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Training Location and Schedule
Systema is a Martial Art with roots in ancient Russia. It is in active use in top levels of modern Russian special operations groups. We teach Systema as taught by Vladimir Vasiliev and its founder, Mikhail Ryabko. This Style encompasses every aspect of conflict, from the psychological aspects of conversation and posturing, thru all aspects of hand-to-hand fighting, grappling and groundwork and group attacks, and weaponry, including firearms. We also study these aspects of combat at different levels (lying, kneeling, standing) and environments (in the dark, against a wall, in a chair, car, stairway or in the water.) You name it, we work with it: It is a big world for self-discovery.
Our practice sessions are usually is a mixture of exercises, drills, and freestyle work. Most drills are done at a slow speed to create a fear-free environment so the body and mind can learn thoroughly. Speed becomes less relevant when the body understands the movement and can comfortably match the speed of an incoming event. Systema uses training in breath, movement and proper posture to achieve a relaxed state. Work can then be free flowing with no need to stop and try to apply a ” technique". We train to move more from what we feel than what we see: this process is much more subconscious and doesn’t choke or waste time while the brain tries to figure out what to do. Analytical thought is usually too far behind the moment – especially if one is surprised. Systema methodology encourages instinctual work: the learning curve is shortened and a person can more easily maintain strength and manage fear. This provides an energized and creative state that allows free flowing and appropriate work. Unlike sport fighting, life is vastly more unpredictable and may demand effort for an extended period of time. Systema is designed to work when one is tired, injured or weak. This unfortunately leaves little excuse for those who think they need to get in shape before starting to train with us.
Almost anyone will benefit from regular Systema training. It is good for both men and women that want to learn to protect themselves and their families and gain better understanding and control of violence and fear. It is even good for older people that want to gain health and decrease injuries: Systema has students in their 70s. And it is appropriate for professionals because it can be applied judiciously according to the needs of a situation. It is in essence “professional work”. Training in Systema will give a professional more insight into controlling opponents while keeping ones on psyche calm. Really, it is for anyone who wants to strengthen his or her mind, body and spirit in an honest and real way.
It is really easy to fit in. Training is fun, good-spirited and cooperative. There are no belts or ranks. There are no traditions or cultural routines (well there is on: we meet in a circle at the end of training to share insights and then roll out backwards). Systema is universal: there aren’t even named techniques. And you don’t have to fight your way thru a hierarchy of individuals who want to challenge you at the door. We are all adults and work with a fun but professional demeanor. It is physically reasonable to start learning. Extreme flexibility is not required: we all must come to the fight “as we are”. Whatever your condition or attributes, that is what you have to work with. Great strength is not required: We use manipulation of form rather than brute force. Systema promotes health: It strengthens and does not injure the body. You will learn proper breathing and relaxation and see a decrease in injuries and huge gains in stamina. Your posture will improve. You will learn to relax –even in a chaotic and dangerous environment. Systema is like a movement therapy that removes fear from the body. Fear is both our biggest ally but also one of our biggest enemies in life if not controlled. Fear management has very widespread daily benefits.
The best way to see what Systema is about is to train regularly for at least month. You can't really get a good taste in a single session or even a week. If you come once it may be too brutal, or it may be too mundane. There are so many things to study and train that the content of training varies immensely. One time we work on sensitivity, another receiving strikes, then fighting in a crowd, or work against a knife, stick, or gun. It is always different so a commitment to a block of training and tasting will serve you better. I do promise you that it will be worth the experience whether or not you decide to continue training with us.
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Regular Training for men and women is held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 at 1795 Desoto Rd. in Sarasota Florida. Please don't be late: come as early as 6:00 to begin warmup and conditioning. The training center is not locked. You may contact our instructor, Marc Bresee, at 941-355-2591 if you have any questions.
Midweek training fees are $15 per session, $75 per month or $375 for 6 months.
A MAP: http://www.pbase.com/marcbresee/image/102711111AND MAKE SURE YOU follow the link at the left to "WEB LINKS" there are lots of good articles and video clips accessible there. Material presented here is entirely my choice and is not necessarily the view of Vladimir Vasiliev, or anyone else. If any instructors in the Systema community (under Vladimir Vasiliev or Mikhail Ryabko) object to something presented here, please contact me as I will consider altering or removing the material. Good Training, Marc
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 | Why Systema? |
 Anonymous writes "
Why Systema?
by Martin Wheeler
Over the recent years I have read with interest on the internet back and forth as to the validity of training in Systema by observers who have only viewed experts in the art on YouTube or video. Usually a comparison is made to the most visual of fighting arts, mixed martial arts. The same types of questions are posted over and over again, “Why do they train slowly? Why does this look way too easy? Why did that guy fall over and seem unable to get back up?”
And I read with equal interest the various ways in which the art is defended by practitioners of Systema. Not that they are not valid questions, they definitely are, it is just I rarely hear these same questions from anyone in seminars, classes, or in sparring sessions, no matter what their background or what speed they work at.
Just for the sake of balance, I began in the martial arts at a tender age and have studied in many full contact environments from boxing systems to grappling systems, to clever weapons based and ‘street-fighting’ arts, and have enjoyed sparring, fighting and training for the last thirty years with anyone who’s paths I have crossed from beginners to world-class full contact fighters. I was a bouncer for ten years and I am currently contracted to share my views on close-quarter-combatives with professionals from elite security services around the world, as-well-as MMA fighters, Systema practitioners, traditional martial artists and civilians.
So why, if I have studied all these other full contact systems with relative success, would I choose Systema?
