Instructor: Kai Lewis

Location: Houston, Texas
Style: Pencak Silat Panglipur

Kang Kai has been practicing the art of Pencak Silat Panglipur since 2012. Kai was accepted as a direct student to Kang Cecep during his first visit to the United States in 2012, thanks to the efforts of the original Panglipur USA student, Kang Nicholas Portillo. Kai is the only Level 3 Coach in Panglipur Galih Martial Arts System under Kang Cecep in the United States. Over a period of years he has spent months in Garut, Indonesia at Kang Cecep’s home. It was there at the Padepokan Kasundan where he refined his skills, mindset and body. Kai’s interests are in the traditional methods and modern integration of martial arts, meditation, and movement. He makes regular trips to Southeast Asia to further immerse himself in the culture, philosophy. healing arts and continue to update his combat science.

Kai created the Panglipur USA organization in 2016 after passing his Level 2 Coach test under Kang Cecep Rahman and with the approval of Chairman Haji Nana at Panglipur Pusat HQ in Bandung. In 2018, at the first international Kasundan Silat Camp, Kai was awarded Level 3 Coach by Kang Cecep, at Padepokan Kasundan in Garut, Indonesia. Kai was also introduced to his 2nd major teacher in Minangkabau Silek, Pa Syofyan Nadar, of Harimau Singgalang system from West Sumatra.

In 2019 Kang Cecep, son Faris and assistant Kang Kai taught workshops at Jam Studio and Inosanto Academy in CA, hosted by Kang Ryan Gray. The Panglipur USA team also performed and taught at the first National Pencak Silat Festival in DC, hosted by the USA Pencak Silat Federation. The goal of the organization is to promote and share these wonderful treasures from West Java. Panglipur USA team performs demonstrations at various events and conducts local and international workshops. Kai currently teaches Silat, Yoga and Tai Chi to students at Rice University as an adjunct professor and Silat with Houston Martial Arts Academy.

“Kang” is a familial term used in the Panglipur system meaning “Older Brother”.

VOA interview: