Interpreting Footage of the Internal Work

It's amazing to see footage of great Systema Masters demonstrating skills and abilities which leave us inspired and even more curious about our study of the System. However when viewing these things from the other side of a computer screen, it is important to remember there is a lot that we can't see going on. Furthermore it is also to  important to remember that what these people can do is often the result of a lot of time and hard work to acquire these abilities which is a credit to them. Neglecting to remember this and  neglecting to take into account the context of what we are watching can sometimes lead to imitation without understanding. This is a big problem.

I recently came across some great footage on Facebook of Mikhail Ryabko teaching internal work in Moscow. Through this social medium I got into a conversation with a friend of mine Loren Clements, an Instructor in New Zealand who raised some questions which were both FAIR AND REASONABLE to consider. For context here is a link to the footage. I could not embed it so please click the link below the photo:

 CLICK HERE TO SEE FOOTAGE

Please note that this article has been written with the permission of Loren and also, Kitagawa Takahide, the gentleman who's Facebook wall this conversation occurred on. 

Loren Clements: What are we seeing here? What is the purpose and what are the roles played? Cheers.

Justin Ho: From the outside looking in, to me it looks like incredibly refined internal movement to study how to return tension. IMHO it is the result of meticulously cultivated FORM, but real form not just "good" posture held with tension. I don't know if you can see it due to the angle of the camera but look at the connection of his feet to the floor and how it relates through his body to the top of his head. Whatever existing tension he has he evenly distributes throughout his body making it both full and powerful.

Again as I'm on the on the side of the screen and can only take a stab at it; He seems to use his sensitivity in order to feel the direction of the external force the Japanese gentleman is giving him, and uses the very minimal amount of internal movements (a masterful expression of economy of movement) in order to RETURN TENSION into this gentleman's body affecting his structure in such a way to weaken it enough making him dependant on Michaels physical presence for support.

I think this also involves how Michael is in terms of his very being (not in an esoteric sense). I think due to the practices he engages in the way he is as a person but also just being comfortable as physiological and neurological ATTRIBUTE enables him to develop that rapport through comfort to enable him to relax and hence control this person's nervous system. Simply put he is so comfortable he makes the other person comfortable. The other person is so comfortable he has no desire to fight against the situation and his nervous system accepts it, and as such is willing to accept Michael as his main frame of reference (perception) to remain standing and his main source of support (physical).

I believe that Michael then indicates that once you can do this from contact, by keeping a "Connection" (I am not entirely sure as to the nature of this connection) with the person you can begin to have a similar effect from a distance. That part is outside the realms of my understanding so I cannot comment.

That's just me taking a stab at it. I may be wrong.

Also I think whilst we can perceive a very small amount of what's going on, there are always many things going on which we just don't understand, and may not have the capacity to understand... Yet

Loren Clements: That's the one Justin, thanks! The posting of these types of clips is a doubled edged sword - good to see the work, not so good that there are no real descriptions or translations of what the work is......

This is an interesting clip. What is the transition to using this work against someone that does not want to be controlled?

Justin Ho: Again I may be wrong but I'll take a stab at it. Oh and I'm not saying "It's like this and that's a fact". I'm sincere when I say there are always other factors at play which we don't and may not ever have the capacity to understand. This is just what I can see at this point in time.

1. Acquire the right attributes and understanding of ACTUAL form. And TAKE THE TIME to do it properly. Don't just gloss over the work like it's a chore. As a mutual friend of ours advises you gotta go back to the beginning before you can climb higher. As usual it involves finding whatever it was we've been missing/ignoring, and as we both know that hurts the pride and ego more than any beating ever could. It's hard to convey the information properly via text but this may be useful: http://sydneysystemablog.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-soles-of-feet-and-squat.html?m=1 
NOTE: In the linked article I am not referring simply to keeping the heels on the ground. I am talking about whole contact and even distribution of weight and pressure throughout the entire soles of the feet.

If you observe the clip in the article I think that the same principles may be at play:

2. Once you have acquired REAL form as an ATTRIBUTE (not something that you "do", and "not something written in some textbook, or that someone else tells you to do" but something that is part of "who and how you are". Then Begin studying the impact of external forces on your body and your form. Begin with a slow, honest push consistent in pressure. Pick a part of the body that suits you (hand, forearm, chest, stomach etc...) Take that pressure from the push and rather than escaping absorb into your physical being, distributing that pressure and external force evenly throughout your body. Here's a tip: Feel the soles of the feet. Really feel the sole's of your feet. Don't gloss over it.

I know everyone always wants to go full speed and force with that whole "would this work in real life?" Mindset... Resist this urge in the initial stages. People are keen to pressure test their skills (and gratify the ego) but I submit to you this: how can you pressure test skill when you do not possess any skill to pressure test? Or as I like to say: "why buy a lawn mower when you don't have a lawn?" Work at the pace and level where you can produce results, and increase the intensity (speed, physical pressure, unpredictability of the attack) to the point you are able to succeed until you reach the point of failure. Reaching a point of failure is inevitable.

3. Upon reaching the point of failure often the pride is hurt and it is a common misconception for a person to throw their hands in the air in frustration and go " arrgh it's all just smoke and mirrors!!". Do not fall into this trap. People will often try to break through this plateau by banging their heads against the wall. But now the question is "how did you come to the wall in the first place?"... Time to study ourselves. Go back to the beginning. The problem is likely to not be where you are stuck but something missing back in the beginning. The weak, undeveloped and ignored part of the base so to speak. Go back to the beginning and figure it out. Again, this hurts the pride and ego more than any beating. But then you should be able to progress further with greater levels of intensity and pressure before failing.

Do this again and again and again. Hard work. No short cuts. No excuses. No self pity.

In my opinion the mark of a good Systema practitioner is someone who can take the rawest of ingredients pulled from a personal experience, and make those raw ingredients into whatever he needs them to be. Someone who can take it all the way from beginning, middle and end, but as a result of studying themselves.

When people say things like "aww know yourself, know yourself, these Systema guys are just spouting out catch phrases and buzzwords"... Well they are only buzzwords when people choose (and it is a choice) to pay lip service to them. "Study yourself" is NOT a metaphor.

(Just a general statement I'm not having a dig at you man)

I don't mean to talk down to anyone. I consider how this applies to me and my shortcomings far more than I do to anyone else. Nobodies perfect.

Loren Clements: Studying is good. Taking things for granted is not.

