Since closing my public MMA and Dog Brothers-style stick-fighting classes in 2005, I have continued researching and developing the martial arts I have studied over the years. Since 2015, much of my focus has been on Pencak Silat Sera/Serak and the Ilustrisimo sword arts.

KORA grew out of a desire to continue this journey with dedicated training partners. Our small, non-profit recreational group, based at my home, provides an opportunity to explore these arts together, develop our skills and preserve valuable martial arts knowledge. The small-group format has worked exceptionally well, and the journey has been both rewarding and enjoyable.

A New Chapter for KORA Training

Until the end of September, we ran three separate classes on Saturday mornings, covering Sword & Dagger, Serak and associated arts, and Sera. This structure has served us well, but after reflecting on our progress and future goals, I have decided to take our training in a slightly different direction.

I aim to develop students who are increasingly capable with weapons, while recognising that this training also improves our empty-hand skills, awareness, movement and overall understanding of self-protection.

When classes resume towards the end of October, we will introduce a revised format for a trial period, allowing us to explore these goals more effectively.

09:30–11:00 | KORA Self-Protection

This session brings together several complementary elements of our training:

• Contact Management – developing awareness, decision-making and practical responses.
• Pencak Silat Serak – applying the principles and skills of our traditional Indonesian art.
• Ilustrisimo and Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) – developing weapon skills, particularly with the sword and dagger.
• Iberian martial arts – exploring the relevant skills and influences of these European traditions.
• Lutte – combining grappling and striking to develop a more complete approach to close-range encounters.

Although this brings together material from several traditions, the intention is not simply to mix different arts together. Through my research, I have worked to identify their underlying principles and reduce techniques to their essential components. This allows us to develop a more coherent and practical approach to training.

I am also keen to revisit aspects of the athletic, hands-on training methods associated with the 1980s. My aim is to build capable, adaptable practitioners who can apply their skills under pressure, while keeping our training enjoyable, progressive and appropriate for a recreational group.

11:00–12:00 | Traditional Pencak Silat Sera

Our second session will continue our traditional Sera training, providing dedicated time to study and develop the art in its own right.

This preserves an important part of KORA’s training while allowing us to explore the wider self-protection programme in the preceding session.

Reviewing Our Progress

We will trial this revised format through to the New Year, taking account of student feedback, improvements in individual skills and the overall effectiveness of our training.

As always, KORA is about learning, research and steady improvement. This change is an opportunity to build on what we have already achieved and make our training even more focused, rewarding and effective.

Thank you to everyone who continues to be part of the journey. I look forward to exploring this next chapter of KORA training with you.