Seminar Review Archive

Note: This page contains reviews of several DOZEN seminars, spaning about 4 years. Just keep scrolling down for more.
Someday we wiill refine the organization of these, but for now the gold nuggets you'll get will amply repay your digging.
Enjoy.

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Annual Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Seminar

GBU 2005

by

Dean Stewart
Mark Jakabcsin
Derek Berkeley

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Dean Stewart

PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:35 am Post subject: Reply with quote
This year the focus at the GBU was training evolved, looking deeper at key elements (pillars). The seminar was divided into 8 two hour sessions. Session one: drills revolved around counting numbers while doing exercises. Such as avoiding attacks while drawing numbers with your fist before striking. Drawing numbers with feet while doing push ups. Session two: Advanced knife work by Peter Anazone. He covered proper movement, distance and the psychological aspects of knife work. Session three: Emmanuel worked escaping and drawing opponents in. Session four: Martin covered advanced strike work. Session five: David showed us how to find our balance and proper movement while escaping. Session Six: David worked two second takedowns. Session seven: Emmanuel worked transitioning from standing to the ground. Session eight: Martin did finishing work (on the ground).
GBU Video? GBU 1 & 2 will be available before September. They are both about 1 ½ hours. The DVD's are a combination of demos and instruction.


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Mark Jakabcsin


The BGU, as expected, was another great event. A big thanks to all those that participated, I learned from everyone and appreciate everyone's help.

So much was covered it's impossible to recap it all. Since I only took notes at the end of the day (long days) my notes are rather spotty and miss tons of great stuff. Oh well, there will other opportunities to fill in the gaps. Following are a few of the notes I did take, in no specific order:

- Emmanuel: #1 grabs #2 around the shoulders, #2 tenses shoulders and arms, just like #1 would expect. #2 then moves from his body which is very soft and tension free. #2 can sling #1 fairly easily since #1 is receiving the tension he expects at the point of contact but no other places. Similar drill but #1 grabs #2's arm, #2 tenses the part of the arm grabbed then makes a soft wave motion through his body to move #1.
- Peter: #1 is against the wall, #2 presses knife into #1, #1 makes up and down motion to extend #2 and slide the knife off of him and into the wall. This same motion was then done when #1 isn't against the wall but #2 is still starting with the knife against #1's body and finally when a farther out distance. This motion helps to extend #2, which makes working easier for #1.
- Martin: When explaining strikes, Martin made a comment similar to the following, 'If you strike someone YOU have to deal with it but if you touch them, THEY have to deal with it. Hence we should make our strikes, touches.'
- David: Many great balance drills. He had us doing many drills with our knees locked, since it is more difficult and helps the individual to learn and understand his/her center of gravity.
- Emmanuel: #1 on ground, #2 standing. As #1 tries to get up, #2 keeps him down by working the tension points. Emmanuel explained the normally the tension point is the highest part of the body as it tries to get up, hence push/work the highest (leading) part of the body to keep #1 down. #1 learns how to shift from one method of getting up to another, quickly and not to fight.
- Martin: #1 lays next to #2, both on back. #1 works on striking #2 from this position with both fists, elbows, knees etc. #2 works on strike absorption while on the ground. Then #1 works on using the motion of his own strike to propel himself over/across to the opposite side of #2 landing strikes the entire time. Striking while on the ground feels different as does the absorption.
- David: Pushing diagonally across the body from the 6 points of movement creates interesting situations and work. Example: Right shoulder into left hip, left hip into right knee, right knee into left ankle. Explained that striking in such a manner can leave more in the opponent.

Well, that's all for now. Great seminar, thanks to Dean for hosting such a great event. Thanks to Peter, David, Emmanuel and Martin for taking the time to share with us and a big thanks to everyone that attended, great working and learning with you. Take care.

Mark J.

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Derek Berkeley

A big THANK YOU to everyone who made the 2nd Annual GBU the success it was: Hosts and Organizers Dean and Amy, as well as guest instructors: Dave Merrell, Peter Anazone, Emmanuel Manolakakis and Martin Wheeler.

It was said yet AGAIN that this was the "closest to training in Russia that I have experienced over here". Having been to Moscow twice myself, I can vouch for that.

Where to begin? There was too much material to absorb, so I'll just recount some of my personal highlights and what I gleaned:

From Dave: Balance, balance, balance. Pivot on the heels. Your weight should be so you can tap your toes on both feet. Make sure you transfer your weight to the foot your pivoting on. You can slide the pivot foot backwards before you begin the pivot if you need to create more space and time against an attack. Thanks Dave.

From Peter: Not so much what he said to me, but his actions and demos made something click: Moving with a person means more than matching or mirroring their movements, it means matching their SPEED as well. (This may be obvious to a lot of people already, but if I didn't get it until now, there might be others who might benefit by me sharing it here). If you put your arm up to meet and guide an attack/punch and you are moving faster than the attack, you are ultimatley PULLING. If you are moving slower than the attack, you are BLOCKING. If you are moving at the same speed as the attack, you are blending with the motion and speed, and LEADING without any tension. Thanks Peter.

From Manny: If it sticks out, HIT IT. Chin, chest, hips, belly, whatever. If you have caused someone to lose their form so badly that something is sticking out, then you have created tension in that area. THAT is where the TENSION is. Hit it. Thanks Manny.

Martin: Keep MOVING. It was ridiculous to see how dynamic Martin was and how he managed to generate the power for his devestating blows on one foot while continuing to evade attacks. The chokes were great and sucked at the same time (how is that possible????). It was much needed and even though it was tough to be on the receiving end of it, it was great that we experienced and grew from it. If you're always comfortable when you train, then how hard and how effective is your training? Thanks Martin.

The energy levels were so high that you didn't realize how hard you were training. All three sessions flew by, except the warm ups by Amy (who knew that 1/2 hour could go by so slowly?). Difficult, but exactly what we needed to get us into the proper frame of mind for training.

I also want to take a moment to thank everyone that trained with me, and the few that I didn't have a chance to train with. Thank you all for your time, effort, openness, and honesty that you brought to the weekend. Everyone's effort helped to make the GBU II a seminar to remember.
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By Rachel Klingberg

 

Jim King's seminar at Fighthouse, October 2-3, 2004

 

Saturday

 

The theme of this two-day seminar was "Fundamental Principles of the Russian System and the Dynamic Use of the Legs for Offense and Defense," a "sequel" to Jim's previous seminar at Fighthouse which also covered legwork. As an introduction, Jim told us that learning to use the legs is hard, but one of the most powerful aspects of the System. He was very enthusiastic about the rewards of learning to use the legs, describing how it can be a surprising and effective foil to such attacks as well as to other martial styles. Over the next two days, Jim demonstrated limitless ways to use the legs against any sort of attack, kicks, punches, grabs, chokes, multiples, from the ground, from static positions, and every imaginable situation, as well as offensive combative work against the many vulnerable areas of the leg, the ankle, knee, and other places that can instantly cripple an attacker.

 

Jim did a quick survey to see who would be attending both days of the seminar; since most of us were going to return on Sunday, he explained the first two hours would be balance work, the remaining six would be the learning to apply the legs in various ways. But first, squats. "Tired legs are relaxed legs," he said, leading us through lots and lots of squats with various breathing patterns, inhale/exhale on down/up, as well as shorter breathing, in/out on down, in/out on up. Periodically he asked us to do ten without breath, which is surprisingly easier to do spontaneously than if you are given time to prepare to go without breath. We also did slow-count squats, as well as holding positions at angles of various degrees, 0 (straight) 90 degrees (sitting), 45 degrees, low 45, and 0 (full squat). Jim told us to keep our posture and not lean forward, and to let our joints, not our muscles, do the work. While we were holding position, Jim came around and checked our posture, putting his hand where the tension is. We also did squats with our partners, first, facing each other, one person's arms looped around the other's forearms. Then back-to-back with arms looped. These are easier if both people are leaning into each other fully. You can't try to do this one with your own, it has to be a team effort or else one person will end up doing the work of both.

 

On the floor, we did an exercise where you lay on your stomach, arms forward like Superman, and lift your torso; your ribcage should be off the floor. Our partners stood on our feet to hold us down. Then we did the same thing, raising only the legs off the floor, keeping the legs straight. The butt and the thighs, not the legs, are supposed to do the work. We did a similar exercise sitting up with legs straight forward, back straight at 90 degrees from the floor, lifting and holding legs off the floor and swiveling them to one side, to the count of ten, and then back to the center again, and to the other side. We did the same thing with the legs six inches apart--the six inches make it a lot harder!

 

After our legs were nice and rubbery, Jim had us take off our shoes and pay close attention to weight distribution on each foot. We walked very slowly in a circle, trying to place weight evenly on all parts of the foot. Then we walked naturally around the room in a circle at normal speed. Jim advised us not us not to stand tall, but to unlock the legs and lower the hips. Walking, of course, you're on one leg or the other, most of us can do this without losing our balance, we aren't even conscious of being on one leg. It becomes harder when you do so intentionally.

 

Still barefoot, we practiced circling the hips while standing on one leg. The circle has to begin with the base leg, and flow to the other leg; swiveling just the raised leg doesn't create the movement. Jim told us to change feet if we needed to and not to flail around, struggling to gain balance; he had someone fetch sticks and told us to use those to maintain balance if we needed to, in order to focus on moving correctly. It's not just a circular motion; it's also dipping down slightly as well as swaying side-to-side, the "flying center of gravity."

 

Jim had us put our shoes back on again one at a time, while standing on the opposite leg. He told us this simple act, which we do every day, was a perfectly opportunity to practice developing good balance. We pushed our partners in the usual Systema yielding exercise, pushing or pulling different parts of the body while first one, then both of us stood on one leg, We stood facing our partners, one hand on each other's shoulders, and did the same exercise, circles and figure eights with the hips beginning with the base leg. For this one, Jim told us, "relaxation is mandatory." You have to let your partner's movement travel through you, if you are too rigid, their movement will disrupt your balance and theirs. But the movement actually makes it easier to stand on one leg than trying to stand perfectly still.

 

We walked around in a circle, turning to walk backwards at will, changing direction by leading with the hips. And we walked around swiveling the hip with each step: step, raise leg and circle the hips starting with the base leg, step, repeat. Jim told us to lead with our hips, not with the shoulder, head, or leg. Then he asked us to move around any way except walking, running, hopping, skipping, etc. Then first walked, than ran, in a tight circle in the center, trying to slip past each other without touching. We also did this exercise with our eyes closed.

 

Our partners kicked us while we stood on one leg. Jim told us told us to change legs rather than struggle to maintain balance. We practiced avoiding, rotating away, or redirecting the kicks at various levels. We also kicked in groups on three-on-one, with the one in the center on one leg redirecting the kicks. Jim told us to follow through with our kicks, pushing, rather than abrupt short "quarterback" kick, and to stay low enough to kick to the waist level easily. The lower you can go, the more mobility and better range. It's not just working low, but also working at every level between, or "changing levels." He demonstrated following up a takedown by working low with the knees to break someone's neck or otherwise disable them on the ground.

 

Jim showed us many different ways to attack and defend with just the legs; I wish I could remember them all. Avoidance, of course, is always the first thing; the solution comes from that initial movement. Jim demonstrated rotating in and underneath a kick before the foot lands, throwing off the attacker's balance. Also how you can lift up your leg a little to further unbalance the other person (the lift starts with the base leg and the hips, of course). He showed us if you stay low, you can use your thigh like a table surface, either lifting up a bit from beneath, or going over the attacking leg and dropping down. "What goes up, must come down," he told us, demonstrating how each leg can hit in several different ways going both up, and down, as if walking through the other person, so that every motion of the leg is utilized.

 

We worked on redirecting the kicking leg, and following up with a kick to the base leg. This is hard to do, because you have to first redirect the kicking leg, then rotate your base leg to also hit your partner's base leg. But it's very surprising, when my partner tried this on me, my balance was instantly disrupted by having both legs moved. Because I was anticipating it, I could not help but release the base leg as my partner kicked it; rather than standing still and allowing full impact, I shifted my weight to the other leg to lessen the blow. I thought this might be making things difficult for my partner but Jim assured me that was fine, and in fact, quite practical, in terms of minimizing the damage when contact cannot be avoided.

 

It's funny how redirecting the attacking leg just slightly disrupts the balance so effectively. It's not necessarily to redirect the attacking leg so the person swivels around like a revolving door. You only need move them an inch or two, and that's even more surprising than if you fling them across the room--anyone expects to be off balance then, but it's more unexpected when the movement is slight.

 

Jim demonstrated an important concept, stepping in. You don't want to plan on aiming one good kick and that will solve all your problems, you want to utilize the movement as much as possible. If you lift your leg to avoid or unbalance, you are going to have to put it down again, so why not use your leg on the downward motion as well? He described this as "walking" down the leg, for example, lifting up, then kicking to the base leg, then back to the other leg, and ending maybe with a few kicks or sweeps to the ankle. This applies not just the legs, but also the whole body. He showed how you keep on stepping as the attack comes, you avoid, maybe swiveling your hip and using your knee to underneath the kicking limb, or bringing your leg down over the other person's thigh, using your body weight to lift up or drop down, not just the limb itself, but the wave that travels through the entire body

 

We practiced "stepping" into our partners, walking through using the thigh, the knee, the ankle, every part of the leg, with slightly lowered posture for greater mobility and freedom. It's not easy to do this; it's tempting to plan your kicks, aiming for this or that part, because who would think that just walking through someone could so neatly tangle them up so that down is the only direction in which they can go? I'm always amazed at how natural and spontaneous Systema movement is, no planning, no thought of result other than getting out of the way, no contesting for space, and yet it's so much more effective than highly structured, repetitive movement that aims for this or that target; simply by avoiding, the solution arrives naturally.

 

At some point we stopped to do an exercise Jim called Dead Man Walking. Half the people sit on the floor, legs straight forward, 90 degrees, with about an inch between them. The other half line up and one by one, get into pushup position, facing away, from the floor people, who grab their legs and pass them down the line while they walk their hands. Kind of like the wheelbarrow, only sideways. As Jim explained, the trick is to not move at your own pace, but to let the speed of the people passing your legs decide how fast you will go. I quickly found that this is the only way to do this exercise easily, without a lot of struggling on both sides.

 

Then, the floor people lie down, and the person being passed walks the hands between the bodies. I found I could only hold one leg at a time, but as the guy next to me explained, you have to actually reach over for the person's leg, not wait until it's suddenly in your face. Even so, a few of us wound up taking a dive, crash landing on the floor, this is not an exercise where you can control your own speed, it's all on the people who are passing you along.

 

Finally, the hardest of all, the people on the floor, still lying on their backs, and the people being passed have to walk their hands not over the floor, but over each person's thighs--not the knee, and most definitely not the groin! Of course this is difficult because thighs are so much more unstable than a nice level hardwood floor. I found I didn't have as much control over where my hands were placed as I had imagined. Hopefully I didn't hurt any of the guys too much, there were a few close calls, but since everyone was able to stand up again afterwards, I don't think any serious damage was done.

 

This exercise looks harder than it is. I thought, because I struggle through pushups, I would not be able to do this easily, but actually it's more work for the people on the floor. This was an excellent exercise for developing co-operation and "team spirit," I know it may sound corny, but it's really good to work together as a group to accomplish something, even something as odd as this exercise.

 

Returning to the legwork, Jim explained that with the lifting up and down, circling the base leg, and the other movement he demonstrated, we were learning how to generate "waves." This is one of the core principles of Systema; it applies to all movement, not just the legs. But it's hard to say to yourself, "I want my body to move in a wave, starting with the hip, moving in this direction, ready, set, go!" You just have to let it happen without thought of the result. If you can let go of your plans, your natural movement will be far more effective. Even if your mind says, Nah, that will never work! You have to be willing to just try and see what happens. It's kind of like dancing; you might study the step-by-step movements in order to learn how to waltz, but when you're finally dancing at a wedding or in the ballroom or wherever, all those movements have to flow together naturally as one motion, otherwise, it will look stilted and awkward. With Systema, it's not just a matter of looking graceful; if you plan and piece together individual movements, rather than just moving, there will be seconds of hesitation that your opponent can take advantage of.

 

Jim also talked about timing, another important concept. In my opinion, good timing is just a matter of practice. You can't expect that you will be able to mirror your partner or predict his movements in just a few classes. I am sure someone will disagree with that statement, but I think it requires a familiarity with body mechanics that only practice can bring. A Systema-ist doesn't need to look at the attacking limb, (s)he can keep his eyes up and by using peripheral vision and familiarity with body mechanics, and he knows how the person will attack. Some people can fight blindfolded, and yet still prevail, because they can feel the movements of the attack; vision may be helpful, but it shouldn't be the only sense engaged. It's tempting to look at the attacking limb, and use our visual and mental processes to infer what's going to happen next, but these can deceive us, because vision is not necessarily the most accurate of the senses. Feeling the attack, and not only with your sense of touch, but also feeling the other person's movement and energy, it takes a lot of sensitivity, good timing, familiarity with body mechanics, and a certain kind of open mind-set that is in some ways contrary to the procedural brains we have developed.

 

Jim also demonstrated, as he is uniquely qualified to do, how brutal and effective Systema can be. With the breathing and soft work and philosophical and spiritual aspects of Systema, there is also the potential to generate a remarkable amount of pain and damage with very minimal movement. Jim demonstrated some combat applications, such as how to target the most vulnerable areas of the leg. For example, the ankles. The body will usually follow the angle of the ankle joint, as it's only designed to rotate in certain ways. Jim he showed how you can "rake" down the leg, starting at the thigh or anywhere really, scraping down, so that the pain will distract the person until you reach their ankle. He demonstrated how easily the ankle can be broken, by twisting, rotating, or simply stepping on them, also by hooking the ankle and using your own leg as leverage to break the bones.

 

I certainly give the volunteers a lot of credit for assisting with these demonstrations, as Jim showed us how to target the arteries of the thigh, the tender area inside the kneecap, the sensitive areas on either side of the shin, how a blow to the calf can deaden the whole leg, also how you can walk over the legs of someone on the ground to "crunch" up these delicate bones even further. These guys took some pretty unpleasant business from Jim quite willingly and cheerfully. Thanks to everyone who helped with the demonstrations to allow us experience the kind of work we don't typically see in our day-to-day classes.

 

Jim asked us to use caution in working to the ankles; seeing my partner's thick-soled shoes, I expressed some apprehension to Jim about this. I've broken both ankles and there are still a few pieces floating in the right one; I've also sprained them many times. To be honest, I was simply afraid to have my partner try this, not because of him, but because of me...I wasn't sure if I could avoid properly. Jim gave me some advice, which, in the interest of brevity, I'm omitting from this post, but it was helpful. But I see now why you ought to just try before becoming worried about a particular exercise. When my partner targeted my ankles, I simply went down to avoid injury, there was no other option, and I didn't feel nervous at all about it--you'd have to be awfully determined not to reach to floor to take a break to the ankle instead!

 

As day one drew to an end, we did the milling-around-the-center exercise again, keeping tightly together, rotating the hips to evade crashing into others. This is not so different than walking through a crowd of people, or moving through a tight passageway. Then we did this again with our eyes closed. Jim reminded us to lead with the hips, not the shoulder or the head. Sometimes I find it easier to relax with my eyes closed, as I'm not aware of the situation, so my brain has no chance to say Oh no, this is going to be difficult! Not being able to see the situation somehow forces me to just accept it, rather than resist or dwell upon how it might be more to my liking.

 

We finished with an exercise where both partners hold their hands up high, palms facing but not touching, and one person tries to step on the others' toes. The other person had to avoid being stepped on. Then we tried to same thing with eyes closed (for the person being stepped on, the stepper kept his eyes open.) Jim explained that you don't even need to move around the room to avoid this. You can just swivel your hips to move your foot just enough to get it out of the way. To practice this, we did the same thing while one person stayed in place and rotated just the foot (or the hip really) as the other person tried to step on the toes.

 

Jim promised us that for day two, he'd let us use our hands a little bit, although the focus would still be on the legs, but we'd be drawing everything together. And thus ended day one, a great experience all around, and Jim was kind enough to stick around afterwards to answer questions from the enthusiastic participants.

 

(to be continued in Day Two - Sunday)

Here is Part Two of my notes about Jim King's seminar at Fighthouse NYC on October 2-3. It's a little shorter since I didn't want to repeat too much from my Saturday notes.

Adam, Jesse, you're quite welcome! I never imagined my journals would be of interest to anyone but myself. I usually feel embarrassed by them, because I don't feel my descriptions even come close to doing justice to the great seminars I've experienced. But I'm always encouraged by the kind remarks from other people who enjoy my posts. After all the generous advice I've gotten from this forum, it's very rewarding to be able to contribute something that others find helpful.

Once again, it was a pleasure working with you all, and thanks especially to Jim, Peggy, and Edgar for another great event.

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),

Rachel

 

(edited once for typos and grammar)

 

Sunday

 

Day Two began with one of the more unusual exercises I've done in training. Jim had us assemble into groups of four, one person sitting on the ground with shoes untied, while the other three kicked or walked through the person on the ground. The goal is to tie your shoes while avoiding the kicks. I thought it might be easier for me, with buckles on my Chinese slippers, than for my classmates with their laces. But I found myself either moving and avoiding the kicks, forgetting my shoes, or just sitting there bucking my shoe and letting people kick or walk through me (which they did quite gently; the other groups were a bit more enthusiastic in their kicks). Edgar told me to buckle my shoe and move at the same time, not one or the other! I had trouble finding the tiny little hole in the strap of my slipper but I finally got both shoes more or less buckled. Continuing the shoe theme, we put on each of our shoes while standing on the other leg; Jim reminded us this is a simple and easy way to practice balance at home.

 

"Who's sore from yesterday?" Jim asked; most of us raised our hands, and he seemed pleased about this. He told us that where we are sore, that's where the tension is. There is much insight to be found in soreness, bruises, and other injuries. I was very sore on Sunday morning, but was less so after a few hours of training with emphasis on relaxation of the legs. Still, I was glad we did only a few squats. We held positions at 45 degrees, low 45, 90, 0, as on Saturday, while Jim again walked around checking posture and placing his hand on tense spots. Then the same sort of yielding exercise as previously, with one person on one leg, pushing each other, circling the hips starting with the base leg, to develop balance and to practice generating wave-like motion. Then both people on one leg, pushing each other. Once again he cautioned us better to go down or step to the other leg than flail around wildly trying to regain balance; at the same time, he encouraged us not to simply step back and forth from leg to leg, but to try to relax and remain on the one leg. He emphasized keeping our eyes up; giving our partners permission to "punish" us if we looked down or started flailing around.

 

Then two people kicked one person, who stood on one leg. You could redirect the kick or avoid however you wanted, but only on one leg. Fluid hips make this a lot easier; I found that beginning the hip circle by first dipping down, then up, in a sort of 3-dimensional bowl shape, made it a little easier than trying to circle the hips laterally.

 

Next we did some very unusual balance exercises. One person put themselves into a crazy position on one leg, for example, pretending to lean forward and tie the shoe or leaning way out or way back, and the other pushed various places, the goal being of course to not to lose your balance. The only way to do this is to circle the hips, yielding to the push, and restoring yourself. On one leg, it's impossible to resist the push and retain balance. I learned that standing on one leg requires relaxation and acceptance that you are balanced on one leg; rather than viewing it as something to overcome.

 

We also did similar balance exercise where your partner manipulates you into a strange position, for example, leaning your head way forward or back or holding a leg in an odd way, supporting you so that they are bearing your full weight, and then they let go. I found this one easier than the previous, but it may be that we weren't getting each other into unusual enough positions; I felt well-balanced even before my partner let go.

 

I enjoyed all this balance work on one leg, even though I sometimes found myself flailing around or veering to the opposite side to compensate. It's a mental exercise as well as physical; balance is internal, personal, but not an innate talent; it develops depending on how often you use it. The lurching NYC subway is good practice, especially riding without holding onto anything, as suggested in Vlad's Solo Training Tips.

 

We moved into punching each other, with one person still on one leg, avoiding the punches by circling the hips. This was difficult for us, so Jim modified the exercise a little; he told us we could step to the other leg, but only after first avoiding, and then we had to immediately lift the other leg so we were standing on the opposite leg. The purpose of this was not to get us good at fighting on one leg, but to get us to use both of them freely. Being planted firmly on both legs is contrary Systema's principle of constant movement, and good balance is more freedom, the ability to work in all dimensions.

 

Throughout both days, Jim emphasized the lower you go, the more range and mobility you'll have. Although it's not necessary to go lower, it can be very helpful to be able to fight at different levels when your opponent is limited to an upright, straight-legged position. "You should be low enough to kick your partner at stomach level," he said. Jim demonstrated how much less range is available with straight legs. It's much harder to move the hips freely if the legs are locked. With relaxed hips and correct posture, legwork is no more complicated that walking or stepping. Jim mentioned that this principle also applies to the arms.

 

We ended our one-legged work and began to work on both legs, although Jim wanted us to keep those ideas in mind even as we stepped freely with either leg. We started with an avoidance exercise, punching our partners while they stepped through the punch. As yesterday, Jim demonstrated how a single "step" can result in much damage, lifting up, lowering down, hitting one leg, then the other, rotating the hips with the base leg to create different angles and ranges, all in a single step. "What goes up, must come down," he said, although the reverse is also true in this case, as he showed up how down-up steps can also punish someone in a multitude of different places.

 

We spent some time working on chokes, grabs, and holds, defending against such attacks using the legs. It was impressive to see Jim free himself from every kind of hold using only his legs, I'm sorry I cannot remember everything he demonstrated. I remember that he showed us how, when someone is choking you, simply kicking through one of their legs completely disrupts their balance, forcing them to choose between falling down, or letting go and remaining standing, either way works to your advantage. We practiced freeing ourselves from different holds and chokes using just the legs, finding different solutions for static situations. Jim told us to follow through and avoid short sharp reflexive kicks, but to push through the leg to create space between yourself and the person choking or holding you.

 

We also practiced defending against kicks to each other using the hands, for a change. Jim showed how catching the leg and lifting it up, sort of "throwing" it, you can easily take someone down or even flip them right over, depending on which way you "throw" the leg. Of course, timing is especially important for this one, as a kick at full speed might be tricky to catch with your hands, but sometimes things might just work out that way. But as the theme would suggest, he showed many different ways to redirect the kicking leg using the legs. A simple way is to just rotate away, then back in again with your thigh underneath the kicking leg before it lands. We practiced "hooking" and redirecting the kicking leg with your leg bent, and then attacking the base leg with the same movement, as on Saturday. We also practiced hooking the kicking leg and dragging it a little further out, so the other person's legs are spread wide apart, which disrupts the balance. The tricky thing about these last two is that you have to use the different parts of your leg, rather than thinking of it as one long straight limb, instead the thigh can go one way, while the calf goes another. You can avoid a kick by moving your whole leg, but you can also just lift the leg and rotate only the bottom part. I don't think I've explained that any too well, but maybe you can picture it. He also showed how straightening your leg can also be effective defense against a kick, by stepping into the kick, staying low, sliding his leg close to the foot as it landed, and then straightening up the leg again, disrupting the kicking leg as it landed.

 

Jim also talked a little more about working to the ankles. It's not necessary to redirect the leg while it's in the air; you can get the ankle just before it hits the ground, or even just after. But timing is very important, if the attacking leg is firmly planted and the other person has restored their balance, it's best to move onto some other part. He demonstrated how easily the ankles can be broken if you use your leg as a lever to hold it in place, sort of catching the ankle with your foot, then using your calf to inflict pressure. But even with more gentle manipulation, the body neatly follows the rotation of the ankle outside its natural range.

 

Toward the end of the seminar, Jim asked if we had any questions or wanted to see anything in particular. I suggested groundwork, not because I had any particular question, just wanted to see Jim working on the ground. He did a quick demonstration of using your legs while on the ground, emphasizing that the principles were just the same as with standing work. We spent a few minutes practicing on the ground. To start off Jim had us do the exercise where you wiggle your butt across the floor, keeping the feet off the floor, backwards, forwards, and side to side, just like walking, he explained, he told us not to wiggle the hips widely side to side, but to keep the hips more or less straight and use a back-and-forth motion. Jim warned us not to let our feet touch the floor, for what seemed like an awfully long time! But he did say we could rest by wrapping our arms underneath the knees, to speed things along, Jim has us form groups of four, three kicking one person, Jim cautioning us not to wrestle while we were on the floor. We spent a few minutes kicking each other, with the one on the floor redirecting the kicking leg, sitting or laying down, changing positions as needed, and taking down the kicking people if the opportunity presented itself.

 

A few people asked about punching, and specifically defense against a boxer's punches. Jim told us not to get hung up in their space, or distracted by trying to aim for the face, but simply to move the punches aside and work some other part of the body. Jim demonstrated how the movement of avoiding punches naturally presents the target, "waving" the punches aside and striking the ribs and other areas exposed by the punching, as well and "swimming" through a series of punches with movement of the shoulders, moving into the person and behind them once the punches were waved aside.

 

We spent a few minutes practicing what Jim had demonstrated. Although the seminar was about legwork, I learned a lot about punching in a short time. First we practiced punching like boxers, both partners with arms up, one punching, the other avoiding, the movement leading to a punch to the ribcage or whatever area was exposed by the punch. "Swimming" through a flurry of punches was similar to "stepping" through kicks. Instead of thinking of where my hands were going to end up, I tried to "swim" into my partner's arms, lifting slightly over rather than moving my arms parallel to the floor, and locking my partner with movement of my shoulders. Although we practiced this briefly, it made this principle much more clear to me, that the movement is from the shoulder, not from the hand or even the arm. Also, though it may seem obvious, I learned that there's no need to remain within the same space trying to block or avoid the punches when you can simply move out.

 

Someone asked about attacking the punching arm or hand itself, and Jim said this can work well with "Neanderthal" type of punches. He demonstrated how to deaden the attacking arm with a well-placed blow. With this, as with many of Jim's demonstrations, I was just amazed as his knowledge of biomechanics, not just how the body moves, but also exactly which places are the most vulnerable. After deadening a volunteer's arm, Jim demonstrated how to restore sensation to the arm by tugging the pinky finger. He also talked about how restore the solar plexus when the wind is knocked out of you, by sort of shaking yourself to re-align everything so you can breathe again. I have seen people 'draw' out the punch or otherwise reduce the pain of a strike, as well as people who can absorb strikes that would have most people on the ground. But I was surprised by the extent to which this can be applied. No part of the body can be isolated from the rest of it, the muscles work in conjunction with each other, so it's not surprising that a muscle in the hand can affect on in the arm-some of these muscles actually extend all the way from the hand to the arm, or from the foot to the lower leg. Even so, watching it demonstrated was quite fascinating; I learned a little more about Systema's unique approach to survival.