The question - Will it work in real life? is a very important one and should not be swept aside because we are 'supposed' to be training a certain way. Some of us HAVE to know whether the work CAN translate to streets because we rely on the lessons to protect ourselves and our colleagues on a daily/weekly basis.

Systema is a lifetime of study - but we should definitely be taking away very PRACTICAL information from every class. This immediate practical material keeps us safe and healthy while we have years to delve into the truly mysterious and amazing.

END OF DIALOGUE

Thankyou Loren for being so mindful and having the time (and nerve) to ask questions of such an important nature, rather that simply accepting what is seen on a computer screen without thinking. 

Loren Clements and Systema Auckland

Loren CLEMENTS is the Principal Instructor at Systema Auckland Loren began his involvement in martial arts in 2000. He studied a number of Chinese Martial Arts systems before becoming heavily involved in Yin Style Bagua Zhang. Loren's interests expanded to the 'reality-based' combatives systems but he found that although they were extremely functional they did not fit in with his philosophical needs. Upon commencing his Systema Journey and obtaining certification to teach from Systema Master Vladimir Vasiliev, Loren has set about creating a healthy environment where those interested in Systema can work as equal explorers and delve into this unique art. He has set a goal of constant upskilling for himself and sought out the opportunity to do so; this has included - daily training, attending and arranging further seminars, as well as regular trips to Systema Headquarters Toronto. For anyone interested in training with Loren in Auckland please visit:
http://www.systemaauckland.com

Regards,

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art 
www.systemasydney.com

Control of Tension with Breath

So since I returned from training at Systema HQ in Toronto about a fortnight ago, we've been playing with a lot of work involving breath permeation exercises (breathing and visualising the breath entering and leaving from different body parts) in order to diagnose and clean tension in the body. During the recent Mastering Systema Seminar Vlad went through some very simple breathing exercises in order to help us learn to do this. Whilst during the Seminar a lot of different lessons were covered over the 5 days, this work was utilised intermittently throughout the seminar. It was an incredibly physically strenuous 5 days, however everyone seemed able to function without falling into exhaustion. I believe it was the result of this amazing breathwork and it's restorative and performance enhancing properties. Upon my return home we have been focusing and exploring this work in great depth and also applying it to other concepts which we have been utilising over the last year.

In a nut shell it has involved: 
1. Connecting the breath to the body
2. Inducing tension and managing it by way of breath during physical exertion
3. Removing the residual tension that has remained in the body by way of breath following the physical exertion

Whilst in a lot of cases getting rid of accumulated tension can be done by way of movement, we have been studying how to do this by use of breath alone. Breath permeation has been the key. For anyone interested this process is described in detail in the book “Let Every Breath”, and involves visualising the breath entering and leaving through different body parts Ie. Arms legs, back, stomach, head. In order to do this we have to be aware not only how to breathe through the different body parts, but more importantly that we CAN breathe through the different body parts.


The Work:

1. Prepare yourself: 
Lay down on your back, put your arms by your side and close your eyes. Check your body is as symmetrical as possible. Begin to inhale in through the nose and out through the mouth. Direct your breath into the diaphram so that your stomach rises and falls like that of a new born baby. Keep it there. Breath in such a way that does not bring tension into the body. Breathe light. Not Shallow light. When you breathe light you are able to breathe deeper. So breathe deep. While doing this work it is important to note what it means to breathe deeply. According to Vlad to breathe deep is not just about filling the diaphragm and lungs with as much air as possible (respect the principle of sufficiency). To breathe deep is to do so without creating excess tension in the body. To breathe deep is also to be able to breathe through and take in air from any part of the body and also to be able to exhale and allow the breathe to exit through any part of the body. In this way we study how to connect the breath to the body, and with that connection directly regulate our tension levels with breath alone.

2. Connect the breath to the body: 
You can jump straight into the Breath permeation work, however if you have trouble perceiving the the breath entering and leaving through different body parts, it may help to do a series of full body and segmented tension sets to increase your ability to feel your body.

For example:

• Inhale and tense the whole body, Exhale and relax the whole body 
• Inhale and progressively tense the whole body like a wave from the top of the head down to the soles of the feet. 
• Exhale and progressively relax the whole body as a wave from the top of the head down to the soles of the feet. 
• Inhale and progressively tense the whole body like a wave from the soles of the feet to the top of the head 
• Exhale and progressively relax the whole body like a wave from the soles of the feet to the top of the head

Then move onto the breath permeation work. It is important to note that the more relaxed you are the easier it is to perceived the breath entering and leaving your body through the different body parts. So again, Breathe light and breathe deep. Not Shallow and not heavy. The lighter you breathe, the deeper you can breath because the more relaxed your are.

When you inhale and exhale visualise the breath entering in though the different described body parts and spreading though your whole body like a wave. I like using the analogy “like a full jug of water being poured into a container, until the container is completely full. You are the container and the water is your breath.”

For example:

• Inhale from the top of your head, and ALLOW the inhale to spread from the top of your head down through your face then neck, shoulder and arms, chest, stomach, hips, down through your legs and to your feet. Then once your body is full of your inhale, exhale but through your mouth. Repeat this process several times.
• Inhale through the soles of the feet like a wave all the way up your body through to your head and arms until your whole body is filled with the inhale. Then exhale through your mouth. Repeat this process several times.
• Inhale through the entire left side of your body spreading the inhale like a wave to the right side of your body filling your whole body. Exhale through the mouth. Then do this from the right side but to the left side of your body, then exhale through the mouth. Repeat this several times.
• NOW: Inhale form every single part of your body and gather your inhale into the very centre of your body i.e. The solar plexus. Then exhale down through the legs and make the exhale exit your body through the soles of your feet. Repeat this several times.

There are endless permutations to the breath permeation and segmented tension cycles. The above cycles are just some examples.

3. Induce tension and manage it by way of breath during exertion: 
One way of doing this is the use of holding static positions. When holding the following positions described find away to breathe, permeating the breath through your body in such away that takes the tension away. Again there must be endless variations as to how to do this so figure out what is best for you, but one way I have found to work quite well is to inhale through wherever the tension has stored itself and exhale through the mouth. Another way is breathe through the body part which is raised off the ground (I will explain in a second) and then exhale through and then out of the body part still resting on the ground. When doing this part perform 1 set of the static hold followed by 1 set of breath permeation for restoration detailed in the next section, before moving onto the next static hold set.


