My training philosophy is that the training should continually challenge you and that the training should be as difficult as or more difficult than the conflict you are training to face. That training in controlled environments with the lighting and temperature at the perfect settings, padded floors, with no wind or rain or snow or chaos tends to provide a nice comfortable workout. In my experiences and the experiences related to me by my friends and instructors conflicts are rarely comfortable nice or fair. By training towards the ‘brutal side’ of Systema and training where it is difficult helps to develop the tempering needed to not only thrive during hard circumstances but by getting rid of training comforts we learn to live from the bottom of permission no longer training/living from pride, ego or fear. I am not superman or batman and can be as lazy as the next guy but I do believe that iron sharpens iron and by training hard and honestly with others who have the same philosophy helps to strip away vanity and allows one to train towards a better higher level.
You do not have to be a member of any particular religious belief to train with me. My philosophy on faith is based on my finding that it gives me and others strength inside to easier accept and deal with pain and injury (receiving and giving) along with the ability to walk at peace even while facing conflict. I found mine with the examples and help of various people and in my belief in Jesus Christ and my exploring the teachings and beliefs of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). Where and if you find your faith is up to you.
Training our children early is something that every parent of a child needs to address. Training in martial arts will benefit any child but the subject matters and methods that I train are not appropriate for children so at our club we currently restrict our training to adults only.
Systema incorporates many different components which the student can study individually or together. There are the proven fighting methods that have served the military professional well from ancient times to today’s modern battlefields. There are the spiritual/faith tempering methods that can provide the student with an internal fortitude that can keep them in the battle and help to insure survival both during and after conflicts. There is the unique fitness methods combined with the health and healing methods that can not only keep a person in the fight while injured but can speed recovery after the fighting is finished and can enhance the students’ quality of life no matter their age or current health.
For years the teaching at our commercial school focused on all the above and we strove to take the hard training and use it to better ourselves, our families and our communities. I enjoyed instructing and learning at the Bellevue location but noticed myself gradual moving away from the ‘nuts and bolts’ of Systema compromising my own training philosophy in my training as I tried to both teach Systema and run a successful commercial school. This is something that I am addressing at Mukilteo location, so here we concentrate our focus on the applications ‘nuts and bolts’ of Systema as taught and related to me by my teachers above all else.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my students my instructors and all who have called me friend but especially to Valerie and Vladimir Vasiliev and Mikhail Ryabko. Your many examples of patience faith and honesty have faithfully guided me on this bumpy journey. Thank you!
BRIAN KING is a Certified Instructor of Russian Martial Arts under Vladimir Vasiliev. Brian has an extensive background in advanced hand-to-hand combative training and applied professional applications of defensive tactics. While his extensive training and professional background in combatives is the foundation for the substance and practicality of all his teaching, his style is gentle, encouraging, inspirational, and inclusive.
email: BrianKing (at) systemanw (dot) com
Brian King will be the primary instructor conducting classes at our new Mukilteo location. Other instructors listed on our Instructors web page will also be teaching classes at the Mukilteo location on a limited basis.
