Pencak Silat the technically superior. IPSI has avoided the tendency of modern martial arts that gravitate towards sport. The resistance to sport has lessened over time, however, and sparring in particular has become less combative. While nominally an Indonesian organisation, many of the rules and regulations outlined by IPSI have become the de facto standard for silat competitions worldwide. Indo-Dutch Eurasians who first began practicing pencak silat in the 20th century spread the art to the west in the late 20th century. Today pencak silat is one of the extra-curricular activities taught in Indonesian schools. It is included as a combat sport
Pencak Silat to another during a fight. Pencak silat has several basic steps, known as "langkah 8 penjuru" or "eight directions of steps". Traditional music is often used as a signal to change body position when practicing langkah. Langkah are taught in conjunction with preset stances, meant to provide a foundation from which to defend oneself or to launch attacks. The most basic stance is the horse stance ("kekuda" or "kuda-kuda"), which provides stability and firm body position by strengthening the quads. Other stances may train the feet, legs, thighs, glutes and back. Other essential stances are the middle stance, the side