For example:

• Whilst still laying on your back make sure that your lower back is flattened and pressed firmly on the ground. This will activate your core and protect your lower back from taking onto much load preventing strain to the lower back muscles or damage to the intervertebral discs of the spine. DO NOT leave the arch present and allow your lower back to come off the ground at ANY POINT during any of these static holds.
• Keeping your lower back flushed and pressed against the ground raise your legs up of the ground 90 degrees. Keep them as straight as possible without allowing your lower back to come off the ground. Make sure the upper half of your body is as relaxed as possible. Breathe through the soles of your feet and exhale through your arms. Now lower your legs to 45 degrees of the ground and hold this position for a certain amount of time. Then lower your legs to just a few centimetres off the ground and hold this position for a certain amount of time. -
• SLOWLY LOWER YOUR WHOLE BODY TO THE GROUND AND PERFORM A SET OF RESTORATIVE BREATHING DETAILED IN SECTION 4
• Now raise your upper body 45 degrees of the ground, keeping the spine as straight as possible and the head in line with the spine. Check and make sure your lower half of the body is as relaxed as possible. Check and make sure your arms and shoulders are as relaxed as possible.
• SLOWLY LOWER YOUR WHOLE BODY TO THE GROUND AND PERFORM A SET OF RESTORATIVE BREATHING DETAILED IN SECTION 4
• Now raise your legs and upper body off the ground so that you are sitting on your butt. Breathe and make sure you are as relaxed as possible. Hold this position for a while. Then take your arms and place them out to your sides like a crucifix, and straighten your legs. Slowly and with breathing lower your whole body so that your lower back is flushed flat on the ground, but your upper back is just a few centimetres off the ground. Try to keep your head in line with your spine. Your arms and legs should be just a few centimetres off the ground, with your arms still out to your sides. Straighten your legs as much as possible without letting the arch of your lower back leave the ground. Play with how far apart you would like your legs to be.
• SLOWLY LOWER YOUR WHOLE BODY TO THE GROUND AND PERFORM A SET OF RESTORATIVE BREATHING DETAILED IN SECTION 4

Now roll over onto your stomach. Make sure you are still breathing into your diaphragm/stomach. Through out all of the following holds continue to breathe into your stomach making it rise and fall like a new born baby.

• Raise your chest and head off of the ground keeping your arms and lower half of your body as relaxed as possible. Hold this position for a while 
• SLOWLY LOWER YOUR WHOLE BODY TO THE GROUND AND PERFORM A SET OF RESTORATIVE BREATHING DETAILED IN SECTION 4 
• Now while laying face down raise your leg up off the ground as high as possible. Hold this position for a while 
• SLOWLY LOWER YOUR WHOLE BODY TO THE GROUND AND PERFORM A SET OF RESTORATIVE BREATHING DETAILED IN SECTION 4 
• Now raise your arms above your head (like Superman). Make sure your are still breathing into your stomach/diaphragm. Raise your legs, chest and arms up of the ground continue to breathe through the diaphram. Hold this position for a while 
• SLOWLY LOWER YOUR WHOLE BODY TO THE GROUND AND PERFORM A SET OF RESTORATIVE BREATHING DETAILED IN SECTION 4

The entire time you perform these holds breathe in such a way to remove the tension. Test yourself to see how minimally you can use movements to remove tension and see if you can remove tension by breathing in and out of the areas of tension in your body.

Interesting note: We have observed that when you inhale into a limb raised of the ground it tends to make the limbs lighter. When you exhale into a limb that is raised off the ground it tends to make the limb heavier. Try it during the static holds. Then consider the applications of this information.

4. Remove induced tension that has remained in the body by way of breath following the physical exertion:
The afore mentioned RESTORATIVE BREATHING. Again whilst in a lot of cases getting rid of accumulated tension can be done by way of movement, we have been studying how to do this by use of breath alone. Take note of where the tension has stored itself following the static hold and just be aware of it at first.

• Inhale from the top of your head, and ALLOW the inhale to spread from the top of your head down through your face then neck, shoulder and arms, chest, stomach, hips, down through your legs and to your feet. Then once your body is full of your inhale, exhale down through your legs and out through your feet. Repeat this process several times.
• Inhale from every single part of your body and gather your inhale into the very centre of your body i.e. The solar plexus. Then exhale down through the legs and make the exhale exit your body through the soles of your feet. Repeat this several times.

Something we have been playing with:

• The inhale can help identify where the tension is and the exhale can release it. So take note where the breath has shown you where your tension is during the previous cycles. 
• Inhale into where ever your remaining areas of tension are and exhale them through your mouth. Repeat this several times -Inhale through your nose and exhale into where ever your remaining areas of tension relaxing them. Repeat this several times 
• Now: Inhale from every single part of your body and gather your inhale into the very centre of your body i.e. The solar plexus. Then exhale down through the legs and make the exhale exit your body through the soles of your feet. Repeat this several times.

Then move on to the next static hold.

Again there are endless permutations to the breath permeation cycles, and the above cycles are just some examples.


5. Finishing Up: 
Begin to quicken the pace of your breath. Breathe in such a away that begins to make you feel awake and alive. Begin to move your body as if you are about to get up out of bed. Slowly open your eyes. Slowly sit up.


.....OKAY THEN!!!!!!......


When you look at it in writing it doesn't sound particularly exciting, however feeling that you are left with after performing this work is truly remarkable. When teaching this work Vlad advised all of us that it would take years to truly understand it because it is both incredibly simple but incredibly deep. Again where this work takes you inside yourself and returns you to after is truly amazing and changes everything. You could do it again and again and learn something new every time. In the last 2 weeks we have been taking what this work has shown us and used it to explore and enhance many different areas of our training.

Some examples in the last fortnight include:

• Restoration following physical exertion. 
• Efficient movement so as not to accumulate excess tension and tire out. 
• Filling the Body with “power”. 
• Expelling tension from the body that an opponent attempts to induce in you. 
• Enhancement of performance increasing the intensity of the work and staying relaxed 
• Materialisation and management of fear, evenly distributing and cleaning the tension that comes with it. 
• Maintaining the internal state despite external stressors 

And I'm sure we've only just begun to scratch at the surface of this work.

Try it out. You won't regret it.