 

We finished with "Russian massage," that is, walking on each other. One person lays face down, the other starts walking on them beginning at the legs, being careful not to step on any joints, and avoiding the spine. "If it's uncomfortable, it's supposed to be!" said Jim, but I think most of us enjoyed it. It's great for both people, the one walking, for balance, and for the other, of course, massage. Although if the person walking on you doesn't have such good balance, it can be a bit uncomfortable! On the other hand, if they are balanced and know where to step, it doesn't matter how heavy they are, it's quite relaxing.

 

Afterwards, Jim offered punches to the attendees, and several people impressed us all with their ability to absorb strikes. If you ever have this opportunity, it's very beneficial on many different levels. I would have liked to volunteer, and to my surprise, my mom wanted to also. But I was too self-conscious to ask Jim how he feels about striking ladies, not to mention being the center of attention even for a few minutes. Perhaps next time I'll find the courage to inquire.

 

Jim taught us more than I can possibly describe even in my long-winded training logs. Working against various attacks by bending and straightening his legs, moving upward and downward, stepping through, Jim emphasized no wasted movement, but to just move, and use every motion. It almost seems too good to be true, by avoiding, using your fear reaction, but not succumbing to it, just by moving, the solution presents itself. Although we avoid danger all the time, while riding the subway, driving on a highway, walking over a bridge, danger from other people invokes the desire to compete and prevail over them. The "snapping tree branch" analogy is used (in the Guidebook?) to describe how we do not compete for space. If you're walking on a trail behind someone who causes a green tree branch to bend forward, most people will simply move aside and avoid the branch as it snaps back. It would be foolish to simply stand there and "compete" for space with the branch. We do not block or otherwise trying to stop the movement of an opponent; but yield to it instead, we do not fight fire with fire, as my teacher has described it. But it's a challenge, because human beings tend to compete with each other much more than with green branches, maybe it is just part of human nature to compete for the best resources, but then again, so are other more benevolent qualities, such as companionship and altruism, so it's just a matter of finding a good balance, pun intended.
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By Rachel Klingberg

 

This is a review of the Jim King's April 17th seminar at Fighthouse in New York City. I am not sure if I recall all that we learned with great accuracy; please interpret this review as a beginner's perspective, not a verbatim description of what Jim taught us. I wanted to edit it since it's rather long, but I haven't had time, and so rather than let another week go by before posting, here it is, and hopefully I can come back and edit it for length a little bit later. But you can print it out, or download it from here as a Microsoft Word document:

http://www.new-pony.com/systema/JimKing.doc

 

Jim is an engaging teacher, whether explaining the concepts in a sensible, straightforward way, or demonstrating the movements on Sonny, Alex, and other willing souls with a businesslike and seemingly effortless efficiency. The topic was Fundamental Principles of the Russian System. The four principles of the Russian system-sometimes called the four pillars-are breathing, form, relaxedness, and movement. Jim explained these four principals briefly and how they are closely inter-related. He told us that relaxedness differs from relaxation; relaxation is shapeless, blob-like, whereas relaxedness is not without structure. "Stand on your bones, not your muscles," he told us later in the seminar. But he also said that relaxedness is a mental state. Fear and aggression will cause tension; like many emotional states, they have physical manifestation, and this affects your own performance, and will increase your attacker's aggression as well.

 

Jim started us of bunny hopping around in a circle, feet together hopping in unison. He reminded us to breathe, but I found it hard to think about breathing and hopping at the same time. I was breathing as if each hop equals one breath, so after a few minutes, I was pretty winded. He asked us to hop as fast as we could go. Then he asked us to hop backwards, and finally I thought I couldn't hop another step and slowed to a walk, and luckily he told us all to stop, and asked how many were out of breath. About half of us raised our hands, and he said we were taking in too much air, raising our heart rates unnecessarily. This led to a discussion of breathing and how it relates to movement.

 

Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth-even my dentist advised me to do this during a recent visit, saying that it would calm me. The nose is also a natural filtration system. For the exhale, Jim demonstrated the difference between exhaling through a rounded "O" mouth and a more typical "slit" shape to the mouth. Because the mouth is naturally shaped like a slit, correct breathing requires some mindfulness, at least, when first practicing it. Jim encouraged us to exhale audibly to help coordinate breath and movement, and to begin the breath slightly before the movement rather than simultaneous. He also told us that it didn't matter if we chose to inhale or exhale with exertion, but emphasized not taking or releasing more air that you need to.

 

My own theory is that inhaling through the nose serves as a natural meter to prevent taking in too much air, and exhaling through a rounded rather than slit-shaped mouth also prevents exhaling too much air, because a round mouth is a smaller egress for the air, so it leaves the lungs in a more controlled fashion. Later on I tried placing my hand on my diaphragm to feel the difference in the different kinds of inhales and exhales, and I found when the breath is well-modulated, so is the movement of my diaphragm, but when inhaling through the mouth or exhaling through a slit-shaped mouth, I can feel that my diaphragm moves suddenly and without control.

 

Breathing to excess is detrimental, as we found out in the next set of exercises. We did some conditioning exercises, pushups, sit-ups, and squats, breathing in and out on the up or downpress, also doing pushups down to 1 count, up to 1 count, the next down to 2, up to 2, etc., with corresponding breathing. Jim advised us that if our arms or other body parts felt as if they were wobbly and about to fail, we could visualize breathing in through that body part. This is also a helpful pain management technique, to imagine breathing in air through the injured part. We also did sit-ups and squats, breathing in and out, and then we did the 45-degree angle variations of these, holding ourselves at an angle, rather than parallel, to the floor during the pushups. Throughout, Jim asked us to breathe in specific patterns, in or out, and then, without warning, after an inhale or an exhale; he'd have us do ten reps without breath. Correct breathing will sustain you for the ten breath-less reps, inhaling or exhaling too much will have the opposite effect. It's funny, because we tend to prepare for holding our breath-ducking underwater, for example-by inhaling deeply, and yet, as I discovered, this actually shortens the time you can hold your breath.

 

While we lay on the floor, he asked us to tense, and then relax, different parts of our bodies, to see the difference between tension and relaxedness. We also did pushups holding ourselves as tense as possible. After the pushup elevated our heart rate a bit, we lay on the floor and practiced feeling our heartbeat, in the arches of our feet, the palms of our hands, as well as in the chest itself. Jim explained that tension between your head and the part where you were trying to feel the heartbeat would prevent you from detecting it. He said that you could practice sensing the heartbeat lying down, standing, or most difficult of all, sitting. I couldn't feel my heartbeat specifically in my palm or my foot, and just barely in my chest, and then only because I had a general sense of the rhythm of my heart, rather than because I felt it.

 

At some point, I don't remember exactly when in the course of our introductory exercises, he had us visualize breathing in through one limb, out through the other, in through one side, out through the other, etc. Then he asked us to stand and I felt completely, utterly relaxed. I was in a deep state of relaxation, aside my one experience with hypnosis, I was more deeply relaxed than I have ever been. I keep using the word "deep" to describe it, and by that I mean that if I had been alone in the room and in that very same relaxed state, it would have taken me a few hours to come out of it, as I probably would have just lay down on the floor, not asleep, but in that twilight area between sleep and wakefulness. I confess, I wanted to remain in that relaxed state, in no small part because I was curious about it, but we moved into other exercises.

 

We practiced moving across the floor by means other than our arms and legs. Inching across the floor on our butts, legs in the air, scooting from left to right. Crawling on the floor using just the shoulders, the rest of the body limp. And sort of undulating across the floor by drawing up the knees a bit and sort of lifting the midsection, then sinking down again. It's hard to describe some of these floor exercises. They must look pretty funny, but you do learn how to increase your range of motion, and to move body parts you never before thought of moving. It's another way of working with limitations, like the one-handed or one-legged exercises, or those using just the legs, or 3-attacking-1 drills. Systema teaches us that even with broken limbs or other injuries, you can defend yourself. This is also a psychological or perhaps even spiritual way of viewing our own survival, just as we do not take the lives of others without necessity, we do not yield our own lives too lightly.

 

I am veering off on a tangent here, because I often think the way Systema teaches us about survival. The purpose of training, although it has many other benefits, is to ensure our survival, the one goal without which all other aspirations are meaningless. Efficiency of movement, moderation in breathing, expending only what energy is necessary-these can preserve your life not only in situations where you are injured, but also in the case of serious illness. Survival relates to breathing in a rather obvious way. If you've ever had bronchitis or another serious respiratory disease, you no doubt recall how painful and physically draining this small act can be. Yet breathing is often viewed as an automatic function-the body will take care of it on its own. While it's true that the body has an instinct to breathe, and to preserve itself-we use this instinct frequently in class-yet what happens when the body suffers grievous injury? Can it be relied upon to keep those automatic functions going? The bodily instinct toward self-preservation will protect us, but at a deeper, more critical level, a strong spirit will provide the ultimate protection from harm.

 

Getting back to the seminar, after breathing, Jim talked about posture, form, shape, or whatever you choose to call it. He had us straighten and lock our legs, then unlock them, dropping our posture only slightly, about an inch. He also talked about keeping the shoulder and the hip aligned, tucking the hips slightly so that the back does not arch. (Denis "the Menace" showed us how you can use a wall to check your posture; standing against the wall in correct form, you should not be able to slip your hand between your back and the wall). He spoke briefly about the flying center of gravity, before moving into the topic of walking. In a rather amusing demonstration, Jim showed us different ways that people walk, and how energy is wasted, and form broken, with each of the variations, the springy "be-bop" walks, the strut, the arm-swinging walk, and so forth. Maintaining a theme of "practice you can do outside of class," he demonstrated that keeping form while walking down a public street need not scare away the surrounding pedestrians.

 

He told us to allow our bones, not our muscles, to support us, and demonstrated on Sonny how posture lessens the effect of strikes on the body. He compared the common notion a "fighting" stance, and how it weakens stability and mobility. "In Systema, we fight in the same posture in which we walk," he explained. We practiced walking and breathing, keeping form, and inhaling or exhaling with each step, then every two steps, working up to eight counts. And we also walked backwards. Yep, we practiced both walking and breathing in Saturday's seminar. And both at the same time! But seriously, these are rich topics, and we learned a great deal from these seemingly simple exercises.

 

Jim then had us form groups of 4 with one person in the middle, and the other three walking into the one, who turn, evade, or otherwise change position to avoid collision. "No heat-seeking missiles," he advised us. "Just walk straight into the person, don't track them." This is a challenge in groups of four. In our classes, we've also done this in groups of two as well as with the entire class in a big melee. We also practiced a yielding exercise, but on one leg. Even though I am right-handed, I favor my left side for standing, rolling, etc., so Jim advised me to stand on my right leg to strengthen my balance. Sometimes I have remind myself that my goal in training is not to keep practicing the things I already feel comfortable doing. It's a slightly different way of looking at the learning process, unlike learning to play the piano, for example. Instead of practicing, acquiring some skill, and then showing it off at a recital, there is no recital towards which to aim. It is only survival, and since there are limitless ways in which our survival can be threatened, so the challenges we impose upon ourselves during training are also limitless. But like most of my classmates, I've come to look forward to working under limitations.

 

Since each of the fundamental concepts is so closely related to the others, we learned about them simultaneously, rather than one by one. After watching demos and listening to Jim's explanations, and trying the exercises ourselves, we spent the last hour or so sparring with our partners, working against wrist grabs and arm bars. Jim showed us how allowing the grab, and taking a few steps back, can dramatically affect the opponent's balance and movement.

 

As sometimes happens with these kinds of drills, my partner and I were evading the grab altogether, rather than allowing contact. Sonny came over to help us. "Keep the hope alive," he suggested, meaning, let the attacker think he has been successful. For this particular situation, it is better to allow the grab, than to completely avoid it. Evading altogether allows the opponent time to re-strategize and attack in some other way. Of course there are other times when escaping without contact may be best, but maintaining contact is a key principal of Systema, as the Russian System Guidebook explains, "It's good to allow an attacker to grab you-that way, you know where he is."

 

The arm bars were our last exercise, and, as when we work with chokes, our starting point was a situation in which we are seemingly trapped (not, as with the grabs, a situation that we could avoid.) Jim demonstrated how to "create space" to allow a little room for escape. Rotating the shoulder, collapsing the partner's knee, dropping down (or "changing levels"), or otherwise disrupting the tense and static situation of the arm-bar so that you can transform it into a dynamic and escape-able one.

 

Jim told us something that really struck a chord with me: "Don't worry if you don't get a particular exercise. There's always another class. Don't be greedy for the knowledge. Have patience. Frustration is just pride at not being able to know everything at once." My tendency to be a perfectionist has been useful in my professional life; in the world of computers, everything stems from a logical structure in which there are only two states, 1/0 for the smallest bits, true/false for the logic of the most complex programs. There is no grey area. But intuition and feeling, well, there's a lot of grey area, and a lot of things that cannot be explained in words. The greatest writers in the world have come pretty close to describing human feeling, love, grief, hope, and the other emotions that affect us so deeply. But even Shakespeare's most lovely sonnets cannot convey the feeling of being in love; Systema, like love, is something you just have to experience for yourself.

 

Later on, during a demonstration with Alex, Jim stressed that the no-contact work isn't magical or psychic, just biomechanics and a little bit of mental trickery. He also mentioned something from the guidebook that piqued my interest: the time shift. He demonstrated this on Alex, slowing down his movements so that Alex also slowed down his attack. Then it appeared to me that he moved a little faster again while Alex was still moving slowly. That is a pretty sorry description of something that can't be explained, at least, not by someone with my limited experience. I'm afraid it's the best I can do. I've had the page in the Guidebook where the time shift is mentioned folded down since I first bought the book, and so I was glad to see a demonstration and a little bit of explanation. But I still am not sure how it works. Maybe it has something to do with the slight lag between perception and bodily movement. Have you ever spilled something on yourself, or stepped in a puddle, or even had a slight fender-bender in your car? Sometimes, there is a moment when your mind is aware of the problem and tries to tell your body, Stop no! You are going to have an accident! But your body just cannot respond quickly enough. I don't doubt that some high level practioners are able to unite the body and mind so the response gap is lessened, but I don't think it can ever be completely eliminated. The body has to send the request to the brain, and the brain send the appropriate instructions for action back to the body, and this round trip takes a little time, just like a computer processing requests from a user. A T1 connection will make your Web pages load so quickly, I mean, a fraction of a second, as to appear to be instantaneous, but they are not, it's just too short a gap to be perceived. We measure length of time by human perception, as if we are the ultimate time-keepers, and yet these measurements are completely arbitrary.

 

All of the above paragraph is based on my limited experience, and I am sure that there are some misinterpretations mixed in there, so, as is oft-repeated, I encourage you to attend a seminar for yourself and watch Jim or one of his colleagues, and you will definitely get more of an understanding from that than from the few words on this page.
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By Scott Meredith

 

This note is not intended as a comprehensive seminar review of the normal type. I'm sure somebody more eloquent than I will give a full run-down of the fantastic Seattle-area seminar taught this weekend by Jim King, hosted by Brian King's Systema Northwest school.

 

I just want to call out today's (Saturday) session with Jim as a unique educational jewel of a new type for Systema.

 

The entire session was devoted to mass attack. Yet actual mass attack activity in the classical sense (those who've been doing Systema for years know what I mean) occupied only a few minutes. What Jim King did was sculpt us into mass defenders and attackers through layered tiles of specific skill sets. This was an amazing teaching performance. I don't know how much planning went into it, but in the hundreds of Systema classes I've done, I don't think I've ever seen such a technically perfect organization of topics and activities into a single coherent session.

 

Jim started from a top level analysis, breaking down the mass attack attributes we'd be needing into broad areas of attack and defense. He then organized every drill to build like a layer cake, or like a precision engineered electronic component, varying along the two dimensions of the actual skill type and the meta-qualities of the drill. The way I'm writing it may sound too abstract, but I felt that he'd broken down the entire spectrum of mass attack attributes and was re-assembling them for us across the session.

 

The skills inventory began with pushing, receiving pushes, walking over/around obstacles, rolling over/around obstacles, surviving as an obstracle, walking as evasion, walking as a form of attack, holds, releases from holds, working against multiuple partners, and working in cooperation and/or non-agression with other partners.

 

The skills above are all core Systema skills. However, Jim was "layering" them in a most interesting way with the clear unvarying goal of building them into a complete mass attack body-arsenal and mind-set by the end of the session.

 

He unified the above attribute development work by running a consistent thread of "drill amping" on every discrete component or attribute set we did. I hadn't ever thought of it this way before, but it seems he'd carefully thought through, what are the ways a single attribute drill can be "amped"?

 

He worked the drill amping along the following dimensions:

 

a. the drill can be done from slower to faster

b. the drill can be done with lesser to more intense attack realism.

b. the drill can be done with fewer to greater number of people

 

Those are the core three dimensions. And Jim had designed mini-clusters of drill sets that would start on the shallow end of the above scales and work upward - all with the exact same focus on a given principle.

 

Then as the session unfolded, he introduced composite drills that systematically snapped together the high-end versions of each component's sub-cluster.

 

For example, he ran us through a number of drills about surviving on the ground - clearly an element of mass attack work if you slip or trip or are pushed to the ground. Then separately (at first) he ran us through another "sub cluster" of progressively amped drills on working with living obstracles underfoot - the other side of that same coin.

 

But Jim was able to break them down and begin with extremely narrow, gentle and focused drills for each skill component in this example (ground survival and stepping with obstacles) and then he combined the two skills into another higher-order spectrum that used both skills, so more complex, and again graduated from simple/gentle, to more intense/real. Like snapping Lego blocks together. Meanwhile other skill "clusters" were being built up similarly around every other necessary skill for mass attack (pushing, moving when pushed, distance of work, holds and releases, rolling, and so on). And each mini-set had the same kind of spectrum of creative, graduate drills, and the pieces kept getting "snapped together" like a Lego set or the lower blocks of a pyramid. And a complete, comprehensive skill picture then emerged naturally.

 

Of course, we all had to work from where we were at, and for some like me that's not a high combative level. But my body absorbed a huge amount of movement education from this session that will continue to perk for a lont time to come.

 

It was a unique way to breakdown and then re-assemble the mass attack mosaic, crafted by a true teaching professional. I want to make sure this is acknowledged and encouraged.

 

The atom-level drills were pure classical Systema, but the program of assembling them and building stepwise was done at a masterful level that I have not seen before. I think today's session was an example of a new generation of Systema, where the original teachers have provided the genius of inspiration and foundational contents, and we are now starting to see the emergence of a "native Systema" that will be taken forward in a new soil by this generation of new master teachers, such as Jim.

 

I'm sorry not to give more specific details of every drill spectrum that was covered for each skill. Frankly that would almost be a mini-book, and hey - I've just done quite a few SOLID hours of SOLID Systema, so I think I've earned the right to crash into a good night's sleep now.

 

I guess the only practical take-home message of this post is to hint that we can all hope that Jim King and his colleagues in this new front-line of master teachers will start to create their own permanent teaching materials in their own unique style. And for now, if/when you can train under Jim King, run don't walk.

 

We thank Brian King and Kaizen Taki at Systema Northwest for their huge efforts in making an event like this happen, and my gratitude to Jim himself goes without saying.
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Jim King seminar November 2005

(Ken Harper)

Another 5-star Jim King event hosted by Brian King and Kaizen, with guest appearances from Vali, Sergey, and Ed Whelan, among others. As always, it was great to work with old and new friends.

I wrote this a while ago and then forgot to post until now. The more I practice, the more I realize the difficulty in having written descriptions do justice to the dynamic work and what you actually learn about movement, fear, breathing, etc.. So, better to be there, but if not, here's a rough approximation of what Jim covered -- at least what I can recall.

Jim stated the focus of the seminar would be on "short work,' and specifically how to speedily and painfully break your opponent's form - which essentially meant de-forming his spine.

1. Instead of "exercising," we went right into sparring:
a. P1 grabs, P2 escapes
b. ' ´ , and takes P1 down
c. P1 attacks w/ knife (with intention of harming P2); P2 escapes
d. same as 2c, but P2 takes P1 down

2. Jim went through basic bio-mechanics, showing us which joints enabled you to de-form your opponent's "spine" - i.e., get him off-balance and put him down:

a. Head/neck - yes
b. Shoulders - not really , too resilient
c. Elbows - better than shoulders or wrists
d. Wrists/fingers - worse than elbows, better than shoulders
e. Hips -- definitely
f. Knees - definitely
g. Ankles - you betchya

3. We went through a series of exercises that allowed us to manipulate our partner's body so that we could see the effects of movement on the joints.
a. P1 gets on his hands/knees and pushes, twists, or otherwise moves P2's ankles, knees, and hips
i. By manipulating each joint in succession, you could see and feel how your opponent was in a position where the next move (or set of moves) would take him to the ground.
ii. The trick was learning the least number of moves executed with the least amount of effort to get your partner to the ground
iii. Some moves were more - or less - obvious:
1. i.e., if your partner was a man, open or spread his legs and hit him in the crotch
2. Manipulate a joint and see what "presents itself" - comes forward - as a target
b. We then stood up and did similar work from the hips to the face
i. If you move your partner's hips, what presents itself?
ii. You can move your partner's joints with two-hand pushes, one-hand pushes, strikes, etc.
iii. Again, see what de-forms your partner's spine the fastest and gives you something to hit.
iv. Depending on the clothing your partner is wearing, grab his hip pockets or something else to deform him.
1. Does it work? Experiment.

c. Drill: Stop with push and strike.
i. In this drill, Jim pointed out that the work begins with simple movements from your opponent (or when you've decided to engage).
1. It could be a breath, a step, a dropping of the shoulders - you have to be alert that "it's on"
ii. P1 approaches P2; P2 STOPS P1 by putting his hand out. (Where must you place your hand to be effective?)
1. P1 can walk thru P2's efforts to stop him, so you have to find spots that will work.
2. e.g., a small person (woman) putting her hand to a large man's chest is not likely to work.
3. But, a woman looking like she's going to strike a man in the crotch or the throat (face) shows she's serious and will stop the man.
4. Once you've de-formed ("stopped") P1, what's your next move? i.e., think in terms of multiple moves, not a single movement
iii. In a previous seminar, we did the same thing w/ kicks and/or hip butts. I don't recall if we did that w/ Jim this time.

d. Pass and strike drill
i. P1 and P2 walk toward each other
ii. At spot where short strike is possible, both strike each other and keep moving
iii. We went from a single strike, up to exchanges of 7 strikes each

e. Elbow manipulation
i. P1 faces P2 and holds both of his elbows and moves him until he's unbalanced
ii. Same as above, only you add leg movements. I was working w/ Sergey and couldn't de-form him no matter what I did. Later Jim and Sergey talked discussed working with big men: you have to do "lots" of small moves because a couple/three on a big guy aren't likely to break his form because of his size, strength, etc.

4. Escape from holds and immediately attack
a. P1 holds P2; P2 uses breath to sense where P1's tension is and/or what P2's options are and then escapes and attacks
b. You learn to fight from the position you're in, rather than from any position you want to be in.
i. i.e., virtually any position enables you to do the work
c. We learned that the counter-attack really begins with the escape - it's not escape AND then regroup and go at your opponent-it's attacking while you're escaping, or close to it.

5. P1 grabs, P2 strikes, escapes, and puts down opponent
a. From my partner (Alexey), I learned how to use push-strikes to the lower back and butt to collapse his hips and put him to the ground. I.e., there are leverage points on the lower back and buttocks that let you manipulate the hip joint and break your opponent's form.

6. Knife Work
a. P1 attacks with the intention of harming P2
i. P1 should come overhead, straight on, low, sweeping-whatever
b. P2's job is to remember he's fighting the man, not the knife, so he must see what's available AND avoid getting cut (or worse)-and then attack, to de-form the opponent, whether with a strike, lock, kick, etc.

7. SUNDAY SESSION

a. The first X seconds, minutes of a practice will be how you behave the first X seconds, minute of a fight-
b. The way you walk is the way you fight
c. Take a movement - any movement - and break it down into his component pieces (and variations) and then put it back together.
d. Simple deflection and attack: as you pass your opponent, make the motion of sweeping your hand over your face - like you're washing your face - and you now can strike w/ elbow, fist, etc.
e. Let your body sag just to see how the spine changes and what this does to your form, balance
f. Falling
i. Everyone has natural fear of falling
1. Kick foot out to side and "slide" on that foot down
2. Get up without using your hands
g. Try to understand what a person fears (most)
i. Women fear BEAR HUGS
ii. Men might fear being wrong, looking stupid, etc.

h. Training exercise; If a guy is doing the same thing over and over, inhibit his ability by limiting him to 1 arm or 1 leg

i. Multiple opponent work accelerates the learning curve

j. If you're "fighty" or tired - just do escapes

k. Try mass attack work to start a class and warm everyone up

l. Use sticks to generate movement

m. If a class is getting sluggish, punches/strikes bring you to life

n. When guys are not moving, do weapons work to make them --
i. knives
ii. sticks
iii. chains,

o. Mix it up - diversity is critical

8. SUNDAY PT
a. Sonny P pushups. Go knuckle to knuckle
i. Add name writing w/ 1 leg, then the other

b. Pushup to forward roll-to pushup and forward roll-(add backward roll)

c. Wall squat for time
i. add name, number writing

9. Sunday's work
a. Grab, tense, and then dump your opponent
i. P1 grabs P2
ii. P2 tenses
iii. P2 relaxes
iv. P2 "dumps" P1
1. P2 only needs a small amount of tension to de-form P1
2. Don't overdo it.
3. Remember: do most amount of work w/ least amount of effort
4. Systema fight time: 20 seconds to 2 min max
a. There's art (which takes time)
b. And there's work (which should go fast)

b. Find the pain points prone and supine
i. Usually, there's a bundle of nerves just above and below any joint
ii. Explore your partner's prone/supine body and find where the pain points are (push, shove, slide, bend, etc.), being careful not to go beyond your partner's limits
iii. your partner learns to breathe and relax through the pain (usually)
iv. Pay special attention to what body parts rise up when you're manipulating your partner. Put it down and you'll probably increase the pain.
v. We learned the basics of (arm) locks and "prisoner" control movements.

We did many movements that built upon each other and led from discrete "drills" to sparring where we applied what we learned, from the basic biomechanics of Saturday to the full sparring on Sunday.

The seminar made me realize that the "work" might consist of "only" a few movements, and that one would lead to another until your opponent was neutralized. The more efficient you were (the fewer movements in other words), the more energy you were likely to have and the more likely you'd survive.

As with other seminars, we learned to stay close to our opponents so that we could sense what was available and use proximity.

I was fortunate to work with many excellent students from whom I learned in the moments we did our work. Going slowly enabled us to feel the opponent's tension and to be aware of our own - and to dissipate that w/ breathing and relaxation.

For instance, as we worked, Ed Whelan practiced flat-handed, palm strikes to areas of my body where the muscles were tensed up and showed me how those strikes released the tension and, in so doing, changed my structure and breathing - and gave him opportunities to further break my form.

Although this review doesn't do justice to Jim's teaching methods, one "lesson" or set of principles led to the next and, as I said above, culminated in sparring where we could pull all the principles together.

Jim was clear, straight-forward, upbeat, and humorous. It was an excellent seminar.
----------------------------------------------------
By Brian King

 

Observations from the Missouri seminar

 

TEAMWORK!

 

The seminar started with a Friday night workout. It was a pleasure watching how Sonny Puzikas and Jim King worked, each working their instructing segments individually yet being able to build on and add to the work already shown and practiced. The spontaneity, intensity and sheer joy of the 'work' was able to be shared thru their combined instruction and examples as they flowed from principle to principle, concept to concept each building upon the others work in a flawless display of natural teamwork. The workout only lasted 3 or 4 hours but the lessons I learned will last my lifetime. The workout set the mood for the rest of the weekend yet to come.

 

The weekends training started and built on where Sonny and Jim had left off, with many of the drills and exercises being partner work, including partner mirror push-ups, squats, and sit-ups. Vladimir also had working various breathing patterns while doing the work as well as when walking and running.

 

One interesting drill that we worked was a three person drill, two people would 'lock-up' in a frozen moment of combat, the third person would then take down both combatants, first working balance points, and triangulations then later with strikes and kicks. (I particularly enjoyed the concept of hitting two people with one strike, often the one strike being able to cause much damage to both people.) We did this drill with the third person 'not knowing' the two combatants then we did the drill with one of the combatants being a friendly. One surprising thing to me was the teamwork that developed between the people doing this drill. Having to wait while locked up and then taking a hard strike to a spot that could cause injury (such as the back of your neck thru the other persons elbow while they had you in a headlock) and having everyone fall in a heap while still being locked up then getting up shacking it off and switching positions and doing it again seems to take the ego out and promote a common shared interest in learning and helping each other learn

 

Another interesting and very fun drill that I particularly enjoyed was a three or four (or more) person drill with all of us on the ground, working against the one person with a knife that was against and attacking everyone else! This was an interesting drill for as soon as the one guy with the knife was being 'worked' he would lose the knife and you had to instantly switch form fighting one guy and either defend yourself from your former 'teammate' and/or attack him trying to get the knife for yourself. A kind of everyone against everyone but with momentary fleeting partnerships and alliances that developed great awareness as well as movement while defending and attacking from odd positions on the ground drill.

 

My favorite time at this seminar if I had to choose happened during one of the demos. It was some empty hand vs. knife work with Vladimir and Sonny doing the work. Sonny was working Vladimir with a training blade, and while Vladimir was working a disarm, Sonny pulled his live blade from his belt and continued the attack. After the live blade attack was 'dealt with' Sonny moved to return the live blade to its sheath but in typical nonchalance Vladimir had Sonny continue the rest of the demo with his live blade. This is testimony not only to Vladimir's skill but that of Sonny's as both must drill alive and with awareness. The attacker especially as the attack is often reversed with the edge and point often returning to the attacker, not to mention fists, elbows, knees and feet and the floor. It was inspiring to see the care that Vladimir was able to take even in the midst of a skilled attack. Vladimir was not only doing disarms but was insuring that the knife landed where he wanted it to, the look in Sonny's eyes and the Vladimir 'inspired' honest movement not to mention the "move move move" inspired low crawl will be remembered for a very long time. Thanks Sonny for memories and lessons.

 

A big THANK YOU to Vladimir and Valerie for being willing to give up 'family time' so that you can share the knowledge and warmth that you both are deservedly known for. Thank you Strategos (including all those behind the scenes) for hosting this event. Think of it, a chance to feel the work of Vladimir, Jim King, Sonny, Martin Wheeler, Dennis the menace, Edger and many other VIP's all with in minutes of each other. What an opportunity! Thanks also to the many people that worked with me. I met many great guys who all showed heart, determination and honest work. Thanks all. I now have many more drills and exercises to build on.

