Experience with AIP: The AIP program has been an incredible journey for me. I consider it the best option for studying martial arts and preparing for instructional roles simultaneously. The only comparable scenario would be receiving education from a young age directly in the Shaolin monastery or under the long-term personal guidance of a master.

Supportive Learning and Preparation: Despite being a distance learning program, the AIP program manages to provide a significant level of personal and immediate contact. This is thanks to online joint lessons, as well as the opportunity to ask questions directly and seek guidance on specific aspects of my training, particular movements, and positions. It's like having the best of both worlds.

Exceptional Instructors: Our instructors, including Ash, Alvin, Andrea, and Atilla, are truly exceptional. Each of them is a masterful instructor, and their presentation of movement skills is nothing short of artistry. Before joining AIP, I had trained in kickboxing and wing chun, but I lacked a smooth transition to the ground and the finesse required for techniques like immobilization and finishing. SBL, especially Silat Buka Lingkaram, provides an elegant and fluid combat system from A to Z. This fluidity, combined with speed and explosiveness, sets it apart from most other martial arts, even those with the silat epithet. The emphasis on fluidity is a defining characteristic, especially when compared to other styles within the silat family.

Practical Aspects of AIP: If you have access to a laptop or any device with internet access and some space, you can participate in online guided lessons. It's remarkably motivating and feels almost as if you're training in a gym. What's even more valuable is the ability to replay recordings, allowing you to revisit and practice specific techniques whenever you need to. Even with just two workouts a week, you can significantly improve your fitness level within a few months. Personally, I've experienced slower progress in mobility, but the program's exercises that I don't practice in a large range have proven beneficial.

Role of Sparring and Passing on Knowledge: If you have a sparring partner, you have everything you need to practice techniques in pairs. From a psychological perspective, many people benefit from direct feedback from an instructor, hearing phrases like "you're doing this well" or "try it this way." Fortunately, this direct guidance is available through online consultations. Additionally, the educational videos featuring sparring exercises are immensely valuable. The ability to self-record during sparring helps identify areas for improvement. Finally, if your goal is to pass on this martial art to others, Ash is the ideal source to strengthen your teaching abilities.