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

The Soles of the Feet and the Squat

About a year ago during my 2012 trip to Toronto, Vlad advised me that in order to feel the form properly try to feel the soles of the feet completely flat on the ground as it would enable you to feel your whole body from the soles of your feet all the way to the top of your head and everything in between. It was quite cool. Now the interesting thing is that he also showed us how to apply this to the squat. Alot of the times it's easy to fall into the trap of just pumping out squat after squat mindlessly allowing the tension to accumulate, the breath to run out, or just simply become a mechanical process which doesn't actually do anything to remove tension and actually just expediates fatigue. However feeling the connection of the soles of the feet can be quite remarkable.

In the DESCENT rather than lowering yourself with tension, use the breathing in order to relax yourself downwards progressively switching of the necessary tension required to keep you standing. It's like taking the remaining tension holding you up, and funnelling it down and out through your body. However if you are doing this the tension has to have somewhere to go otherwise it'll just linger in your body and disable your ability to go lower in the squat with relaxation. This is where the connection with the feet comes in. When the soles of the feet (except for the arches as they ideally should be off the ground unless you are a flat footed) come up off of the ground, that is usually indicative of excess tension that is being stored in the body. That excess tension leads to fatigue, depleting the oxygen supply, and also just simply restricting relaxed movement. So if you notice the soles of the feet coming up, you then check yourself and see where tension is building up preventing your descent whilst being able to keep the whole soles of your feet completely flat on the ground. This is diagnosis of tension, and then you will have to remedy it though breathing and relaxation. Once you have relaxed to the point where you can go down in the squat with the soles of your feet flat on the ground, there is some good news: There is now a path for any remaining EXCESS tension to go in order to exit your body rather than building up. The storage of excess tension in the body creates the a disconnect in the body so it is no longer one piece unified by relaxation in effect destroying the form. You can have what appears to be good posture on the outside but if this excess tension and disconnect remains, then that good posture does not mean that there is good form. You can of course have just right amount of tension to hold shape (form) and perform the activity however it is now evenly and appropriately distributed throughout your entire physical being. This is because of the other good news: When you can keep the soles of your feet flat on the ground is that it begins to properly use the skeletal structure as support without having to rely on excessive activation of the musculature (excess tension) in order to perform the activity.

In the ASCENT by keeping the soles of the feet flat on the ground and pushing up I have found that it enables me again to utilise my skeletal structure in order to rise and keep the necessary shape and posture, whilst I can then also allow my muscles to relax (aside form the ones required to perform the task) and use breath and very minimal movement in order shed the excess tension. Going up from the squat by nature of the movement and the fight against gravity tends to accumulate more excess tension especially when you go slower. Keeping the soles of the feet flat on the ground and pushing the ground away from you seems to have the affect of (and bear with me here):

Being able to funnel the excess tension down throughout the entire body around the skeleton and to the feet connecting the entire body for the soles of the feet to the top of the head and everything in between through relaxation. This I believe is good form. The change of shape and maintenance of structural integrity and the even and appropriate distribution of tension by way of relaxation evenly throughout the whole being.

So what's the practical application of this you ask?...Well I reckon this is pretty good:

Regards,

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

Systema in Blitz Martial Arts Magazine: Technique Workshop August 2013

This August we are once again featured in Blitz Martial Arts Magazine in their Technique Workshop: Defence against a jab and a low round kick. 

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

Register Online for Daniil Ryabko's Systema Seminar in Sydney this November 2013

This November Daniil Ryabko returns to Sydney to share with us The Secrets of the Russian Masters

Dates: 23 & 24 November 2013 (Saturday and Sunday) 

Times: 10:00am to 4:00pm both days 

Place: To be Announced 

Topics: Strikes and Knife Work 

Price: Early bird special of $340 before 30 September 2013, then full price of $400 from 1 October 2013 onwards. Please note that all payments are non-refundable. 

It’s really simple to pay online, just take a moment to set up a Paypal account to pay by credit card.

Online event registration for Daniil Ryabko’s November 2013 Systema Seminar in Sydney powered by Eventbrite

Alternatively to arrange to pay via bank transfer contact Justin by e-mail on  jho_systema@hotmail.com

Daniil Ryabko is the son of Systema Founder Mikhail Ryabko. Daniil has been training in the Russian Martial Art, Systema, with his father since a very young age and is today one of the most experienced Russian Martial Art instructors in Moscow. He has also served and trained an elite unit of the Spetsnaz.                                               

Click here to see the photo's from Daniil's Sydney Workshop in March 2013

Advice from Systema Instructor Brad Scornavacco Concerning Principles of Support and Resistance Through Structure

A few months back I needed some advice on how to explain certain things concerning the principles of "working from support" and providing "resistance with muscular tension VS resistance through correct use of structure". I got in touch with Colorado Systema Instructor Brad Scornavacco who was kind enough to provide me with some guidance on the matter:

Justin Ho:

Hi Brad,

Thought you might be able to help me with something. The reason I am asking is so that I know how to explain things to my students here in Sydney.

It concerns the principle of "working from support" and providing "resistance with muscular tension VS resistance through correct use of structure"

Is resistance with excess tension giving support, as it provides feedback (i.e. Muscular tension which the opponents musculature and nervous system can register) for an opponent to work from?
ON THE OTHER HAND:
Is resistance through structure (Bones, Tendons and ligaments) NOT giving support as the absence of excess tension (excessive activation of the muculature) will not provide any feedback (point of reference) for an opponent to work from? So although you are not yielding the absence of feedback keeps him neuromuscularly (is that a word?) blind to what you are doing, hence not giving support?


Brad Scornavacco:

Hi Justin,

Basically the harder you tense the more the opponent's brain can create a map of the shape of your body. He can feel exactly where you are, about how much force is being applied and about the size of it. His brain can use this feedback to respond.

Using the minimum necessary tension (my definition of relaxation) to get the job done doesn't give his brain enough feedback to create a clear picture of where you are or the amount of force being applied or where it's coming from. This is what fools his proprioception, where he cannot detect you or your movements.

As for the principle of support, think "holding him up." When you give enough tension that the person feels like he can relax into you because you will keep him from falling, he can relax and free himself up to act while you are supporting him.

On the other hand, setting him up, creating "false support" for him, makes him fall because you take the support away. This is a big part of non-contact takedowns. When we see a person, our brains instantly estimate the size and weight of the person because most things obey this law. So when you don't give any support it fools the brain again.

We have these kettle bells, all the same size at the school. If we give someone a heavy one to swing, then give them a pink one to try next, they almost hurl the thing through the roof because their brain mis-estimate the weight, based on size and previous experience.