For me that is easy to answer. It’s because I have tried it. I am just one of many who brought whatever I had in my little bag of tricks to test Vladimir Vasiliev, or heaven forbid, Mikhail Ryabko, when I first met them. And I have yet to see anyone who did not come out the other end of the experience the same as I did, that is to say, confused, in pain but with a profound insight into the fact that something fundamental had changed.
To put it mildly, there is a lot more going on with Systema than meets the eye. And if there were not, if you could really just see what was happening by watching it on YouTube, then it would not be very good Systema.
Mixed martial arts are dramatic, fast and superbly visual. The best method for two pugilistic grapplers to go at it since the gladiators of old Rome. You can see what is happening and the results are self evident. It hosts some of the best conditioned and most versatile athletes.
I love to watch it, I love to train in it and always enjoy working with anyone from that world. And in my opinion, anyone who trains in MMA who is even half decent, a man or woman, is to be taken very seriously.
So I hear you ask: Well, if Systema is so good why isn’t it in the UFC? And I think that is an excellent question.
But I might ask: Well, if the UFC was any good why don’t they throw a knife in the cage?
As unrealistic as that is, maybe you get my point? The dynamic of a fight would change immediately if a knife were indeed tossed into the cage. You would see two highly trained fighters having to immediately adapt to a completely new set of rules or die almost instantaneously.
I think anyone would agree that eating jabs from a skilled fighter, possibly the least lethal of MMA striking attacks, sucks, but by comparison is quite pleasant compared to a single knife wound.
When I first trained with Vladimir he stopped me in the middle of a sparring session and said in his own inimitable way, ‘Martin, I know men that you would take to pieces in the ring’. Of course, stupidly beaming with pride I thought he was complimenting me, until he turned away to attend another student and added flatly... ‘But they would kill you.’
And there’s the rub. Almost every visible strategy, philosophy and motion that is great in an MMA sport environment is useful in the street and even on the battlefield. But only useful. Whereas everything in Systema is purposely designed for both of the later environments, is not visual, and has been proven as effective in those arenas as MMA has in the cage. Systema’s structure is intentionally designed to appear structureless, and the speed of the action although registering as slow to the eye is actually a highly developed relational timing, deceptive due to the Systema practitioner remaining calm.
Recently I was invited to introduce the concept of Systema to an overseas Special Operations Unit. While there, I was shown a video of various instructors that had been invited to train their operators and show what they had to offer. Among them was a top MMA coach from Pride. I asked what they thought of his training. ‘Excellent’ the Colonel said ‘but for us, virtually useless.’
This is in no way disparaging to the Pride coach, he was obviously excellent. But the fact remains, what is good in one arena is not necessarily good for another. Systema is not designed primarily for a sport environment or a sport mentality anymore than MMA is primarily designed for a battlefield environment or a combat mentality.
One could train for twenty years in Jujitsu, for example, and be an amazing grappler. But if you were to introduce just one more opponent into the fight you would not be doing Jujitsu anymore. It is simply not designed for fighting two opponents efficiently at the same time, even on the ground. It is primarily structured to fight one opponent at a time.
I am not saying the Jujitsu fighter would not prevail, I am merely suggesting that if he had to fight two or more possibly armed opponents at the same time on a daily basis then his training might soon start to look, at least from the outside, like Systema. And then armed with that knowledge, the way he worked against a single opponent again would also dramatically change. After ten years or so it would look as alien to another Jujitsu practitioner observing it from the outside as Systema does now after centuries of refinement.
Systema, as a martial art, in the form it exists now is primarily designed for real life application, it works for unpredictable situations (such as multiple opponents, various weapons, uneven terrains, poor lighting, confined space, etc.) for professionals in the military, law enforcement and security, for someone who’s got to fight while injured or wounded or has to protect a woman or child, for someone who is older or in a poor physical condition. Training and fighting in Systema is designed to avoid injuries, and even heal your old ones. And that requires a very different bag of tricks, look and feel to a sport fighting art.
Although, as Vladimir once remarked with that casual profound quietness ‘Systema just happens to be a martial art’. And to have any understanding of that gem, one cannot merely observe it from the outside...
About the author.
Martin Wheeler is a Senior U.S. Systema Instructor certified under Vladimir Vasiliev. Martin is teaching regular Systema classes at Los Angeles School of Russian Martial Art. He has trained in the martial arts for over thirty years ranging from Boxing, Grappling, Weapons fighting, Kenpo Karate and for 10 years in Systema. He is contracted to teach SWAT teams and Special Operations Units and is also produced Hollywood screen writer.
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Posted by Admin on Tuesday, September 01 @ 15:10:28 EDT (138 reads)
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| WEEKLY SYSTEMA TRAINING FOR WOMEN |
 Anonymous writes "Russian Martial Art, LLC of Sarasota will be starting a new program for women only. This weekly Systema Course for women will be very different than what is often presented in many self-defense courses. This is not merely learning to punch or kick, but it will be designed to enhance your understanding of the body structure, increase your stamina and mobility, and provide tools for increasing relaxation while dealing with physical, mental and emotional stress. This program is important because it encourages skills that are valuable for daily life -not only if one needs to fight for their life.
Many people think the way to relax is to go somewhere that is idyllic and free of stress; but this is only a temporary escape and the world quickly rushes back. Here we work purposefully with stress and learn to coach the body to use its natural mechanisms to work in peace. Then these tools become part of ones life and are ready when required -for even the highest stress situations like a physical attack.
