speed and Strength

This Malay exercise system specialises in building speed and strength. More precisely, the exercises focus on joint strength via its various extrapolations. One technique is called ‘Tari Tangan’ (hand dance) and is the basis for ‘Gerak 9’, ‘Bunga Teratai’, ‘Gulung Ekor Naga’ and other hand movements in Senaman Tua.

The Gerak 9 exercise strengthens the shoulders and, among is foundation for locking and takedown techniques in Malay Silatby by pushing the enemy’s shoulders to the ground. Gerak 9 not only strengthens the shoulders, but also livens up the body’s movement in self-defense acts. This exercise also heals injury in the shoulders, nape and waist if done correctly under the guru’s supervision.

The Tari Tangan Bunga Teratai (Lotus Flower hand dance) contains 1001 secrets. It can develop into strikes, traps, locks, counterlocks and other techniques. It’s best to learn the correct techniques to perfection under the supervision of a qualified guru. The same thing goes with Gulung Ekor Naga. The knowledgeable martial artist will be able to unlock various locks with a minimum of effort or strength.

Azlan Ghanie created this exercise from the Tari Inang (Inang Dance) and Tari Piring (Saucer Dance) which he practiced during his teenage days before playing hockey and tennis.

ST has an objective and to pursue this journey, it begins from an origin. Breathing too has an origin, i.e. concentration is focused in the navel. The same thing applies in performing ST exercises when sitting, lying down, hand dances, standing and striding; there is a clear objective when it starts from the base. As the old Malay saying goes, you will reach your goal if you know your origins.

In these gentle Malay exercises, besides those done upon waking from sleep and the imitation of animal body movements, exercises like bathing, washing clothes by the river, boat rowing and various other movements have been adopted. The movement known as geliat (stretching out) culminates in the waist area whether the torso is raised or remains upright (focuses on the navel and waist). In sports science this technique is called stretching and is also known in ST as ‘sedap badan’ or ‘body relaxation’, where one has to stretch out to acquire this stimulating feeling.

The ancient Malays believed that the body will not be at ease either due to an improper diet or because of lack of exercise. It is believed that the body contains contains ‘wind’. In sports, if you cannot perform well, it is said you are ‘winded’. When you go for a massage you will definitely burp (so will the masseur) when you are releasing ‘wind’. In ST classes, a new student will usually burp after performing the Nafas Melayu or Tapak 9.

TERAS SILAT MELAYU

Pergerakan dalam senaman berteraskan kepada Silat Melayu yang mana ia amalan orang-orang istana untuk bertempur.

Dalam bertempur, deras (cepat), laju, kuat dan tepat menjadi antara keutamaan. Deras dalam memikir, laju dalam mengelak, kuat dalam menyampai (menyerang) dan tepat perbuatan dihujung.

Bila menuntut ilmu tempur, kesampaian ke dalam diri perlu ke tahap pahlawan. Ilmunya menceritakan; Yang ditikam tidak kena dan dalam mengelak dia mengilat (menyerang). Maksudnya, perbuatannya sudah bersedia untuk menghadap musuh. Bila diserang, dia akan mengelak. Namun dalam mengelak dia mengilat iaitu dia menyerang (bertindak balas) tanpa musuh boleh bertindak balas.

Silat adalah juga mengenai seni gerak untuk memperolehi tahap kederasan, kelajuan, kekuatan dan ketepatan yang luar biasa dan sempurna (Walaupun diketahui sukar untuk kesempurnaan namun mengamal atau berlatih untuk menghasilkan keputusan terbaik). Sehubungan itu ilmu pernafasan penting untuk menghidupkan seni gerak supaya gerak luar biasa itu diperolehi.

Nafas Melayu menjadi asas awal untuk bergerak dan asal-usul nafas itu dari kajian perbuatan menakutkan kanak-kanak.

Ikut cerita, dari sekumpulan kanak-kanak yang bermain diwaktu malam. Untuk mereka pulang ke rumah dengan pantas, ditakutkan mereka dengan menyakat cara hantu. Kanak-kanak akan bertempiaran lari dan kerana ketakutan yang teramat sangat, parit yang lebar dapat dilompat dan begitu juga pokok yang tinggi, dapat dipanjat ke kemuncak.

Kejadian itu lazim diketahui dan perbuatan kanak-kanak berkenaan disebut; “kecut perut”.

Nafas Melayu adalah latihan ‘kecut perut’ untuk menghasilkan kekuatan luar biasa. Inilah rahsia antara 1001 rahsia ilmu pahlawan.