 

See you on the floor soon

Friends

Brian King
----------------------------------------------------
By Brian King

 

Have you been to a Systema seminar? Have you tasted the wonderful nervous apprehension in the air just prior the training start?

 

With an uplifting of both his arms and a bright "stand up" Emmanuel Manolakakis excised the room of any nervous tension with a steady look and sincere smile.

 

Although it was already noon we must have looked tired. We began with a wake you up skin pulling. First to ourselves then partnering up as we helped each other to awaken. To pull skin it is not enough to simply grab skin and pull. Oh no- the preferred way is to lay your hand on your partner and curl your fingers into a fist, pulling and tightening any skin and meat caught in the fist. This is done on the arms, legs, chest, neck, back anywhere and everywhere. This is one of those exercises that feel great-once it is over. Or as Emmanuel said "You know you are doing it right when the guy jumps a little bit. He (your partner) shouldn't be too happy!)

 

We then proceeded to do more partner work. We started with your partner lying down on the mat and you walking on his arms and legs looking for tension. You are not just looking for the existing tension in your partner's body but also the tension created from the contact of your putting weight and pressure on your partners exposed limbs and body. (You can easily spot the tension as the body moves to relieve the pain) We must have been getting the hang of this and making it look easy, for we then had to switch from walking on our partner to doing a modified push-up on our partner. With our partner on his back we again searched for tension in our partners' body. While in the up push-up position we would rotate around our partners' body using our weight thru our hands and arms to point out and effect our partners' tension. While moving about our partner looking for flat spots and edges and other signs of tension we must have looked tired since Emmanuel had us then lie-down on top of our partners and roll around. From toes to head he had us steam rolling back and forth.

 

After the 'rest' we were now ready for some push-ups. Using breath we lowered ourselves with an inhale and exhaled our recovery to the start position. Part way through this exercise Emmanuel explained his theory and advice about 'sitting' in relation to push-ups. So we did more push-ups but now with 'sitting' on our minds. After a long rest (three breaths) we did more push-ups. This time tying in the movement with square breathing. We started by doing two push-ups on one inhaled breath then continuing doing two more push-ups with suspended (held) breath then two more with one exhaled breath. We sat up and breathed through our arms (3 breaths). Then onto a three count as above then four count. Then taking a very deep breath we did 10 more push-ups with out any breathing. After most of us exhaling with a ragged aagh Emmanuel showed mercy and moved onto squats.

 

Down with an inhale up with the exhale. After a few squats with Emmanuel showing and explaining the importance of good posture and keeping our heels down we did more while Emmanuel explained hip position. We must have gotten the hang of these 'straight back' squats for we then moved onto doing squats while square breathing like the push-ups before. We did a two count, then three count and after the four count we did an additional ten with suspended (held) breath.

 

We then moved to what I call 'Siamese work'

Well we then moved to what I call 'Siamese' work. (These are partner drills where you do a lot of mirroring of each other.) Partnering up we went head to head-literally! Connecting our skulls with our partner we followed as he changed levels and rotated this way and that, always trying to maintain the connection. Then we moved on to a drill where the partners faced each other and bending at the waist and putting the palm of one hand on each others head (Palm out in the traditional stop sign) we began pushing with the palm and stretching our bodies out by extending the legs towards the rear resulting in our supporting each other as our bodies straightened out while getting lower and lower to the ground. After going as low as you could go you raised back up by pushing/driving with your legs. We then did some extra neck work. Still facing our partners (a little offset) and still bent at the waist, we draped an arm over our partners' neck (sort of like trying a guillotine just before you stand up or as you are taking down) We then took turns extending down trying to pull our partners off balance.

 

Then on to protecting our ribs from the inside out. Again still facing our partner and still bent at the waist, we draped an arm across our partners back and by gripping that arm from underneath with our other arm we applied a bear hug trying to crush our partners' ribs. We took turns squeezing and applying the pressure. As your partner squeezed your ribs you would breathe and expand our chest and belly cavities supporting our ribs from the inside.

 

Again we must have been looking tuckered out so Emmanuel let us lie down for a bit. Yup we visited the sit-up. Inhale up, exhale down. (Systema style sit-ups with legs extended straight out and body staying straight through the entire movement) So after doing a few sit-ups we moved on to square breathing. Yep just like the push-ups and the squats, we first did 2 counts then 3 counts and then did some more with a suspended breath.

 

My being fascinated right now with breathing, body sensitivity, and wave motion I was very happy that we then moved on to one of my favorite drills. It has nothing to do with me being lazy-honest. Lying down we inhaled a full breath while tensing body parts and then relaxing them with the exhale. Great exercise.

 

Then everyone grabbed a stick (jo) about 4' long and we placed these against our chest, with our arms draped over the stick, and by extending our chests tried to break the stick. We did this while standing, while turning the body to and fro and while doing squats. We then entwined the stick with our leg and tried to break it. (Not our leg but the stick). I am very happy to report that no legs or sticks were broken during this exercise. This was important since the sticks belong to the Aikido Students whose dojo we share space with. Placing the sticks across our backs as high as possible with our arms again draped over the top of the stick we attempted to break the sticks yet again. I am not sure what those sticks did to Emmanuel but he wasn't yet done with them. He then had us moving about with the sticks still across our backs going from squat to standing, walking across the room spinning about all the while trying to break those dang sticks. Then back to the legs for more treatment. Working all kinds of angles and grapevines.

 

Emmanuel must have finally seen how tough those sticks were, so we partnered up again and both went to work on a single stick. One partner standing the other kneeling facing each other. With both partners holding the stick horizontally in between them the kneeler then leans forward going as low as possible (while feet stay on floor) and then back up. We did this half a dozen times the switched positions. The standing partner is mostly a spotter helping the kneeler maintain control through the movement. Then we switched to another drill. One partner using his foot to brace the stick while their partner holding the stick vertically with one hand at the top of the stick and while stretching out so that they end up horizontal to the mat by sliding their other hand from the upper end of the stick to the lower end of the stick-.and then back. Yikes this movement only takes seconds to learn yet is very hard to describe in this format. While this movement reminded me of a spear movement, the next set of exercises was fascinating and reminded me of

 

 

See you on the mat soon

Friends

Brian King
----------------------------------------------------
By Ken Harper

 

With a couple of compatriots from Portland, OR, I attended Emmanuel's Seattle seminar last weekend (3/19 to 3/20) in Seattle at the Systema Northwest facility in Bellevue, WA.

Don't know who to thank first: Manny for his excellent instruction or Brian King and Taizen Taki for hosting the seminar. In addition, I really benefited from training with Vali, who managed to get down from B.C. and cross the border for the event. It was good to see folks I'd trained with at past seminars (Eric, Dave, Dennis, Gabriel, et al.) and meet some folks I've talked with on this forum (e.g., Jason Scroggins).

If memory serves me, on day one, Manny focused us on mass attacks and ground work, not necessarily in that order. On day two, he had us practicing strikes and strike absorption with multiple opponents, with knife work and other skills thrown in. I can't say enough about how well Manny integrated "exercises" with movements, the physical training complementing the "Systema work."

This was the first time I'd had the opportunity to practice strikes and strike absorption and I want to thank my partners who tattoed my chest and stomach (ah, the 'natural' color patterns that spread across my torso).

Manny stressed moving the body as a unit and demonstrated the consequences of what would happen if you didn't. I.e., if you lunge to strike or attack with a knife, you present an opportunity to your partner. Likewise, if you lean backwards to avoid a strike or knife, you can lose balance and are not structured to respond as well as you would if you maintained structure. (Pardon my bludgeoning of Manny's instruction, but words can't do the movements justice.)

As we drove back from Portland, we tried to capture what we remembered from the Systema smorgasboard Manny had us feast on. (enough purple prose).

In the spirit of Rachel K. whose posts on the seminars she's attended and the movements she's experienced, I'm listing those drills, exercises, movements, etc., we did, so that any of you who practice "distance learning" can get an idea of what we did. Obviously, this is not the complete list nor is it in the order that the material was presented. Many of the drills can be seen on Vlad's tapes (H2H, Ground movement, knife defense DVD, etc.).

For drills with partners, partners indicated by P1, P2, etc. For all work, Systema breathing was practiced, with special attention given to the use of breathing to manage your energy expenditure.

Day 1: Ground work, mass attacks

1) Walk across the room (down & back) breathing in

2) Walk " " " exhaling

3) " " " " no breathing

4) Bear walk to one end of room (fwd breathing in

5) " " (backwards) breathing out

6) bear walk to one end of room w/o breathing (breathe at end)

7) " " backwards " " w/o breathing

Piggyback walk without breathing (voluntary)
a. P2 rides on P1's back
9)

10) " " " " (P2 covers P1's mouth/nose to prevent him from breathing)

11) 'Wave pushup" -- wave body from shoulder to legs and back up 5x

12) "Shimmy" pushup, with shoulders 'shimmying' as you push up 5x

** Various breathing drills interspersed throughout the day (breathe in to 4 count; hold to your own count; breath out 6, 8, etc.)

13) Push up and row with 1 arm (imagine you're pulling a dumbbell or kettlebell up and then let it down; repeat with the other arm) 5x@

14) 1 20-count pushup (slow breathing)

15) Leg lift where you make the letters of the alphabet (choose your language) with your legs outstretched at a 45 degree angle

16) Lunge 1 leg forward; support yourself with your arm. Walk the toes of your outstretched leg in to the center.

17) knife defense with elbows and knees only

18) ground work: P1 lies on ground, P2 walks toward P1, and P1 gets out of the way (increase speed)

19) Moving out of the way of oncoming attacker(s)
a. P1 walks toward P2
b. Moving body as a unit, P2 steps out of P1's way
c. Do with 2 attackers

20) Move away from knife-wielding attacker
a. Similar to 19 above
b. P1 walks toward P2 with knife in outstretched hand
c. P2 moves body as a unit to step out of P1's way


21) Disarm &/or turn knife on attacker
a. P1 walks toward you with knife outstretched
b. You "turn" to walk beside him, and take wrist and walk with him
c. Next iteration:
i. You turn, take P1's wrist and turn knife in on P2 by "rolling" or turning the wrist of his hand holding the knife. Done right, tip of blade will stab P2 in torso (can see this on Vlad's knife defense DVD)

22) Hand to hand defenses against knife
a. use strikes to disarm partner

23) Use kicks, feet to put knife-attacker off-balance
a. P1 walks toward you with knife outstretched
b. you move body as unit to let him pass, then use kicks to take him down or put him off balance (can strike thighs, knees, ankles, etc. as he passes)

24) Moving body as unit vs. knife (maintaining structure)
a. move body as a whole unit against knife attacker
b. problems arise when you don't
c. If you're off-balance, you can't respond with broken structure (i.e., if you're leaning forwards or backwards, it's hard to move)

25) The soft deflection and takedown drill (I messed up on this one; so I can't remember how to do it correctly)
a. P1 walks toward P2 with knife
b. P2 deflects/redirects P1's hand
c. P2 then takes down P1

26) 3-person drills
a. P1 attacks P2 with knife
b. P2 redirects knife to P3 (P1's friend)
c. P2 redirects knife by grabbing P1s wrist with 1 or 2 hands (whatever works)

27) Be careful of knife-wielding attacker who slashes with "back cut" after lunging forward to strike initially

20) Preserve/manage energy expenditure with breathing
a. You can control energy expenditure by the force of your breathing
b. i.e., 10% energy expenditure equals relaxed, easy breathing
c. Reminds me of Pavel Tsatsouline's advice to "the breath matches the force and vice-versa."
d. i.e. 10% go slow-50%...80%...try not to go all out or you'll burn out.
e. Certainly you won't last long if you go 100% all the time.

29) Partner gets in "up' position for dive bomber - i.e., on all 4s, arms and legs extended, so torso is elevated and legs are wide enough for partner to crawl through.
a. partner crawls through on stomach, on back, however he can
b. do at different energy-breathing levels

30) Grappling to exhaust yourselves, and then do ground work

31) Pinching while grappling

a. P1 grabs P2 in fleshy, soft-tissue areas and pinches, twists - enjoy the pain and the bruises (obviously, for training purposes, some soft tissue areas are off-limits!)

32) Move through crowd drills
a. Move body as unit through crowd
b. Do this at different energy levels (10%, 40%, etc.)
c. 100% = running

33) Cool-down tension/relaxation drills
a. inhale, tense body
b. exhale, relax
c. inhale, relax body
d. exhale, tense body
e. do with different percentages (10%, 50%, etc.)
f. Can do this with selected areas of the body



Day 2: Strikes, multiple opponents

1) Stretch, rolling on floor and using floor like you would a wall for leverage

2) Finger bending to stretch and strengthen fingers

3) pushups from forearms (tiger bends) - planche-like pushups
a. assume pushup position, but put forearms on floor
i. forearms "parallel" to body & press up
ii. forearms perpendicular to body & press up

4) P1 supports himself on all 4's (hands/fists and feet), in "up" position with arms and legs outstretched.
a. P1 holds this position with max tension
b. P2 tries to "break' or "deform" P1's structure by pushing with arms, legs, knees, etc

5) Same as #4 above, except
a. When P2 touches P1, P1 relaxes spot that was touched
b. e.g., P2 touches P1's left shoulder; P1 relaxes left shoulder while maintaining tension in rest of body.

6) partner does Russian massage, walking on your outstretched legs, arms,

7) 4 guys hold you on the floor and turn you into a pretzel
a. Work fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, toes, etc.
b. Partners must watch "victim's" face to ensure they're not overdoing it
c. Important for "victim" to communicate with partners to ensure he doesn't get hurt

4 partners hold you several inches off the floor in prone position (face down) and you tense entire body and press up (helps if you partners hold your wrists tight or give you a grip)

9) 4 partners hold you several inches off the floor in supine position (face up) and you pull yourself up with complete body tension

10) Wrist-rolling pushups (from knees first)
a. On knees, stretch out to pushup position, make fist(s) and rotate wrists
b. Assume pushup position (legs fully extended) and rotate wrists
c. If your wrists are strong enough, get into pushup position, put weight on inverted wrist and press up
d. Vlad does these on the conditioning tapes


11) Move through crowd eyes open, eyes closed at various speeds, moving body as unit

12) 3-partner evasion drill
a. P1 in "middle," evades P2 and P3, moving body as a unit
b. P2 and P3 move at varying speeds, angles

13) Group squats in formation
a. Partners form circle
b. Put arms on partners' shoulders and do "synchronized squatting"

14) Form circle; put arms on partners' shoulders. Go to knees, get to floor & back up without taking your arms off partners' shoulders (difficult to do)

15) 3 person drills
a. P1 and P2 attack P3 with kicks; P3 evades (key is not to move until they chamber to kick) (Michael from Israel taught me that)
b. do this at various speeds

16) Mitt-smacking with "whip" strikes - single palm strike
a. with 2 partners approximately arms' length apart from each other
b. both partners have mitts to absorb strikes
c. P1 approaches P2 and P3
d. P1 uses whip-like motion of arm and hips to strike both mitts with same open hand - palm strike to P2 and then P3 as P1 turns

17) Mitt-smack with whip strikes - striker uses both hands
a. P1 approaches P2 and P3 as if he were going to pass between them
b. P1 strikes P2's mitt with 1-hand and, turning quickly, strikes P3's mitt with other hand

18) Strikes with fist, elbow, and shoulder
a. P1 practices placing fist on P2's torso where strikes would go
b. P1 walks around P2 placing gentle strikes on P2's torso (stomach, back, etc.)
c. P1 practices elbow strikes on P2 from various angles (uppercut, hammer, etc.)
d. P2 holds P1; P1 strikes P2 only using his shoulders

19) P1 sits on P2's thighs, limiting ground mobility. P2 strikes P1's torso. P1 absorbs strikes with breathing.

20) Do pushups with straight wrists to strengthen wrists
a. important to learn to strike with straight wrists
b. also important to learn to strike so that you don't get "recoil" coming back into you from partner

21) 4-5 person drills
a. push person in middle
b. tap person in middle on head
i. at 60%, person in middle defends himself by rolling his hands over his head and rapidly rolling his shoulders and elbows

22) Dog piles (day 1?)
a. P1 lies face up on the ground, relaxing and breathing throughout the drill
b. P2 and P3 lie on top of him, perpendicular
c. P4 and P5 lie perpendicular to P2 and P3
d. Next layer, etc.
e. P1 lets partners know when/if to get off

23) P1 holds P2's wrists
a. P2 tells P1 to squeeze with 10% strength right hand; 70 % left, etc.

b. P1 leads P2 in movement; go to floor, roll, etc.

c. P2 breathes in P1's tension; lets it out and P1 releases,

24) Laced fingers "dancing" with tension
a. P1 and P2 lace fingers and grip squeeze with varying degrees of tension (30%, etc.)
b. P1 and P2 move with laced fingers
i. to the ground, roll, etc.
ii. squat, etc.

25) Elbow/fist, elbow/wrist strikes (i.e., single movement, multiple blows, ala trinity strike)

26) P1 lunges to take down P2
a. P2 defends with strikes (combo strikes)

27) Striking, Strike absorption-breathing-(like H2H DVD)
a. P1 strikes P2
i. P2 squats to better absorb strike

20) Recovery from strike movements
a. P1 and P2 stand back to back & link arms
b. P1 squats so that his butt is beneath P2's and then bends, so that P2 is balanced on his back
i. done right, P2 feels like he's floating, balancing on P1's back
ii. P1 will feel it in his thighs
c. P1 grabs p2 in "bear hug"
i. P1 presses his knuckles against P2's spine and works his way up from base of spine
d. P1 grabs P2's muscles and kneads them
e. P1 places his middle finger in P2's navel
i. presses to depth where he can feel P2's pulse
ii. hold and release
f. P1 claps P2 on chest and back simultaneously to help P2 absorb strike

One other thing: Manny's easy-going demeanor made it easy to learn from him. His relaxed, good humor established the spirit and the rhythm of the class, as someone remarked in the circle at end of a day's work.

All I can say is that when Manny decides to put out a DVD, I'll be at the front of the line waiting for it. Likewise, if the opportunity presents itself to train with Manny again, I'll be there.

It was a wonderful experience. Thanks to all,

Ken Harper
----------------------------------------------------
First Ever Systema Seminar in Japan with David Merrell

 

My name is Scott McQueen and I had the pleasure of inviting David Merrell to Japan at the end of March this year to teach our small group in Tokyo. I met David (and his student Peter, who is also a certified instructor of systema in Florida whilst staying at Mikhail's house just prior to the Russian Trip/seminar last year in August (my first hands-on experience with the system). So it was that the seed of the first systema seminar in Japan was planted. There are no qualified or certified instructors of

Systema in Japan as I write now. With great pleasure I invited David to Japan for 1 week to teach our small group of guys. We were in for a treat!

On the first day of training we received an overload of information on the basics that David passed on, drawing upon his years of training and personal conversations with Vlad, Mikhail and Mikhail's students. He was able to teach us how to move and position oneself with the minimum movement and effort required. He was extremely patient with me and my three left feet. In that first day he gave us enough drills and feedback to keep busy for a year or 2 (lucky I took notes). He showed us seemingly simple balance drills and correct footwork that are the foundation of fluid movement and correct positioning (that he said took him 5 years of going to Russia and building rapport with the Russian players to learn) to enable one to control an opponent and yourself. It was explained to us if you are in control of the aggressor (and yourself) you can strike at will (which is secondary to controlling them) and direct them to where you want them to go with your movement, instead of letting them fall where they will. "Of course!!" you may all say, but it easier said than done. I am sure it will take long hours (years?) of studying movement, use of footwork (where's the weight?), placement of hands, elbows, knees, hips, etc and your intent and the effect it has on the aggressor. We did many movement exercises for balance, trapping, kicking, groundwork, knife work, stick work, punching, slow-sparing, as well as breathing, psychology and a bunch of things I have forgotten but am assured will come back out when the time is right.

David was a real trooper - we didnt have a proper gym to train in, only parks, and let me tell you it can get very cold at this time of year at night in Tokyo.

I have a sneaking suspicion he had a great time too - I took him site-seeing to the touristy places, like Tsukiji - the worlds largest fresh fish market (had to wake up at 4.30am!) with the biggest tuna I (and he) had ever seen, out to dinner with our group and our partners (he seemed particularly happy about that). My girlfriend also took him out to one of the best sushi bars in the exclusive Ginza district (an (even more) expensive shopping area) while I had to work.. I set him up with home-stay accommodation with a friend of mine, so he stayed in traditional Japanese house and room (straw tatami floor) and got to experience a bit more of Japanese culture than the average visitor.

We discovered that David developed a penchant for Moscow mules (a mixture of vodka, lime and ginger-ale) - and he tried to tell us he never drank! (Sure David, anything you say).

We also checked out some of the Japanese martial arts here - going to watch an aikido class that was taught by a teacher who came up to just below David's chest:)

All in all we had a wonderful learning experience that will keep us busy and thinking for months/years to come.

I can genuinely recommend to anyone/any school to get David down for a Seminar, I am sure he will be able to give everyone a new perspective and focus on their systema training.

Thanks for reading and a big thank you to David Merrell.
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By Andrew Cefai

 

 

26th Feb - 6th March 2004

 

David Merrell recently trekked all the way from sunny Palm Beach Florida to come and train our small Systema community out here in Tokyo, Japan. I know I speak for everyone when I say how much we appreciate what he did for us.

 

David will likely cringe when he reads this as he tends not to mention such things, but I thought some of you may be interested to know that he was the first North American to seek Vladimir out back in the early 90's and he was also the first instructor from North America to be qualified by both Mikhail and Vladimir.

 

Aside from any of that, and much more important is that David's years of hard study are evident in all his movements, and his generous personality and genuine desire to help you understand are humbling. We are quite some way from the rest of the Systema community out here in Japan. Knowing this David took time to work with each of us individually to help us identify where, why and most importantly 'how' to improve after he had left.

 

I think I can best sum up the experience as, "Having all the questions answered that I didn't even realise I should have been asking" I was not alone.

 

We covered many many movements but some of the fundamental concepts covered were:

 

Assessing your own weight shifting (and its implications)

Capturing your partner's weight

Centring back up

Bringing it back to you

Working from where you are at

 

I could, and am, writing reams about the significance of the above concepts in relation to my most basic Systema movements. If I ever mange to produce it is a form that makes sense to someone else I will share it with you all. For now I will just describe one simple drill as an example of some of the work we covered that week.

 

Weight Shifting & Pushing Drill

Purpose & Objective - (There are many but the easiest one to understand is ) To create enough sensitivity that you can move in a way that frees up the side of your body nearest to the person pushing your shoulder away. Doesn't make sense? Well maybe my description bellow will help-

 

Methodology -

1. Stand shoulder width apart face to face with your partner.

2. Partner STEPS FORWARDS and SLOWLY pushes your left shoulder (LS) with his right hand (RH). (Actually either hand - it doesn't matter but a RH push makes it easier to get the movement correct initially and is easier to build on for the next movement drills.)

3. Rotate through your heals anti-clockwise ON THE SPOT for this drill. (Do not take a step backwards - the objective of this particular drill becomes unachievable if you step back.)

4. As you are rotating your centre of gravity & weight is already shifting over your left foot.

5. As your feet finish rotating through your ankles your feet should resemble a cat stance (for want of a better word). i.e The left foot has moved in an anti-clockwise direction further than your right foot has.

6. Your partner's push will ultimately determine how far your feet have rotated.

7. As a guide you should feel as if you are about to walk in the direction your left foot is pointing in when the rotation has stopped. If this is uncomfortable - if you can't walk off in the direction the left foot is pointing in - then your right foot needs to rotate more.

 

POINTS: - As you rotate anti-clockwise with your partner's push you need to be rotating with your HIPS AND SHOULDERS TOGETHER. I cannot stress this point enough. A time lag between your hips and shoulders with break your form and your partner, as David was kind enough to point out repeatedly J, can send you over with as little as a well place pinkie finger. This of course is the flip side to the drill for your partner.

 

SELF-ASSESSMENT - WAS IT SUCCESSFUL?

 

Your movement achieved the purpose of the drill if your weight is perfectly balanced over your left (slightly bent leg) and you can raise your right foot and place it down at will.

 

You should be experiencing a feeling of perfectly centred balance and yet complete freedom over the right half of your 'weightless' body.

 

Your whole right side, the side closet to your partner, is free to work. (Compare this to stepping back with the side being pushed-nothing wrong with that movement either but the two are different and are worth getting right separately, and its worth working to understand the implications they both have for your other basic movements.)

 

Building on this? Drills that build on this movement - 1) try the same but have your partner push different points on your body - do it as SLOWLY as you need to in order to satisfy the above self-assessment. 2) Try hooking the pushing limb of your partner as you move. 3) Try capturing your partner's weight as your hook the limb [hint - start off RS to LH across your chest]. 4) Pick a direction and take your partner there once you have captured their weight [hint - start off RS to LH across your chest and take them in the direction of the floor].. And on and on and on-.but this is supposed to be a seminar review so back to it!!

 

David' s work as a paramedic and fireman, dealing with life and death, over the last 20 years have left him with great insight into human anatomy, the human psyche but perhaps most importantly the ability to help others see what is important in their own lives-suddenly the stresses of grinding oneself into an early grave over work related problems beyond ones control fades into its proper comparative place.

 

If you are lucky enough to have the chance train with David I encourage you wholehearted to take that chance. You will learn from it! As for us out here in Tokyo-we carry on carrying on and wish you all the best wherever you are!

 

Thanks - Andrew Cefai
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BY Mark Jakabcsin

 

 

A-----AW-----AWE-----AWESOME!! That is how I sum it up. Personally I will never look at Systema the same after this past weekend.

 

I would like to thank Dean Stewart for hosting another great event in North Carolina. A big thanks to David Merrill for his time, patience and insight. Also a big thanks to Peter A. and our buds in Florida that traveled all the way to NC to train with us. Always great to see and train with you folks and we appreciate the extra effort involved in attending. Likewise a thanks to all the other folks that traveled a good distance (Northern Virginia, Roanoke, VA, Raleigh, South Carolina, etc). Great to see everyone again.

 

Basically David shared some fundemental movement and motion theory. While I had witnessed this motion in Vlad's, Mikhail's and a few others I had not realised what I was seeing. David really helped me to understand what I have been seeing at seminars and on video. The entire seminar was based around basic motion. We started with simple drills and progressed to larger drills, however David continued to point out that the fundemental motion was still there. I found this continuous reinforcement most helpful.

 

I would never be able to accurately write the concepts David shared and would hate to mislead anyone hence I won't even try. I will say the motions had to do with moving on the heel and the psychology of the attacker. While I had been doing both of these prior to the seminar David helped clarify many issues and show many new avenues for improvement. Many of my motions had/have so much wasted effort in them, David showed me how to shorten my motion and be more efficient. I look forward to my next opportunity to train with David and wholeheartedly give him 'TWO THUMBS UP'!

 

While everyone I talked to during and after the seminar had similar comments to mine it appeared that maybe one or two of the folks in attendance didn't grasp the importance and beauty of what was taught. Hopefully it will make more sense to them in the future. I suppose we each learn at our own pace, in our own way. Enjoy.
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A Weekend with Sonny Puzikas

Woody Mims

Sonny does a CQB Seminar in Seattle

On the weekend of June 24th - 26th, Brian King, Kaizen Taki, and Kurt Boyle of Systema North West hosted one helluva hard, ass kicking, gut bruising seminar presented by Saulias "Sonny" Puzikas, Instructor of the Russian Combat Academy in Sarasota, FL. I've been looking forward to this one for quite a while and it did not disappoint! I will make the effort to provide some useful information about the training. I made notes following Friday and Saturday sessions and yet only got half-way through the Saturday session. I will post what I've got and will attempt to work my way through the mental overload fog. It may be that others will want to add. I know that the Eagle Creek Study Group will be getting together to compare notes and using them in future training sessions. I do not claim to be 100% accurate nor sequentially correct so others may correct me. Still, this is what I think was valuable to record.

Friday 7:30 - 9:00 pm

On arrival after our drive up from Portland, Ken, Dennis and I checked in. I had not been to Brian's training facility since he moved into new space. It was very well organized and an overall splendid place to knock each other about. There are dressing rooms, training weapons racks, and lockers full of Systema training toys. A fully stocked video display case greets visitors as the check in spot. Brian hosts great seminars, as has been mentioned before, and this new space only adds to the experience.

We were soon introduced to Sonny. He immediately impressed me as warm, friendly, approachable and very sharp. He recognized me by a photo I used as an icon on Vlad's Forum, yet had taken it off several months ago. I shouldn't be surprised at his memory, story-telling skills and fund of knowledge in a wide variety of obscure areas, still I was impressed. There were about 25 or so people there. Vali Madj and Ed Whelan were there as well as Sonny, Brian, and Kaizin so the instructor to student ratio was incredible. All of the instructors had been to one or more of the recent MR/VV seminars within the last month and the level of training was phenominal.

We began walking, At a clap we had to drop softly to the floor without using our hands and then get up again without using hands and continue walking. Then Sonny had us incorporate a front roll, rolling over to a slow pushup, followed by a back roll, getting up and continuing to walk. This was done a number of times and really worked up a sweat. Next was a 5 minute leg lift. Sonny had us tensing then relaxing legs, right leg, left leg, arms, back, chest, abdominals and whole body during the leg lift, twice for each part. This was a stout test for even the best of us.

On to Systema partner drills. Partners would take turns walking at the other while the other evaded with hips. Then a single strike to stop the walkers forward progress. Then a second punch to the back/kidney area to redirect walkers' direction. I discovered that due to my mass, it took quite a strike to stop my forward movement!! The night ended with a 5 minute pushup, again with various body areas tensing and relaxing, twice for each part and 20 slow, quality pushups. We krooged and the evening was over.

Saturday June 25, 2005

I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I stayed up till 3:00 am watching old tapes from the vault. F*ing Brilliant! (said in my best Scottish accent). Thanks Brian, it added lots to the richness of my Systema education. Again, I may not have perfect accuracy as I write this following a physically and mentally exhausting day.

We started out walking - 5 steps then 3 rolls ( front roll, roll over on our side to pushup position, then a back roll and rise without using hands and continue walking, repeating the cycle a number of times. We then added 3 slow pushups to the roll pattern. Did this a number of times.

On to a 5 minute "Jim King" squats. These are squatting into several intermediary positions - quarter down, half down, 3 quarters down - never fully rising nor fully down during the 5 minutes. This was followed up by an 80 count pushup (40 down/40 up). Sonny noted that "The hard part of the weekend is over", then muttered in soto voce "Not." I remember lots of nervous, tension release laughter at this point.