I learned this idea in my Philosophy classes in college. We always sit on chairs assuming they are solid and will hold us up, even though there's no logical reason they will keep doing so. Funny story: in NY several years ago Vlad sat in a chair after a workshop and promptly fell to the floor (maintaining his Form). No matter how many times we have someone take support away/move, we can't stop our bodies from assuming and acting like they are solid.

Ok, Structure vs. excess muscle.

This one time Vlad had us do "no-muscle" push-ups. Afterward, he said in private, "of course you use muscle, you have to, but saying it this way gets people to use the least muscle as possible." Imagine moving from tendons/ligaments/bone with your muscle cut in half. Not happening.

So here's how I visualize it. I imagine the smallest line of muscle contraction through the entire muscle, just enough to connect the bones. I liken it to a puppet being pulled up from the floor, just enough tension in the wires to make its shape and no more.

Here's a secret -- the stronger the tendons the less muscle contraction you need to maintain the structure. This separates experts from novices and is a very real, physiological difference when it comes to that work.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brad Scornavacco

Brad Scornavacco is one of the longest time, continually teaching certified Systema Instructors in the United States and is one of the first Americans to travel to Russia to train directly with Systema Master Mikhail Ryabko. In 2003 he demonstrated Systema for the Russian Minister of the Interior, where the current Ryabko-lineage Systema logo was unveiled. Brad appeared with Mikhail, Vladimir and other top Systema teachers on Russian television. Brad is head of the Systema school in Colarado:

http://www.systemacolorado.com/

Thank you for your advice Brad,

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

Systema in Blitz Martial Arts Magazine: Technique Workshop July 2013

This July we are featured in Blitz Martial Arts Magazine in their Technique Workshop: Defence against a shoulder grab and punch. 

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

You are as Old as Your Spine

"You are as old as your spine"

-Chinese Proverb

Whilst having good posture in itself is not equivalent to having good form (see previous blogpost Degrees of Good Form), cultivating good posture is not at all a bad place to start :)

I have gathered some resources which I thought would be helpful to people interested in doing this. They offer a range of different perspectives on the subject.

Take a look at the following clips:

This first clip is by a gentleman named Danny Dreyer, the founder of the Chi Running Method (http://www.chirunning.com). In his video blog Danny describes finding optimal posture by lengthening the spine. 

This second clip is by kit Laughlin, one of the world’s  most sought after authorities on the subject of stretching (http://www.pandf.com.au/). In this clip he describes a drill called the 3 point spinal alignment drill. Through moving the hips, then chest then neck, Kit demonstrates how you can both align and lengthen the spine.

This third clip is of Jane Kosminsky, a teacher of the Alexander Technique (http://www.balanceofwellbeing.com/). At about (1:41) She explains how observation and awareness of the head in space, can affect the structure of the spine and the whole body. I was unable to embed the clip, but just click on the following youtube link: http://youtu.be/BgplXmILzoQ

The final clip is of Systema Master Vladimir Vasiliev (http://www.russianmartialart.com/). From 9:32 to 23:26, Vladimir both explains and demonstrate how Systema employs a concept called the Natural Body Position, involving the straightness of the spine, feeling the body as one whole unit, and the benefits for movement. Vladimir goes onto demonstrate drills and exercises in order to cultivate this very important attribute.

This is excellent as it demonstrates how cultivation of good posture, can lead to the cultivation of good form, and the practical applications.

I hope that this information is useful,

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

Systema Strikes - Keeping the Trust

I came across this today. A clip of one of the French Systema Groups during their time in Mikhail Ryabko's school in Moscow. About 40 seconds into the clip one of the English speaking Instructors, a gentleman named Aslan Guseynov begins to teach a French Systema Practitioner about strikes.

During a training trip to Moscow in May of 2009, Aslan was one of the Instructors who looked after David (Quaile) and myself. He was already very skilled back then, and from what friends have told me he has progressed even further under the tutelage of Mikhail.

I love how he teaches striking, progressively and with a lot of care to build, not to damage the person's Psyche. He explains and demonstrates the need to understand how much a person can take, and understand how much to give him in the strike so that you don't destroy the person.

This type of training allows the partners to Keep the trust between them, when they strike each other... This is so important.

At the end of it, the gentleman being struck looks so Alive!!!

Clip courtesy of Global Systema France, www.globalsystema.fr and http://www.youtube.com/user/JMSystema?feature=watch

This looked like it was a good experience for everyone involved.

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

Systema in Blitz Martial Arts Magazine: Interview with Daniil Ryabko

During Daniil Ryabko's time with us this last March 2013, we were able to help get him in touch with Blitz Martial Arts Magazine. Check out the interview, 5 Minutes with Daniil Ryabko.

Daniil will be returning again for Seminars in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this November 2013. For more information check in at:

http://systemasydney.com/seminars-1/upcoming-major-seminars/daniil-ryabkos-2013-seminar-in-sydney/

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

Systema Training with Vali Majd

I had the pleasure of first meeting Vali Majd during my first training trip to Toronto in 2011. Vali is both an awesome and humble individual who has a wealth of knowledge on Systema. My first training encounter with him was during a training session at Emmanuel (Manny) Manolokakis's Systema School Fight Club . We were practicing some knife work, when Vali cam at me with the blade. At the time I made my escape and attempted to control the knife and remove it from him. When my initial action didn't work I resorted to attempting to muscle the knife away from him. After a few moments of this Vali was kind enough to correct me by slamming the ridge of his bald Persian head into my nose (like it needed to get any flatter).

Startled, in pain and with eyes watering I stumbled back, recovered my balance and said the first thing that came to mind... "Yep, Sorry...My fault". At the end of class Vali and I were chatting during which he kindly explained to me that "Using a sudden burst of excess tension to accomplish a task could be just as bad as suddenly speeding up during the use of the slow training tool"

The next time I saw Vali after that trip was during his seminar in Auckland, New Zealand which was hosted by Loren Clements who teaches the Systema Auckland Club. During this 2 day outdoor seminar Vali taught us numerous lessons pertaining to Systema. But for me the one that really stood out was the importance of not only to"Know Yourself" but also to "Know For Yourself".

The following footage was taken of Vali in 2011 guest Instructing at Fight Club in Toronto.