The typical martial arts program is usually a boot camp approach with students doing lots of repetitions of kicks and punches in the air. It is mostly designed to give cardio exercise and get one “in shape”. Unfortunately it is not a useful method for gaining many of the other attributes necessary for dealing with violence. It will gratify the ego to feel pumped up, but it encourages a stressful approach to solving physical problems. Furthermore the type of movements usually learned may aggravate an attack due to their reliance on violent posturing and emotional outbursts. The sheer exercise of training in many programs is also not very interesting. It does not engage the brain much and so is hard to maintain over the long term. Plus, students are generally given techniques to solve various attack situations. This approach has limited use because it is difficult to apply under stress. As a consequence many who train in the martial arts are left with a nagging suspicion that their knowledge may not work under pressure…and they are likely right.
Systema is very different. It is not competitive or athletic. There are no belts, no rules, no katas or stances. There are no formalities or rituals. No tests and no performances. We use a huge variety of drills to cultivate fighting attributes in a non-aggressive atmosphere. We focus on simple and natural things: breathing, movement, relaxation and posture -and use these four pillars of Systema to work with stress and violence, learn movement and body mechanics, and develop a strong posture. Drills are usually done in slow motion so that they can be fully learned by the body. Body knowledge easily becomes spontaneous and does not require calculation to work. So this is a very reliable and useful method for learning. You will become stronger but it will not be from mindless movement. And the biggest benefit to your daily life is a spiritual attribute: that you will become less afraid and more deeply peaceful, more substantial and less blown about by fears and the energy of those around you.
You do not need to be flexible or “in shape”. We believe that if you need to defend yourself then you will be forced to work with what you have …it is the same for class. We do not rely on athleticism or flexibility …these are things that tend to fail with age, fatigue and injury. So everyone starts right where they are: and everyone has natural tools that can be released once they learn to relax and move.
Other classes are often predominately men but this class will be exclusively for women. We will meet on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:00 AM. The cost will be $15 per session or $150 for three months if prepaid. (We accept cash, check or Paypal.) Our training center is located at 1795 Desoto Rd, Sarasota. For clothing, there are no uniforms. Sweatpants and t-shirt or any comfortable street clothing is recommended.
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Posted by Admin on Thursday, June 25 @ 18:58:30 EDT (240 reads)
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| If You Aren't Training Force on Force.... |
 Anonymous writes "(written by Ken Good)
If You Aren't Training Force on Force....
I don't care who told you what. If you are not doing FOF, you are playing games and not really training for the gunfight. Here is an article I wrote a year ago. It bears revisiting.
Imagine for a moment if you will, a class of students attentively studying the art of swimming. The instructor, ostensibly an expert swimmer with vast and honorable credentials, certified by the international swimming associations and such, calmly walks up to the class wearing an impeccable gray business suit and begins lecturing on swimming. The environment is totally business-like, clinical, comfortable and dry. the students are clothed in similar business attire to the instructor, doing their very best to emulate him, and notes are being taken as they sip water or coffee.
The renowned lecturer goes on to describe the need to float, and to move the arms and legs in unison, this way and that. He discusses in passing how to breathe and what water temperature may do to the technique. He discusses warm water and cold water swimming methods, and he shows films of swimmers, and analyzes their techniques.
Finally, after discussion groups and several written tests, the class understands the concept of swimming.
Then they retire to their respective swim couches and practice their strokes carefully and incessantly. After a while they very good at this and can whip out a back stroke or breast stroke or even a dog paddle like the expert in class. They are given Swimmer Diplomas and sent out ready to swim, or teach others how to swim....should the need arise.
Eventually these would-be swimmers begin discussing the merits of pumping the arms more than the feet, or of holding the breath or the theoretical need to get the head up out of the place the water would be, if in fact they were actually swimming in water, in order to breathe. Minutia upon minutia are analyzed and discussed to perfect "the couch swim".
But the problem is that nobody ever gets into the water. You see, the water is a fearful place. One actually gets wet. "There be dragons" seems to be the attitude. "The water is not safe", some say. Others say that the mere suggestion that one would have to test the Master Swimmer's Theory Of Swimming, by actually swimming, to be a disloyal and unfaithful act.
"Analytical swimmers do not need to get into the water", others murmur as they grind through their swim kata every day.
The discussions on minutia and the unanswered questions persist. Yet if one of them dared to wander into the murky wetness, all the questions that they have spent hours and hours bemusing would be answered in one instant flash of sudden understanding.
I'll let you in on a secret. It is a dark and ugly secret that has been kept hidden like a national security issue for decades.
The master swimmer does not, in fact, know how to swim.
(be sure and click on the link below to read the rest)
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Posted by admin on Tuesday, March 24 @ 10:53:24 EDT (244 reads)
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| One Minute |
 Anonymous writes "By Scott Meredith
The new best-selling book The Survivors Club : the Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood does not mention Ryabko-Vasiliev Systema even once. It’s not about martial arts. And it isn’t published by Systema Headquarters. But never mind all that – It’s going to be one of the most compelling, motivating, and informative books you ever read about Systema or martial arts. If you do read it, that is. I’m betting that by the end of this piece, you’ll be running out to get it. If not, I’ve failed you as a writer, but more importantly, you may have failed yourself, at your most important task – staying alive.
‘The Survivors Club’ explains why some people live through things that creep your flesh even to read about – mass drowning events, horrific fiery infernos, metal spikes through the heart, and beyond. Sherwood makes the crucial distinction between “surviving” and “living”. The idea being that you need to apply the same calm awareness and rational sensitivity which have probably served you well in the calmer waters of your daily life, to the maelstrom of a life-threatening emergency. He thoroughly explains all the recent cutting-edge survival research, and spices his narrative with incredible anecdotes that will make you proud simply to count yourself one of the same species as these “ordinary” people who walked (or swam, or fell...) through hell and back again.