We started a continuation of last nights grabbing/releasing drills. One partner grabbed the other by both shoulders. The other's task was to roll his shoulders with the least effort to cause the "grabber" to lose their form. From there, we moved into hands free take downs again by attacking the opponents form. Without a break, we move to evading front kicks. Sonny explained how a "typical" front snap kick or even Muy Thai style roundhouse kick are not the most effective. He then demonstrated each kick followed by a Systema kick. I don't think any one there has any doubt about the effectiveness of a Systema kick as taught and used by Sonny. He showed us how to visualize a board or ramp from the kicker's foot to the target on the opponent's lower torso. The toes/foot should follow that path. He also explained how a kick, and for that matter, a punch, should have the same amount of energy transfer anywhere along the path to the target. From kicking, we moved into evading kicks. By making a figure 8 like movement with your hips, you can, with the same movement, first evade the kick then strike your opponent with your hip, causing your opponent to be redirected, A quick pivot turn and you are behind your opponent and in position to continue the attack. Then we added a punch to the kidney area of the opponent as they are redirected.

A three minute hydration break was called and then we returned to evading kicks and using our legs only to attack the opponent's form. Then on to accomplishing takedown using only the legs. Then some slow sparring with what we'd learned.

Sonny next introduced us to the practice of "heavy" or "full" hands. A drill to practice this is with a short 12 -15 inch stick. One partner holds the stick in two hands. The other holds their hand just above the stick (1 or 2 inches). The stick is dropped with as little telegraphing as possible and the other has to grab the stick on the way down before it hits the floor. Once we relatively were successful in this, we moved on to striking our partners with full hands in the upper chest. Another striking drill was on partner stood against the wall with their eyes closed and one fist held at arms length before them. The other was to walk forward into the outstretched fist. Once the partner against the wall felt pressure against their fist they were to strike the other using their other fist with fullness and without any cocking (The hitting fist was allowed to be poised for the strike, but the strike had to come from where the fist was. The partner receiving the strike could neither evade nor shed the strike. It had to be absorbed. A lot of folks had to face their internal fear of being hit.

Sonny quoted Mikhail to the effect that "before teaching someone how to hit, you must learn what it is to be hit."

Sonny then introduced us to the infamous 10 minute pushup. Whew! Afterwards we got a lesson in walking. Sonny explained that there were three types of walking. The first is to push off with the rear foot. I seemed to have spaced what the second style was. Maybe Sonny will peek in and tell us. Anyway the third style is to pull oneself by the forward foot. He demonstrated how this lead to an extremely smooth motion that was extremely important when moving while training a gun on a target. It also seems that if you pull yourself forward, it has to come from the hip and that prepares you for...

We got plenty of opportunity to hit and be hit. Drills involved partners taking turns striking each other while standing then walking toward each other and striking once. The lesson here was to strike with the body through the fist, not from the shoulder or arm. Then on to double strikes as we passed. All of the Instructors took part in the partner drills and Sonny was ever ready to dispense "real time demonstrations" of what it should be like - OOFFF!.

Sonny ended the activities by stating that for those of us who needed to be hit ala' Mikhail, he would oblige. Kurt Boyle was first. It was amazing. Having seen Mikhail on tapes last night, I stood to be second. Sonny started off with light punches building in strength and force. I was able to absorb and shake off these. Then at some mystical point beknownst only to Sonny, BOOM!! It truly was staggering. Sonny help me to recover and that was almost as amazing. Another volunteer. This one had some trouble passing the energies out of his neurology. Sonny explained how in this case, a slow leg lift or situp would help.

Then we Krooged. A shot of cold vodka was offered to all who wished to partake. A toast was presented. Brian King made the announcement that Kurt Boyle had expressed a desire to become and Instructor. After attending a number of seminars and being observed by both Vlad and Mikhail in NYC, Kurt was being presented his certificate as an Instructor in Training. Brian then announced that at NYC Vlad and Mikhail had also observed Kaizen Taki and Brian awarded Kaizen with his full Instructor certification. It was a pretty special event, and my sincerest congratulations to both! We finished with our actual reflections. For me, I learned about my personal limits of what I could take in being struck and also what I can honestly give to my partners. I know myself better now. It was also special being able to train with younger, new to Systema folk like Vincent and to be able to give positive and constructive feedback to assist in his progress. Also special was working with David, a 70 year old you might have seen in the Summer Camp video. He is an example of how Systema works regardless of age, size, stature, etc. And best of all was getting to play with my friend Igor. I met Igor last year in Seattle at Jim King's seminar and I was very favorably impressed with this big Russian's personality and skill. On to the hotel for a shower and then back for Pizza, homemade Russian delicacies and Beer and Vodka. Oh and great stories by Sonny and others. Does it get any better than this?

Sunday report soon.

Warmest regards

Woody
Systema-Cascadia
----------------------------------------------------
by Ken Harper


A great seminar. I echo everything everybody else has said about Sonny, Brian,Kaizen, Vali. At some point in the seminar, the word "truth" started playing in my mind like a mantra: as in, this is an encounter with
truth (thump, thump).

Sonny talked about the different ways fear and tension can manifest: physical fear, mental fear, the fear of "doing things right," and how these things can interrupt your breathing, form, and impact your performance. I found myself becoming much more aware moment to moment of the differences between physical pain and my mental response to it and ways that breathing could get body and mind in a unity. Or ways in which the body could get the mind out of the way and vice-versa.

As a person who gets hung up on doing things "right," I appreciated that both Sonny and Brian emphasized just "doing things" and continuing to do them -- move, move, move...your arms, your legs, etc -- and deal with what your opponent/partner presents you, rather than what you think you ought to be doing. But DO THEM SLOWLY...because that's how you learn. As Brian said to me: "it's not over until you say so." In other words, don't stop because you've done something "wrong." Keep moving, keep learning...slowly.

So, in that sense, the seminar -- and the time afterward -- became non-stop learning. I.e., training and learning are synonymous. (Duh, of course.)

Here are my notes on the movements we performed (some probably redundant from previous posts), in case there are others who, like those of us in Portland, practice based on what we get from the DVDs and seminars such as this one.

FRI:

1. "Breathwalking" -- i.e., L step/inhale, R step, inhale, L step exhale, R step exhale...and increase to 4 steps, 6 steps, etc.

2. Breathwalking w/ "square" breathing pattern, step/inhale, step/inhale...no breathing for 2 steps...step/exhale, step/exhale...no breathing for 2 steps..etc.

3. Breath walk and forward roll...into pushup position...do 3 pushups, roll on side, rear roll, get up not using arms...breathwalk...(obviously, there are many variations of this.)

4. Squats w/ tension at high 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and low 45 degrees (a Jim King favorite, according to Sonny). Think of 90 degrees being in a a "chair" position. High 45 is above that; low 45 is below that. In each position tense whole body and/or various body parts. Get comfortable with your discomfort by breathing and relaxing those parts of your body not being tensed. (Right!)

Go down slowly...10 count, 15 count, 20 count...hold high-45, 90, and low 45. Keep back straight.

5. P1 holds P2's hands. P2 tenses 1 arm or other and moves, and de-forms P1 by moving arms in different directions and noting at what point(s) he's breaking P1's forms.

6. P1 puts hands on P2's shoulders. P2 "brushes hair,"(pulls hands over head, rolls shoulders), & escapes

7. " " ", "brushes hair" escapes, and attacks by dipping under P1 and striking...P2 can also step on P1's feet,

8. Sonny P's bench press pushups: P1 gets in bench press position on floor, hands up, arms locked. P2 links fingers w/ P1, extends himself. P1 lowers P2 and raises him. Add motion to the linear, up & down bench press. Do 3 to 5x. (if you can).

9. Go to ground slowly without using arms. Get up w/o using arms.

10. Go to ground slowly on 1 leg. Get up using 1 leg.

11. P1 approaches P2. When P2 feels P1's in his discomfort zone, P2 steps or moves out of way

12. Same as #11 above, but now P2 "stops" P1 w/ a front strike and then redirects P1 w/ a 2nd strike to side or back.

13. "Shoulder walking." P1 and P2 on ground. Using only motion of shoulders & shoulder blades, P1 "walks" over P2. Do prone and supine.

14. Biomechanical observations: note the way fingers connected to wrist, wrist connected to elbow, elbow to shoulder, etc. Learn for yourself how to work the linkages.

15. Assume pushup position.
a. tense legs, relax
b. tense right leg, relax
c. tense left leg, relax
d. tense stomach, relax
e. tense back, relax, et al

and then...

do 1 slow pushup, followed by
20 smooth pushups

(when you go up on pushup, push the floor away from you)

Sonny-isms:

A. If a man isn't going down [i.e., if he hasn't been de-formed], it's not because the other guy is bigger or stronger...it's because YOU're not moving right.

B. How do you SENSE what to do? Relax, breathe...see what's available...know (without taking time out to cogitate) what's available...

C. Systema punching is most effective close in People strike from afar because they fear THEY will be struck (and they will be). So, in a sense, they flail instead of striking.

D. Fear makes you a target because you back up and try to avoid what you should be stepping into.

SAT/SUN movements

Warmup:

Walk diagonally across the room, do 3 forward rolls, 3 pushups, a backwards roll, get up and walk - do 10x

1. P1 places hands on P2's shoulders at arm's length. P2 turns (rotates) shoulders and hips to break P1's form and takes P1 down.

2. Same as above, only P1 grips P2's shoulders and/or neck. P2 rotates shoulders and hips to take down P2. To make this work with someone strong, I had to dip my "rear" or rotating shoulder while keeping my other shoulder "high.' The rotation lengthens and stretches P1 until he falls. As P2, I had to learn not to resist P1 and create tension, as I had (have) a tendency to grapple

3. P1 walks toward P2; P2 stops P1 by placing hand on P1's thigh. P1 then pushes on P1's thigh, taking him down.

4. P1 walks toward P2; P2 stops P1 by placing hand (edge of hand) on the juncture of P1's thigh and hip. P1 then pushes/shoves the hip joint, taking him down. Can also add a strike with pushing hand.

5. P1 walks toward P2; P2 stops him stepping to one side, swiveling hips, and de-forming P1. As P1 goes down, P2 takes opportunity to step on his ankle.

6. P1 takes 2 steps toward P2 and kicks (chambers leg, kicks); P2 evades by stepping to 1 side.

7. Same as #6 above. Just before P1 puts leading leg down, P2 kicks his ankle/foot and takes him down. P2 uses hips, knees, etc to complete take down, if necessary.

8. Sparring based on #6 & #7, adding hips, knees, arms, elbows, etc.. This is where Brian King instructed me to keep moving, always keep moving, regardless of whether you've done something "right" or "wrong," and that in this kind of work, "it's not over until you say so."

9. Stick-dropping/catching drill. P1 holds stick with 1 hand (both?); P2 faces him an arm's length away. P1 drops stick, P2 catches it. (sometimes). Practice peripheral vision. Helps if P2 squats (high 45 or so). Drill can be done with both partners squatting from high-45 to low-45.

10. Strike placement/accuracy drill: P1 walks toward P2; P2 has fist out at arm's length. As soon as P1 touches P2's outstretched fist, P2 strikes P1 at THE SAME POINT OF CONTACT with opposite hand (strike can be hammer fist). Do 10x one hand; 10x the other.

11. Walking drill/practice. Walk and actively PULL your trailing leg forward, rather than pushing off. Provides greater stability and keeps shoulders level. Sonny said was great for SWAT/Delta team guys who walk with weapons at ready position.

12. Striking drills. P1 strikes P2 on chest. P2 absorbs and returns strike. (See Mark J's post above). Mark J. described these as striking as if your hips were "balls" (as in ball and socket). Movement is in hips and body moves as single unit. With Wave version of same striking drill, shoulders, hips, and feet roll (come up on toes as you return strike).

13. P1 and P2 walk towards each other and strike each other simultaneously below the chest. Do with 1 hand, and then 2 (second strike done after you pass).

14. Sunday's Q&A with Sonny and Vali occurred in the a.m., so that Sonny could catch a late afternoon/early evening flight. Here are some excerpts:

a. It's not 1 decision, but the stream of decisions that make the biggest difference over time. (Apply this to movements, strikes, etc.)

b. Once you know how to use your legs, your arms become really even more powerful weapons and you depend on them less. (Brian K.)

c. If you suffer from lack of sleep or have problems sleeping, train less and dowse at night

d. If injured or feeling tension, breathe into the affected body part

e. Sonny talked at length about the dance between tension and fear and their effects on the body-mind. There are many kinds of fear - physical, mental, such as fear of failure, fear of doing things wrong, etc.

"We quite most exercises long before our body is done: we quit mentally before body is used up."

f. Fear limits peripheral vision

g. To get most out of 'basic' exercises (pushup, squat, situp, leg lifts, etc.), change 1 aspect: e.g. move leg to 45 degrees; change position of arm. Use your imagination.

h. Breathing is primary. Try PYRAMIDing breathing drills with pushups and other exercises: 1 inhalation, 1 pushup; 2 inhalations, 2 pushups-up to 5 and then reverse, going 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Do same with exhalation.

Doing work on exhale tougher, since it tends to trigger panic (over lack of O2) faster.

i. Critical to practice TRANSITION WORK: when you've done movement A, keep going, don't stop-

j. Discussed how to deal with mentally unstable, highly excited people: become hyper calm, speak hyper calmly and firmly. Leave them no doubt.

k. Your body language/posture speaks volumes - far more than your words convey. Practice communicating with your body/posture.

l. Discussed loving yourself (Misha's injunction at NYC seminar) vs. self-love (The placement of the words says it all.)

m. Sonny said Mikhail had said in NYC: important to always pray (briefly) for other guy before you engage-

n. Practice modulating your breathing with your partner's and observe the effects.

o. Don't forget the vodka!

15. 5 min static leg lift: legs can be anywhere from barely off the ground to 90 degrees. While doing this, hold and release tension in various parts of your body.

16. Escape using breathing, relaxation-feeling your opponent's resistance/tension:
a. P1 holds P2 down by bodyweight alone
b. P2 explores tension and escapes
c. add holds and locks and repeat same exercise

17. Short work
a. Strikes in close: partners at distance no greater than length of fist to elbow. (If you extend, you can easily be locked and moved).
b. P1 and P2 strike each other at will AT COMMENSURATE SPEED
c. Strikes to body, head, whatever-but again, AT COMMENSURATE SPEED, intensity

18. 3 move strike (demo'd on the Systema segment of Go Warrior, Discovery Channel)
a. p1 shoots arm past P2's head; arm twists and strikes P2 w/ forearm or bicep
b. P1 quickly retracts arm along similar path as initial strike, striking P2 heel of thumb
c. This motion brings P2's head forward; P1 launches shoulder strike to P1's forehead, nose, etc. (This can be a real bell-ringer.)

19.

There was a lot more than what I've recollected here, but this is as much as I've processed. Again, Sonny is a superb instructor. Brian K, Kaizen T., Curt B, Vali, and Mark J made for a great supporting cast.
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Moscow Training

by Chris Misek

I recently came back from a wonderfull visit to Russia where I trained in Systema with some great people for a week.
Im still in process of digestion,big time, so not much is coming out from either mouth or keyboard at the moment! Smile
It was extremely hard and intense training-the morning sessions would be around 4-5 hrs then 3 in evening.
Met some great people too.Val,Kyle,James and Dima again.Then the Russians.Mikhail Vasiljevic is an incredible person,and words dont do justice to the genuine kindness and patience he showed.There is Sergey Ozhereljev who is cool dude,fantastic fighter and good drinker,Daniel Ryabko is only 20 and his martial skills are that of grand master of 40 years,we became good friends.So so so many very nice people who are so very skilled.The Russian students Iam very gratefull to also because they would go out of their way so much to show you,and help you through the work,and made sure you learned!The look on their faces when you finally "got" something was priceless-they cared.
I will write more guys in time.Its bit weird feeling at moment.
But for time being thanks to everyone I met that week!
From what I understood,and what more experienced practicioners were telling me,MV really took us back to basics in the series of seminars and classes.He actually told us himself one day after class that it is extremely important to actually do this from time to time.
Classes for the week always began with walking around the hall with pyramid breathing.For morning sessions,the venue was sports hall at mvd rest/recreation facility which is not actually far from where Mikhail resides.Breathing was to change pattern after every lap-and we were to try to do it up to 20,then bring it down.I could not get up to 20,14-15 seemed to be my limit by end of trip.When it was brought down,it was time to run and do same thing.When this excercise was completed,Mikhail told us few things about what we were doing...
As the pyramid breathing increases,our heart rate and blood pressure rise,bringing it down decreases our heart rate and blood pressure.It is VERY important after the excercise to bring all this back to relative normality-we spike up our heart/pressure-then fix it.Some important points-continue to breath after the excercise so that you are doing just enough to release the tension relax heart-DONT breath greedily though.Always always through nose.And never just stop moving after the excercise,especially after running.Keep some movement and slowly decrease-dont just sit down or stand still.Its also very important to balance the pressure in the body so after long walking or running do some push-ups.
For those interested-on way down in pyramid breathing-really slow down the walk and try the prayer "lord have mercy upon me".You will find that your heart rate will be even better sorted and you will later feel better.Mikhail always stresses the importance of knowing where you are getting your power/help from.
It was also explained to us that our breathing must match our activity-not too much and not too little.Being greedy for air while doing relatively gentle excercise is very very bad for heart and leads to problems like heart attack and stroke later on.We all know what too little air can do too...So just enough for what you are doing-match it to the activity.
This was later put to practice in series of other running drills,running at different speeds.We sprinted,ran at 80% ect ect and we were to find our own rythyms AND at end fix our heart rates.Mikhail went round to several people and checked the pulse.After pratice at it,he wanted us to run at quite significant pace up and down room-at very significant pace!!!Mikhail explained we could run all day if we found that correct rythym in our breathing.So we tried and results were inpressive!This class was really going at it for long time and at end no one was really puffed out.MV made us slowly "tone" it down and we let body idle down by walking slowly for some time after the excercise.Then did push ups to balance the pressure since we used legs here.Daniel Ryabko and another Russian were really impressive in this excercise-then ran like hares for all of it smiling and relaxed and were absolutley fine after it.

More tomorrow fellas.No computer at moment since Ive moved interstate so at internet cafe.I appologise as my writing is no where near eloquent as some here-we have some talented writers on board! Smile Iam not in this departement.
Cheers.
Oh yeah,another highlight of this stuff was seeing Val Ryazanov in action.He is tall and well built guy and ran like a track athelete through all of this,everything this guy does is just very impressive.Val always seems to stress importance of the breathing and form,and puts into practice.

The usual was to move on to other drills like:
Mikhail would make us do push-ups for 20 minutes.
Squats for 20 minutes.
Sit ups for 20 minutes.
Hold push up position for 15 minutes.
A battle with yourself.
Some great sit ups he made us do involved writing alphabet or writing to 100.Instead of usual push-up going up and down-you write with your body!You also do this with the leg raises-write to 100.Mikhail told us this is good to strengthen whole body,like a core strength and it strengthens the insides.Its very hard after while though. Smile
One thing I forgot to mention about standard sit up is that it was told to us to try and do in one smooth movement rather than jerky multiple movements,its ALL related and this principle is for your work afterwards standing up.
I also remember countless times walking in the squat position,trying to keep back straight and good form,Mikhail was fond of this excercise throughout the week,and for reason.Its not just to torture us or make us sweat.it plays important part later for when you do standup sparring work.The excercise does help in many areas including to help one keep good form during work.
We did this,we crawled across room on back and stomach,jumped like kangaroos and in many other styles ect ect.
Now some very interesting excercises:
Find space in the room.Now write letters and/or numbers with your walking on the ground.Do for example 1-10 and the alphabet.Use proper "Systema walking steps" not stuff that would twist you around and cause injury at fighing/avoiding speed.Cool?Now do in different sizes.Some few metresXfew metres,half room and whole room.Now try this for example...
Try to draw on ground with walking a letter,and with both your arms draw in air a number,ect ect.Change it round every so often. Shocked Rolling Eyes Twisted Evil Very Happy ,see how you go!!!!haha.
Before I forget,for variation for first simple excercise (writing letters or numbers on ground with walking)-do this by yourself then in pairs,3's,4's or groups of 5.
For those interested in spiritual side,write prayer "Lord have mercy upon me" on ground with walking.Maybe try it in your classes and note the atmosphere it creates.
If you know Cyrillic do in Cyrillic! Smile

I know many of you have worked with/around Mikhail before and Im sure you remember quite a number of significant things about the man.One of many things that stands out with his teaching is this.
You may start to become bit frustrated or confused because you are not "getting" the excercise or drill.He will notice this very quickly!
Nothing harsh!I remember many a time seeing a re-assuring and genuine smile and the words "time,... time",very quietly and calmly.
A quote "with many things in life,good things never come to us extremely quickly.Remember this in your Systema work.Work hard,but be calm and patient-the good work will come in time.Dont rush".
Maybe doesnt seem like much typed here,but at the particular time and how it was said was something very special for me.
Some days Mikhail would vary excercise and let us change excercise around,for example 2-3 or 3-4 minutes of push-ups,then squats.
In these excercises,Mikhail says you will begin to use only the required amount of muscles.Sometimes we use far too much for a given task and it is overkill,we have to be efficient.You also have to breath very well.Some of the guys in the classes were doing these really easily.

The actual H2H training was another eye opener.I thought I was beggining to become quite "soft" in my work.How very wrong!It was shocking and absolutely fantastic to be put back in my place again!I still have long way to go and lots of work to do.
Ill wirte more about this soon.Im really limited at moment.

As I as writing before,I was really shocked at how much tension I really have and how relaxed those guys were,it was really amazing.Sure,you can see the tapes and DVD's,but there is nothing like experiencing this for real.Im not going to go into in depth detail of H2H drills,there were so many of them but Ill write little of a few.
Mikhail really likes the fist placement excercise,this stands out in my mind quite vividly.We would spend quite a bit of time on this.Its not strength drill or "pushing" drill.If the hand trully fits and is in correct alignment and position,in will shift your partner easily.Its not as easy as it seems and it took me quite a bit of practice to start to feel properly.Mikhail says this is very important,learn this before striking.From this you can proceed to work a little more dynamic.You have your partner walk towards you,but dont strike-,you place fist and push.Then after this it progresses from push to strikes-soft at firts but "real" strikes-you dont bullshit and just stick out a fist for the sake of it.
For movement Mikhail brought in presents for us.Movement "incentives".These are whips.Sergei did demo with him.Poor Sergei... Laughing Laughing Whips were handed out and we went to work on our partners,from standup position,and also on ground.They do get you moving!!!
At beggining of week,my partner saw I was little bit tense.He went over to Sergei and had bit of chat to him.Next thing I was on floor with Sergei behind trying to choke me.My partner was standing up smiling and said to me while I was being choked "this will make you tired,its good,but just relax and get away from him".It does make you a little tired...Then after that a group led by Val decided to relax me ever further,they told me to lie down on my back.Then he and some other big Russians basically just lay down and wrestled with me with all their weight.VERY big pressure below all that.Val was saying to forget strenght,it wasnt going to get me out of that,"try to be like a snake",move move move,breath breath breath and relax.We then went to knife drills and all this helped.Thanks guys Very Happy
Knife drills we did involved placing knife on opponents body,sharp side.Body has to be soft and move "with it".Mikhail said that tense and stiff body will very very likely get perforated.Soft body moving well has lot less chance and is more likely to only get cut.Lesser of two evils,by far.
This drill is done standing normally,against wall then on ground.Ground work is great because body is obviously limited in some way by ground,you learn quickly to move more efficiently.
Just some notes.Mikhail's hits are unbelievable!!Its like being hit by sledgehammer,and they seem to come from nowhere.Many of the guys also have very strong punches,and they can take them!!!A boxer came to one of evening classes and had some experiments hitting several from the class.None of them ended up winded or on ground,and he was hitting hard.Then Mikhail hit one of same guys and he suffered little bit more! Very Happy

Before I forget,in one night class,doing conditioning drills (thanks to Sasha!!-he starts off evening class and its HARD work!!),I was cursing happily in mixture of English and Czech.Guy next to me asks "you know some English?",I replied that I was from Australia.The guys name was Pavel.Pavel said he lived and trained in Toronto Canada for year and a half with Vladimir and has great memories from there.I also met Konstantin Komarov.He told me summer camp in Canada recently was absolutley terrific and that the people were very very nice.10 minutes later I worked with Daniel Ryabko and got a good lesson in martial arts! Laughing
Im very much appreciative to all the guys I worked with and met while training over there.Not only Russian guys but also Kyle the American and James the Englishman who helped me a lot and gave me plently of good advise.

Some personal notes,for anyone interested.I absolutely loved being in Russia,felt very comfortable and at home.Moscow is beautifull city,I was lucky to see it in daytime and at night.
The food tastes amazing!It was good to taste again REAL tomatoes,cucumbers ect ect.The vodka is also greeeeeeeeeat,and Baltica beer is good drop Wink
The Ryabko family were such great hosts,I was made to feel at home from the start.Mikhail is teacher who is genuinly interested and cares for his students.I had my birthday over there and the family treated me like their own,I will never forget it.Mikhail even gave me one of those bloody whips for a present! Laughing
There was lots of hard work,pain and sweating.But lots of laughter,good talking and drinking in the evening.I had time of my life.
On afternoon of leaving,we had drinks and toasts with Mikhail and co.Mikhail says he never lets guests go sober.Suits me.
He said someting to me before leaving.This was "It seems you found your soul in Russia Chris".So true.It echoed it my head on plane to Frankfurt,Germany and it brought tears.
I miss the place and the wonderfull people.

Thats it folks.That was my journey in September. Smile
Nazdrovje!
----------------------------------------------------
by Rachel Klingberg

Unforgettable, indeed! Overall, precision and efficiency were what I remember most from the seminars. Mikhail stopped the class several times throughout the weekend to make this point, asking us to be more precise--"no wasted movement," especially with our strikes. Watching Mikhail demonstrating for the first time on Saturday, I marveled at his subtlety and precision, particularly with the knife disarms. He has this extraordinary stillness, and sometimes appears to hardly move at all, and always smiling. He slyly stole the knives from the waists of the volunteers while effortlessly preventing them from doing the same. I couldn't always see how he executed the disarms; some of it was like sleight-of-hand to me, but I was fascinated.

On Sunday, Vlad demonstrated defense against multiple attackers, all three with sticks. It was an amazing to watch, and reminded me of Systema's medieval influence. Vlad wielded the stick in every way imaginable, from every distance, thrusting and slashing, deftly sliding the two attacking sticks together to work against each other, and striking with the butt of the stick, especially on the necks of the volunteers, where the head meets the spine. The heavy pommel of a medieval sword would have been used in this fashion, or to pound through an iron helmet--as deadly as the blade itself. It was quite painful for the volunteers, I am sure. I winced as I watched the punishment they accepted, even as I marvelled at their grace and fearlessness. I was very impressed by the fortitude of all the volunteers who helped with the demonstrations--many thanks to all of them.

The notes below are not necessarily an interpretation, like the more eloquent posts above, but just the action, which I have described in my usual journalistic style. I'll start with Friday, the 2 ½ hour seminar with Vlad. It's long--like Mark said, editing, not writing, is the challenge. I hardly have the words to describe how just plain lucky I am to be training (and living) Systema. It's been such a positive influence in my life. I'm grateful to Mikhail and Vlad, not only for sharing their knowledge with us last weekend, but for bringing the gift of Systema to the Western hemisphere. Special thanks to our gracious hosts Peggy and Edgar for all their hard work, to the Fighthouse volunteers who helped out with registration and the banquet, to Yuri for translating Mikhail's words, and of course to the attendees, many of whom travelled also great distances to be with us. I want to extend a special and personal thank-you to my classmates at Fighthouse, especially to my favorite training partner, my mom, who has always been there for me, and also to Rob, Scott, Janice, Frankie, Denis, and most of all Edgar, for all the encouragement. I hope I haven't missed anyone, but I'll return to post about Saturday and Sunday.

Till then, *vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel


FRIDAY

There were at least 100 people at Friday's seminar, which made me a little nervous, to tell you the truth. So I was glad when Vlad started us off with a little stretching on the floor, then a simple breathing exercise, where you tense and relax different parts of the body while lying on the floor. I always find myself more relaxed after these types of exercises--it helped a great deal. We did another familiar one, the "ballroom dancing" drill where you step and move your partner with each step by lightly pushing or pulling different parts of the body, keeping the touch and response as light as possible. It's excellent sensitivity practice for both partners.

We walked backwards into our partners, who presented an obstacle (fist, leg, or anything to stop our path). The goal was to avoid the obstacle but keep walking backwards, rather than stepping to one side or rotating out of it, as if you are going through a narrow space. To do so, you have to move each body part separately, especially the hips and shoulders. My partner showed me how to move the torso forward to duck underneath his arm, even as my legs were still moving backwards, it's very hard to explain this movement. Edgar once told me it's like a cat backing out of a paper bag, if you've ever seen such a sight.

We also moved our partners around by placing both hands on their shoulders, pulling them around while they stepped backwards. At a certain point, you were supposed to pull them down to the floor. This was about improving timing by co-ordinating with your partner's steps, not just getting the takedown. With proper timing, you can drop even a large person with very little effort. Then a similar exercise where you walk with one arm around your partner. I wasn't quite sure who was leading for the exercise, so I put my arm around my partner and let him lead. At random times, his task was to try to escape, at which point I was to take him down. Like the above exercise, the timing has to be flawless--it requires patience, as you have to wait for your partner to escape rather than "planning" to take them don. I think sometimes we all tend to focus too much on the takedown, even when timing is off, we still want that "result" even if we have to "cheat" to get it (by struggling or being excessively "physical").

We also did a little groundwork on Friday, beginning with an exercise where one person lays on their back and the other person tries to turn them over. Vlad demonstrated as a variety of volunteers attempted to roll him over onto his stomach, to no avail. There was something cavalier and almost slapstick in the many failed attempts to flip him over. It was hard to see exactly how he was preventing them, because he was moving only a little bit. He had us do this exercise going from our back to our stomach, and then from the stomach to the back.

I could not move my partner at all, which wasn't surprising, although small, he is very tough and strong. But strangely, I could not resist him when it was my turn. As soon as I felt the pain of the lock, I flipped over. I actually began to turn over on my own, with only the lightest contact him, just to avoid the pain. Afterwards, I apologized for not resisting, but I was disappointed in myself for not being more stoic about it. When Vlad asked us to change partners, I didn't want to try again, but some of my classmates kindly encouraged me to give it another go. But this time, we were allowed to defend against being turned over. So I did, and it was a little easier because I could move around, and because my partner didn't inflict as much pain. So I began to enjoy it--I do love to work on the ground. He flipped me a few times, and I managed to turn him over just once, but only by using my entire body weight to lean back and almost drag him over with a great deal of effort--perhaps too physical. After we finished the exercise, I was even more amazed that Vlad was able to stop his partners from turning him over and even throw them off, while it appeared that he was just lying there passively hardly moving at all.