Whenever I am asked about this gentleman I frequently respond with: "If you ever have the chance to train with this gentleman...Take it"


Biography:

Before being named as Founder and Chief Instructor of Roots Dojo, Vali Majd, since 1996 had been, and still is a student of traditional Ryabko – Vasiliev Systema. Vali Majd brings along an army of talent and could be considered honest and dependable; his lengthy exposure to the art, along with his abilities to practice, to teach, to demonstrate and to clearly articulate subtle concepts of Systema makes him and his dojo worth visiting.

2009-Founded JTFCanada
 2002-Formed Comox Valley Systema 
1999-Founded Pacific Coast Systema (now Roots Dojo)
1995-Started at Russian Martial Art HQ, Toronto

Vali is a Medical First Responder and a Firefighter with the Denman Island Volunteer Fire Department.

For more information visit: http://www.pacificcoastsystema.com/



Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

Do More with Less

It's not about chasing new information and jumping from one thing to another endlessly and frivolously.

It's not about using fewer things so that you stay within a certain comfort zone.

It's about going very deeply into the fewer things that you have.

This way you can understand them and yourself incredibly well without distraction. Then, although you have fewer things, you use them to do a lot of different things but incredibly well. Like a craftsman who understands his tools, and how to use them to create whatever he wishes.

An interesting thing a friend told me about his old Chi Kung teacher, who also happens to be my Doctor. This teacher said; "In life you learn a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h etc..., But then discover you only ever really need to use a,b and c...But many times in many different ways that yield whatever results you wish"

How well you use these fewer things depends on how closely you study them and yourself.

 ...My Doctor is a cool guy :)


Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

Why the Fundamentals?

For a long time now I have considered starting a Systema Fundamentals class at our club in North Sydney. However there is something that I must share.... This is not a beginners class...This is also not an advanced students class....It's a Fundamentals class :)

To put it in a nutshell; 

For anyone who is new to Systema the work covered in this class will ensure that you develop a solid base of understanding and ability upon which to develop your skills. For anyone who has been doing Systema for a while now it will further enhance whatever your understanding and ability already is.

I have already seen the results that this type of training has produced for my current students. On the nights that we have decided to engage in this, we have started throwing around the terms "Fine Tuning" or "Base Training" . Work to ensure that the foundations are correctly developed before we try to build a house on it.  Work to ensure that our primary weapon, ourselves, are functioning optimally and without hindrance.

Let me give you an analogy. Imagine person who has just bought a car second hand which he sourced from an add in the trading post. Some sort of really sick looking piece of machinery. He looks at this new acquisition lovingly. Black paint job, recently polished by the new owner, sick rims, mad sound system, and leather seats.

He gets in the driver's seat, puts the key in the ignition, turns it expecting to hear this thing's engine fire up.... But instead he hears the engine strain, shake and rattle. He tries to turn the key again same sad shuddering followed by the sound of the engine dying.

Confused and dismayed he climbs out of the vehicle, heads to the front, pops the hood and takes a look inside. He see's the that the radiators cracked, and the spark plugs are half torn out. He check's the oil gauge to find out that it's empty. To add insult to injury the engine looks like it's a hundred years old. 

He steps back, takes a deep breath and says to himself...  "You know what I need to get this car working?....More paint.... Yep...More paint, and a bit more polish.... I bet if I lower the suspension too and get this baby just a few millimetres closer to the ground then the it'll work... You know I should get some of those fluffy dice to hang off of the rear view mirror too while I'm at it... Just to be sure.... She should work after that."

...Guys... I'm assuming at this stage you can see there's something horribly wrong with this picture. All lost working on the exterior things that people see on the outside. When a piece of machinery like that is functioning as it should people only see the flashy paint job, the sick rims, the roar of the engine as this things just powers on by at speeds that would make your eyeballs fall into the back of your head if you were in the drivers seat. But it's what people don't see, the inner workings of the vehicle that make all of it work. And in the case of our friend here the priorities on which he is focussing on are probably not likely to result in a functional vehicle. 

The things is popping that hood, replacing the spark plugs, replacing the radiator, putting the oil into the engine...Hell probably replacing the whole engine. This all isn't as flashy as the idea of working on the external features. It also takes a lot more time, understanding and patience to do the work that needs to be done.  Certainly a more frustrating prospect to most people. But to focus on the previously described list of "external" priorities in the hopes of getting the car working I think we can agree is not likely to yield a good outcome for our friend here.

However the funny thing is... People treat their martial arts like this... Focusing on the cool looking heavy hit that makes the other guys body tremble (even if he was going a third of the speed you were...but whatever), the fancy looking acrobatic roll (without any proper breathing which may explain why you're starting to bruise so much), the forced take down (which results in a 5 minute wrestling match completely negating your ability to deal with more than one attacker which is probably not a great thing since you're surrounded by a bunch of them). 

Correct breathing, the appropriate level of relaxation, an understanding of when to utilise the right movement, and proper use of structure. Not to mention understanding of and ability to adapt the principles of the System and their variants. The unseen things admittedly are just a little bit more boring but will allow all of the above mentioned applications to occur as a by product. And yet again a majority of the time priority is given to only what can be seen to look flashy: The heavy hit, the fancy roll, the mad take down or pretty looking knife disarm....

People like to do things which look cool, which are flashy and impressive to the eye. It's human nature. But it's the simple things, the unseen things, the things which are often perceived as too basic or boring. The things that make people say "Yeah Yeah I know all that already, now show me something cool"...These are the simple "boring" things that make it all work.

This is why I have started the fundamentals class. To do the work that needs to be done. As such I have decided that this class....IS NOT MANDATORY... And for those who are already on the casual pass or monthly memberships...IT IS FREE.

This class is for anyone who wishes to take the time to do the work that needs to be done.  It was not designed to be popular or to make money. It is there for those who want it and are willing to do the work. 

As I've explained before:

The work will not be complicated but it will be deep. 

The work will be simple, but not always easy.

No tricks, no promises, no sugar coating,  just hard work.

Oh but I will say this...If you take the time to study yourself and learn how to learn... It is actually fun too.

Details are as follows:

http://systemasydney.com/2013/02/an-additional-saturday-systema-class-in-north-sydney-this-weekend/

Regards,

Justin Ho 

Principal Instructor 

Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art 

www.systemasydney.com

Preparation for Daniil Ryabko Teaching Systema in Sydney

With the arrival of Daniil Ryabko in Sydney and his gracious agreement to teach Systema Classes at the North Sydney PCYC, I wanted to share some advice to help people who are already students of Systema and anyone else who wanted to come along and share in this amazing experience with us.