(Click link below to continue reading)"
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Posted by admin on Wednesday, March 11 @ 09:43:06 EDT (220 reads)
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| A Description of Systema by Martin Wheeler |
 Anonymous writes "Martin Wheeler wrote this years ago when he first became acquainted with Systema. It was always one of my favorite posts from the forum so I asked his permission to reprint it unedited here. Martin is one of the top instructors in Systema. He is in LA and can be reached at wheelersystema@yahoo.com if you are lucky enough to live close enough to train with him.
"I met a master of the art, Vladimir Vasiliev at a seminar
organized by Lee Wedlake and was further encouraged to study it by my friend Al
Mcluckie. After what I saw I started training under him in his school in
Toronto whenever I can. I would have to say I am blown away by the concept of
Systema which is an internal Russian martial art. Vladimir and Mikhail Ryabko,
who I was lucky enough to meet recently, are incredible teachers of the martial
arts. Their concept of the art and teaching methods are quite simply amazing. I
am not even entirely sure how they do what they do, I just know that it works.
In a way I was searching for Systema without really knowing what I was looking
for, the training regiment I was following was telling me to relax, stay in
contact with the opponent , steer away from specific technique, keep in motion,
allow my weapons to follow their own paths and let the bodies fluidity work for
itself while encouraging the mind to intuitively strategize. But saying all that
I think if I had carried on down the path I was taking for the next 20 years I
still doubt I would have learned as much as I did in only my first week of
training in The System under a teacher such as Vladimir.
(follow link to continue reading)
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Posted by Admin on Sunday, February 15 @ 15:28:25 EST (259 reads)
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| FAQ |
 Anonymous writes "
WHAT IS IT?
Russian: Systema is a Martial Art with roots in ancient Russia
Martial: It is in active use in top levels of modern Russian
special operations groups
Art: Well, perhaps Systema is not an “art” at all since we don’t
much care what it looks like. It is instead a functional system
that encompasses all aspects of interaction
We teach Systema as taught by Vladimir Vasiliev and Mikhail Ryabko. This Style encompasses every aspect of conflict, from the psychological aspects of conversation and posturing as violence arises, thru all aspects of hand to hand fighting, grappling and groundwork and group attacks, and weaponry, including work with a handgun or rifle, and work in special environments, against a wall, in a chair, car, stairway or in the water. You name it: we work with it.
· WHAT IS TRAINING LIKE?
Our practice sessions are usually is a series of drills, with some freestyle work on occasion. Most drills are done at a slow speed. Slow study creates a fear free environment so the body and mind can learn thoroughly. Speed ultimately becomes somewhat irrelevant when one simply matches the speed of the incoming event. Since Systema is based on training concepts, laws of motion, and sensitivity to the moment, there is no "technique" to do right or wrong and the learning curve is shortened. The immediate feedback makes this truly effective. Throughout all training, the primary focus is on good form, relaxation and breathing. This is for the purpose of keeping strength and managing fear. These are our tools to maintain an energized and creative state that allows free flowing and appropriate work. Unlike sport fighting, life is vastly more unpredictable and may demand effort for an extended period of time. One beautiful facet of Systema is that it is designed to work when one is tired, injured or weak.
· WHO WOULD BENEFIT?
Men and women that want to learn to protect their families and gain better understanding and control of violence and fear.
Older people that want to gain health and decrease injuries: Systema has students in their 70s
Professionals that want more insight into working with the human body will appreciate the realistic training.
Anyone who wants to strengthen their character in an honest and real way.
· HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MARTIAL ARTS?
You don’t have to memorize anything
It is a “come as you are” study. You don’t have to be “in shape” to learn.
It is not based on brute strength or flexibility.
There are no traditions or cultural practices.
There are belts or ranks.
You don’t have to fight your way thru a hierarchy of individuals
There are no rules and no secrets.
Systema works when you are tired or injured.
Systema gives increased awareness and responsiveness without hyper alertness.
· WHY IS IT EASY TO LEARN?
It is not technique based: No katas. You don’t have to memorize.
We move more from what we feel than what we see.
Flexibility is not required: We use intuitive natural movements.
Strength is not required: We use manipulation of form rather than brute force.
Training is non-intimidating and movements are typically studied at a slow speed.
Training is fun, non-competitive and cooperative.
· IT LOOKS DANGEROUS - IS IT SAFE?
Students are taught progressively. All drills are started with simple variations to allow the body to work properly.
Training cooperatively generally prevents injuries.
Learning to work in a relaxed manner using the breath reduces tension and therefore reduces injuries
Training blades when used are flexible plastic or dulled metal.
Nothing we do is mandatory. Students can sit out any sessions that they are not comfortable with.
· WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS?
Systema promotes health: It strengthens and does not injure the body.
Use of proper breathing and relaxation leads to decrease in injuries and huge gains in stamina.
Posture will improve with understanding of body structure
Systema exercises are typically isometric. They are designed to increase tendon strength and teach proper breathing.
We decrease stress with breathing and improved understanding of psychology.
Injuries are decreased thru increased physical awareness.
You will increase strength immediately thru understanding of Form, breath and selective relaxation.
· WHAT ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS?
We learn to relax –even in a chaotic environment.
One learns to calm the mind thru training the breath.
The system is a form of movement therapy that removes fear from the body.
This system is compatible with spiritual living: force can be appropriately applied.
Systema provides a greater understanding of psychology of conversation, posture, aggression and combat.