We practiced avoiding punches, one person striking, the other just stepping away and keeping a distance--no contact. (We did something similar on Sunday I think it was, slashing or stabbing with the practice knives while our partners avoided, keeping a few feet between us--more on that later.) We also did some two-on-one drills with avoidance. As I recall, this was relatively unstructured, two people just attacked one any which way. Defense against multiple opponents is another one of my favorite Systema topics. Because there's no time to think or plan, I am more relaxed defending against multiple attacks than against one partner. Vlad came over and told me "Looks good!" He was very encouraging. Naturally I was pleased that he sees an improvement from last year, as I have been practicing diligently.
There was a brief mass attack melee in the center, I guess half the class walked through it enthusiastically, but I avoided it, as it looked rather dangerous. Some more pushups, perhaps to tone down the excitement of the mass attack? I think we ended with the now-infamous five-minute pushup; I was in the ladies' room for the first minute or two. Vlad told us not to move a lot or to change position too much during the five minutes. I did this with straightened arms, not 45 degrees, on my hands, not my fists, but I think I only lasted a minute. I tried not to dwell on the time, as Vlad's countdown tended to change from moment to moment!

I regret that I can't remember all the principles Vlad explained to us, especially in the last hour or so. A few things have slipped my memory. Some people were writing brief notes in journals at the seminars, and maybe that's a good idea. But I'm afraid I'd be tempted to write down every single scrap of information and miss out on the actual training.

We waited for Mikhail arrived from the airport and of course Vlad filled up that time with a few more breathing and conditioning exercises. Vlad introduced his teacher and Mikhail greeted us in Russian, which Yuri translated for us. After the introductions, Vlad warned us not to drink too much that night. We all laughed, and someone asked how much is too much? But he was quite serious about wanting us to be fresh for the following day's lessons.

(to be continued-)
SATURDAY

Although I didn't drink on Friday evening, I also didn't get a good night's rest and was kind of tired for the following day's seminar. Even though lack of sleep is a big stressor for me, sometimes I train well when I'm too tired to think. Mikhail started out with a discussion of fear. He said that we all experience fear, and not to expect to eliminate it altogether but to just to cope with it well, and that breathing would help us to do so. I thought this was important--nothing in his remarks suggested that we'd become fearless through Systema training, only that we might learn to lessen its negative effects (such as holding the breath or tensing up, for example.)

I was glad that we started out by just slowly walking around the floor, inhaling with one step, exhaling with another, then inhaling with two steps, etc,, up to five steps, and down to one again. I think it was at a later point that we did a similar pyramid breathing exercise, inhaling for one pushup, then two, up to five, then down again. A pushup is more exertion that taking a simple step, but I found it easier to hold my breath for five pushups than for five steps. The difficulty of the pushup distracts me from my fear of not breathing!

Like the five-minute pushup, writing numbers and letters with arms and legs is familiar to you all from the write-ups of the LA seminars. First we lay on our backs and wrote numbers in the air with both legs held together. At 10, we were to write numbers with each foot separately, which I found difficult, if not downright impossible! Then we stood up, and "wrote" numbers on the floor by walking the outlines of the numbers, as previously described, as if writing in fresh snow. We also wrote our names in this fashion, as well as "Lord Have Mercy." Mikhail told us the writing of our names could become our own personal kata.

I learned a great deal about strikes on Saturday and especially Sunday. Mikhail told us not to hyperextend our arms, and to keep the arm relaxed until the moment of impact, when only the fist should become tense. He said that striking with a tense, hyperextended arm would make the strike resonate into our own bodies, even up to the head, and cause psychological shock and physical damage. He told us the same thing about kicks, and that people who strike and kick this way will eventually suffer from joint damage (Vlad posted about "Psychological Rebound" on this thread: http://www.russianmartialart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=61 )

Mikhail demonstrated striking and spoke for a long time about this topic. Many people lined up to be struck by him, but there wasn't time to hit everyone. Several people amazed me with their ability to absorb strikes. One large guy in particular was extraordinarily composed. Mikhail asked volunteers to try striking this guy, and you could see all the effort and energy they placed into their punches (as opposed to Mikhail's strikes which are far more subtle). But the guy just shrugged off the strikes from students as if they were nothing--perhaps they felt that way, after Mikhail's!

I didn't feel the floor shake during the strikes demo, as someone else reported, but I did see a few volunteers shaking--literally. Especially after receiving the first strike and waiting for the remaining ones. I don't think I've ever seen such a close demonstration of students coping with their own fear. I'm not saying that to embarrass anyone, as I certainly wouldn't have wanted to trade places with them. I give them a lot of credit for volunteering to accept strikes, which helped all of us to better understand this topic. It was interesting to see how they restored themselves, and how Mikhail and even the students in the immediate area helped them to stay upright, take away the strike, and breathe through the pain.

Another thing that stuck in my memory was a few exercises that we did at faster speeds. To practice our strikes, we had five people line up and a sixth person stand at the end of the line a few feet away. One by one, the line of people ran at this person and attacked, while he used his fist to redirect us, just pushing, not striking. We did many of our striking exercises by just pushing, and this is excellent practice. When it was my turn, I found I had to be precise for my push to redirect the attacking person. There's no room for sloppiness, as an incorrect push simply won't move the person. I found you have to move quickly and not get hung up in fending off one person...the goal was only to redirect their path.

We also did the same line exercise, but running and kicking at the person with a kind of leaping kick while they pushed to redirect the kick. I found this to be kind of tricky in terms of timing my attacks. I guess I'm more used to working slow, because sometimes my leaping kick was too soon, other times, too late. These two exercises were great practice, as you rotate through a line of five different people and are quickly exposed to everyone's unique style of attack.

We did a few floor exercises with multiple partners, eventually working up to faster speeds. We started off slowly, one person kicking or stepping on another person, who lay on the ground. Then two people kicking, which is my favorite Systema drill because it teaches me how to move around on the ground. Then the two people had to kick a little faster, and finally at full speed. I was reminded of Martin Wheeler's description of Systema groundwork as "moving between the limbs." With two people kicking you at full speed, you just can't "run away." They are running, while you're on the ground, so the old adage "you can run, but you can't hide," applies to this situation. Most of the time, I found myself moving between the two people kicking me, and staying very close to their legs, to better avoid their feet (since a kick is actually more painful if you stay farther away from the kicking leg.)

I think Vlad led these last few exercises at faster speeds; he taught for a few hours after lunch on both Saturday and Sunday. Towards the end of the seminar, Vlad asked us to do ten pushups, sit-ups, leg lifts, and squats at our own pace, and to come back to the center when done. It always takes me at least twice as long to get through these exercises as it does the rest of the class. If I go too fast, I start to breathe after the movement, rather than before, also, I start to hurry through tough parts, like the 45-degree angle of the sit-up. I was just thinking to myself that I'd better hurry up when Vlad came over and again told me "looks good!" I don't think he was talking about my squat, but my Systema practice in general. To my surprise, he then told the class we did our exercises too quickly and asked us to go back and do them all again with more care! This request emphasized the difference between whipping out a bunch of pushups to burn a few calories and doing the Systema exercises with proper form and breathing.

Afterwards, I was pretty exhausted, and even wondering if I could sneak in a quick nap before the evening's Russian banquet. But I decided to shower and change instead. The banquet was wonderful. There was a huge buffet of all kinds of Russian foods and at the end of the long tables, an assortment of wine, beer, and of course icy-cold bottles of vodka on every table. Even though I generally prefer not to eat meat, I also love fine food and ethnic cuisines, so I tried as many dishes as possible. Like English cooking, most people associate Russian food with plain fare, but there's much more to both cuisines than cabbages and potatoes (although I am very fond of both of those humble vegetables). My favorites were a cheese-and-mushroom casserole and a cold salad of herring, potatoes, and beets. But I was amazed at a seemingly simple dish of boiled potatoes. Each potato was so smooth and perfectly round, it must have been peeled with a razor blade. A plain dish, but one prepared with meticulous care. I drank a few glasses of good red wine and talked to some Fighthouse veterans I haven't seen in a long while. I also talked to some people from this forum as well as Systema students from all over the country. It was a lot of fun, and I have to confess, it was easier for me to talk to such a large group of people after a few glasses of vino! The party was a great experience for me, as I began to see my fellow students as friends and comrades rather than a vast body of intimidating strangers. But I wanted to be well-rested for Sunday, so I left while my classmates were still drinking late into the night, promising them that my lack of a hangover and my solid 8 hours of rest would give me a distinct advantage on the following day! Sunday was my favorite of the three seminar, so I will post a few thoughts about it shortly, time permitting, if not, then I will return to this thread over the weekend.

Until then, *vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel

SUNDAY

Sunday was probably my favorite of the three seminars, perhaps because by that time, I was more relaxed and beginning to understand the concepts a bit more. (It was also a mild, pleasant day in NYC, unlike Saturday which was, as Brad noted, cloyingly humid).

Mikhail asked, "How many of you didn't drink last night?" I think two or three people raised their hands. He laughed and said we'd start slow, and that we'd be sweating more than usual to get rid of the toxins and it would smell very bad because of the alcohol. On that promising note Exclamation , we started with walking around the floor, as on Saturday, with the pyramid breathing, working up to holding the breath for ten steps then back down to one again. Then, every five steps, we were to drop into a roll, stand up, walk another five steps, fall, five steps, roll, etc. This was a nice morning exercise for just finding your own pace and getting familiar with your relationship to gravity and the floor-good for people with hangovers!

Knives were the topic for much of the morning. We did the yielding exercise where you push the knives into each one another, and the same while lying on the floor. Next, a very simply avoidance exercise: one person attacks with the knife, the other just moves out of the way by rotating or stepping. The latter was done at a distance of several feet, which I found helped to enhance my sensitivity to the knife. Vlad demonstrated a knife attack exercise: one person slashes or stabs once with the knife from a distance, the other simply avoids, then they close in to slash or stab again, and the other disarms. The whole exercise should be done fluidly, as Vlad showed us--it's one attack in two moves.

Because the first slash was at a distance, the slow speed made it tempting to disregard it and move into disarm without responding to the method of attack. On both days, Mikhail reminded us to go slowly, and sometimes stopped us to politely request we try again with more "precision." This I interpreted to mean not only the flawless timing, but also an inward relaxation and control. "No wasted movement...eliminate non-essentials," a kind of Occam's razor of martial arts.

We practiced the exercise Vlad had demonstrated, slowly and beginning from a distance for the initial slash or thrust, then moving in for the attack/disarm. In our class, and in last year's seminar with Vlad, we'd done similar exercises with sticks and knives, where one person attacks without contact once or twice and on the second or third attack, the other person disarms. Edgar told our class it was "stretching time," but these exercises can also be compressed so that the attacks are faster and at closer range. Working slowly is helpful for developing precision; it only looks easier than going fast, but with slow speeds, there's no room to be sloppy. This exercise, with its one-two rhythm, reminded me of dancing.

Mikhail demonstrated some "hostage" scenarios with three volunteers. One held the "hostage" immobile while the other pressed a knife to a vulnerable point, such as the throat or ribcage. Then, with a single motion, he defused the situation, released the lock on the "hostage" and eliminated the threat of the knife. I personally found this among the most impressive demos in a weekend full of, well, impressive demos. There was nothing flashy or dramatic about it. I guess it was the ease with which he altered a complicated scenario in which the safety of the "hostage" must also be considered. Mikhail warned us that for this exercise, the hostage must be freed in one movement--no room for mistakes or second chances! "Please try," he said, and we formed groups of four to practice.

Mostly I found myself breaking the lock, so the "hostage" could escape, rather than disarming the other person. Although I usually don't recommend "stopping to think" during Systema practice, sometimes it's good to take the luxury of a closer look at a situation before practicing how to diffuse it. I did this exercise very slowly, walking around the three people to observe the static situation and figure out where to affect their balance, and whether I could simultaneously disarm while freeing the "hostage."

We practiced similar skills to learn about "breaking up a fight." Mikhail explained that at least one of the two people fighting might be your friend(s), but the situation still requires caution because either of the two might turn upon you instead. Several different sets of volunteers "fought" with each other, most of them simulating a bar fight or wrestling sort of conflict rather than sparring with Systema movement. Mikhail separated them in various ways, so that they stumbled apart and often one or both went down in slapstick fashion...it reminded me of silent comedy. I can't explain exactly how he affected their balance to break up the "fights," but it was nothing as simple as just standing between them. Even though I doubt I'll be breaking up fights anytime soon, this was a great exercise and also lots of fun. Like the previous exercise, I found it less similar to defense against multiple attackers and more like freeing from holds or other static situations.

Returning after lunch, Vlad led us through some breathing exercises. First, holding ourselves in pushup position while breathing, tensing, and relaxing different parts of the body; Vlad also had us inhaling/exhaling at different speeds in co-ordination with tensing and relaxing. We did the same thing lying on our backs with legs held straight at 90 degrees from the floor. Afterwards, Mikhail spoke to us about strikes, but I can't remember everything he said. I do recall that only the fist should be tense, and only as the strike is delivered. The rest of the arm should be relaxed to help us avoid "psychological rebound." He also explained not to be reflexive but to let the strike follow through. He demonstrated how to strike without moving the shoulder excessively, winding up, or otherwise telegraphing. Watching Mikhail strike, I saw how compactly he generates the wave-like movement. The wave is there, but you have to look very closely to see it, and perhaps even then, his movements were exaggerated to better allow us to see the more subtle details. I suppose I had always thought of this wave-like movement as something much more dramatic, and so this was a different perspective for me.

My classmate Hadas went to demonstrate with Mikhail (by the way, as a female student and quasi-feminist, I have to admit I enjoyed the rare spectacle of two advanced female practitioners, Hadas and Janice, in the center of the floor for demonstrations). We had heard that Mikhail was going to "bless her fists" so of course everyone was curious to watch this demonstration. Mikhail proceeded to teach her, and us, the proper way to deliver strikes, with the assistance of another volunteer to absorb them. Then both Hadas and Mikhail struck the volunteer and it was interesting to see the difference, with Hadas' strike much more visible yet far less painful than Mikhail's. He gave her a great deal of instruction, asked her to try with both left and right arms, and even moved her fist for her. After about five minutes, we could see and hear the improvement in her striking. As Mikhail explained, it makes a certain sort of sound when the strike is correctly delivered. We could also see the effectiveness of her strikes by the volunteer's reactions. Mikhail asked her to get into pushup position leaning on her fists, and remain that way for a short time, then stand up and strike the volunteer again. We could all see the difference. He explained this exercise is helpful for striking, and I think there was some mention of creating density or fullness.

Mikhail asked us all to try this exercise, then strike our partners. After we did so, he asked us if we felt a difference. I'm not sure if I did or not. It was hard for me to stay in that position, perhaps I didn't give it enough time. More likely, my ongoing hesitation to strike my mom was the reason I didn't notice any difference. It's a bit of a stumbling block for me, so much so that I'm probably better off with a different partner for strike absorption exercises, because I can't seem to get comfortable with hitting her. I suppose some men must feel this way about hitting women.

Luckily, Janice and Scott were nearby and offered to work with us. Mikhail wanted us to practice short, pulsing punches. He asked us not to move our shoulder, and to place the opposite hand on our shoulder to feel if it was moving or not. This was challenging , and I'm afraid my shoulder was moving quite a bit. Then he had us exchange strikes with our partners as we walked towards each other. I think Vlad demonstrated this for us, first, he and his partner exchanged one strike, then two, then three, as they approached each other. I think we all enjoyed this last exercise quite a bit. Honestly, I could have worked on exchanging one strike for several more hours, but with Janice's help, I managed to work up to two. With correct timing, your partner's forward motion does half the work for you. But I found it tricky to get deliver two strikes before Janice had walked past me, the second one always seemed to land on the back of her shoulder. Scott also gave me some instruction in striking, encouraging me to be a bit more vigorous in the application, as I was admittedly much too shy about striking these nice Canadians I had only just met. Janice showed me how to strike from above, by letting the arm drop, a little easier since gravity does some of the work, also a very sneaky sort of side-swiping strike, which she demonstrated on Scott.

The day ended with a few minutes of working with sticks under Vlad's guidance. First, we hit each other with the sticks across the muscular parts, carefully avoiding the spine and other delicate joints. Then, Vlad and I think it was Sonny and Yuri did that phenomenal stick demonstration I described in my first post to this thread. Wow, is all I can say! What an inspiration to us all! Then we all tried the same, much more slowly and with a lot less pain...the two "attackers" had sticks, not the defender. I watched my mom defend against two friendly gentlemen who approached us with their sticks. I don't often get a chance to watch her, and I was impressed with her capabilities. When it was my turn, I tried to play one weapon against the other, and found the safest place to be was generally behind one or the other of my attacking partners, so I could use their stick for defense. It's interesting how the longer range of the stick is both an asset and a detriment to the success of the attacks. It may have been easier for me to control my partners with the sticks than if they were attacking me without weapons.

Afterwards, we all circled up as closely as possible so Mikhail could answer some questions before he left for the airport. Mostly, these were heartfelt and gracious thank-yous rather than training questions. I was tempted to ask a question just so we could get a few more words of wisdom before his departure, but didn't want to speak for the sake of speaking. One person did ask about returning to normal mindset after a stressful day's work in a demanding military position. Mikhail replied that he couldn't say how to return to a relaxed state since he never left it! Joking aside, he said to do physical exercises such as pushups and squats, and to be psychologically relaxed. It's not an easy question to answer. Even with the best advice in the world, I guess the individual must ultimately find his own way to cope.

It was certainly the largest Kroog in which I've had the good fortune to join, a real spirit of friendship, and much gratitude expressed for those who made it possible for us to come together in NYC to learn and share. There were many rounds of applause for Mikhail and Vladimir, for Edgar and Peggy, for various roving instructors who had so freely offered their advice during the seminars, and of course for all the students, as well. I said farewell to my teachers, my veteran classmates who had returned for the occasion, and to my new friends, feeling a sense of regret that everyone was leaving just as I was getting to know them.

Apologies for being redundant, but in case anyone did not read my first post, I want to express my sincerest gratitude once again. I hardly have the words to describe how just plain lucky I am to be training (and living) Systema. It's been such a positive influence in my life. Many thanks to Mikhail and Vlad, not only for sharing their knowledge with us last weekend, but also for bringing the gift of Systema to the Western hemisphere. Special thanks to our gracious hosts Peggy and Edgar for all their hard work, to the Fighthouse volunteers who helped out with registration and the banquet, to Yuri for translating Mikhail's words, to all the roving instructors who spontaneously offered their advice throughout the weekend, and of course to the attendees, many of whom also travelled great distances to be with us. I want to extend a special and personal thank-you to my classmates at Fighthouse, especially to my mom, who first saw my newfound passion for Systema and encouraged me to sign up for classes, to Rob, Scott, and Janice, who offered endless advice via private message, and to my favorite teachers, especially to Frankie, Denis, Martin, Jim, and most of all Edgar--my heartfelt thanks for all the encouragement.

I hope you will all return for next year's seminar, or that I will have a chance to visit some of the affiliate schools in the course of my travels. Meanwhile, if you find yourself back in NYC, please do drop by Fighthouse and train with us!

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel
----------------------------------------------------
by Scott Connor

Epiphanious is a word that comes to mind. I think the world of MA for everyone who attended from outside Systema was changed. There were some very highly revered 'Masters' at this event. Many of their students ended up on our mat for much of the three days.
It was my impression that Mikhail was definitely here to show the attendees the reality and effectiveness that is Systema. There are certainly no doubters left among those that attended. Misha beat Martin, Yuri, Kwan, myself and others [many others] like I've never seen before. I still cannot fully close my jaw. Laughing
Movement was the main focus throughout. This was actualized through many of the usual drills and games using one, two or more partners. One exercise was done using big Sergey and two other rather goodly sized lads. They were to grapple on the ground against Sergey to show how difficult it is to work traditionally against two opponents and demonstrate how easily we fall victim to using our strength and tension. The combined weight of over 700 lbs. sounded like thunder as these men worked against Sergey. Sergey is very skilled in Sambo and Judo as well as his Systema training and is incredibly soft to work with considering his sheer mass. It was so clear to see the aggression rise in these friends as they wrestled around. I hope some footage of this becomes available as my words do it no justice. Truly an incredible sight to see this huge expenditure of energy. I know they all are probably still feeling the effects of that demo. Then Vlad lied down and had two fellas get on top of him. In quite short order they were off of him and back trying to regain a hold. Unsuccessfully. Vlad demonstrated how much less energy can be used while still maintaining control and/or simply destroying the attackers by not stopping and trying to manipulate each person physically. I think everyone saw this and tried to work more properly afterward with better results.
The usual punching line formed during the striking section of the seminar [another main theme presented throughout the weekend]. So many volunteers. Only one fist. I hope everyone who wanted to be punched was rewarded. Misha was in extreme mode and you definitely got your money's worth.
We did an interesting footwork drill. You walked the numbers from one to thirty with breathing. One to ten was just walking. Ten to twenty was with your arms touching together as one unit drawing the number as you walked the number. Twenty to thirty was with your arms each separately drawing the numbers while you paced out the same number. Then you did the same with your name. Mikhail said you develop your own personal footwork using this method. Finally we paced out the words 'lord have mercy'. Interesting indeed. Then someone attacked you while you walked your name. No other footwork was allowed. Only the letters of your name. This was uncannily effective. Give it a try.
The pinnacle for me was being given the pleasure of being one of the ukes in both Vlad's and Mikhail's demos during the Saturday night demonstrations by all the featured instructors of the seminar. I had a touch of stagefright with hundreds of spectators but knowing Misha was going to use the stick on me and two other lucky participants made the crowd seem insignificant. Our group [expectant victims of the demos to come] located themselves in a far corner of the huge gym where this was all to take place. A few imbibements were [covertly] administered to ease the nerves as we waited for our turn. I had my share and a few more for good measure. When Vlad said " Mikhail will try not to hurt you but you must move" back to our table in the corner I retreated for more of Big Sergey's pre-demo medicine! Working with Vlad first relaxed me for what was to come with Misha.
Instead of running around the outside to avoid being hit I thought the demo would be better if I came as close as possible to Mikhail when I attacked. Mistake. Big mistake. Note to future stick demo ukes; do not let someone else search for the stick for your demo with Mikhail. An eight-sided piece of oak was the first one that was offered up. Limited survivability, I thought. No way, I said. Then a six foot jo was produced. Too long Misha says. Finally, a bokken of rosewood was decided upon as the tool to be used. Misha said it had poor balance but it certainly wasn't noticed by me as he cracked me [and Martin and Jacob] at every turn with it. He stabbed me across my spine leaving a six inch autograph, as he called it, that left my leg twitching for a second. The shot to the back of my skull immediately afterward took that pain away for a brief moment. Kwan, who somehow avoided being in the demo by filming it, said to me afterward "Dude, why didn't you get out of the way?" The stinging mark on my back was a gnawing reminder that he was right. I laughed.
Staying in the hills and being able to see the Hollywood sign out the window of my room at Jacob's [you are a golden gift to mankind, bro'], the socializing with all the great people I know and love, the Brazilian all-you-can-eat BBQ, training with so many wonderful and generous people of all different styles, hearing Vlad sing and play guitar in one of the other participant instructor's rooms while eating and drinking all manner of finery [yes we have this on tape!] and hearing the story of how Vlad introduced Mikhail to Larissa, and when Vlad, and a buddy at the time, tried to ambush Mikhail when they went to train with him for the first time and the ensuing beating they received, what more could you ask for?
Ther's a lot more that happened but I'll save some stuff for others to relate.
----------------------------------------------------
by Mark Jakabcsin

Manhattan, NY 2005


As always after a seminar I find it difficult to write, my mind is so full of thoughts and I struggle to wrap my arms around the material presented. This is a good thing. The shear joy of being exposed to new material and seeing old material in a new light is very exhilarating. This seminar exceeded my every expectation and I can't adequately express how happy I am that I attended. My deepest thanks to Mikhail, Vladimir, Edgar, Peggy and all those that attended. Each of you helped make it a very special weekend. Thank you. While I have trouble putting everything into words, many of you know I don't have trouble filling the page with words. Hence I won't try to review the entire seminar, impossible, and I'll try to avoid recapping what has already been written, which is lots of good posts. With that in mind, following are a few items that stick out in my mind. - This seminar helped me better understand the use of shoulders when striking. I finally started to see/understand (slightly) that the shoulders don't move in relation to the body, the body moves in relation to the target. This makes it very difficult for the target to see the punch coming. Hence my inability to move when Mikhail was caressing my jaw and ample chin. Since I am a tactile learner this was definitely the highlight for me, even if it meant eating Jell-O and soup for the past few days. J - During the beginning of one of our long push-ups Vladimir said something along the lines that this exercise will help you learn about yourself. A few weeks before in Toronto I had experienced the joy of the 10+ minute push-up, hence Vladimir's words took on instant meaning for me and helped a great deal. At the beginning of the exercise I am excited and my ego takes over. I know I can perform well and I look forward to doing well. Then the pain and discomfort kick in and I start making excuses on why it would be OK to stop and I feel sorry for myself. Eventually I simply accept the situation and get down to breathing and simply surviving. Ego, pity, acceptance. Now I just need to figure out how to skip the first two and go straight to acceptance. - Even though others have pointed this out I think it is so important I want to say it again. Mikhail and Vladimir continually stressed the need for precession in our work and the way to learn precession is to slow down. I will be stressing this in class for a long time to come. - Invisible work. In a discussion with Vladimir he stressed the need for me to make my work invisible. I believe this is one of the points Mikhail also stressed, although maybe not verbally but visually throughout the seminar. Making each movement with as little motion as possible and without the telltale early signs. How? Simple. Don't try to do the work, simply do it. Don't show the work to the world, simply do it and move on. For me personally this means absence of ego. - The last day when doing push-ups Vladimir made a comment about not doing push-ups from the shoulders/chest but doing the work/motion from the fists. This was how we should punch. I will explore this in the classes to come but it struck a cord of truth for me. - I absolutely loved the drill towards the end where #1 and #2 walk towards each other, then when in range strike each other at the same time. Working on striking and strike absorption at the same instant: awesome. Thanks Mikhail, this will quickly become a standard in South Carolina. While all of the above is great stuff the best part is the energy and attitude of everyone at the seminar. I feel very fortunate to be a small part of such an amazing group and look forward to seeing each of you again. Take care.
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By Brad Scornavacco

 

Colorado Seminar Review 2004

 

The weekend began with a special warm-up class on Friday night held at Russian Martial Art of the Rockies led by Martin Wheeler. About 40 eager students packed the school to learn how to use knees and elbows and work in tight spaces. By the end of the night all the glass had that familiar fogged-up look indicative of a hard workout and everyone was sweaty and smiling. Walking in the room you immediately felt the heightened level of positive energy. Martin's class definitely set the tone for the whole weekend.

 

Saturday began at the conference center with over 50 participants from Colorado, Arizona, Washington, California, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, Indiana, Florida, New York, Texas, Kansas, and Israel primed and excited for the opportunity to learn from Vladimir. No one was to be disappointed as Vladimir presented one of his best seminar weekends ever!

 

Training began with the all-important breathing exercises while we did push-ups, leg-lifts and squats. Vladimir made a point to always breathe evenly, even when getting down to prepare for the exercises. This was followed by various rolling exercises, several involving 2 people rolling together.

 

The first topic on Saturday was how to work with an opponent's tension and density. This type of work is very challenging to teach and Vladimir handled this topic with grace and ease. He distilled these subtle aspects of the System into several simple exercises that everyone in the room, from the advanced practitioners to the first-class students, could understand and have success with.

 

Saturday's other main topic was wave work. In one aspect of the work, Vladimir showed how to use the wave from your shoulders to literally hurl another person across the room. Vladimir even showed how to apply this slingshot exercise to crowd work with a partner. Each partner had a knife and would in turn launch each other through the crowd to do the work together. This was a truly amazing demonstration!

 

Sunday built on Saturday's work and took the training to another level. Vladimir's lessons on breathing properly for defense left everyone speechless. He showed how to use one breathing cycle to defend against attacks. Then Vladimir demonstrated how to defend only using one exhalation or one inhalation for the duration of the defense. Many participants were in awe at how simple and easy their defenses were by focusing only on their own breath and not thinking about what to do.

 

Mass Attack work is always a crowd favorite and Sunday's work was no exception. We worked on defending strikes to the head, body and also leg-work. Vladimir also showed how to move an unconscious friend out of harm's way while you are standing and while you are on the ground also. We also did several 3-person exercises before the actual "mass attacks." Then it was on to wall-fighting with 2 lines of people facing each other and striking those on the opposite side. The grand finale was a 50+ mass of people on the dance floor working on hitting and not being hit in return. What a perfect high-energy end to an unforgettable weekend!

 

It is next to impossible to give an accurate representation of the sheer amount of material that Vladimir covered and to express the pure, positive feel in the room last weekend. Nor can I detail the overwhelming number of rave reviews I was given by so many of the participants. All I can say is thank you to Vladimir for sharing this amazing art with us, thank you to everyone who supported the seminar and made the weekend what it was and to those who missed it, hopefully you will have another chance to join us next time.
----------------------------------------------------
By Clive Jefferies

 

Seminar With Vladimir Vasiliev

Kidderminster 13/14 July 2002

 

Day 1

 

The day started with some fun tasks to get us warmed up. This first drill was gentle pushes and evasion. To loosen ourselves up. Our first exercise was linking arms as a group (100+ people) and going to the floor at once. Very funny and very messy, after about the third attempt it became very difficult. Now we progressed to moving from a seated position to laying position, this was attempted whilst we were still circled up we had to do this at the same time as the people on each side, there were legs and arms colliding everywhere, but it gave us a grounding into working in working in confined space/imperfect conditions. The next drill involved pushing/evading with a partner trying to make the partners hand slide off, trying to find the path of least resistance, this was also done whilst one person was in a wide stance and also both partners were in a wide stance, trying not to move the feet. Also was shown was how to use tension when contact was made. This led on to the introduction of some body mechanics finding structure/form disrupting points and the exploiting, this was done with both hands on a static partner. The emphasis being that tension gave you something to exploit and vice versa, relaxation would give you nothing to support, in some cases it seemed a good idea to create tension.