The following is collection of things people have told me over the years that I think may help if you decide to come join us for classes or at Daniil's workshop later this March:

• Remember, THE SYSTEM IS YOU, so study yourself. You are what will make all of this work. KNOW YOURSELF. 

• To know yourself is good, but now you need to KNOW FOR YOURSELF.

• Know for yourself. YOU MUST LEARN TO SEE. Not what you remember was there, not what you think should be there, not what somebody else tells you is there....Learn to see what is actually there. Know for yourself.

• Be a Scientist. Conduct experiments and when you discover something don't just say "Ah hah! That's it!!!". Instead just say "Hmmmmm, That's interesting" and then continue experimenting.

• "Keep Digging", Vlad said it himself.

• Remember an important principle of the System;"Nobody will teach you anything ever. This is up to you."

• In Systema you are not given set rules. You are given ideas, principles and concepts. You are to use them when, if and how you need them. Don't take them as gospel. Every time someone teaches you something there will be a time when the exact opposite will be true and just as relevant. Don't create dogma. This is the gift of common sense...Use it.

• Try to be honest with yourself. To the best of your ability100% honest. 99% is no good. You might as well not bother.

• A little bit of pride and ego will hold you up. But too much and these things will destroy you.

• This isn't for your brain. It's for your body. Your body is what must protect you. Your brain can figure the rest out later. Just do it.

• Explanations and analogies are only good in that place and time, in that moment. In the next moment they may be completely irrelevant. 

• Remember the feeling. Even if you don't grasp things intellectually, remember the feeling. You can work from there.

• The only way to describe what chicken tastes like is to share it with someone. 

• Play. Allow your body to explore. Don't worry about looking stupid or funny.

• Don't forget, all people are beautiful...Even the ones who piss you off. 

• Remember to be kind to the people who frustrate you. At some time in the past you frustrated somebody else however they didn't crush you although they probably could have. They chose to be kind to you. This why you are where you are now (wherever that may be).

• Remember to be kind to yourself as well.

• Always have your training partner's best intentions at heart. We all need to look after each other.

• Just because you can't do something today, doesn't mean you'll never be able to do it.

• BE ALIVE. Even when things suck don't disappear inside yourself and wait for it to be over. People live their whole lives like this saying "I'll be happy when...I'll be happy if....I'll be happy later..." No. BE ALIVE and choose to be happy now, even when things suck.

• Just remember when you go to learn from these men (referring to Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev) it is not so much their job to teach you but your job to learn from them. 

• Acquisition of skill, should precede and take priority over the acquisition of intellectual knowledge. That can come later. Skill can morph into knowledge, but knowledge seldom becomes skill. Knowledge doesn't win fights. Skill wins fights. 

• In the Western world people obsess over HOW THINGS WORK. In Russia people care more about WHAT THINGS ARE SUPPOSE TO BE DOING.

• Achievement breeds pride, which then leads to arrogance. Failure is where you will learn the most. Figure out what went wrong, why it went wrong and how to fix it. Be humble. 

• Don't judge your failures. They're not bad things and do not mean that you are bad. Actually they're gift. What you do with them is up to you.

• Encountering failure is the only way for you to be sure you are truly learning. Don't hide from it. Again, figure out what when wrong, why it went wrong, and how to fix it.  More often than not fixing your failure will involve going back to the beginning (basics). YOU HAVE TO DO THIS. So be humble. After you fix it, modify things so that you fail again. Then repeat the process again, and again, and again. 

• If you don't experience failure and frustration at times then you are not training properly.

• Laugh at yourself...Trust me it's important.

• You are ALWAYS training. Whether you realise it or not somebody, somewhere, somehow is trying to tell you something. So make sure you pay attention. 

• Don't worry about "Trying to get it". There is no "It" to get. JUST BE.

• Be Normal. For God sakes just be Normal.

• Brain is good, brain is important, but don't forget your heart. Listen to it.

• Do not underestimate the importance of the spiritual aspect of things. It is at the heart of the System. Nothing functions properly without it.

• Feeling is a higher level of thought.

• I don't necessarily  know how the electrical wiring in my house is set up. But I do know that if I flick that switch the lights come on.

• People obsess over brutality and destruction. To love, build and create. These are things which people often dismiss...But they are far more important. 

• If you don't have any problems God's probably just forgotten about you...Don't worry. He'll get back to you soon enough.

• If you don't understand drinking, you don't understand Systema. 

• Simple Things. Forget about complicated and flashy. Simple things. That's where it's at.

• Consider boxing. There is no "Advanced Boxing". People just become very good at the basics, then apply them incredibly well. It is the same with Systema.

• Always go back to the beginning (basics). No matter how good you think you are. It's the only way you will be able to continue to progress.

• You are not here to look cool. Nobody learns anything by showing off. Just do the work. 

• You need to protect yourself, but a majority of your time won't be spent fighting....Seriously think about it. Use what you know to live well.

• Don't feel sorry for yourself.

• Slow is fast. Fast is REALLY slow..... DO NOT IGNORE THIS....SERIOUSLY DO NOT IGNORE THIS.

• Hard Work....Hard Work.

• Breathe. It's as simple as that.

• There is alway so much that we don't know or understand....And that's ok.

• Everything is perfect...Believe it or not it really is.

• The most important thing is to be a good person. Everything else comes from this.

• ....Have Faith. You must have faith....

Thankyou again to everyone who guided me and helped me along the journey. 

It's not over yet.

I hope you are all well,

Justin Ho

Principal Instructor

Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art

www.systemasydney.com

Danill Ryabko Teaching Classes at the North Sydney PCYC this March 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daniil Ryabko, son of the Legendary Colonel and Systema founder Mikhail Ryabko will be arriving in Sydney a little earlier than we expected. Upon his arrival in Sydney Daniil will be:

• Teaching Systema classes at our club at the North Sydney PCYC (click here for location) during the remainder of March 2013.
• Conducting a 5 hour workshop currently scheduled for Sunday, 24 March 2013. The cost will be $120AU for the whole day (click here for more info)

We would also like to advise you about the following Special Offer:



Again for the sum of $250AU you will receive:

• A place at a 5 hour Systema workshop in Sydney with Daniil Ryabko, son of the Legendary Colonel Mikhail Ryabko. 
• A place at a 2 x 6 hour days weekend seminar with David Quaile, Combat Veteran and Australia's longest serving Systema Instructor under Vladimir Vasiliev and Mikhail Ryabko. 

