Perisai Diri (PD) means to shield oneself. It is an Indonesian martial art that has been existing since 02 July 1955. The founder is Raden Mas Soebandiman Dirjoatmodjo. PD is headquartered in Surabaya, Indonesia. PD is a member of Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI). PD is one of the tenth martial art organisations that established the IPSI. PD focuses on 3 aspects: physical, breathing and
spiritual training. PD can also be found in the following continents:
1. Asia-Pacific:
a. Indonesia (nearly all islands)
b. Brunei
c. Timor Leste
d. Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne)
e. Japan (Tokyo)
2. Europe
a. Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich)
b. Germany (Bonn)
c. France (Audresselles)
d. The Netherlands (Amsterdam, Utrecht)
e. Sweden
f. The U.K. PD has its curriculum whereby students will not only benefit from being able to protect themselves from the unexpected ocassions, they will also gain self-development without being an arrogant humans. Periodically, students will have a grading day where their skills are examined by the trainers and they will be graded to an appropriate level once they passed the exams. PD does not recognise any physical violence during training and grading sessions. Further, PD addresses the so-called Asah (Sharpening the techniques), Asih (Admiring the fighting partners) dan Asuh (Caring for sparing partners). PD techniques are comprised of animals styles (i.e. from Mliwis, Kuntul, Garuda to Naga). After mastering these animals techniques, students will learn the human techniques (i.e. from Satria, Pendeta to Puteri). Minangkabau is a technique that will be also taught to students before they learn animals techniques. Further, each technique in PD has a very meaningful philosophy which is very important to be grasped by students. Grading system in PD depends very much on how frequent the training is held and the ability of how rapid the students absorb the techniques and perform them correctly are. Assuming the training is twice a week then ideally every semester the grading can be taken place, but only up to certain levels. Grading system can be found in our Facebook account. However, here is an overview of grading system and techniques that students will learn according to the level:
Dasar 1 = 6 months (white belt)
Dasar 2 = 6 months (black belt)
From red belt to its different badge:
Cakel = 6 months, students learn Minang
Putih = 6 months, students learn Mliwis
Putih-Hijau = 6 months, students learn Kuntul
Hijau = 6 months, students learn Garuda
Hijau-Biru = 6 months, students learn Harimau
Biru = 2 year, students learn Naga
Biru-Merah = 2 years, students learn Satria
Merah = 3 years, students learn Pendeta
Merah-Kuning= 3 years, students learn Puteri
Kuning or Pendekar Muda = 3 years, students learn all techniques and understanding them both using weapons, breathing exercises softly and practising how to explode the power whenever necessary. Kuning Emas = Master, they learn to review all the techniques both physical, breathing, spiritual. Understand all the aspects.