The next part of the seminar looked at groundwork it started by lying on the ground and moving the limbs from someone walking round trying to stand on them. This was followed by a similar drill which involved letting the person make contact with the body part but using again least resistance to move the limb away from the pressure. This was followed by slow kick evasion, by one partner, the two using the slow speed to appreciate the body mechanics, finding our own solution to the problem. After the drills we moved on to scenario based work, in this exercise the mounted position was used, in my experience this is not a good position to be in. Here we were shown various techniques (the dreaded word) which gave a real emphasis on working against the ankles, arms and neck. Vladimir stayed on the topic of working from a disadvantage and showed various escapes from locks. From what I could see a lot of this work comes from the chin and the shoulders as well as the relaxation. The underlying theme was very much in tune from work from a disadvantage.

 

Day 2

 

Form, keeping the form is imperative, this can be maintained through various exercise. He who has a good form not only has the physical disadvantage but is psychologically superior. The spine acts as an antenna, so when this is distorted so is the input we receive. To maintain good form we were show (or made to do) various exercise which included 20/20 push-ups, keeping the breathing smooth and pushing the air we breathe out back into the body., storing and keeping strong. Though we were warned not to be too greedy as the body tenses up as we try to hold it in. Other useful drills included; pushing the partner who is static at three heights (standing, semi squat and full squat). A way of testing the spine was shown when you push down on someone's head who is squatting if their spine is straight they will bounce back up. The pushing drill was repeated but in motion (again at the three levels). This should all be done in conjunction with breathing, keeping the head looking straight forward. Sitting up keeping the back straight and finally we did some breathing in the lying down position, isolating the body parts in time with breathing followed by the whole body (in wave motion).

The next thing we looked at was movement, this is best illustrated with drills but the key seemed to be minimal and subtleness. Vladimir mentioned the three levels; evasion, movement and I can't remember the third but I think it was attack. There were many drills shown which were done when one person walked towards the other these included; (three levels), standing on the aggressors feet (three levels), evading and placing hand on opponents chest, same as previous but also pushing against any tension and finally locking a foot round the other persons leg and pushing with the knee. We then put all this together and did some free style work, it was very surprising how well we were able to escape and put the other guy down after doing these drills, though we were still avoiding the guy even if he was falling. The last drill on movement was simply striking the guy which led on to the next topic-

Striking, we were shown some extraordinary concepts in the art of striking. To begin with we did 20/20 push-ups to get our arms feeling the correct way, then did basic pushes with the fist. Vladimir then explained the three levels of striking - surface, muscular and organs. After experimenting with the first two levels we were shown how to work with organs and how each organ carried its own emotion e.g. Kidney was linked to pride. We then had to go round the body loosening organ, striking it and then getting the partner to relay the response, how they felt when struck. Vladimir went on to describe how the internal organs were structured in the body, hanging. In his analogy he said they were like when a cat holds her kittens in her mouth. He then demonstrated how when you can appreciate this concept it is possible to manipulate this, by moving this 'bag' of organs. This was done by putting the hand on the partners back and visualising this 'bag' and moving the person with it. It is easier to do this than explain! We first did this from a static position, then moving.

We then touched on knife work putting all that we had learnt over the weekend and applying it to a knife attacker(s). The drills shown were pushing the knife against the body, again finding the path of least resistance and a lot of freestyle work. We then moved on to body guarding where Vladimir showed how this can be psychological as well as physical which involves subtle and non-aggressive body language to alter an aggressors course of action. The drills included coming out from behind the principal and standing beside, then coming out from behind and standing in front of the principal. Two people standing behind the principal using eye signals to convey the start of the procedure. Grabbing the principal and passing him/her behind yourself. We then added an aggressor and put all the components together.
----------------------------------------------------
by Scott Connor

It was quite a storm but it blew past waaaaay to quickly.
This was a very intensive, information-filled seminar. I can't imagine more material being fitted into the three days.
Some big bites off the apple this weekend.

Friday

Martin presented a feast of ground oriented drills and exercises in Sonny's packed-to-the-brim club Friday night.
Great progression. Clear direction. Nice finish. I know he had more and the two hours felt short.
It was a bit warm for this Canuck though.
87 degrees with humidex [outside] and , oh, maybe some nice video lights as well, perhaps? No windows. Stuffed with us. It was great.
Thanks for the 'stuck bug' analogy. Wink Idea

After that Marc was gracious enough to take me to a Capoiera [sp?] seminar/demo/class where his kids and grandkids practice. Saw some fine Mestres working. This was on the way to the Cock and Bull after a fine grilled 'Cuban' sandwich at the Gecko grille. I'm so glad to have seen that. Thanks.

Saturday

The close quarters/short work on Saturday was super.
This is quite an advanced topic and the concepts aren't easy to assimilate and use in the short time we have to work on them.
Shrinking your work can be an awkward adjustment.
It was a nice bonus for newer folk to have so many assistant instructors there to help alleviate some of the difficulties in understanding the material.
Vlad kept a close eye on our acceptance level of the work [au naturel] and directed the group accordingly. When we were struggling we went back or moved on or approached from another angle. This kind of awareness is what makes being under his direction such a fine experience. Still, it was a lot to absorb.

Sunday was the treat for surviving the 140 proof homemade vodka at the beach on Saturday night. Whew.
Shashlik...mmmmmm. Thanks for saving us some brod! We were a bit..uh late. Peter, weardaph**kawi?
Siesta Key beach....beautiful even at night.
Denis the menace in the back seat on the way home after 'some' homemade brew? Priceless.

Sunday

Ah yes, the stick. Goooood morning!
Such a simple yet instructive tool. Shocked
One of my favorites and Vlad did not disappoint.
Many facets of this work were covered and some nice tattoos acquired.
Vlad showed different methods of body control when demoing escaping from the stick [thrusting attacks/pressure] while up against the wall. Local/remote muscle contraction/relaxation to effect escape or even move the point of the stick around and across his body. An epiphany.
Brad [The Scar[Lloyd?]]novacco was a solid partner using all of his body weight to press the stick into me so I would not have to think about the direction I needed for escape. People are just so nice. He he.

The leg work was powerful, brutal, and fun.

Feeling Vlad's knees being used like sledge hammers and legs as 50 lb. whips can be an especially fine inspiration [to the upper-body concentric mindset of the average person] for spending more time on legwork. We were shown how, indeed, the feet and legs can act as hands and arms instead of just supports. Energizing.


The main reason for my trip was not the training so much as seeing my friends/family and making more. This occasion was an exception. Finally meeting Sonny and his wonderful family was great. Thank you Sonny for putting on a top notch event. I mean, thank you Ingrid for putting on such a top notch event Wink .
What an amazing time. Glad to see everyone. Next time for sure for those who missed it! Cool
Special thanks to my chauffers Marc Bresee and Peter Annazone.
----------------------------------------------------
Vladimir Vasiliev

Sarasota Florida, November 2005

by Mark Hord

Finally I can get to this. Since I was writing notes from memory the
night or morning after the training, I'm sure I forgot something.
But, here are my notes.....feel free to ask me to explain further
where I am cryptic:

Breathing patterns were incorporated thru the entire weekend. For
instance, when doing drills we would breath in with one movement and
out with the next. Or, we would make two or more move the movements
involved with every breath and so on. Generally we worked up to 10
movements per inhale and 10 per exhale.

Everything we did involved breathing, relaxing, movement, or form
certainly but also about attitude - not feeling sorry for yourself.
Drills were physically demanding but more than that. It was important
to look for the purpose behind the work.

Friday night with Kwan Lee

1. Warmup with a slow jog around the room emphasising proper
breathing....out thru mouth, in thru nose. Take one breath for one
step then inhale on one step and exhale on next. Work up to 10 then
back down 9, 8, 7....1. Every now and then Kwan would clap to signal
that we should sprint and continue the same breathing pattern then
clap again for us to slow down and continue the breathing.

2. Partners reach out to clasp hands as if shaking hands. Squat on
one leg all the way to sitting position then back up continuing to
breath with the pattern. Since I wasn't the only one unable to sit
all the way down from one leg, I was pleased that Kwan suggested it
was also a drill in falling to the outstretched leg side to distribute
the impact along the entire leg instead of taking the shock to your
backside and spine. As with so much else, it was also a drill in form
by challenging the balance on one leg.

3. Planks with breathing patterns. Then rotating your body to be on
your heals and hands in a plank. Then going down just one inch in
the two plank positions. Always breathing in a pattern - in thru
nose, out thru mouth. Breath "thru" the area that is weak or tired.
Sometimes breathing with a "hah!" from the muscles that are aching
will help.

4. Leg lift one inch off the ground and hold breathing in thru nose
out thru mouth. Lift further to 90 degress tipping your toes down
toward your face to stretch the backs of your legs - hold and breath.
Legs up above head with toes one inch off ground over your head
breath in thru nose out thru mouth. Then back to 90 then down to
1-inch and finished. I have not been able to do these in 20 years I
don't think. On Friday night, I was too tight to go past 90 degrees.
By Sunday I could almost go to the one inch over my head.

5. Rotate toes, ankles, legs/knees/hips thru their range of motion
slowly to loosen them and relax for movement. Several I could not do
such as squatting with one leg in a hurdle stretch and then shifting
the weight to the outstretched leg for stretch in opposite direction.

6. Kicks, instead of kicking with leg, try thinking of it as a step
into your partner. Imagine you are stepping into the spot right
behind him and then your entire body weight adds to the force of the
kick with little effort required. Partner steps back to avoid the kick.

6. Strikes, First drill is to step aside as partner walks toward you
presenting a strike. Second drill-stop your partner's approach with a
strike noting where it is most effective to strike for stopping his
movement. Continue to breath in thru nose and out thru mouth with the
movement.

7. Movement, place your fist against partner's torso. Partner
attempts to move out of "strike" and you attempt to keep contact.
Then switch so that both of you are trying to keep contact with strike
while moving from your partner's strike. This one should be relaxed
as you adjust the angle of your elbow to redirect your striking arm to
match his movement away. If you find yourself muscling like two
bulls, then you're doing it wrong. Breath - in out.


Saturday with VV
1. Of course, planks, pushups, situps, and squats with breathing-
several times during the day stop to do this. Important to accept the
pain and not feel sorry for yourself. Learn to control breathing and
use it to diffuse pain.

2. Lie on backs and breath in with tension to entire body then out
with relaxation. Then combine breathing with tensing just one body
part - legs, then stomach, then back, then chest. Then do the
breathing while tensing/relaxing just one side of your body. Then
stand and do the same tense/relax in entire body and then parts.

3. Approaching drills - partner approaches and you tense and release
as you step aside. It is good to find the area you most feel fear and
try to tense that area - legs, stomach, shoulders... Try a different
area each time until you find the one that seems to make you feel most
relaxed as you move. Breath in with tension and out with the
relaxation/movement. Add a strike to the attacker as you move.
Then allow partner to attack 3 times in a row and you breath in and
out with each attack - after third attack, move to take him down with
your exhale.

4. Partner takes a one-hand choke hold on you. Inhale as you raise
one shoulder to push his hand off your throat and reach with opposite
arm to take a one-hand choke hold on him with exhale. Then, instead
of taking a choke hold, do a takendown on the exhale such as utilizing
his elbow and shoulder/head as levers while you exhale.

5. Partner attempts to slap you and you avoid with full body movement
keeping form and breathing in thru nose, out thru mouth with his
attacks.

6. Partner stands on your toes while you are in situp position with
your knees up. With one movement and breathing, you situp and then
stand in front of him. If you are not able to do this, your partner
can help by grabbing your elbows as you stand. Make the movement and
breathing as smooth as possible.

Sunday with VV
Unfortunately, I had to leave a couple hours before the scheduled end
to catch my flight - which ended up being delayed anyhow Sad. But,
here is what I could remember while sitting in the Tampa airport
waiting for my flight.

1. Relaxation drills/stretching with partner:
Important to remember that these are not competitions in strength but
tension/relaxation drills. You are not trying to destroy your
opponent, you are trying to give him enough tension to exercise his
breathing and tension/relaxation skills.
* Partners face each other and outstretch arms and put wrists
together. One attempts to raise/lower outstretched arms while other
resists. When stopping, relax slooowlllly (something my partner, the
man of Scheel, had to keep reminding me of). Breathing, breathing,
breathing.
* Lie on backs side by side with heads in same direction. Raise
your arms and place palm against palm. One tries to pull arm one
direction while the other is pulling the opposite and providing
tension. Now oppose wrists and one pushes down toward feet while
other provides tension to slow the push. Swtich sides to do opposite
arms.
* Lie on backs in opposite direction and lock elbows then wrap
legs - each partner tries to push leg back down providing tension for
each other. Breath,breath, breath.
* Lie with feet pointing at partner's feet just enough in reach
so that your feet will be between his. Now try to spread your legs
while partner pushes in from outside on your feet.

2. Posture/form and footwork - Partners face and raise hands with
palms not touching but close to each other. Partner attempts to step
on your feet and you avoid when you sense his movement. Do not look
down - continue to keep your palms the same distance. Breathing,
breathing, breathing.

3. Partner squats with his back to you into a squatting position where
he is stable. Place your hands on his shoulders as if attempting to
push him further down. He rolls one shoulder at a time backwards and
it this movement naturally causes his hips to move forward and his
shoulders back making it easy for him to stand against your pressure.

4. Partner stands and keeps form as you gently push him about. He
learns to movement with your pressure and stop when your pressure
stops. If he keeps moving when you have stopped, then point it out
to him so he can correct it. Then proceed to pulling on his arm and
the same movement - he "glides" away keeping his form no matter how
your movement might be attempting to break it. Partner squats a bit
and continues drill - then squats as far as he can and continues to
move - the lower he squats, the more he will need to loosen his hips
to move.

5. Similar sensitivity/form drill with partner attempting to trip you
and you avoid his feet without looking down. Some pointers from my
partner, Scott Connor - as the trip comes from behind you can usually
rotate your lower leg inward and up so that your foot brushes just to
the inside of your opposite leg and around behind your partner. If he
is attempting to trip from the front, try stepping back just enough to
avoid the trip and bending your leg as his tripping leg slides along
your shins and on thru. Both of these movements will help make sure
that you are not spinning and presenting your back to your partner.
Also try to move in a way that your feet are always pointed in the
same direction - otherwise, you will find you are often off balance
when you place you foot back down on the ground.

This was about the point that I had to leave I'm afraid.

It was great to work with all the people I knew only electronically
and to renew some friendships of past encounters with others. I was
stiff at the end but I did notice a huge improvement from the past so
this does indeed work to improve us physically, mentally, and
spiritually.

I worked with several from this forum and could never remember them all and how helpful each one was. Not just the instructors but the other "pilgrims' like myself who made suggestions or comments to help me along the way. Thanks to all!
----------------------------------------------------
Review of Systema Seminar with Vladimir Vasiliev
by Alex Loglia

The text below is a review of the Systema seminar conducted by Vladimir Vasiliev in New York City from June 28-29, 2003 by an advanced aikido practitioner.

I have heard a lot about Vladimir Vasiliev over the last year, being introduced to the Russian Martial Art last year by George Ledyard Sensei of Aikido Eastside in Bellevue, Washington. This introduction also happened to coincide with last year's Aiki Expo, where James Williams and Ken Good did some Systema-related demonstrations that intrigued me. At Ledyard Sensei's recommendation, I ordered some tapes, and saw immediate overlap with Aikido, but also interesting differences. Later in the year, my friend Stanley Pranin, editor of Aikido Journal and organizer and mastermind of the Aiki Expo in Las Vegas, visited Vasiliev's school in Toronto, Canada for a seminar taught by both Vasiliev and his teacher in the Russian system, Mikhail Ryabko. As both Stan and I live in Las Vegas, I got immediate feedback from him that both Vasiliev and Ryabko were the real thing. Stanley has more than enough experience for me to trust his judgment, but I definitely wanted to experience things for myself first hand. For those who do not already know, Vasiliev will be one of the featured instructors at Aiki Expo 2003 this year, which will be particularly exciting, since Shizuo Imaizumi Sensei of Shin Budo Kai with whom I have trained for many years, will also be one of the featured instructors. Now, after logging a very positive seminar experience with Vasiliev, I look forward to training with him as well.

This review is directed primarily to an aikido audience. My thinking is that if you train in Systema already, none of this is really new to you. For the benefit of the aikidoka out there, I will use the Japanese terms as much as possible to avoid confusion and to make useful comparisons. For those of you with no aikido background, the "jo" is the short staff 48-52" long. "Ukemi" generally refers to receiving an attack, but in most cases specifically refers to safely taking a fall. As for some of the other Japanese terms I use, don't worry, they won't clarify much for you anyway unless you have the background and have seen certain types of movements and techniques.

The Systema seminar was packed full of good stuff. Two days, four hours per day, no breaks. I came off a very sweaty and vigorous Friday night advanced class at the Shin Budo Kai hombu dojo with Imaizumi Sensei, so I was all primed and broken in for the weekend. I came in very open-minded, with my only experience in Systema having through watching some of Vasiliev's tapes, and also me submitting some of my Las Vegas students to my experimentation with what I gleaned from these tapes. The atmosphere at the seminar was very positive. In Systema, in keeping with their practical approach of natural movement and living the martial art in the day to day world, there are no ranks and everyone wears comfy, tough, street clothes. Everyone there came to train, and there was no problem coming in as an outsider and jumping right in. I met many very talented martial artists, and felt welcomed. I also noticed immediately that Vasiliev had a very open and generous character, and a great sense of humor.

The Saturday session began with "warm up" exercises. These were hard core flexibility, ukemi and strength exercises that incorporated integrated body movement. I was very happy to see this, since one of my pet peeves with many aikido students I have trained with is a lack of good solid overall physical conditioning. This is understandable, since traditional aikido training is technique centered, and valuable class time which would otherwise be spent on exercise generally goes to learning and training specific technique. Nevertheless, few students today have the opportunity to train as many of the original students of the founder did, with 6-8 hours of class time per day, so unfortunately, many of today's aikido students don't exercise outside of class, and I personally think this is a bit of a mistake.

So I was happy to see that there was plenty of conditioning in Systema. I was even happier to see that the exercises I saw in the seminar were well thought out, involved strength training integrated with balance, and related directly to the movements and work done in Systema. I'll give a descriptive run down of the exercises we were put through. Also, much to my surprise, most of the warm-ups done at this seminar involved the jo, a weapon readily available in almost every aikido dojo. For this reason, I will give a specific run down of these exercises in case anyone out there wants to get experimental. I would also like to add that most of the students there who I was able to identify as having trained in Systema for any appreciable length of time were very strong, but also very loose, relaxed, and flexible.

THE WARM-UP EXERCISES

1. We started with an exercise on the floor. #1 lays face up on the floor, arms at his sides. #2 lays his upper body perpendicularly across #1's, forming bridge across #1's body and arms. #1 has to wiggle out from under #2 by moving his body. #2 can vary how much of his weight he puts on #1. This was not easy, took a lot of work, but also required maintaining complete relaxation.

2. Sitting down on the floor with your legs open out in front of you in a "v", place the jo vertically with one end on the floor, parallel with your torso and between your legs near your torso. Grab the jo and pull yourself up off the floor without using your legs at all. If you have tough abs already, use them to try to do this exercise by keeping your legs completely parallel to the floor as you launch yourself up.

3. Same position as #1, but with the jo on the side of your body next to the outside of your thigh. Same deal; pull yourself up off the floor without using your legs at all. Done on both sides.

4. Stand with the jo across your shoulders and drape you arms over the jo, with forearms and hands hanging in front. If this description is confusing, think of the old method of carrying the stick with two water buckets on each end. Anyway, from this position, lay down on your back as quickly and gently as you can. The gently part happens quite naturally, since if you clunk down mindlessly or with tension, the awkward position of the jo gives you a gentle pain to correct the error of your ways. The exercise really forced me to use my abs to support my movement and gently let myself down. An observation. In Systema, I notice that most of the experienced students there took their ushiro ukemi by letting themselves straight down on one leg, with the other leg straight out in front of them until their rear end was just near the floor. This in contrast to the standard aikido ukemi (except in Yoshinkan) where you tuck the back leg. This alternative method took a bit more leg strength and control, but I notice that the ukemi used in Systema did allow you to roll to either side if you had to once you reached the floor, while the typical aikido ukemi limited you to rolling off only to one side if you had to.

Anyway, so you are on the floor with the jo across your shoulders. Now, get up as fast as you can without using your hands and without hitting the jo on the floor. Again, great control and overall center strengthening exercise. The exercise also forced me to really relax and control my upper body and move softly. If you really want to build up your leg strength and balance, get up by sticking one leg out in front while tucking the other foot, sole on the floor, as near to your body as you can and press up on one leg to standing.
In general, I found that training ukemi with the jo really forced me to be much softer and controlled in my movements.

5. Now, same position with jo across the shoulders, sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Roll over onto your stomach as quickly and gently as possible. No hands, and don't let the stick hit the floor. This requires flexibility, and forced me to train to really relax my body so I could use it to absorb the force of the fall very gently. It also forced me to use a nice strong supple full body bridge full of energy to absorb and disperse the impact of my chest hitting the floor. Once your laying face down, roll back over and get back to sitting position, again as quickly and gently as possible, again, no hands and no stick contact with the floor. Getting up, a good strong curve needed, as well as a lot of ab control to get my upper body up high enough to flip over without using hands or hitting the jo on the floor.

6. If your feeling really brave, go from standing with the jo across your shoulders, to flat on your chest as quickly and gently as possible, no hands, and no hitting the stick on the floor. Then get up to your feet as fast as you can.

7. In this exercise, stand with the jo horizontally across the thoracic vertebrae of your back, and holding the jo up there by wrapping your arms around it from behind, with your hands sticking out in front of your body. You are basically holding the jo up behind you in the inside of your elbows. Sit on the floor. Go from sitting to face down flat on your stomach as quickly and gently as possible. Then get back up to sitting position. Basically, you are repeating the movements in number 5 above, again staying relaxed, and without using your hands or hitting the stick on the floor. The movement from being face down to sitting and vice versa was harder than in number 3, since the jo was a lot closer to the center of your body, and this required a lot more strength, flexibility, and bridging to move without using hands or hitting the jo on the floor.
Throughout all the exercises, and also during the rest of the training, Vasiliev stressed breathing, leading us in inhaling, and then exhaling for the execution of the movements.

8. Push-ups with the jo. So, get in the position with the jo across your shoulders (as in No. 5 above), and lay flat face-down on your stomach. You hands are near the sides of your head. Make fists, and, as your forearms and hands are on the sides of your head, place the fists on the floor for push-ups. Now, the jo across your shoulders completely prevents you from getting a push up, since it locks up in your elbows and across your neck. It ends up with you just bridging and struggling to get your body off the floor and hold it there as long as you can.

9. Push-ups with jo, another version. Get in the position with the jo behind your back ( as in No. 7 above), and held on the inside of your elbows, with your hands out in front of you. Lay face down again, make fists, and do a push-up. Again, the jo prevents a real push up, so now you are bridging with the jo across your back. A whole different set of muscles is used, since your hands are near your waist and are supporting you at a much lower point on your body.

Now for the exercises we did on the first day without the jo.

10. Standard push ups. Well almost. We got with a partner and set up parallel to each other in a standard push-up position. We put a tennis ball between our triceps which were right next to each other, and then did very slow push-ups, making sure not to let the tennis ball fall. Trade sides. This is much harder than is sounds. First of all, it forced you to do push ups with perfect standard form, which has the insides of your elbows facing forward, and with you arms and elbows staying at your sides and parallel to your body as do the exercise. Most people abandon this form, or never learn it properly, doing push up while allowing the elbows to flare out to the sides. This exercise of doing push-ups with the tennis ball required a lot of sensitivity to the other person's movement, and careful arm adjustments. It also forced the push-ups to be done very slowly, and in very good form. We then repeated the exercise with three people next to each other, with two tennis balls, one either side of the middle man. Rotate through each position. The guy in the middle had to respond to the man on either side, requiring even more squirming and adjusting, all while doing good slow push-ups. Needless to say, we very sweaty and there was lot of grunting going on. If you have any experience with this, you know that doing these sort of slow and controlled movements is a lot harder that running through them fast.

11. Two man squats with the tennis ball. You and a partner stand back to back, feet a bit more than shoulder width apart. Put the tennis ball between you in the lower back area. Then, both of you slowly squat to the floor, all the way down to sitting on your rear-ends and with legs out in front, all without letting the ball drop. Then, and this was really hard, get your feet back up under you and slowly stand up again, without losing the ball. Sound easy? Try it.

12. Sensitivity exercise with the tennis ball. Stand facing your partner. #1 gently cups the tennis ball in his hands. #2 places his hands just immediately under #1's hands holding the ball, but without touching #1's hands. #1 drops the ball at will, and #2 tries to catch it. This is really hard if you try to react visually to #1 dropping the ball, which we all did with very little success for a few tries. Vasiliev then indicated that the real point of the exercise was not to react to seeing the ball drop, but to anticipate #1 dropping the ball. He demonstrated being able to catch the ball every time in this manner. So the attention was not focused on the ball, but on to sensing when #1 would drop the ball. This made a huge difference. I got to the point where me and my partner were doing this looking over each others heads (not looking as the hands at all), and even had some success relaxing and trying this with eyes closed. This was a great exercise, as it forced me away from reacting visually, but instead using a different kind of sensing.

13. #1 stands facing away from his partner (#2), hand naturally at his sides. #2 tosses the tennis ball up under #1's arms, up under his legs, and drops the ball from over #1's head. #1 has to try to catch the ball. The problem is that he doesn't get a lot of time to react, and has to pay close attention to sensing where the ball is or will be coming from. Catching the ball dropped from above was the hardest. The tennis ball would reappear on Day 2 of the seminar during the bodyguard training.

ESCAPES FROM HOLDS

Before I begin these descriptions, let me say in advance that they will pretty hard to unravel unless you sit there and try to do it with a partner and do through the description. Even, they are still hard to follow. Photos would be a lot better, but I have none. I know these descriptions will be a bit tedious, but I promised several people that I would do my best to give a full description, so that is what I did. I am painfully aware that you cannot learn techniques from these descriptions, but a few brave souls may want to experiment, so here they are, take them or leave them.

Vasiliev started by showing several techniques to use against side headlocks, both static, and coming to hold. The first technique involved responding to a person standing next to you, reaching up to grab your head into a side headlock. The responsive movement was done before the hold was firmly made, in other words, a come-to-hold technique. It involved moving and turning in the same general direction of the grab around the front of the attacker. With the attacker unbalanced, you continue turning and leading the arm around your neck (optionally grabbing it) into a turn that unbalances him and he falls. The transfer of energy to the attacker to make him fall was through the upper body and neck. We then did an offensive neck hold, where you grab the victim in a side headlock, drop to the floor in front of him while turning away from him, throwing him over your body into a roll as you rolled towards an on-all-fours position on the floor. The variation of this that Vasiliev showed was for the attacker to grab the victim and then drop more on his back, but keeping his outside knee up, and bringing the victims face to the knee as he is dropped to the floor.

Most of the holds, however, were from a facing headlock with the victims head under the attackers armpit, otherwise known as the guillotine. For the purposes of these descriptions that follow, the attacker (#1) has the head of the victim, (#2) in a guillotine, holding the victim to his left under his left armpit, with the headlock being done by the left arm. Vasiliev demonstrated the first escape on me. I came up in front to get the grab, and he just sort of disappeared behind me. I turned around a little confused, not sure what went wrong. Vasiliev was standing behind me giving me his best dead pan expression, and I must have looked confused, because he just cracked a little smile; the spectators all got a good laugh. I missed the technique completely. In fact, I didn't even feel anything. He slipped the grab completely somehow. After a couple of more tries, I saw what was going on. As I came to grab, the technique was to drop a little and turn around the attacker, while keeping facing him as you moved behind him. I thought I saw it done with both clockwise and counterclockwise turns, but the clockwise turn seemed to work best. Just a simple step in around and turn. The slip was so soft and easy, it was hard to tell what happened. Just like grabbing air. In execution, I found it to work very well once I got the hang of it.

The next technique was also so simple I got confused. #1 grabs #2 in a guillotine. #2 grabs the elbow of the off hand of #1 (the right elbow), and pulls it towards towards his head. I laughed when I had this done to me, because the simple pulling of the off arm totally took all the energy out of the headlock.

In another variation, #1 grabs #2 in the guillotine. #2 adjusts his position slightly so he is moving towards a standing up position. While he does this, #2 takes his left hand and uses it to push #1's head towards his own head and a little upwards. This ended up taking all the energy out of the headlock, and put a huge amount of pressure on the attacker's shoulder and collarbone, which clearly could be easily broken. On the receiving end of this, I felt intense pain.

#1 grabs #2 in a guillotine. #2 grabs the elbow of the off hand of #1 (the right elbow), and pulls it towards towards his head. This takes all the strength out of the hold. #2 then slips his right arm between #1's left elbow and body, while turning counterclockwise, and ends up standing side by side with #1, to #1's left. While this is happening, #2 grabs #1's left wrist with his left hand, and wraps his right forearm under #1's left forearm near #1's left elbow area, and finally grabbing his own left wrist/forearm. Complicated in description, but basically a simple arm bar. Vasiliev then used the arm bar with a scooping motion to dump the victim backwards.

We then did a simple two hand grab techniques (ryote-tori). #1 grabs both of #2's wrists. #2 grabs #1's left wrist from below with his left hand and rotates his right hand on top of his own left wrist, using it as a lever to break his right hand free. Once free, the index and middle finger of #2's right hand us used to poke #1 in the trachea, and then #2's right hand drops to the inside of #1's left elbow, applying pressure down and towards the left rear of #2 with a slight turning movement of #2's body in that same direction. This brought #1 to the floor. The throw/take down was executed in exactly the same spiral manner of a variety of kokyu-nage techniques.

We also did an offensive maneuver. #1 stands facing #2 and grabs #2's right wrist with his left hand, and grabs under #2's elbow from below with his right hand. This pressure on the elbow locks up the arm. Then, with a shoveling motion past his right shoulder, #1 unbalances #2 up and forward, throwing him into a forward roll, or if you want to be naughty, dumping #1's face into the floor.

We also did a cross hand grab (kosa tori) technique, which was done either defensively or offensively. #1 grabs #2's right wrist with his right hand. Then, while moving off to his right rear, #1 pulls #2's wrist downward and to the right at the same time, unbalancing #2 to #2's forward left, and twisting #2's wrist away from #1's body. Then, #1 places his left hand on #2's left shoulder/neck, and pulls #1 down to the floor. In aikido terms, it is much the way one would start a come-to-hold version of shiho-nage, with more emphasis on the downward pressure. In Shin Budo Kai parlance, this was kokyu nage ude mawashi, but simply moving backwards instead of forwards. Vasiliev executed the initial downward movement with a shock that easily sent #2 to the floor. You see this type of shock movement in many aikido and daito-ryu styles.