Fear management has very widespread daily benefit: it is one of our biggest enemies in life.
· IS IT RELIGIOUS?
Systema comes for Orthodox Christian roots but religious doctrine is not part of outward the curriculum.
Its roots are evident in the underlying approach to life and training.
There are aspects of breathing technique that can be linked to prayer if desired.
· IS IT MILITARISTIC?
Although many practitioners wear camo clothing, it is mostly just a tribute to the roots of our art.
It is one of the least regimented martial systems you will ever see.
There are no ranks. No one ever yells at anyone else.
Training is never like boot camp. Strengthening exercises are primarily breathing exercises.
FINAL COMMENT
The best way to see what Systema is about is to train for a month. You can't really get a good taste in a single session. If you come once it may be too brutal, or it may be too mundane. There are so many things to study and train that the content of training varries immensely. One time we work on sensitivity, another recieving strikes, then fighting in a crowd, or fighting with a knife or stick, and sometimes we disarm or do force on force work with training guns. It is always different so don't judge by just one class, nor only a week. A commitment to a block of training and tasting will serve you better. It will be worth the experience whether or not you decide to continue training with us."
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Posted by admin on Saturday, February 14 @ 21:53:45 EST (284 reads)
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| Surviving the Urban Jungle Part II |
Anonymous writes "From our friend Lloyd Robrecht:
Hello friends,
Just wanted to let you all know that Kwan Lee's seminar (Surviving the Urban Jungle part1) in West Point, VA was just amazing! We covered dynamic joint breaks, stick work, confined spaces work, gun disarms, and more. It really kicked things up to the next level! I hope all of you will be able to join us for Part 2 held in Roanoke, VA March 28th and 29th some of the topics to be covered include fighting from the ground against weapons and 2 attackers, improvised weapons (we will look at use of chairs, credit cards, clothes, pens etc. ) dynamic joint breaks using the legs, kicks, and escapes from hold, chokes and locks. This series of seminars will without a doubt expose you to a deeper level of work that many have yet to experience.
Please see the attached flyer and call me for hotel information
Best regards,
Lloyd
Lloyd Robrecht
Roanoke Systema Group
540.312.9832
www.russianmartialart-va.com"
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Posted by admin on Monday, February 09 @ 14:21:28 EST (186 reads)
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| Handgun Training, Training Attitude |
Marc writes "I had posted a question on Vlad's forum about training guns and a friend and fellow Systema person replied
Ken Good writes: I have personally trained with wax bullets, a variety of commercially available and custom paintgun/markers, Simmunitions FX as well as varying quality of Airsoft guns. All have Pros & Cons. Yes, you want reliability and accuracy and as much replication of the actual weapon as possible. That being said, I believe the single most important thing you are doing when putting any simulation training weapon in your hand, with opponents downrange that plan on shooting you when the opportunity presents itself, is training your perception system/situational awareness. The ability to "see". The actual firing of the weapon (whatever it happens to be), is the last thing in a long chain of events that you are dealing with. The weapon should be transparent in your hands so to speak. Don't pay too much attention to it. If you are, then your mind is in the wrong universe and you simply need more time behind the weapon on the range and immersed in simulation. If you line somebody up, drop the hammer and your round(s), doesn't actually hit the target because the training weapon is not quite up to speed, don't worry about it. It was a good rep so to speak. Also remember, if you are hit with any number of the possible training projectiles and you attribute it to (he or she got "lucky") or he or she has a better weapon than you do, you are concentrating on the wrong reality. Don't let your pride get in the way of a good lesson! The reality is: If you got hit with a crappy training weapon system, how much easier for your opponent would it have been with an actual weapon? As training weapons do improve on the field, the better shooters will leverage them faster/more efficiently that less proficient shooters. In others words, as the weapons get better, the fights are finished faster in favor of the more proficient/experienced. When I first got started in so-called "Force-on-Force" training, I forced myself and all my instructors to generally use the least effective training weapons of those available on any given training day. We used 1-shot pump Sheridan training markers (10-rounds in a magazine above the barrel). We gave the students higher capacity rifles (both semi and full-auto) for their use. Although significantly outnumbered and "outgunned), we (the instructors) would regularly dominate the situation using better movement, tactics, communication and calm under duress that will promote accuracy & proper timing. You could not simply cover your sloppy movements with more rounds in the air, you had to find out what was going on on some of the not so obvious levels and consistently execute. Then when we did use the better weapons, the fights were over exceptionally fast. I guess what I am trying to say, is don't get too wrapped around the axle at first with respect to which training weapon you have. Get in there, mix it up. Learn from the myriad of mistakes we all make in these situations.
Marc writes:
To say the least, Ken was one of the pioneers of force-on-force handgun training. Take a moment to visit his website at www.progressivecombat.com
And be sure and read some of his articles on the same site.
Also reread the above article and consider the training attitude described by Ken -and then extend the concepts to ALL your training. Training is about learning and expanding your awareness. In a training environment this is not the same thing as "winning". In fact, we often learn more when we lose. When we win (which sometimes comes with a good dose of luck), we pat ourselves on the back and hardly think back about the things that made it work....the ego is too busy. But, when we lose we often replay the tape over and over, looking for what went wrong.
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Posted by admin on Tuesday, January 13 @ 08:01:01 EST (252 reads)
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| Wheeler Systema |
 Marc writes "Martin Wheeler just released this new video montage that is sure to be a favorite. I could only post it under one topic and "movement" seemed to fit best as Martin's movement is unique. Smoothness is a desired trait of Systema but few people move as smoothly as Martin. His movement is relaxed without being too relaxed ...something he tried to instruct me about when I saw him last year. Now I see it better, and this video gives us all something to work towards.
