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which is more effective - silat or aikido?

Hi,
Which of the two martial arts is more effective, with respect to self defence, physical fitness, weapons training, etc?
Pl respond only if you know.
Thanks

That all depends on what you're looking for...

Aikido requires a lot of time, and patience to master. What it does is based on exact precision in timing, distance, balance, and so forth. Does it work well when mastered? Yes.

I've done some training in Yoshinkan Aikido, and those boys trained balls to the wall with everything they did. Suffice to say, I came away with a lot of respect for what they did after I was done training with them.

The trouble with Aikido....is that most schools use entirely unrealistic attacks coupled with no-pressure defensive technique training. Though, if you can find a good dojo like I did with those Yoshinkan guys, you'll enjoy yourself.

Now, I don't know a lot about Pentjak Silat...but what little I've seen of it I've been highly impressed with.

What they do is very complex, and multi-faceted. Lots of locks, joint breaks, strikes, throws/takedowns, and numerous aspects of weapons work.

It's a generally complete system, whereas Aikido is not. I would check out both styles and see which one you prefer and which one suits what you're desiring more.

Aikido and Chinese Martial Arts: Aikido and Weapons Training Vol.2 (Aikido & Weapons Training) List Price: $29.00 Sale Price: $13.76 Used From: $6.99 Average Rating:

Introduction In this volume, we take up the theme, "how to use weapons in Aikido and Chinese martial arts". Through weapons training, you will be able to understand about the following martial arts elements: (1) The difference between body techniques and weapons training (2) The difference between the Japanese curved sword, and the Chinese straight sword (3) How to take a proper distance (4) How to watch your partner's eyes (5) How to grab your partner's mind (6) How to mo e with good timing (7) Proper traditional foot work (8) Circular movements with the weapon (9) A block should include an attack, an attack should include a block (10) Long weapon's, and short weapon's weak points (11) The weak points of armor (12) How ancient people produced good steel about two thousand years ago with little technology. In our training, we must vow to take responsibility not to use weapons for disreputable reasons. Our purpose of Japanese/Chinese weapons training should be for lifelong study and good health. Also, I challenge the readers to try and smelt their own iron and attempt to produce swords. --Tetsutaka Sugawara, March 15th, 1998