After going through these techniques, we moved to a simple movement exercises. The first consisted of your partner trying to grab you, either same side or cross hand, and you evading and moving naturally into an advantageous position, and without very much hand involvement or technique. Vasiliev emphasized that we were to move slowly, to not rush, and focus on the movement and the relationship with the other person's movement. Then we did the same basic exercise with more hand involvement, evading the grabs and moving into simple technique. The point was that the technique was to evolve naturally out of the movement. Vasiliev demonstrated the basic idea, demonstrating with an attacker, and running through a wide variety of techniques flowing naturally out of the movement with the student he was demonstrating on. We followed suit. I found the exercise very useful. The idea stressed was to keep it slow, not use force, relax, and move naturally. Specific technique was not stressed, and we were encouraged to let technique develop naturally out of the movement. My wide repertoire of aikido technique came in very useful, but it was nice to work in a very free-style fashion. I was also happy to see that many unusual variations of standard aikido technique came up, and some very new movements, trips, traps, and takedowns. It became clear that in Systema, they use their feet and legs to execute technique as much as they use their arms and hands.

MOVEMENT EXERCISES

After dealing with the holds, we got into some movement exercise based on using the body and legs. Vasiliev demonstrated evasive movements against several attackers using just body movement. His demonstrations in general were beautiful. I particularly enjoyed how relaxed he remained, and his economy of movement, as well how he used feet, legs and hands as easily and efficiently as hand and arm movement. Also, I was really impressed by how he was able to freely demonstrate with 2-4 attackers at a time in a space that was usually only 12-15 feet in diameter.

So we then did the same type of exercise, simply moving to evade kicks, without using our hands. This really made me focus on relaxed body movement. The small space and the multiple attackers also made me very aware of moving economically. Once we did this movement exercise, Vasiliev demonstrated the same exercise, except now, he used his body and legs to trip, trap, and unbalance the attackers. His demonstration was amazing and very inspiring. He moved through several attackers gently and deftly with no problem, dropping all of them over and over again, and on top of each other, without any problem. Many of the take downs involved pressure on the knee joint from the sides or back to collapse the leg, "riding" the attackers foot and/or leg before it hit the floor only to reposition just away from where he wanted to place it to unbalance him, attacking and unbalancing the off leg, redirecting kicks with the feet and legs to spin the attacker around, stepping on the feet and applying pressure to the knee with his knee, and a lot of close body contact to help gently unbalance the attacker. Higher kicks were dealt with simple slips, with the hands and arms following the movement of the kicks and attacks to the standing leg or enter and attack the body or standing leg, or continuing the momentum of the kicking leg to spin the attack around and get his back. Middle level kicks were slipped with a body turn, or the force absorbed with an outstretched leg making a slope. Low kicks were spun around using the feet to continue the kicks original direction, or blended with using the leg and repositioned before reaching the floor, thereby unbalancing the opponent by opening his stance up into an unnatural or too wide of a stance where he could easily be pushed over with a light body check or light push.

So we then tried the same exercise with 2-3 attackers, and using no hands, and only trying to trap, trip, and redirect the attackers kicks with our bodies and legs. Vasiliev stressed that we had to relax, and move slowly. This was very revealing for me. It opened me up to many possibilities of use of body movement and position I haven't experienced before. This slow speed training required that the attackers make their strikes behave as if the strike had speed and momentum, and respond to the techniques in the same way. Accordingly, the person getting attacked had to watch to not anticipate the strikes coming at him, and not speed up. This slow speed "sparring" was really eye-opening for me, and I think it is going to sneak its way into my aikido classes.

With another demo from Vasiliev, he only now added hand movement, demonstrating dozens of techniques against kicks, none of which he explained in any depth or detail, he just did strings of techniques against a kicking attacker. Many of these techniques were based upon following the movement of the strike, and redirecting it in a very soft and relaxed manner, often simply following the kick with a hand or leg and moving the attackers leg to unbalance him. At this time, he added strikes with fist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, knee, and hip movement during the slow movement against the kicks. The strikes I saw were not linear, nor were they stiff. Many are open handed. Even the fists appeared relaxed. The strikes with the hands were very much the hands following whatever position the body was moving in and naturally following the movement. Because of this incorporation of natural movement and relaxation, Vasiliev combined many strikes together in chains of continuous attacks. Wherever one strike ended, the next one began. A strike across the face, then pulling and turning the head with the hand on the way back. A forward moving elbow across to the face, a rip down the chest unbalancing the attacker, a strike to the groin, all without stopping. An upper cut, an elbow down upper cut, an elbow to the shoulder on the way down, a fist to the spine on the back. A note about the strikes I saw Vasiliev doing. The impacts were heavy, and when they were directed to the hip area, back, or leg, they went deep and unbalanced the attacker, rather than just attacking the target area. Also, there was a lot of intent in the strikes, so that the attacker seeing the strike clearly affected his body. As we practiced, the attackers were practicing to be responsive and respond to the counters in a relaxed manner, and respond to the counters while moving naturally and slipping or minimizing the impacts and making sure that the impact on the floor was soft. I noticed that Vasiliev would slip off to the side with some advanced students occasionally while we were practicing what he demonstrated. They were practicing much closer to full speed on a hardwood floor, and their ukemi was soft and graceful. Some folks training in aikido could definitely take a lesson in trying to do the same to see if their own falls allow them to survive repeated ukemi on hard floors.

We now broke into groups of 3-4, moving slowly, with the attackers kicking, and the guy in the middle evading, slipping, using his legs and arms, and incorporating strikes of all kinds, but again, moving slowly, and making sure the strikes came naturally out of the movement. Practicing in the groups with small spaced and multiple attackers forced me to not linger on one attacker, because 2 more were coming all the time. Also, basic randori principles applied. The slow movement really allowed me to see how I could use and manipulate the position of the attackers to my advantage. The pressure of the multiple attackers also forces the strikes to come out of the body movement, since there was not time to waste in setting up a strike, or reaching for some strike that would take an extra half-second to execute.

Vasiliev stressed over and over again that technique was not as important as proper and natural relaxed body movement. He said he could use the time to show specific techniques, but this was not the really important thing. Over and over again, he started with sensitivity and movement exercises, and only later moved to adding hands and feet and showing technique. He stressed that moving naturally and responding with natural movement was the primary concern. Indeed, I found that after we went through these exercises and got to the free form multiple attackers, techniques were indeed coming naturally. I should also say at this time that Vasiliev stressed breathing a lot. As he demonstrated, his clear deep and relaxed breathing was evident, and he often made it audible, probably to make sure we would understand that we should endeavor to breath in that manner as well.

WORK WITH THE SHORT STAFF (JO)

We then moved on to working with the jo, or short staff. Vasiliev began by explaining that the jo can be used to massage the bodies soft tissue. We did this a bit, rolling and rubbing the jo all over on the larger muscles. He then demonstrated an exercise that I only really understood a little later. Vasiliev took a student and had him stand with feet a little more than shoulder width apart, and with the arms up in the air on either side of the body. He began to gently hit the person with the jo, telling him to exhale forcefully when the impact came. He placed his hits on larger muscle groups, starting off pretty soft, but slowly escalated to the force of the strikes till they got pretty hard. He explained that it was an exercise to maintain relaxation and take the impact. He then focused his strikes on the solar plexus, and the strikes got pretty hard. The student he had up took harder and harder hits, and near the end, Vasiliev was applying them with a lot of whipping force. The exhalations of air on impact were very hard, and the student shook his upper body between hits as they got harder, apparently trying to relax more. So after this demo, he had everyone get with a partner and experiment. Everyone broke into pairs, and he asked if anyone wanted to try with him. I volunteered . . .

The first hits to my solar plexus were light, then got much harder. By the sixth or seventh one, they really stung, and I had to use my exhalation a lot to take the impact and relax my upper body, abs and diaphragm, which were slowly accumulating tension as the hits got harder. I noticed that the strong exhalation did put a little tension in the abdominal muscles if you timed it exactly to the impact, but the point was not to tense the muscles to resist the strike. I felt tension accumulate more and more in the area getting hit and my upper body in general, and tried hard to relax, exhale hard, and shake it off in between strikes. The next hit was even harder, it stung, but I was still OK. Vasiliev paused. I let my arms down, and I said "It's not too bad." There may have been a hint of self-satisfaction in my voice and demeanor . . . which may have encouraged what happened next. I forget the exact words, but Vasiliev said something like. "No, not too bad, the point is to keep going." I understood this as encouragement to continue, and was a bit reluctant based upon the pain of the last hit, but, I figured I better experience whatever I can while it is available. I took the position again, and Vasiliev hit me right in the solar plexus, and my diaphragm started to spasm just a tad. You know, that wonderful effect when you get punched in the stomach and get the wind knocked out of you. I felt it start, but the exhaling and the trying to relax stopped it before it got to take a hold. But I had a lot of residual tension I could not shake off. The next strike did it. The pain was intense, and I felt the nerve impulses go right to my head, and my diaphragm completely locked up. I nearly passed out and started to doubled over. Fortunately, Vasiliev appears to have known exactly what he was doing. He caught my attention before I lost my focus (and consciousness), and told me to stand up straight, breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. I followed this direction, except that for about 25 seconds, I could not actually inhale or exhale, but the effort to do so eventually got my diaphragm out of its rock solid spasm. Vasiliev told me that when you get hit like that, don't bend over, since the muscles will lock up even worse. Basically, stand up straight or lay down straight, but don't bend at the waist. Good advice I will surely remember. It was only after getting hit so hard and noticing the building up of tension in the upper body and solar plexus that I think I actually understood the exercise. It sounds a bit brutal, but really wasn't. For some reason, something in Vasiliev's demeanor and character made me trust him, despite the fact that I watched him hit the guy before me really hard with a jo, and had him doing the same to me. It was done very matter of factly, and I really appreciated it. The bruise that came up later was extraordinary, and made the next day's work on the floor, and other sensitivity exercises, pretty dicey. But on the whole, a good experience. Aside from a lesson in relaxation, also a good lesson in humility.

We worked for the next part of the seminar with the jo. We did a warm-up where #1 held the jo up vertically and parallel to the floor at various levels starting at chest height. #2 had to drop laterally under the jo and come up on the other side. #1 would then lower the jo to abdomen, waist, thigh, and knee level, and finally, the floor level. #2 had to stay relaxed and find different ways to slip under the jo without moving it or hitting it.

Vasiliev demonstrated very basic evasive movement against two attackers with jos, and then had us work in groups of three, with two attackers with jos slowly and constantly try to poke the third guy. The third guy's job was to relax, evade the attacks, and not use hands. Just use movement. We did this for a good while. It is an excellent exercise both for movement and timing, especially once I got the hang of all the possible movement options, and tried to keep the size of my movement to a minimum. Vasiliev then demonstrated against a single attacker with a jo, this time using his hands and demonstrating a string of techniques to throw the attacker and take away the weapon. He did not focus on any particular technique, but made it very clear that the techniques came out of the movement. So there was no specific focus on a particular technique, but to just let the technique flow naturally. Before he had us train this idea, he pulled up a three student with jos, and had then attack him, and then fooled around a bit against them after picking up a jo himself. His movement was really beautiful, relaxed and effective. His use of the jo was also very creative. I have some limited background in Muso Ryu, but Vasiliev's use of the jo was really fun to watch because it was so unstructured, responsive, and moment to moment.

We then broke into pairs, and worked on evading poking attacks (tsuki), moving slowly, not using strength, and finding efficient ways to disarm the attacker or his stick. I was lucky to work with a student with a firm foundation in Systema, and was happy to see him stop me when he felt I was using any force or pulling or pushing against his strength. Basic aikido principles were evident. This was a very good exercise. Many of my own repertoire of aikido jo tori techniques came out, but also, after doing this free form exercise for a while, many techniques came out spontaneously. I enjoyed this very much, and see it particularly useful for aikidoka who train almost exclusively in completely structured and controlled waza.

Then Vasiliev demonstrated against an overhead, shomen-uchi type strike. He first demonstrated how to slip the strike with no hands, just a small movement of the shoulder and the leg; he bowed his leg out very slightly on the side the jo was moving past in order to protect the foot. Then he incorporated arm movement. The movement was not far different from the irimi movement done in aikido to head towards a kote kaeshi tenkan. It was just bit closer, with not too much extension of the arms and less degree of turn. He went on to show a number of techniques where you could use the jo to make the attacker hit himself. He finally demonstrated free-style work with multiple jo-wielding attackers doing whatever strike they wanted, with many techniques involving use of trips, leg traps and jams naturally incorporated into the movement. This was especially nice, since this is not done too much in aikido, but is part of some of the other martial arts I studied. But these techniques were very soft and relaxed, a relied a lot on redirecting the victims leg at the moment of the weight shifting or the strike hitting. Again, none of it used any brute force. All very aiki. At the end of this set, he himself picked up a jo and worked against several attackers with sticks. It had a lot of one-handed work in it, with body and weapons movement that was very relaxed and loose. It was very easy for him to control these attachers with weapons and get them to hit each other and get tied up in each other.

We proceeded to work in groups of 3 or 4, with one guy in the middle evading the slow strikes of the others jo-wielding attackers, and incorporating leg traps, trips, and unbalancing movements, as well as strikes. It was an excellent exercise. With attackers with jos in such small spaces, big techniques were impossible, and it really forced and economy of movement and tactical use of getting the attackers to hit each other or get in each others way.

Vasiliev's last demo for the day was a short discussion of multiple attackers. He pulled up a group of 5-6 guys and said that when you face a possibly aggressive group, it is best to keep a distance initially. Otherwise, the attackers get used to you, your presence, and your energy, and they begin to feel comfortable, and may more easily dominate you or be more prone to attack. By staying outside of their range, you still maintain the psychological advantage of surprise and uncertainty. He also noted that in mass attacks, not everyone will come at once, and you must take advantage of positions and the psychology of the situation. He said that with some practice with sensitivity and understanding of body language, you can tell who will initially attack, who wants to attack, and who does not want to attack, and use this to your advantage. He then demonstrated an interesting trick. He moved the guys into a shoulder to shoulder bunch and said one method is to sucker the group into attacking by giving them a target, in this case it was his chin. He ever so slightly hedged is face towards the group, moving in and back slightly and seeing what response it got from the attackers, he then inched in really close and the entire group came at him at once, and he drew back and down on to the floor, and the group followed him, moving forward with their punches, tripping over each other, and falling into a heap.

Vasiliev then asked for questions. Someone asked a question about how his strikes seem to unbalance the attackers. He then demonstrated a variety of strikes on a student. He showed how some were superficial, while others, although they looked soft, penetrated deeply and unbalanced the student. His strikes did not have a lot of "body" behind them and did always rely on hip movement, but they hit very hard and really affected the victim.

He compared strikes to the surface, versus ones that were the energy was directed to the spine or deeper into body tissue. Although the strikes looked similar, the effect on the student was very different. The "deep" strikes went right to the students center and brought him off balance and down. He also said that certain kinds of hits create tension, and one can use the tension created by a strike and follow up with another to create movement in, or unbalance, the attacker. He did a series of one-two combinations to show this principle. I could see that the first strike would create a certain tension in the upper body of the student, and they he would use another immediate follow up strike to take advantage of this tension. The second strike then really moved the opponent, and in almost any direction Vasiliev wanted. He also gave a curious demonstration, saying that shifting or traumatizing certain organs can produce and affect in the body. He took his hands and placed the edges of his hands right around where the student's liver was. He then made a small shaking movement with his hands, and the student collapsed. Vasiliev explained that the body reacts automatically and in an extreme way to feeling the internal organ displaced.

Another question came up from a student asking what if someone doesn't move in so deeply against you, but uses short jabs. He simply called the student up to show him what he meant. The student came up and took a few jabs, and Vasiliev softly redirected the jab with his near hand and gently redirected the guys lead knee and he dropped. Vasiliev said that you have to fight and respond to the person, and cannot focus on specific technique.

I left the first day sweaty and very excited. Vasiliev was really an excellent teacher in the sense that what he demonstrated and had us practice made sense in a practical way, and it built up from basic to more challenging progressively. I also keyed in very well to how in every area he was teaching, whether it was holds, stick work, or kicks, we started with body movement and only later ended up doing technique. Coming from a traditional aikido background, I really liked the lack of focus on technique, and the in-depth focus on natural movement, relaxation, and building technique out of movement.

Vasiliev was very engaging in class, very responsive to questions, and would throw or get down and dirty with anyone who would ask. He also had a great sense of humor and I was glad that he was very personable and warm, and clearly enjoys what he is doing. There were no injuries, (other than those volunteered for, like me), and all the students there were very focused on training, and respectful of each other. Much like in aikido, falling safely clearly seemed very important. I heard him admonish some local students for not having perfected their falling and rolling enough. My aikido training did prepare me well for the falling, but I also noted some interesting falling methods some of the advanced students were using, and was again impressed at how soft the advanced students were when they hi the floor. Not a lot of slapping out here. Try it on concrete a few times.

DAY 2

MORE WARM-UP EXERCISES WITH THE JO

The second day of the seminar began with more warm-up exercises with the jo.
1.#1 holds the jo vertically straight up off the floor. #2 stands as far back from the jo as he can and leans in with his arms outstretched over his head and grabs the jo. #2 then walks his hands down the jo hand under hand until he gets to the bottom, and them comes back up hand over hand.

The exercise is then repeated with #1 moving the jo around, making it harder for #2 to grab it.

Once you are able to do this individually, try to climb up and down the jo at the same time with your partner.

2.#1 hold the jo palms up, chest-width apart, with the jo close to his body at chest level. #2 grabs the jo. #1 then walks backwards until #2's arms are outstretched over his head. #2 is basically in a flat bridge, his body flat, with his feet on the floor and his hands stretched straight over his head. #2 holds this position as long as he can.

3.#1 and #2 sit across from each other, with legs spread open, pushing each others' feet. The jo is placed between them, and they grab it. #1 and #2 then have a tug of war with jo, seeing who can pull the other towards them.

4.#1 and #2 sit next to each other with legs out in front of them. The jo is placed across their laps, and they both grab the jo in front of them. Then #1 and #2 wrestle, trying to pull the jo away from each other. These "wrestling" exercises with the jo were grueling. Try them even for a couple of minutes. It's great for the grip and uses really useful combinations of muscle groups. We were soaked in just a few minutes.

5.Same as #4, except the jo is placed across behind #1 and #2's head and shoulders. They grab the jo there and try to wrestle it away from each other.

6.Same as #4, except the jo is placed across behind #1 and #2's lower back. They grab it behind them and try to wrestle it away from each other.

7.#1 and #2 lay on their backs. The jo is placed parallel to their bodies between them. They grab the jo and try to wrestle it away from each other.

8.Same as No. 7, except the jo is placed perpendicular to #1 and #2 across their bodies.

You can also try Nos. 7 and 8 laying face down if you're really brave and don't mind scuffing up some of the skin on your joints. In all of these wrestling exercised with the jo, you just need to make sure you don't poke, push, or pull and end of the jo into your partner's face.

SENSITIVITY DRILLS WITH THE JO

#1 lays on his back. #2 takes the jo and and applies strong pressure to points all over the front of #1's body. #1 has to try to relax and slip the pressing jo off his body with as little movement as possible, focusing on relaxing and manipulating his musculature. Repeat the same exercise with #1 on laying face-down, getting pressed on points all over the back of his body. Repeat the same exercise with #1 in an upward-facing wrestling bridge, pushing up with his hands near his head and with his feet flat on the floor.

We then did an exercise where #1 lays face down, and #2 stands up near #1's head and starts with the jo pressing on the small of #1's back. #1 has to swing up his legs one at a time and kick the stick off his back. The jo is then places in the mid back, upper back, shoulder level, and finally neck. #1 has to relax enough that he can maneuver his body to swing his leg to catch and hook the jo with his foot. This also requires back and leg muscles involvement coordinated with relaxation.

SENSITIVITY DRILLS WITH KNIVES

#1 stands in front of #2, and starts pressing the knife in various places on the front and sides of #2's body, including legs, but focusing on the chest, abdomen, etc. #2 is to relax and slip the knife by letting his body loosely move naturally in response to the pressure, but without moving around; i.e., no footwork, just staying in place. The point was to go slowly, not anticipate the pressure, and respond to the pressure of the knife in a very relaxed manner. The next stage of this exercise was for the guy getting poked to close his eyes and slip the pressure from the knife. Then, both #1 and #2 had to close their eyes. These exercises were really interesting and did help me get an idea of relaxing and responding to the feeling. Also, it was very hard to be the one doing the stabbing with the eyes closed.

The next stage was to have #1 slowly stab at #2, but to have #2 slip the knife, but to catch the blade from the side of the blade and redirect the knife hand back to #1's body, or otherwise trap the blade or lever it out of #1's hand, using only the body. This required a lot of relaxation and responsiveness, and letting the body be articulate in areas like the abdomen and chest that I was not used to. It was excellent training, and I got the hang of it quickly. Vasiliev's demonstration of this was amazing. I got the impression that in Systema, they are very comfortable with blades. They appear to like to train with real dulled knives and very realistic training knives. They also are very accustomed to touching the blade where it is safe (i.e., the side of the blade), and train in letting the attacking blade touch you as long as it is unable to apply cutting pressure. This opened up a huge variety of knife defenses I saw during the course of the seminar, that go far beyond the standard tanto-dori techniques of aikido.

We then moved on to the person getting stabbed (#2) moving around more, and having #1 slash, stab, and strike with the knife in any way he wants. #2 had to slip the knife attacks, and try to trap, lever out, or redirect the blade back to #1.

After doing this for a while, we added the element of the legs and feet. #1 attacks #2 in any way he wants with the knife, and #2, without using his hands, moves around, slips the strikes, and tries to trap, leverage out, or redirect the blade back at #1 using only his body, but now we added the element of trying to trip or trap #1's legs, or to unbalance him with leg movements. Vasiliev demonstrated a wide variety of movements along these lines, using several attackers and not repeating or focusing on any one movement. He stressed that technique was secondary, and that the most important point was to move correctly and have technique happen naturally.

Only during the last stage did we add using the hands. Vasiliev showed a lot of knife disarming techniques in rapid succession with several attackers in a very small space. We then has to do this exercise, moving very slowly, trying to stay relaxed, move naturally, and let techniques happen. The techniques fell into three basic categories a) using various movements to leverage the blade, redirect back at the attacker, and get him to stab himself; b) leading and redirecting the strikes to unbalance the attacker and get him to fall while controlling or disarming the knife; c) using various strikes with hands, legs, knees, shoulder, etc. to dislodge the knife from the opponents hand; d) any combination of the above.

After trying this for a while, we simply did freeform knife work, with #1 attacking in any manner he wanted, and #2 responding any way he wants. Using, strikes, leg trips and traps, throws, getting #1 to stab himself, and always controlling or disarming the knife. The point was to move slowly and focus on relaxed, natural movement.

This progression from slow sensitivity exercises to free form slow sparring with the blade was excellent. It really gave me a whole different perspective on movement, and on the possibility of different kinds of movement and techniques. By the time we got going in the slow free style attacking with the knife, I felt much more comfortable than I imagined I would, and the I found my aikido technique coming out naturally in all variety of unusual ways, along with new movements and techniques that spontaneously appeared.

The next exercise was interesting. Vasiliev explained that the problem in real-life situations with knives is that there is a tendency for the victim to move back and away, and this is dangerous, because the open space favors the attacker. He gave an exercise to practice constant forward movement against a knife attacker. #1 and #2 start about 3 meters apart. #1 takes a step and makes a strike, and in response, #2 makes a corresponding evasive movement, but only moving in the forward direction, not back. There is still distance between them. #1 then takes another step in and makes another attack of his choice, and #1 again has to make a responsive movement, although they are still safely apart. Finally, #1 makes a final forward step and strike. Now, #1 and #2 are close enough that #1's strike is an actual threat, and #2 responds with an actual disarming technique. This was a very good exercise, and did clearly show the idea of maintaining forward movement in the face of a knife attacker, and had clear application for empty-handed training as well.

Now we moved to the floor. #1 and #2 are on the floor in any position they want. #1 attacks #2 and #2 has to move and respond to evade or slip the attack, or apply any technique to throw, redirect, or disarm #1. It was all free-style floor work. It started with just evasion, and they went on to striking the attacker and disarming his knife. Vasiliev demonstrated this exercise, and I have to say it was beautiful to watch. He moved as deftly on the floor as he did standing up. His movements were so relaxed and he moved around on the floor without any problem or restriction. He was able to use his feet and legs as easily as his hands, managed to tie up and disarm the knife attacks as easily as he did standing up. I saw Vasiliev do a lot of ikkyo, kote kaeshi, and even kokyu nage done with legs and feet instead of arms and hands. He also showed every possible strike using the feet you could imagine.

We tried this exercise as well, moving slowly. I really enjoyed it, and after all the previous sensitivity exercises, got very comfortable very quickly on the floor against my knife-wielding partner. It was a really great experience. I was able after a time to move pretty freely, and found that I could use my feet to do versions of ikkyo, kote kaeshi, and kokyu nage techniques myself as I had see Vasiliev doing. It was a lot of fun, and opened my eyes to many possibilities. It was also a great confidence builder. I surprised myself at how effectively I could move on the ground and deal with a knife attack. After training in this way, hand work was added. It was easy to incorporate a lot of suwari waza from aikido, but I most enjoyed the use of feet and legs, and the types of movements we don't usually do in aikido, since Vasiliev was comfortable, moving, striking, and throwing in any position you could imagine on the floor.

PERSONAL PROTECTION/BODYGUARD WORK

The final session on Sunday was the personal protection/bodyguard work.

We began with a very simple exercise of pairing up and practicing walking around a stationary person. Vasiliev explained that it was very important to be able to move smoothy and quickly around the client, without interfering with him. We then continued this exercise, except with the "client" walking, with the other person trying to walk around the client smoothy and without getting in his way. The next exercise had us in groups of two, with one person as the client. The bodyguard was to face in the same direction as the client, and practice moving around the client from front to back and back to front as smoothly and quickly as possible. To explain, if the bodyguard is standing directly behind the client, and both are facing in the same direction, the bodyguard sidesteps with his right foot to step to the right of the client to pop out as his side, and then sidesteps around the client with his left foot to end up directly in front of the client. The same type of movement is then used to step off to the clients left and then back behind him. At first, these movements were done on a one-two count, but then with a little practice, I was able to shift from front to back on a one count.

We then broke up into groups of four, with two "bodyguards" and one client. The two bodyguards would stand next to each other behind the client, the threat would approach, and the two bodyguards would slip out from behind the client to out in front of him and in-between the client and the threat. Again, with practice, this exercise became very smooth.

Next we set up to lines of people about two meters apart, with the two lines facing each other. The bodyguard would walk the client between these lines from one end to the other, while the people in the two lines would try to grab the client. The bodyguard's job was to keep the people from touching the client by moving their hands away, or moving the client. This was not so easy. The problem I noticed was the bodyguard's tendency to get focused on the person he was dealing with at the moment, and while he attended to that interaction, others were coming in and touching the client. The exercise required practicing keeping your gaze relaxed and using full peripheral vision, and not getting preoccupied with any one person reaching for the client.

An exercise was introduced with tennis balls. I stood with my partner a couple of meters apart, and we started simply by tossing the ball to each other and catching it with one hand. After this, we were instructed to not look at the ball as it was thrown to us, but only use our peripheral vision. Once I got comfortable with this, me and my partner also tried doing this throwing balls at each other at the same time without looking directly at each other. This was a very good exercise, but also not so easy. It really forced me to work on my peripheral vision.

Next we practiced moving the client around us while standing still. We stood still, and we moved the client around us in a circle using only their arm, as gently and as smoothly as possible. This entailed passing the client to my left, grabbing his left arm with my right hand, and passing his left arm from my right to my left hand, then getting his right arm with my right hand as he passed by in front, then grabbing his right arm with my left hand and passing him behind me, grabbing his right arm with my right hand behind me, pulling him around to my front and grabbing his left arm with my left hand, and pulling across the front again. We practiced moving the client around in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. After we logged some time doing this, we got into groups of threes. The bodyguard stood behind the client, and the threat approached from the front. The bodyguard had to practice moving the client quickly to the side and behind him before the threat could reach the client.

The next exercise had to do with redirecting oncoming threats. We got into groups of two. One person approached the "bodyguard" straight on. Vasiliev demonstrated how to redirect the oncoming person by pushing their shoulder area near the collarbone with the hand. Basically, the movement began by moving the threat into a turn, and then the bodyguard would continue spinning the approaching threat around 180 degrees, and escort him away back in the direction he came from, or in any other direction, and we practiced doing this for quite a while. Vasiliev also showed the same kind of redirection achieved by pressing the hip of the approaching person. Vasiliev showed a variation of this exercise where the threat approached not head on, but passing by the bodyguard on one side or the other, toward the area the client was in. The movement he showed consisted of grabbing the threat's near arm and using it to spin him 180 degrees and escort him away. These were very useful simply from a movement and sensitivity standpoint, and I found them particularly interesting, since many of these basic principles apply in a variety of aikido movements.

We then began a series of sensitivity and awareness exercises. The first set involved #1 having a knife. #2 would turn away from #1, and #1 would place the knife anywhere on his person that was visible from the front. On a clap or a verbal "go" from #1, #2 had to spin around, visually locate the weapon, and grab it off #1. The next stage of this exercise escalated. #1 now would grab the knife and start to attack #2 but stop. So, on #1's cue, #1 would start to attack #2 while he was still facing away. #1 would then give the signal to turn, and #1 would stop the attack short of hitting #2, and #2's job was to both sense the attack, and on #1's cue, turn around, locate the attacking knife, and begin an evasive movement or a technique. We began this exercise very slowly. Vasiliev stressed that speed was not the point, but to develop sensitivity and respond naturally. The next stage of the exercise had #1 simply attacking #2 fully, and giving his signal to #2 at the start of the attack. On the signal, #2 had to turn and respond to the attack by evading and/or disarming with any technique. The knife attack could come from either hand, and the strike could be made in any manner. Again, we were told to start very slowly, which we did. I found this set of exercises really useful. It really forced me not to think about what I was going to do, but to simply respond spontaneously, an all the while keeping my mind alert and trying to sense the attack and not loose my attention. Once I got going and felt a little more comfortable with this, the techniques came naturally and spontaneously, and I in turn was able to relax more and be much more responsive and sensitive as I stopped trying to anticipate or think. It was also nice to see many variations of the many knife disarming techniques form aikido come out naturally, as well as many other possible evasion and disarming moves that came up on their own in the moment to moment interaction of movement between me and my partners.