Martin is the instructor at the Los Angeles School of Russian Martial Art in California. "
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Posted by admin on Tuesday, January 13 @ 07:43:22 EST (337 reads)
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| Journey to Systema -or- "What is it about Systema that so inspires" |
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Anonymous writes " By Morten Danielson
My name is Morten Danielsen and I am a Systema Instructor under Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev. I am also the one presenting the training of Systema at our club in Esbjerg, Denmark. But this is not about me – this is about our Journey. Our club was traditionally a karate club. Small compared to many – and after the journey together with Vladimir, Mikhail, Valentin, Konstantin, Sergei and others we have dedicated ourselves to Systema. Systema Denmark started in Germany. Some of our club members went to a seminar in Münster with Mikhail and they got convinced that there was something they had to investigate further. So after purchasing many of the great DVDs (and my own personal favorite is Systema Hand to Hand, if you want to know) we started including some of the exercises in our karate training. That was not enough for me. Being somewhat older and heavier than the most in our club, I sensed that Systema matched me in a way unprecedented to anything I have experienced in martial arts before. And after participating in another seminar in Münster, this time with Vladimir, and having the good fortune to spend some time talking about life and Systema, I got so inspired that I for one no longer train the traditional karate! Members of our club also found the aspects and principles of Systema so interesting that they backed my participation at the Summit of Masters held in Toronto in 2006. The Summit of Masters was a great meeting of friends and a great display of Systema. We experienced many of the subjects covered in the DVDs first hand, and I must say that the combination of the DVDs with participating at live seminars works wonders! I also took part in the Spring Training in Toronto and seminars in Serbia, Sweden all in all it is my impression of being totally inspired for training and life. And we know how things happen, the inspiring message of Systema had spread to others in Denmark and we now have four groups doing regular training sessions, and the numbers keep growing. A very interesting question is··· What is it about Systema that so inspires? (follow link to read the rest) |
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Posted by Admin on Saturday, December 13 @ 06:57:08 EST (241 reads)
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| Systema Instructor Produces New Book on Knee Pain |
Marc writes "Systema Instructor, Bill Parravano, has just released his new book on the topic of knee pain. This information is not from Systema itself, and although I have not read the book, I can recommend it without hesitation as I have had Bill work on me with amazing results, and have seen him work on many others, including Mikhail Ryabko ...and heard nothing but praises.
Bill has an unconventional approach. I have a messed up hip that I believe originated from an injury of the knee on that side. When I train allot, like at camp, the falls on that one side add up and make it more painful. This year, after about three days at camp I was limping around and asked Bill his advise, hoping he would work on me a bit. Since Bill is such a good-natured guy who truly loves his craft, he had me lie down and he worked on immediately. It is a bit hard to describe what was done. It seemed like Bill pressed the leg towards the socket and rotated a bit both directions. It was very gentle and painless, lasting no more than about five minutes. To paraphrase his explanation, he put the joint in a position where it could release the tension that the body was putting there to protect it. Something did indeed seem to release, but gently, not like cracking chiropractics. After this short session it immediately felt better, and the following morning when I woke up it felt substantially better. Although it was not the end to the situation, I knew he was on to something with his technique.
For those of you who are interested you can find the e-book online.
You can also visit the website at www.thekneepainguru.com
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Posted by admin on Thursday, October 16 @ 08:37:25 EDT (256 reads)
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| Breathing with Multiple Strikes |
 Marc writes "(This is a follow-up to articles on striking posted earlier)
Vlad writes:
Question: When we work with a single strike it seems clear – exhale at the very moment that the strike makes contact with the body, and then, follow up with Burst Breathing if it is necessary to recover. But what happens when there are multiple strikes?
Vladimir: Multiple strikes give you multiple opportunities to take action by ways of: Breathing , Movement , Capturing the force. Let’s look at each one briefly.
1. Clearly, the importance of Breathing properly becomes even more important during multiple striking. No matter what, try to maintain exhaling upon every contact. If you are faced with quick consequent strikes, keep up by making your exhales very short. If two or more strikes land on you simultaneously, make a longer exhale. It becomes very apparent how to do that when you experience it yourself. Begin with pushing and practice by having two or three partners deliver pushes with their fists to various parts of your body. Start slowly and gradually increase the speed.
2. Breathing will help you avoid the tension and if tension is not holding you back, you will be able to move. The more mobile you are the less pain you will experience. In Systema, we often practice moving different body segments such as shoulders independent of the rest of the body. This drill will allow you to put forward less vulnerable body areas to meet the strikes. With multiple punches, you will also realize that preplanned and pre-rehearsed techniques will not work. Whereas, your breath patterns and your free movements can be adapted to any unpredictable attacks and challenging settings.
3. An additional alternative in dealing with multiple hitting is capturing the force. You would take the strike onto your body and redirect it towards your own fist to give your punch more power. You can transform the energy of each punch you receive to go into the force of your own strike. This training requires an experienced instructor and we do it in class and in seminars.
Vlad says, "We have received many questions on this topic. Some very good ones and some questions only show that people have not read LET EVERY BREATH book carefully, and that is a shame. The book contains many answers and most valuable information. It is entertaining and tremendously well put together by a skilled writer Professor Scott Meredith. Life goes on so quickly and we should try not to miss the treasures on the way. Please visit Vlad's website when you get a chance. And contribute to the forum there if you are able.
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Posted by admin on Thursday, October 16 @ 08:31:00 EDT (422 reads)
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| Article on Slow Training Principles |
Marc writes "This excerpt is from Spyridon Katsigiannis' article posted on Systema UK website. Mr. Katsigiannis is in Goteborg, Sweden.