Dalam bertempur, musuh menyerang dari pelbagai penjuru dan begitu juga diri perlu mengelak dan melangkah. Kecut perut menjadi petua untuk bergerak cepat dan pantas.

Sesudah Nafas Melayu dan badan sudah bersedia untuk bergerak seperti angin, senaman Tapak 9 menyusul yang memberi tumpuan kepada tapak kaki.

Penulis terlihat Allahyarham nenda, Baiduyah binti Abdul Hamid Bert menekan-nekan tapak kakinya ke akar pokok sambil berbual dengan jiran. Inilah asalnya. Pergerakannya seperti kaedah refleksologi tapak kaki namun sebenarnya ia mengenai kaedah menguasai penjuru bernama 8 Penjuru Angin Bermata Satu.

Ia juga antara 1001 rahsia pahlawan dalam langkah menyerang dan mengelak yang ‘isi’ terdapat buka langkah, ambil langkah dan makan langkah terbentuk dalam Tapak 3, Tapak 4 dan Tapak 5.

Senaman tapak kaki dijadikan senaman mula fizikal adalah untuk menyempurnakan gerak tubuh badan untuk tempur atau silat yang kaedahnya hidup tapak untuk melangkah, pinggang gelek mengkelek (elak dan ilat), dan membunga tangan (tari tangan) untuk buah.

Begitulah falsafah beladiri Melayu dalam silat. Disebut; “Ada roh, ada semangat”. Ada roh, ertinya hidup dan semangat pula kepada pergerakan yang membangkitkan kekuatan. Setiap senaman dalam ST ada ceritanya yang tersendiri. Ceritanya, untuk melangkah atau mengundur, sendi buku lali perlu kuat.

Sendi buku lali kaki diakui sebagai “bawa badan” oleh guru silat. Contoh senamannya, untuk kekuatan bawa badan adalah senaman Jengket.

Kemudian, tumpuannya kepada sendi lutut kerana lutut untuk tahan atau “bawa berat badan”. Bila lutut sudah kuat, kelenjar diberi tumpuan untuk imbangan badan dan senaman untuk “bawa berat badan” dan imbangan dengan melakukan senaman Labuh Luar, Labuh Dalam, Temu Tempurung dan Tari Inang.

Kemudian tumpuannya kepada pinggang sebelum menyusur senaman tangan seperti pergelangan tangan, siku dan bahu.

Pahlawan Melayu tidak membesarkan otot-otot untuk kekuatan. Kekuatan itu diperolehi dengan senaman ‘kuat sendi’ dan ia jawapan untuk kekuatan sebenar fizikal dalam bertempur.

Malay Silat Core

The moves in ST come from Malay Silat where it was the practice of the ancient palace households. It was used in countering attacks from their enemies. In their fights, speed, strength and accuracy were their priorities (they still are). Quick thinking, speed in dodging, strength in attacking and accuracy to the targeted points on the enemy’s body had been and still are the major requirements.

When seeking combative knowledge, the warrior’s highest priority is delving into his inner self. Such knowledge imparts thus: To be missed when stabbed at and to counter when evading. It means that, when facing his enemy, he is ready to evade (elak), deceive (ilat) and attack (beri buah) - all simultaneously. When attacked, he evades and deceives, and he attacks without the enemy being able to counter.

Silat is also acknowledged as a study in movements which deliver attacks and counter-attacks with speed, strength and accuracy. The breathing technique of Nafas Melayu enlivens or brings alive the movements in Silat, further enhancing these unique movements.

Nafas Melayu becomes the starting from which all movements are born. This method is thought to have been acquired from the reflex actions of frightened children. The tale goes that a group of children often played outside their houses at night. To ensure these children returned home immediately, elders threatened them with ideas of the presence of devils around them in the darkness of night. So frightened where they that they ran home so fast that they literally jumped over wide ditches and climbed tall trees. Such practices are well known in the Malay community and the children’s fright is known as kecut perut (contraction of the stomach).

Nafas Melayu is trains this Kecut Perut to produce this unique strength. This is one of the 1001 secrets of a warrior. In combat, the enemy attacks from different angles and one has to evade and step out of attacks or step in to deliver attacks. Kecut perut becomes the basis of speed and liquid movement. After the Nafas Melayu routine, the body is ready to move like the wind, and the Tapak 9 exercise follows suit which require concentration in the foot soles.

Azlan Ghanie witnessed his grandmother, Baiduyah binti Abdul Hamid Bert, pressing her soles upon the protruding roots of a tree while chatting with her neighbours. This movement, which is similar to reflexology is actually using the method of 8 penjuru angin bermata satu (8-compass directions). This is also one of the warrior’s 1001 secrets of footwork to attack and evade, i.e. begin your step, take your step and complete your step, which emerges in Tapak 3, Tapak 4 and Tapak 5.

