About
The Roots
An Ancient Art, Alive Today
Pencak Silat is a martial art born in the Malay Archipelago, practiced for centuries across Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and the southern Philippines. More than a fighting system, Silat has always been a holistic discipline — integrating physical combat, mental focus, spiritual practice, and cultural expression into a single, unified art.
Silat practitioners historically served as protectors of their communities, and the art was transmitted through lineages of teachers who understood that true strength comes not from the body alone, but from the integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Today, Pencak Silat is practiced worldwide — recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and growing rapidly as both a competitive sport and a path to personal development.
The Lineage
A Direct Line to the Source
Serbatik's curriculum flows from one of the most respected lineages in martial arts. This is not a franchise or a certification program — it is a direct teacher-to-student transmission spanning three generations.
Our Philosophy
What Is Serbatik?
Serbatik is a modern expression of an ancient art. We draw from the deep well of Pencak Silat tradition — its movement vocabulary, its philosophy of respect and discipline, its understanding of the body as an integrated system — and apply it through contemporary training methodology.
We believe that martial arts training, done well, transforms more than just the body. It sharpens the mind, builds resilience, cultivates patience, and connects practitioners to something larger than themselves. At Serbatik, every class, every drill, every conversation is designed with this in mind.
Our name reflects our mission: Serbatik — meaning "all-purpose" in Malay — represents our belief that the principles of Silat apply to every dimension of life. Move better. Think clearer. Live with intention.
Guiding Principles
The Five Tenets
These principles are not aspirational slogans. They are daily practices woven into every session, every interaction, every moment at Serbatik.
Respect is the foundation of all martial arts, and in Silat, it begins before you even step onto the training floor. Respect for the art and its lineage. Respect for your teacher and training partners. Respect for yourself — your body, your limits, your potential. Without Hormat, technique is just movement. With it, every technique carries meaning.
Discipline is not punishment — it is the architecture of progress. Showing up consistently, practicing deliberately, and holding yourself accountable to the process. At Serbatik, we teach that discipline is a skill, not a trait. It can be learned, strengthened, and applied far beyond the training floor. The consistency you build here becomes the consistency you carry into every area of your life.
Courage is not the absence of fear — it is the decision to act despite it. It takes courage to walk into your first class. Courage to try a technique you haven't mastered. Courage to be a beginner when the world tells you to always project confidence. We honor every act of courage, because every journey of mastery begins with the willingness to be uncomfortable.
Mastery is a long path, and patience is what keeps you on it. In a world that celebrates speed and instant results, Silat teaches us that the deepest learning happens slowly. A stance practiced a thousand times reveals subtleties invisible to the hurried. At Serbatik, we trust the process, celebrate incremental progress, and understand that the goal is not to finish — it is to deepen.
Silat was never meant to be practiced alone. The art lives in the relationship between teacher and student, between training partners, between the individual and the community. At Serbatik, we build genuine connection — across backgrounds, experience levels, and walks of life. When you train with us, you become part of something larger. Your growth lifts others, and theirs lifts you.
The Founder
Guru Amir Rashid
"I founded Serbatik because I believe the principles of Silat — respect, discipline, courage, patience, and community — are exactly what modern life demands, and exactly what most fitness experiences fail to deliver."
Guru Amir began his Silat journey at age 12 under the guidance of Guru Besar Ahmad Sulaiman in West Java. Over 25 years of dedicated practice across multiple Silat lineages, he earned senior instructor certifications and competed internationally, representing his school at three Southeast Asian Games.
After relocating to the United States, Guru Amir saw an opportunity: to share the depth and beauty of Silat with a new audience, presented through modern training methodology without sacrificing the art's cultural soul. Serbatik was born from that vision.
He holds additional certifications in functional movement screening, corrective exercise, and sports nutrition — ensuring that every student's physical development is grounded in science as much as tradition.
Begin Your Journey
No experience necessary. No judgment. Just a willingness to show up and start.
Book Your Free Intro Session