In Soft Work what we do is simulate combat situations using slow time framing (low speed, that is) while trying to keep the energy of our attacks real. This training method of the RMA has been highly publicised, mainly through videos available all over the Internet and it is because of this training method that Systema has been accused by practitioners of other combat arts as "unrealistic", "flowery", "girly" and various other reeeally cool adjectives!
Before going deeper on the specific reasons of using Soft Work as part of our training, I would like to state something that for Systema practitioner is already well known: we do not ONLY train soft in Systema - on the contrary, we use both soft and hard methods and each of those plays its own distinct role in our fighting preparation.
....Be sure and click "more" below to continue reading this article.
"
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Posted by admin on Tuesday, October 14 @ 08:48:10 EDT (284 reads)
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| What is the "Art" of Martial Arts? |
Marc writes "Written by Alex Kostic, Senior Instructor in Serbia: translated by Dragan Milojevic
WHAT IS THE "ART" OF MARTIAL ARTS?
We live today in a time where almost every single aspect of our existence is either directly or indirectly conditioned by technology. Moreover, according to many thinkers, the technology dictates the direction in which civilization will develop. Nowadays, man is following the dictate of technology, and not vice versa. Such a situation inevitably leads to a slow imposing of hard frames on thing most humane – the spontaneity and creativity as a feature of wondering. This “wondering”, which is being lost even among the children, is the main instigator of the co-existence between man and the mystery of being, which is discovered, layer by layer, through the wondering and amazement.
The ecstasy of discovery is primarily shaped through the “phenomenon” that we refer to as art. Everything else is just utilization and adaptation of the original insight to the daily needs. In order for a man to create a work of art, he must be inspire-d (as in-spirit-ed). We see here that words inspiration and respiration (root - spirit) are of the same origin, same root, which in turn awakes the thought that a man who creates needs to be inspired, i.e. spiritual. This leads us to recognizing some order. Breath…insight…materialization or shaping of “that something”, a phenomenon. That something, which is being unfolded has its hidden side. There is no other way…it would be the murder of the mystery of being. This dance between the concealed and unfolded is expressed (and is only possible) in art. A work of art is unlimited in its interpretations and bears inexhaustible messages and guidelines for each new generation. For example, an old, bent wheel-hub or an old broken battery radio might be witnesses of recent past, but have no use today (besides recycling), unlike Michelangelo’s David or Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which does not cease to educate upcoming generations. This is just scratching the surface, as one might add the Bible, various music composers etc.
While reading this, someone might ask “what does it have to do with martial arts?”
If we accept the art segment of the martial, then we need to ask not where, but how is the art present there. I will attempt to give a short (and direct) answer to that question. In individual being (as opposed to persona). A man is not given, but rather “sketched”. If I can put it roughly, given is an animal body, with all its urges, instincts and so on. What is sketched is a man as a being of love. Someone who is transformed…or even better being transformed… someone who is overcoming his or hers mindless urges and is redirecting own energy towards the refining and modeling of one’s personality (in my jargon, as an Orthodox Christian, it would be called “Christ-likeness”). The context of practicing martial arts (Systema) opens up a possibility for some kind of corporal confession, by working out in the community with other participants. Quicker than anywhere else, we are able to perceive plethora of emotions that permeate our body, from anger, through sorrow to happiness…
When we are winning a sparring session, we are celebrating (while the other is maybe angry or sad), sometimes we get scared from someone stronger or more ruthless. Sometimes we strive for a revenge…to hurt someone on purpose…and sometimes we retreat (we run away from the whole situation). Sometimes, the states are emerging that we haven’t been aware of. There is at the same time the mindless nature of the entire thing, but also material to work with. Like painter has his colors and canvas and sculptor has stone, so we have our body (as the foundation of Being – "body as the temple for the soul”) to work with.
To make it possible at all, we need to have a right framework, which means a different relation than the competitive one. What constitutes a man is his relation with others. Without others, which also means without the community, we do not exist as people. The relation with others is what shapes my identity…through interaction with others I am shaped, as an individual and a Personality. In the interaction and caring for each other we grow, become enriched and develop as individuals and as the community. Through the constant competition, what we get is the illusion of power…in plain language, we loot it from the defeated…until one day we get looted ourselves…our power is temporary and short-lived, like a drug. We go through emotional and physical hell to preserve the state…we close ourselves in our own fortresses, made of muscular armor, and there we dwell alone in the spiritual darkness.
There is no light without empathy and care for other. Only an open door or window will let fresh air or light into someone’s home. In case of man, it is the openness for the “other”, who is my other “I”. Fighting is always fighting with oneself. In a way, it means overcoming one’s own fears and weakness. The other is there to help us, and not to defeat us. The only thing that needs to be defeated is our weakness and fears that are impeding us from being a new body – a body of light and love.
The art in martial endeavor is the “art of transformation” from mindless into minded, through the terror of facing oneself with the help of other. Today, in the world of pragmatism and measuring, we often have the case of martial arts straying from the reality, i.e. avoiding that face-off. Under the excuse of “tradition”, they are hiding before the challenge of reality. On the other side, we have a pure utilitarian approach, which is deprived of humane, and becomes a purpose in itself, where the humane becomes sacrificed (of turning a man into a machine). The encounter of a man with reality in himself and around himself, all that within a community that provides support to overcome weakness and transform into spiritual, Christ-like…maybe that is a direction to follow. The greatest warrior of all times had defeated and brought down himself and not others…for the sake of us all.