The sole exercise is the beginning of the physical exercise to complete the body’s movement in combat or Silat with the soles coming alive to step, to wiggle the waist, dodge or evade and to deceive with the flower hand dance.

That’s the philosophy of Malay self-defense in Silat. As proclaimed - where there’s spirit, there’s soul. The spirit means living, whereas the soul is the strength in the moves. Each exercise in ST has its own story. The story is to stride or retreat and therefore your ankle joints need to be strong. The ankles are the key instrument in carrying the body’s weight. You can build such strength to carry the body by practicing the tiptoe exercise. Concentration then is on the knee joints because the knees need to bear the body’s weight and to maintain balance. It is done in the Labuh luar, Labuh dalam, Temu tempurung and Tari Inang exercises. Concentration is then centred towards the waist before proceeding to the hand exercises such as the wrists, elbows and shoulders.

The Malay warriors do not increase their muscles in size for strength. Strength is obtained from strengthening of the joints in exercise.


SEMUA ADA

Senaman Melayu yang bernama Senaman Tua ini, mempunyai gerakan yang antaranya berdiri, duduk, baring dan bergerak. Secara tidak langsung ia merangkumi kaedah yang terdapat dalam yoga, tai chi, chi gong, pilates, aerobik, anaerobik dan beladiri. Atau boleh dikata ST ada semuanya.

Namun ia tidak ambil atau menceduk pergerakan atau falsafah senaman itu.

ST berdiri dengan sendiri dan ada identiti tersendiri.

Pakaian rasmi ST adalah longgar dan berwarna hitam. Seragam yang sesuai adalah pakaian silat bercekak musang. Ia longgar kerana tumpuan adalah untuk bersenam bukan tayang badan. Warna hitam adalah kerana ia simbol pahlawan Melayu. Sebaik-baik kelas atau gelanggang senaman ini diadakan di tempat tertutup.

Daripada ST, penulis dapat kuatkan fizikal, semput hilang, dapat skil, fizikal tegap, tinggi, rawat lumpuh fizikal dan gastrik hilang secara menyeluruh.

Dalam kaji-selidik, pengamal yang mengamalkannya dengan konsisten juga dapat mengenal diri rohani dan jasmani. Ketika melakukan ST dalam kelas, pengamal bersenam dalam senyuman, tenang dalam kepayahan dan sabar untuk pertemuan.

Ada pesilat muncul juara dan ada atlit turut cemerlang dalam sukan. ST turut merawat penghidap leukimia, resdung, lelah, kencing manis, tekanan darah tinggi, tekanan darah rendah, sakit sendi, artritis, sakit pinggang, tengkuk, bahu dan pelbagai lagi.

Uniknya, yang kurus kering boleh tegap dan yang gemuk (obesiti) boleh tampan jika melakukan ST dengan konsisten.

Senaman Melayu bernama Senaman Tua ini juga mendedahkan rahsia dan identiti tamadun Melayu kepada dunia!

ALL IN ONE

The Malay system of exercise called Senaman Tua (ST) includes, among others, exercise techniques in standing, sitting and prone positions and dynamic movement. Thus, it encompasses the techniques within other exercise systems such as yoga, tai chi, chi gong, pilates, aerobics, anaerobics and self defense. ST has it all. However, ST has not taken or pinched any movement or philosophy from those exercises. ST stands on its own identity.

ST’s attire is loose and black in color which is called the Silat Bercekak Musang attire. It is loose because the objective is exercise and not to reveal one’s figure. Black is the symbol of a warrior and the best place to exercise is in an enclosed surrounding.

From ST, Azlan Ghanie was able to strengthen his physique, heal his asthma, acquire skills with a sturdy and tall build, recover from his partial paralysis and his gastric problems, once and for all.

ST enthusiasts who practice this exercise must be consistent and understand their inner selves. When doing ST exercises, one needs to smile, persevere with calmness and patience in oneself. ST exercises will assist the enthusiast to succeed in their silat tournaments and sporting activities. ST also helps to heal patients suffering from chronic diseases such as leukaemia, asthma, diabetes, low and high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, aches in the back, nape, shoulders and other various ailments. ST is unique in that it enables an underweight person to be sturdy and an overweight one to look smart by consistently practicing ST.

Senaman Tua, the Malay exercise system will reveal the secrets and identity of a true cultured Malay to the world!

Diadaptasi dari : http://www.senibeladiri.com.my/v1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=312&Itemid=164