The art of Poekolelan Tjimindie Tulen is rooted in authentic tradition and is abundant in spirit and meaning.

Here are a few images and their significance in our art:

The Crane

From the crane (blekok) we get aerial and multiple kicking techniques, knee parries and wing tip strikes. From the crane we also learn to appreciate stillness, a quiet mind, and a breath of fresh air. We learn balance, tranquility, and calm from this elegant animal.

The Snake

From the snake (oeler) we get coiling, wrapping, fast striking from any height or position, knuckle snap strikes, and a hypnotic movement which surprises our opponent. The snake teaches us to detach from drama and emotion, and to shed old skin and ways which no longer serve us.

The Monkey

From the monkey (monjet) we get medium high stances, sweeps, parries, crafty, devious and clever fighting. We also learn the meaning of community and working together, playing and having fun.

The Tiger

From the Tiger (matjanan), we learn that anything you can do in the air you can do on the ground. We get rolling, low kicks, rakes, elbow and knee strikes. Most self-defense situations end up on the ground making this practice so important.

The Dragon

The Dragon, “Naga” in Indonesian (which is where we get our name) is said to be the combination of the movement of all four Poekoelan animals: Monkey, Tiger, Snake and Crane.

Bamboo

Represents the whip-like strikes of our art, and the flexibility we develop in body, mind and spirit. In a heavy storm, the oak tree will break or topple over, while the bamboo bends and whips back.

Quan Yin

The Buddhist Goddess of Compassion is revered throughout Asia. Our art is often referred to as “Compassionate Balanced Action”. An honest, kind, and open heart is valued at NAGA.

The Rose Poekoelan Martial Arts

The symbol of Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen. Beautiful to behold, but with thorns. Each student is like a rose – different, unique, yet beautiful. However, if you grab us, we have thorns.

Broken Mirror

Each practitioner has a base in the same standards but manifests the art in an individual way. This concept is exemplified in our movement, just as the pieces of a broken mirror all reflect the same image, but in a different way.

Women meditating in martial arts uniform

Meditation

Take a quiet moment for yourself before we begin each class. Let go of the cares of the day and focus on being present. After class, sit quietly breathing deep and let the lessons learned settle in as we set our intention for peace.

river with beautiful green plants around

The River

“This belt represents the river of information that flows from teacher to student,” a phrase said at each promotion. We express gratitude to the teachers who have gone before us, and to our students, without whom the river would cease to flow.

Purity

The “Four P’s” of Poekoelan. This one means “purity”.

Perseverance

The “Four P’s” of Poekoelan. This one means “perseverance”.

Patience

The “Four P’s” of Poekoelan. This one means “patience”.

Practice

The “Four P’s” of Poekoelan. This one means “practice”.

embroidery badge that says "My body is my weapon"

“My Body is My Weapon” explains that we don’t need to walk through life with a weapon in hand because we carry the ability to protect ourselves without. The red outline of the hand illustrates the “empty open hands” concept of our art: to use what we have learned from a a place of strength and reconciliation using physical defense only as a last resort. The words Judo, Kenpo, Chuan Fa (Kung Fu), and Karate demonstrate the integration of the arts which have influenced Poekoelan. The dragon, or “Naga” in Indonesian, is symbolic of the way the animal movement comes together in our art. This patch was a collaboration between Willy Wetzel, who brought the art to the US from Indonesia, and his wife, Gerry Wetzel in the 1950s.

inspiring quote from Hakim's song of meditation

This school is a safe harbor. It is impossible to put into words how important it was for me to have a truly safe place when things went so wrong several years ago. I know without a doubt that if things ever went bad again, its to the school that I would run.

Aaron Weingarten

Quality Engineer, TVT Die Casting

NAGA

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