Senior Systema Instructor Alex Kostic
Systema Serbia
http://www.russianmartialart-serbia.com
Alex is one of my favorite instructors and I have heard nothing but good things about the seminar he hosts there every year at a mountaintop resort. The prices are even good. Be sure and check it out on his website.
"
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Posted by admin on Sunday, October 05 @ 08:55:46 EDT (311 reads)
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| On Any Thursday: Ken Good Breathes thru a Crash |
 Marc writes "Written by Ken Good, Mon, 29 Sep 2008
On Any Thursday
The actual movie title is “On any Sunday” which is an older motorcycle race/crash movie that my friend Ben Chassen just brought over...Perfect!
As some of you are aware, I decided not to turn left on the road when it was prudent to do so. We were in a relatively inaccessible canyon area, East of San Diego. It was totally makeable, I was just stupid.
Unfortunately I didn’t have a helmet camera on my motorcycle for do*****entation when I left the mountain to test the validity of my gravity theories in the local area. If there is any lingering doubt, I am here to say that gravity works quite well in this particular canyon....In fact, even without proper do*****entation, in my mind it’s beyond theory at this point, and I’m leaning toward it’s a scientific law at this point....At the very least, gravity is exceptionally consistent in this area....I also confirmed that granite boulders generally win when your back hits them at normally back-breaking velocities.
I do remember flying through the air after my bike impacted the first set of boulders, thinking “relax and breathe” ala Systema principles, (which I did) like I have told countless people in our combatives training, but I did not expect to be having to tap that bit of knowledge for such a moment as this. I was wearing full protection during my reunion with terra firma. See: http://www.motostrano.com/bionicjacket1.html Note the back protection on this system.
When I hit the next set of rocks, I was actually surprised that I lived, then I was even more surprised that I could move my extremities. Based on the scientific “thrash index”, I was thrashed on the upper end of the scale and thought for certain I broke my back.
My best word picture to describe the wonderful sensation was it was like getting hit with a free swinging 2-ton steel girder concentrated in one area of your body but you are trapped against something hard when it makes contact.
Granted, some of you on my email list can punch extremely hard, but I am here to tell you, ya got nothing on Mother Nature!
My friends later told me later, that they had never seen such ash white and dark green on a human face before....I attribute it to the secret chameleon training I went through in the Navy...The ability to change colors on demand can be useful in stressful situations...But I digress.
Although I almost lost consciousness several times over a 2-hour period on the ground, I kept control of my breathing as best as I could.
I remember kinda snapping back into reality and looking up and admiring the blueness of the sky, the beauty of the clouds. Then my son walked by. I thought, “Man he is a good looking kid....He looks like his mother...” I was chuckling at the ridiculousness of the entire scene... I remember hearing Molly pray from me and the first responders. Regardless of your beliefs, this is good stuff in times like these. The clarity of the moment was pure. I am actually quite grateful for it.
Alas, all I have to chronicle the adventure is the helicopter lift out of the area taken from a cell phone camera (mine)....They were already re-allocating my belongings! In the 1st video you can hear me say, I am getting claustrophobic. What happened was I was on the hot ground for a quite some time. De-hydrated and in a bit of pain. These guys bundle me up on back board, belt me in, tape everything down, neck brace, head brace.....I can’t move anything but my hands...It takes time....Not a fun feeling even in the best of cir*****stances. Then they spend about 10 minutes wrapping this lift bag around the whole thing....It’s thick....I immediately got exceptionally HOT inside that bag...Several times the material is draped over my face and mouth. The neck brace is constricting my blood flow to my head, because it was too tight around my neck. Think mummy sack, but you now know you cannot move.....Then 3 guys step over me....I had an immediate, powerful psychological reaction to it. I calmly state, I am getting claustic....My friend Ben tells me to hang in there....I breathe and try to put my mind somewhere else...Then I ask my friends if they can pour some water over my head....They did. As soon as the cold water hit my head and chest, I was fine.....
In the 3rd video, in what appears to be the sun is me actually taking the opportunity to show the power of our HID lights during an emergency situation. You don’t always run across marketing opportunities like this and I wanted maximize time on target while the resources were there.
Overall damage report: Cracked Sacrum that should heal in 6-weeks and slightly beat up YZ250...I am walking on my own power today with no pain meds.
In the final analysis: I am exceptionally grateful to be alive, not in a wheel chair for the rest of my daze, and the my wife Francine is not real happy with me right now!!! Yahoo Honey! - I am sorry Honey....
I thank my son who found me, my friends who comforted me and prayed for me on-scene, the emergency response folks, and for Rick who managed to let me know he was personally grateful it wasn’t his $12K KTM stuck upside in the tree with smashed parts (which I was riding earlier).
As on “Oh by the way”, the 1st helicopter that showed up on scene, over-torqued during a low-level hover and almost crashed into the mountain....It was exceptionally close in terms of a another catastrophic event. I talked to the crewman, when he did end up near me and he was visibly shaken from what just almost happened to them.
What a day! The humor index was exceptionally high when you step away from being in the middle. I am also now thinking if I had a faster bike, I might have cleared the section....
Respectfully, Ken J. Good
Thank God that Ken survived this one! Ken is a fellow Systema student and is a world-class close-quarters handgun instructor with whom many of us have been blessed to train. http://www.pbase.com/marcbresee/image/80909400
Ken pioneered force-on-force training and has been instrumental in producing top quality combative lighting, now under a new name at http://polarion-usa.com/media/Polarion.html
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Posted by admin on Sunday, October 05 @ 08:33:31 EDT (851 reads)
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