Some memories of Moscow May of 2009

      Ahhhhhh Moscow. What a town. The trip in 2009 was life changing (and I mean that very literaly).

               What occurred in the following clip was a very interesting experience indeed.

                                                   


         With regards to our time there, David and myself had the chance to express the following:

                                                   

Thanks a million to those who looked after us. Victor Petrov, thankyou for your guidance during this trip and also in September 2010. Your advice "Be Alive" still gives me much to reflect on even today. Andrei, thanks for the stick massage. Both occasions taught me new things about myself, and helped heal me just a little bit more...and yes the second time round is much better. Daniel Ryabko, thanks for an awesome day during our first trip, and thankyou for introducing me to Banya (Russian Bath House). And of course thankyou to Mikhail Ryabko...pretty much for everything.             

                                                   

  

One last thing. When you make trips like this, remember to listen to your body. Remember there is only so much information your nervous system can integrate at one time. So pay close attention to yourself and know when to take a rest. Otherwise by the end of your trip you will look like this:

Until next time.

-Justin

Systema at Full Range - From Soft to Devastating on June 25th and 26th 2011

Wooooohhooooooooooooooo, I'm going to this one:

Systema at Full Range - From Soft to Devastating.
by Vladimir Vasiliev and Systema HQ instructors.

DATES: June 25th and 26th 2011
LOCATION: Russian Martial Art School
39 Glen Cameron Rd. Unit 2, Thornhill, ON Canada
directions to Toronto School

TRAINING TIMES: Saturday June 25th and Sunday June 26th
11:15 am to 12:45 pm - Systema in-class training
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm - Seminar

Learn the all-encompassing spectrum of Systema, from soft work to devastating action.
Control your power, intensity and speed in all situations.

FEES: by May 1st, 2011
2-day Seminar, no in-class training: $160
2-day Seminar with in-class training (Saturday and Sunday): $185

FEES: after May 1st, 2011 (if any spots remain)
2-day Seminar, no in-class training: $195
2-day Seminar with in-class training (Saturday and Sunday): $225

Ages: adults 16 and up.
No previous experience needed.

Required equipment:
Short Staff and Training Knife
If you are not able to bring these please indicate in comments section when submitting your order.

Recommended preparation - instructional DVDs:
Systema Breathing Package, DVD and Book.
Systema Hand to Hand
Dynamic Joint Breaks
Contact, Impact and Control
Knife: Unconditional Mastery
Russian Stick Combat
Stick Seminars

Out of town visitors who wish to come a few days before and/or stay a few days after the seminar are welcome to join the regular group classes. Additional visitors training sessions with the Systema HQ instructors, Max, Adam and Brendon can be arranged.

Instructorship evaluation and renewal can be arranged with Vladimir Vasiliev.
http://www.russianmartialart.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=183

Heaviness and Lightness in the Body

Relaxation creates heaviness. But relaxation also creates lightness. Through relaxation you can choose either, for whatever purpose. Control your own density. Move it to where you need it. Be heavy like a hammer or light as a feather. Perhaps even at the same time. Do this with the breath and by paying attention to yourself.

Systema Insight Gained: Monday

Remember when you feel pressure, move from the point of contact, in a way that is relaxed but not floppy. it could be just a push, but it could also just as easily be a knife up against you. You never know so make sure you move. But remember don't just fall over at the slightest touch. A person must know how to touch in the right place, at the right time, with the right sensitivity to influence another person. Falling over for no reason does nothing to help cultivate this sensitivity, But breeds a false sense of security, leads to misunderstanding of our training methods, and can result in a lot of pointless debating online. Find the balance between moving with a force, and being honest in your attacks (i.e. don't fall over if you don't have to). It's a fine line and like all things can be a double edged sword.

                      Training with Rocko and Jason this morning . Thanks for the help guys!!!!!

My First Post

           My name is Justin Ho (far right). I am a Systema practitioner from Sydney Australia.

After studying Systema for some years I made a trip to Moscow in May of 2009. I was fortunate to be in the company of Australia's longest serving Systema Instructor, David Quaile (Far Left) of Bundaburg, Queensland. David has always been a good teacher and friend, as well as one of the most skilled and humble men I have ever met. He has always been active in sharing his knowledge and helping with growth of Systema in both Australia and New Zealand. He has been kind enough to guide me in my study of the System, and helped me to understand the lessons during our time in Moscow. During this visit I had the pleasure of meeting Mikhail Ryabko (Middle), and training at his school. The lessons I learned will last me a lifetime. I was fortunate enough to return to Moscow again in September of 2010. The lessons learnt from my second trip, for me, continued from the lessons of the previous trip. Once again; these lessons will last me a lifetime. And no doubt it will be a far better lifetime than if I had not had the chance to learn them.

It is now March of 2011. As I write this I am behind a computer in the city of Toronto, Canada, where I have come to continue my education by training with Vladmir Vasiliev and his senior Instructors. Since I have arrived I have been looked after the by the Systema community here, and have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of my Intructors and training partners who have been kind enough to help me on this journey. I begin this blog today hoping to share what I have learned, and will continue to learn with the rest of the Systema community (and anyone else) worldwide. Some posts may be longer, some may be shorter. My musings I hope will be interesting at least. After all mine is just the experience and perspective of one man. But I hope whatever I post may be of some use in helping you find yours....Perspective that is.

To all my friends, teachers, and training partners (and you all are essentially all of these things to me), who have helped me along the way;

 Thankyou. This blog is for you.

- Justin Ho