That's 3 days worth of training with 2 highly skilled Systema Instructors for only $250AU!

Places are limited so if you are interested contact Justin ASAP via e-mail or call        

0433 219 761 to secure your place.

Please note the following:

• For the duration of Daniil's stay in Sydney our offer of a free trial class will be temporarily suspended and all classes will be $20AU per class (which we do not feel is unreasonable).
• Confirmation of your position for the above mentioned seminars and workshops will occur only upon payment of the full event fee or package fee.
• All payments for seminars and workshops are non refundable.

Click here more information on Daniil Ryabko 

Click here for more information on Systema - Russian Martial Art

We are thrilled to have Daniil share his knowledge with us for the first time in the Australia, and welcome you all to what will be an amazing month of training in North Sydney.

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

David Quaile's Systema Seminar in Sydney, July of 2012

On the 14 and 15 July 2012 we were lucky enough to have a truly amazing Systema Instructor come to Sydney and share with us his understanding and love of Systema. David Quaile from Bundaburg Queensland. A former Australian Military Operative and a highly skilled teacher of Systema, David has always acted as a pioneer of the System in Australia and New Zealand.

It was an interesting weekend with many different types of people coming together to train and learn. We spent those 2 days together studying;

• Systema Fundamentals,
• Effective Moving and Breathing in Combat,
• and Mastering the Psyche during Violent Confrontation.

The tone of the weekend was set by Dave's lovely wife Bronwyn, who gave a thorough introduction about Dave and his history with Systema, but one thing she said stuck out in my mind. She explained that although we would be covering the above mentioned topics during the seminar, they would not be studied independently of each other. These topics were to be learned not as separate components, but to be experienced as part of an integrative whole. These things are so inextricably linked that to try to separate them them from each other would not do them justice. As both Dave and Bronwyn were kind enough to remind all of us, Systema must be experienced as a whole, integrated and complete. Training must be wholistic.

It's one thing to see Vladimir, Mikhail and many other amazing Senior Systema Instructors who possess such a high level of knowledge and skill operate. However to see an elderly gentleman from a small country town in Queensland work with such awareness, sensitivity and control, and wield these attributes with such lethal precision.... And all with an Australian Accent, and a calm yet friendly demeanour... It inspires a combination of respect, humility, amusement and at other times terror. 

There was nothing very complicated about the work. It just required our attention, patience and honesty. One of the great things about Dave is his ability to take simple things, but go into them incredibly deeply, and from this develop an understanding that enables the simplest of things to have amazing ramifications to how you understand yourself and how you use your body in a manner which results in the preservation of your being and the “Handling” of your opponent. Through a series of simple exercises such as breathing with awareness, moving around on the ground with each other, walking, use of the knife, moving each others limbs and pushing to free the body, an amazing 2 days of Systema unfolded for us. As David is fond of saying “The System is you,” and it is yourself that you must understand, overcome, accept and continue to develop. Everything else occurs as a by product of this. With this focus and using these simple things, we taught our bodies to work, to respond to stimulus spontaneously and to protect ourselves.

The following is a list of things which stood our for me from the seminar. Simple things that we've all heard a million times, but are still very important:

• Find Freedom. Freedom of the physical body, of the psyche, and the spirit. All movement comes from the body, and body moves for itself with minimal interference from your mind. The body must be able to move for you. The body must do this in response to stimulus. This can only happen when your very being is free of excess fear, tension, or preconceived ideas
• The mind and body must be able to work independently of each other. The body must know how to, and be able to protect you whilst the mind is free to think about other matters (i.e. other opponents, your surroundings). This takes time, awareness, consistent hard work and honesty with yourself.
• Study how fear begins to enter your body creating excess tension and inhibits this freedom.
• Remember, a bit of fear will keep you alive, but too much fear will kill you.
• Allow your body to explore.
• Be aware of how a person or situation affects your being (i.e. breathing, tension, posture, thoughts amongst other things...) even before physical conflict commences. In doing this and learning how to keep fear from affecting your being, by way of breathing, you study how to be professional...Not emotionally involved.
• Do not allow your adversary inside your head. This often occurs sooner than we realise.
• Be mindful of the benefits of diaphragmatic breathing, how it connects your breath to your body and helps to keep you calm.
• Use breathing to ensure that your body is soft and relaxed (not floppy), and free to move as required. In studying to do this whilst under stress you are already starting to work on your psyche.
• Study Movement. Your own movement and that of your partner.
• Never stay in the same place. Utilise continuous movement. But move with purpose. Eliminate superfluous and unnecessary movement. To the best of your ability allow your work to occur in one movement, defence and attack are simultaneous.
• Again, allow your body to explore.
• Sensitivity and awareness of your self, your partner and how you both interact is incredibly important. Rely on these things as opposed to brute force.
• Sensitivity is more than just learning to work with constant contact (although this is part of it). Learn to feel something or someone before they reach you, or to feel something before it happens.
• Do not give support to your opponent, whilst at the same time work from the support your opponent gives you (Sensitivity and Awareness).
• Work with Intent. Whatever speed your work with, use committed intent. Otherwise the training is incomplete.
• Remember: Slow is fast, fast is slow.
• The study of combat needs to be simple. Complications in this process will get you killed.
• Understand the way of the Soldier vs the way of the King.
• Study the principles. Although they may at times be referred to in isolation, no one principle can function on it's own. In application they all work together and occur simultaneously as required depending on circumstance or situation. Remember Systema must be wholistic.
• You can have many drills of value, or you can have many drills of no value. How valuable a drill is depends on you.
• Utilise the Floating (Flying) Centre of Gravity.
• When working remember to study how to attack points of pain and vulnerable areas of the body. It makes things much easier.
• You are not there to play sport. You are not even necessarily there to fight. “Close and Finish”. There is no need to draw things out. But keep in mind “Finish” does not necessarily mean destroy. It may simply mean control.

Above all use what you learn to live well. During one of our lengthy discussions Dave pointed me towards this gem:

Many thanks again to Dave, Bron, and everyone who accompanied us that weekend and contributed to an amazing learning experience for us all. And a special thanks to our guests from New Zealand and Queensland. Thanks for coming all the way to Sydney to share the love guys.

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com