Poekoelan
Tjimindie
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About Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen

Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen

The Dance of the 4 Animals

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About Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen

History

Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen was founded by Mas Goeroe Agoeng Willy John Christopher Wetzel. Mas means "mister" or "brother" (used for men and women in our style). Goeroe means "teacher" and Agoeng means "highest." Goeroe was a Dutch Indonesian man and ninth degree Golden Dragon. He traveled throughout Indonesia studying many styles of Pentjak Silat and took the best parts of each to develop the style of Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen. Goeroe brought the art to the US in 1956 and opened a school in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Mas Goeroe Barbara Niggel opened a school in Lowellville, Ohio in 1973 under the direct instruction of Mas Goeroe Agoeng Willy Wetzel. She continues to teach Mas Goeroe Agoeng's art today on Cap Cod, Massachusetts and visits schools at other locations for special trainings. There are several Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen schools around the United Sates and the Netherlands (see "Llinks") besides out school in Tacoma, WA.

Our Style

We often refer to our art as "Poekoelan" for short but this is a general term encompassing other Indonesian arts as well. Our style is specifically Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen (poo-koo-lan/ chi-min-dee/too-len). Poekoelan is an Indonesian word, which means "a series of blows with returning hands and feet." Tjimindie is a place on the island of Java and means "beautiful flowing waters." Tulen means "original." Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen is a thorough and varied art with movements inspired by the monkey, tiger, snake, and crane. Students learn to defend themselves from any position standing or on the ground. Striking, takedowns, weapons defenses, and joint locks are all used. Students learn the art through both structured forms and free fighting. Poekoelan is also an internal art where breathing techniques and meditation are developed for internal strength, focus, and healing.

Poekoelan training respects tradition while also nurturing the development of personal style and individual creativity. Students create their own forms and their own "crawl" or way of moving in the art. This is why we call Poekoelan a "broken mirror system." Each practitioner mirrors the same art but in their own personal way. One symbol of Poekoelan is the rose. Each rose is unique and beautiful to look at but dangerous if you attempt to touch it. Another symbol of Poekoelan is bamboo, which does not break in the wind but bends and snaps back hard. This represent the very fast, relaxed, whip style striking of Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen.

Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen is "compassionate, balanced, action." Students learn to be proactive in their own safety and defense but train with respect and humility. "A practitioner of Tulen is not measured by the rank or the color worn around their waist but by their 'heart' - the love and devotion they show for the art - and by the compassion they show towards others."