ETA Kiyoko “Kiki” Nakamura-Koyama has been practicing Silat since October last year. She used to practice with a local middle school, but then switched to adult practices on Friday nights. Through Silat Kiki has learned a lot about strength, respect and growth mindset.

This month Kiki had the opportunity to go on a beach trip with elementary-aged Silat students. On the way to the beach the students were being a little too silly in the back of an open-air police truck. Kiki’s Silat instructor and friend told her the importance of play cannot be understated.

When they made it to the beach, and practice began, the silliness was replaced by intense focus. Kiki watched as the elementary school girls kicked their imaginary attackers and the elementary school boys paid respect to God, the earth and their instructor. At the end of practice the students were so wiped that some of them fell flat on the white sand trying to catch their breath. Silat teaches focus in ways that aren’t conveyed in typical sports. After a minute of recovering, the students, in their starched, full Silat uniforms charged into the ocean laughing.

Kiyoko “Kiki” Nakamura-Koyama is currently teaching at SMA Santo Yosef Pangkalpinang, Bangka-Belitung