FIREARMS AND TENNIS BALLS

Next, we moved to some basic exercises with firearms and tennis balls. #2 stood with his back to a wall, with the practice weapon in his waist in whatever position he was comfortable carrying it. #1 stood facing #2 a few meters away, holding the tennis ball. #1 would throw the tennis ball, gently at first, at #2, who had to evade the tennis ball, draw the weapon, and fire on #1. Vasiliev demonstrated a bunch of evasive moves to get out of the way of the tennis ball; to the side, dropping down, slipping, etc. It seemed in practice, however, that dropping had many natural advantages, whether it was on the back, or just on to one knee, or even just squatting a bit. We got into groups and practiced many variations of this, with different evasive movements, practicing moving to both sides, dropping, turning, trying different carry positions, etc. And of course, once we felt more comfortable, the tennis ball was thrown a little faster and harder. The second stage of this exercise involved a third man as the client. Now, the client stood with his back to the wall, #2 stood next to him, and #1 was standing facing them, and trying to throw the ball at and hit the client. #2's job was to move the client out of the way of the oncoming tennis ball, not get hit with it himself, get himself as much as possible between him and the client, and draw and fire the weapon. This was not so easy. Pushing the client out of the way and dropping seemed to work best, but we experimented with variations, such as the client only being allowed to be pulled towards #2 instead of being pushed away. It also became more complicated because #1 could throw the ball at any part of the client's body, and it was tricky making sure that the part of the body that was actually in the path of the tennis ball actually got out of the way. For example, if the ball is coming at the legs, pushing or pulling the clients arm, or even his shoulder, produces a bit of a lag time before the legs move out of the way. This is fine if the ball is coming at the torso, but not the legs. In some circumstances, I found I had to directly move the client from the hip and center. Other situations presented similar problems, such as the ball coming at the head. There is a lot of slack in pulling on the arm before the head actually gets out of the way. Sometimes, the head had to be moved. Even apart from the obvious efficacy for this type of training for any real security professional, I found these exercises to be very instructive, since they trained reaction time, responsiveness, spacial awareness, and keeping your head straight under stress. I had a really good time with them. And, using my imagination, I began to think of even further complicated and difficult exercises in a similar vein.

Next, we moved to a set of takedowns off of handshakes. Vasiliev explained that in many circumstances, people will mechanically shake your hand if you offer, and, from a personal protection standpoint, offering a handshake, and the response you get, will tell you a lot about the intent of the person in front of you.

The first technique had you shaking hands with the threat. You release your grip slightly, rotate your wrist, around, over, and to the left, hook his thumb, and apply a twisting and downward pressure to bring the person down. In a variation, the thumb was hooked around the back of #2's thumb more, while in the other variation, the index and middle fingers were moved around behind #2's thumb to apply a slightly different kind of pressure.

The second technique started from the handshake. #1 would simply turn counterclockwise while rotating his wrist counterclockwise, moving slightly towards and to the left of #2. #1 would let his hand get behind him and apply downward pressure, and #2 would drop. A number of pins and restraints were shown to finish it off.

The third technique involved #1 shaking #2's hand, but with #1 grasping the back of #2's hand with his left hand. You know, a very friendly and vigorous handshake. #1 uses the pinky and ring finger of his left hand to peel #2's pinky up and straighten it out, bend it back a little the wrong way against the middle joint, and then apply pressure straight into the pinky towards #2's hand using the heel of his palm. This hurt like hell by the way. I assume by how it felt that it would be very easy to break this little finger.

The next one was my favorite. #1 shakes #2's hand. #1 then uses the bones in his forearm or near the heel or back of his hand to rub down the bone of #2's forearm from elbow to wrist. Those trained in aikido are familiar with the attacks to the nerves in the forearm in different types of yonkyo applications. Well, this is very much the same. This movement surprises #2 and for some reason easily unbalances him, and then #1 moves back and to his right and applies pressure near #2's elbow and takes him down with a little spiral motion. It is interesting to note, however, that it is not necessarily a matter of pain. We experimented doing this rub along the forearm bone with less and less force, and realized it almost works better if you don't press too hard. Part of its effectiveness has to do with the movement from the elbow to the wrist, and how it affects #2's body and balance. It almost collapses him a bit.

The last handshake technique was basically dealing with encountering resistance to the second handshake technique I described above. #1 shakes #2's hand and starts to rotate and turn, but #2 lifts his hand and applies pressure upward to #1's hand as it it moving behind #1's back. This unbalances #1 upwards and is not a good position to be in. So, #1 turns clockwise towards #2 (now they are almost shoulder to shoulder), drops his elbow while pushing #2's elbow forward and up while encouraging a bend in #2's arm at the elbow, and scoops up under #2's right elbow as #1's right hand is dropping, bringing #2's elbow towards his shoulder. This movement twists #2's arm and elbow up in the air, bends his entire upper body backwards, and ties up his arm completely. This technique is not unlike several of the ude katame techniques in aikido.

We were having lots of fun, and consequently, the time flew by. At the end, Vasiliev took questions. A student asked about what to do with an experienced knife fighter who attacked with short jabs and went after your arms. Vasiliev said its best to shoot him, or ever better, talk to him and distract him while your buddy sneaks up on him and kills him from behind the Spestnaz way. But in the serious part of the answer to this question, Vasiliev spoke again about not worrying over technique, and that you must fight the person in front of you. He also pulled up a student with a knife and spoke about manipulating the timing and rhythm of the other person. He said that people can attack with different attitudes, and you need to know what to look for and how to feel them out. He explained that in tense real-life situations, you can test the other person, such as by making sudden movements and seeing how he reacts. He said that some people will come at you non-stop no matter what you do. Others may respond in a jerky fashion, and may flinch at a feigned strike. He said the mindset of these two examples are very different and you can take advantage of their psychological state in different ways. But he stressed that it was essential to key into the other person's timing and rhythm and disrupt it.

Another question came up about putting people to sleep. For those of you who don't know, Vasiliev's teacher from Russia, Mikhail Ryabko, produced an amazing video called Beyond the Physical. Ryabko was trained in the Russian fighting arts by one of Stalin's personal bodyguards. The tape is phenomenal, since it covers very simple movement issues, and gives a deep insight into the underlying concepts behind the Russian fighting system. Ryabko's randori is beautiful, because it there is incredible economy of movement, and the intent he carries in his movement and strikes is incredible. It is not fast, but full of power. In fact, his randori on this tape looks a lot like the large group randori's you will find in the films capturing O'Sensei's randori in his last years.

Anyway, I digress. On this tape, Ryabko very matter of factly demonstrates how he is able to put a couple of student to sleep in about a minute. So the question at this seminar came from someone who had likely seen this tape. Vasiliev explained that it was not a big deal and anyone could do it. He pulled a student at random from the crowd, and had him lay on his back. Vasiliev sat next to him, and explained that all you need to do is know how to relax the person. Vasiliev began to gently touch and stroke the student on his chest, upper arms, abdomen, thighs, very slowly and lightly. As he did this, he explained that he was just helping the student relax, and he was going to do it in such a way as to make it very hard for the student to get up. Vasiliev continue to lightly stroke the student, and touch him, and watched him very intently all the time. The student never actually closed his eyes. But I say his breathing change to very deep and slow within about 15 seconds. Then, his eyes became visibly heavy, and half-closed. Then, the student tried to move a little, and giggle and cooed a bit, but couldn't formulate words. It was much like the effect you get when talk to a person who is half asleep. Vasiliev then stopped making contact with the student's body, and simply kept moving his hands a little over the student's body, and about 35 seconds in, he stopped doing anything and simply sat back. The student tried to move a little. He shifted his weight from side to side, obviously trying to lift a leg or an arm. He was totally groggy, and was obviously conscious enough to feel amused, since he let out a bit of a slurred giggle as he tried to lift a limb or sit up, but he just couldn't. His eyes were half open. After about 20 seconds of the student trying to get up, Vasiliev came back next to him, and waved his hands over the student for second or two. He then placed his hand on his solar plexus and rubbed him a little there, and then gave him a little thump. The student woke up, and was very groggy. He sat up, and kept having to shake his head. He couldn't formulate words for a few seconds. He then laughed a little and said, "I couldn't do anything."

I noticed that during this demonstration, Vasiliev was very keyed into the student and psychologically connected to him, never taking his attention off of him. Afterwards, Vasiliev explained that if you know how to really relax yourself, you can relax another easily, and if you are tense, you can make others tense as well. It was a very impressive demonstration, not the first time I have seen or done this, by the way. It is not unique to Systema by any means. But very impressive, and, I was awed by the fact that it was done in merely seconds, and done very matter-of-factly and with no fanfare.

Finally, I squeezed in my question. I told Vasiliev that I noticed that he kept his fists very relaxed while punching, and he did not make the typical tight fist you see in other martial arts. Vasiliev answered that the fist he makes is tense for him, but loose for me. He make his fist and shook his arm, to show that the muscles in his forearm and upper arm were still loose. He said that in Systema, they also don't do a lot of the typical hard stiff strikes you often see in other martial arts. He said that when you hit someone like that, the force gets transferred back to you; that it is like getting hit yourself, and so, in addition, they also use a lot of strikes that hook or hit off line of the body, so the reaction force does not come back at you. As a final note, I will say that Vasiliev was also able to generate punches with a lot of force just off the shoulder, without hip involvement. It was very unusual.

CONCLUSION

In the end, the Systema seminar with Vasiliev was excellent, and I recommend it to anyone, regardless of their level of martial arts' experience. I am a total novice when it comes to Systema, so I cannot say how or if a Systema practitioner might gain from aikido practice. But I do have a strong background in aikido, and feel I can authoritatively say that those with an aikido background, particularly advanced aikido students, can gain a lot from Systema, as the underlying principles are very similar, and in many ways, the training is very complementary. Advanced students in particular will gain a lot from the free-style format, and the principle of natural movement being primary, and technique being allowed to grow and flow out of the relaxed natural movement.

If you are going to be at the Expo, you really should check out Systema for yourself, and actually get on the mat and experience it yourself. This seminar experience was very rewarding for me and gave me a huge number of ideas and creative possibilities. It also left me wanting more training in Systema. I don't see a conflict with aikido training at all. As far as "taking what is useful" goes, there is a lot to be taken here.
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RachelKlingberg

 

Here are some notes from Vlad's recent knife seminars at Fighthouse on June 3-4. As always, a big thank-you to Vlad for coming all the way from Canada to teach us, and of course to Peggy and Edgar for hosting another fine seminar. I don't know if you realize how lucky we are in the metro NY area. In just over two and a half years, I've attended 12 two-day seminars at Fighthouse, with such illustrious teachers as Scott Connor, Jim King, Emmanuel Manolakakis, Mikhail Rybako, Vladimir Vasiliev, and Martin Wheeler, many of them more than once. So I just wanted to add a public thank-you to Peggy and Edgar for all the training opportunities they provide for students, I am convinced we are among the most fortunate of all students in North America, thanks to their hard work and dedication.

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),

Rachel

 

Saturday

 

It was great to see Vlad again. Feeling shy, I didn't want to interrupt his conversation with the other students, so I wasn't going to greet him before the seminar. Then I saw that he was looking right at me with a big friendly smile, as if he couldn't be more glad to see me. He's such a warm, kind person, it's hard not to feel comfortable around him. My mom and I went over to say Hello, and she told him that working with knives was her favorite Systema topic, and I admitted it wasn't mine but I hoped the seminars would change that. I enjoy Systema training no matter what the topic; working with knives is just not one of my favorites. I'm not entirely sure why, maybe it has something to do with the way the knife draws the consciousness. Some people focus so entirely on the knife when disarming me, wrenching the knife out of my hand, which seems rather reckless, and ignoring the rest of the body. On the other hand, the person wielding the knife is usually more aware of the blade than of the rest of his body, which can be helpful for self-defense. Even so, I can't help agreeing with Martin Wheeler, who once told us he'd run away from a schoolgirl with a rusty pen-knife. But I can't count on awareness, avoidance, and discretion as my only means of self-defense; some things are beyond our control. Knife attacks are some of the most psychologically challenging self-defense situations and I'm very glad to have learned a bit about it from an expert who is also an exceptional teacher.

 

We started out with the breathing and tensing exercises, which are described in the back of Let Every Breath. These are familiar to most Systema students. We lay on the floor and Vlad led us through inhales and exhales while tensing or relaxing different parts of the body, starting with the whole body, then just the legs, arms, and chest, sometimes fast, or slow, and rotating different parts. For example, we'd inhale and tense the arms and legs, exhale and relax the arms and legs and tense the torso. It's hard to isolate the parts, to tense the arms without the shoulders, or the legs without the butt. Incidentally, I saw a survival documentary (The Science's Channel's Survivorman) where this tensing and relaxing was described as a defense against hypothermia. If your spine feels cold, your body temperature might be dangerously low and tensing and releasing the muscles could save your life.

 

Vlad then asked us to feel our pulse in the temples, then the throat, and then the heartbeat itself. I couldn't feel my heartbeat, although I could feel it in my throat and temples. He then asked us to connect the pulses, but I was still distracted by not feeling my pulse below the neck. Actually I've never had much success with this particular exercise, maybe because of muscular restriction ('trigger points') which can limit sensitivty to biorthymns.

 

After the breathing, we did a few pushups, for which Vlad asked us to move our arms around into different positions, straight in front, out to the side, slide the legs back, and then 5 without breath, also a few sit-ups. The no-breath is easier when you have no warning; Vlad would tell us to inhale or exhale and then ask us to do them. We also did 10 pushups on our partner's prone bodies, back and front, which is a nice massage in some places, in others, quite uncomfortable. Then some pushups using knives in one or both hands, balancing the hilt or the point on the floor and leaning into it to go up and down, or with both hands around the knife, alternating the hand that's on top. I found the latter to be the easiest. We did a few squats and some very difficult partnered one-legged squats where you hold each other's opposite leg straight and go down to the floor, sit down, and rise again without letting go of each other's legs. This was a tough one, I looked around and saw that very few people could do it. Also solo one-legged squats where your partner holds your hand as you go up and down. Vlad explained if they're having trouble balancing, you can help steady them, but if it's too easy for them, to move the hand around and throw them off balance.

 

Then he showed how wiggle underneath someone on the laying on their back on the floor by poking them with the tip of the knife to make them rise up again. He asked us to do this, on our stomachs, and on our backs, and he showed how if the person sank down again while you were still crawling under, continue to poke them to make space for yourself. It's a lot easier than doing it without the knife as we did at the Delaware seminar!

 

We also did a group drill with five or six people, tossing the knives around. At first we started with just one knife, throwing it randomly at another person, then two, then three, until there were as many knives as people. Vlad had asked us to catch the knives only by the handles, making this more difficult than doing the same drill with short sticks, as we did at Scott C.'s stick seminars. Pretty soon, all you could hear was the sound of clattering knives hitting the floor. Most people can catch knives throw at them from the front, it's the ones from the side that are tricky. Since we've been practicing some of these exercises in Edgar's subsequent classes, I've gotten a little better at catching them (alas, not so much at throwing them). One thing that helps is to stand back a bit so you can use your peripheral vision to see in all directions. If you were to draw a circle connecting the people throwing the knives, it should be rounded, if you're standing too far in from the others, breaking the curve, it's difficult to see the knives. Another thing that helps is to just let the knife come to you. Of course, you have to move to catch it. But if you focus on catching it like an outfielder catching a fly ball, you'll miss all the other ones flying in your direction. And finally, there's a paradoxical piece of advice that Edgar once gave me, long ago, when he was throwing a tennis ball at me from behind, dropping it over my head or pitching it from underneath, and I kept missing. He told me to just relax and not think about catching the ball. I couldn't believe how well this worked. As soon as I stopped focusing so intently on catching it, it became a lot easier. Catching the knives is no different, it's strange how the more you want to catch them, the harder it is, whereas if you just let yourself catch them without thinking, it's a lot easier. However, I only got the hang of these things in Edgar's subsequent classes; I recall that during Vlad's seminar, I was dropping the knives all over the place.

 

We spent a lot of time on Saturday learning how to use the knife and especially the tip of it to control our partners. Vlad told us that to use the knife effectively, the wrists have to be strong, but relaxed. A little bit later, he asked people to put their knives in a pile in front of him on the floor and had us all come in closer. There were maybe a dozen different knives, mostly practice ones. Someone was called up to translate, which I think allowed Vlad to be more precise in his explanations (many thanks to the bearded fellow who translated for us.) "The knife determines how you will fight, not the other way around," he said, picking up a short curved blade. "This couldn't be used for stabbing, it's for slashing," and said the same for a small blade. The most durable knives, he said, are the ones made entirely of one piece of metal. He picked up one with a hilt and said the pommel is useful so you don't cut yourself, but if the metal of the blade didn't extend all the way to the end of the handle, it would not be as strong. He talked about "mercy blades" used in ancient warfare, long stilettos used to put gravely wounded knights out of misery, and highly damaging four-sided bayonet blades used for stabbing. He described a large military blade as functional with a measuring ruler and serrated edge for sawing. He also talked a bit about withdrawing the blade and how difficult it can be, for that reason, it's not necessary to thrust so deeply to wound the attacker. For non-lethal defense with a knife, he suggesting opening a small cut on the face, rather than slashing the throat. This will cause a lot of blood flow and probably adverse psychological effect on the attacker. Vlad also explained how if you were cut, it was important to hold the wound so as not to bleed further. Aside from not bleeding out, it will also help control your own fear as well as preventing the attacker from seeing you bleed. He said you if you were cut on your hand, you could hold the knife handle against the cut in such a way as to minimize bleeding, and also prevent the knife from slipping.

 

While Vlad was telling us about the various knives on the floor, he slipped in an interesting anecdote about soldiers who were grievously wounded. He said that some of them had crawled for miles to get to safety, sometimes holding in their own entrails. But when they arrived and were under medical care, thinking they were safe, they gave up the psychological struggle and died. There was a kind of black humour in this story, but I found it rather sad. I think it illustrates an important point about the struggle for survival, particular as it was right after Vlad told us about how to mimimize bleeding from knife wounds. As Paul Genge wrote on the MartialTalk forum, a knife-wielding attacker can still kill you with his last breath, and the challenge of survival might be far more than incapacitating the attacker, just as the wounded soldiers' struggle was beyond crawling to safety.

 

Vlad also recounted a story about a man who was stabbed in the back of the shoulder with a knife, but kept on fighting, then later, when he was told he had a knife sticking out of his back, he passed out. Thinking about how he told us that it's not necessary to thrust so deeply, I can't help wondering about whoever stuck that knife in the guy's shoulder. Not only did he lose his knife, but the guy kept fighting. It's hard to thrust deeply without also exposing yourself to danger from hyperextending your arm or getting very close to the opponent's blade. If you miss the vital target and thrust too deeply into cartilage or bone, it could cause you to lose the knife, or tarry too long trying to get it out again, giving the attacker a chance to retaliate. There was a recent rash of subway stabbings here in NYC, 4 victims in 24 hours. One of them said that he didn't notice he had been stabbed until he looked down and saw blood. There are also anecdotes about people who have been stabbed continuing to fight, like Jim Bowie's legendary "Sandbar Fight", which is probably somewhat exaggerated by popular imagination. But it is documented that Bowie was shot through one lung and stabbed repeatedly with sword-canes, yet still managed to kill his assailant from a prone position with his famous knife. Vlad demonstrated that cuts and slashes can damage an attacker as well as a thrust. Loss of blood, even from a minor wound such as a cut on the face, can cause psychological distress which will weaken the resolve of some opponents.

 

Even though the above discussion was a bit later in the seminar, I think it makes sense at the beginning of these notes. But returning to the proper chronology, Vlad demonstrating putting someone down by poking them with the knife tip, then making him stand up again also using the point of the knife, and asked us to practice the same. For this, the person being poked was stationary. Vlad walked around the room offering pointers. He was very engaged with the students and I think he spent time teaching everyone individually. He poked me down to the floor and then up again with the point of the knife and I moved quickly to avoid the pokes. He said, good! But I wasn't sure what he was complimenting me about, as I thought that the exercise was mainly for my partner, but when we did it again in Edgar's class afterward, he explained it's also sensitivity work for the partner being poked up and down. At the seminar, I didn't quite understand this, nor did my partner, and we were waiting for pressure from the practice blade to force us to fall rather than yielding to light contact which would be more appropriate for a knife. Of course a real blade would make anyone look alive if poked! We also did the same thing but with the one person moving away and trying to escape the knife, and the other following and using either the point to poke, the handle to apply pressure to the areas exposed, or using the knife as a lever to lock the neck or the arm, to collapse them. The knife handle works very well against the fingernails and collarbone.

 

Next we did an exercise where your partner grabs your knife hand with one or both hands and you rotate your wrist to use the handle to apply pressure to the undersid of their wrist to break the hold. For this, Vlad told us the wrist has to be relaxed, it cannot be done if the wrist is tense. We spent a brief time on grab and escape drills, first, empty-handed, then using the knife to counter the grabs. We also practiced a dexterity exercise. One person makes triangular opening with both hands by placing the thumb and forefingers together, hands flat and palms facing outward. The other person has to thrust the knife through it, moving away, and back again, from different directions. Then the other person moves the opening around at different levels and side-to-side, then finally, walks around and moves the opening, at which point it does become tricky to thrust the knife into the opening, timing is critical.

 

We did a group drill where one person used the knife to defend against two. Vlad demonstrated this slowly: the two were only to approach the one with hands outstretched at head level, as if to grab. They were not to rush in and tackle the one in the center; we all had to respect the knife even though most of us were working with dull practice blades (Earlier, Vlad told us that live blades are rarely used in martial arts training for legal and moral reasons, all it takes is one idiot to inflict serious and possibly lethal injury to a student). The person in the center had to use the knife to defend against their approach, using the tip to cut, the edge to slash, putting them into each other, etc. I corralled a Systema teacher for this one, as I felt it would be good to get some extra advise, so we had a group of four. But I don't think one extra person makes much of a difference. The teacher in our group went first to give us some ideas. I went next, I wasn't sure exactly how to proceed, but the teacher said I was doing well. Suddenly Vlad was at my side saying, good! I got nervous at his sudden, unexpected presence and froze up. Vlad gave us a brief demonstration. I saw that he was much more proactive with the knife, where I had been sort of waving aside the attacking people; he was using it decisively, making small cuts and slashes, in a more offensive way. After that, I forgot my nervousness at being observed. it was easier to continue. Vlad's demonstrations are more helpful than any words, just watching him makes the principles so much more clear.

 

Returning to pairs, we did a fairly straightforward drill where your partner comes at you with the knife, you take him down and make sure to control the knife or disarm, but using one arm only. This sounds harder than it is. Actually, I find that using one arm doesn't make much difference. Sometimes it can even be easier, because when using one arm, there are less choices, less to think about, you just have work with what you have. For some reason, I find that the restrictions free my mind, maybe because I have a kind of reserved, restrained personality, and if there are too many choices, I find myself unable to move decisively. I think that's why working in confined spaces, especially against the wall or in a chair, is some of my favorite Systema practice.

 

 

We also did the same drill but both partners had knives. One person attacks the other, who has to use the knife to defend, by using the knife to rotate or lock the attacking arm, or just taking them down, but making sure to control or disarm their knives and positioning your own knife at a vulnerable point. Our focus on Saturday was very much on using the knives, and especially being aware of both the attacker's blade as well as our own. The knife leaves no room for sloppiness. Vlad said it's important to know where the knife is, not where your hand is. He demonstrated aiming his hand at someone's neck while the point of the knife missed entirely, or slashing in a wide arc and cutting himself accidentally, as examples of how this lack of awareness can be costly.

 

Vlad also showed us a bit about withdrawing and drawing the knife. For withdrawing, he had someone hold the knife between their palms, hands pressed firmly together, with the handle facing outward. Vlad showed us how pulling the knife straight out was very difficult, as mentioned earlier when he explained that it can be difficult to withdraw the knife from a body. He demonstrated twisting the knife, then withdrawing, and also rocking the knife either upwards or downwards, then withdrawing with a rapid whiplike motion. I found that with the rocking the knife up or down, you have to withdraw it quickly, dropping your body weight as you pull it. Simply tugging won't do the trick, you first have to twist or rock it up or down, and then withdraw it as if cracking a whip. Even though it's only between one person's two palms, it's actually a lot harder to withdraw it that one might have guessed. Vlad also had us leading the person holding the knife between the palms, walking around holding the handle of the knife, leading them up and down, etc., and they had to follow and stay close. He also showed up how you can draw the knife from the waist or pocket by extending the leg back, moving leg first, to make it come out more easily. He had us practice this and when he came to me, he said I should make sure to move the leg first before drawing the knife. Not only does it allow the knife to be drawn more quickly and easily, it's also a distraction, because the movement of the leg camoflauges the knife itself. To practice the draws, our partners approached us and we had to draw the knife as Vlad had shown us and touch them with it, front or back. Sounds simple, but timing is everything, and sometimes, my partner had already walked too far past me by the time I drew my knife.

 

 

For our final exercise, Vlad asked us all to walk around, and each time he clapped, we were to draw our knives. At first we didn't quite understand, everyone just drew their knives and sort of wondered what to do. Then he told us that when he clapped, we were to either fall or roll, draw the knife, and be in a position of readiness with it. I've always enjoyed these "clapping" drills where you have to fall or roll or lay flat each time the instructor claps. It's very much like a game, but at the same time, it's completely practical, you don't have a chance to plan what you are going to do, so it's great for practicing spontaneous movements.

 

Vlad asked us if we had any questions, but I don't think anyone did on Saturday evening. He explained everything quite well, sometimes through a translator, and he also went around the room instructing us individually. A great experience for all of us, I am sure. A few hours later, Edgar and Peggy set up a marvelous Russian banquet and we all enjoyed many delicious authentic foods, wine, and beer, and good conversation with friends. Although I will post again about Sunday, I just want to include a quick thank-you to Edgar and Peggy for being such terrific hosts, and for arranging another fine seminar at Fighthouse, and of course, many thanks to Vlad for coming all the way from Canada to teach us, and to everyone who came to participate.

 

(to be continued)

 

I forgot to add that Martin Wheeler guest-taught the Friday evening class preceeding Vlad's seminars. Mostly we practiced wrestling moves, and defense against attacks from the ground. It was a horribly hot and humid day, the air was cloying even with the ceiling fans. Martin started us with fairly light warmups, pushups and situps, and squats in groups of three with arms latched, back-to-back. We also had to roll in groups of three with arms latched, which was quite difficult. When it was my turn to be on top and roll, I couldn't pull my partners along with me, our arms just broke free.

 

Still in groups of three, two people pushed and grabbed one, who tried to remain upright and in the same position. This was not so hard when the pushes were from opposite direction but not so much when both were pushing in same direction, especially on the shoulders. Then Martin demonstrated grabbing from the ground and taking down his partner by wrapping around the legs. He said to latch your hands and roll the arms inward, sort of a wave starting from top, and to try different positions. This was pretty straightfoward but I couldn't help feeling it was a vulnerable position, with my head at knee level, my partner could have broken my neck or kneed me in the face. But the way Martin demonstrated it, he took the person down so fast, I guess there wouldn't have been time for any of that.

 

Next he showed how to break this kind of hold. One simple way is to rock one foot backwards and separate the legs quickly, almost as if you are going into a runner's crouch. We also practiced defending against grabs to just one leg. If you can move away before the grab or just as they touch, he showed how to turn and rotate the leg out of it. Or once they grab, you can take a big step backwards and stretch them out. Also how to lock the arm by moving the leg slightly just as they grab it to stretch out, then lock the elbow with the other leg. For those, you need to be free with the hips. That seems to be where most beginners are stiff. I guess it's hard to relax the hips. I can't remember if I was once stiff around the hips. I think my shoulders were more of the problem. It could be easier for women to loosen the hips than for men, because of the natural angle of the hip-bones.

 

Martin also showed how to defend against a grab to one leg where the grabber is trying to lift the oleg. He demonstrated stepping forward in the same direction of the grab but you have to make it a big, dramatic step that begins from the hip. This shakes the person loose. Another way to handle this is to step with the leg being grabbed and then swivel around with the other leg to hit. And finally, Martin showed just going down or rolling out of it. "Never resist a fall, unless you absolutely have to," he said. Obviously you would not want to fall over the edge of an abyss. But landing on the hard ground won't hurt you, if you've practiced your Systema. Struggling against falling, becoming rigid and remaining in a position where posture is broken will be bad for you. It's very important to accept this basic principle of Systema: that falling isn't a defeat. As long as it remains a worst-case scenario in the mind of the practitioner, it will be an impediment to freedom.

 

Martin also demostrated hopping out of a grab to one leg. He said that when the person has grabbed onto one of our leg, we tend to think that we're standing on one leg, but actually, they are providing support much like your own leg, and you can move around just as if you were standing on both legs.

 

He had us work in groups of three, two grabbing one simulatenously, and showed how you can evade before the grab or work the two against each other. We spent the rest of the class in groups of three. For most of the time, my mom and I could not find a third person, there just wasn't the right number of students to be evenly divided into groups of three. Because of that, I don't really have the same perspective on this group work, we were mostly paired. But for the last five or ten minutes, two people left and we did find a third person. Martin had asked us to incorporate strikes as we were evading, but not as a way to stop our partners approaching. He made that pretty clear; we had to continue the same sort of evasion work, just adding strikes. I didn't have much success with that. I always have an unwillingness to hit my mom and every time I hit the other person, he just backed away. So I didn't want to strike too much because I wanted him to keep attacking me and not scare him off so that he wouldn't attack.

 

Quite honestly, I wasn't training particularly well on that day, but that's no reflection on Martin, he's one of the best Systema teachers in the world, very high-level practitioner and a skilled teacher. It was a nice big group of good people, including four other Systema teachers and two other women. There were lots of people who I didn't know or only saw occassionally at seminars. But I didn't get to work with most of them. I worked with my mom almost the entire time. Usually we break up but she was also unwilling to switch, which is not typical. I'm usually the one who won't switch. As much as I love her, we are not the best training partners. When I observe her working with others, I see that she's doing a lot better than she does with me. And that's probably because I don't attack her with much conviction, nor do I defend against her attacks very well. I am so preoccuppied with not hurting her, it's a psychological restriction. I know that some people will think, what's the big deal, just get on with it. But consider your own mother, if you have a good relationship with her, or if not, some other person that you love and would ordinarily protect. Would you find it easy to strike her, to lock her painfully, or take her down to the ground? I have no problem doing this to other women, even petite ones, if they have some training. I just can't seem to overcome the restraint of practicing with my mom, and it does her no favors. I wish things could be different, but after a few years, I'm beginning to realize that I might not be able to overcome this.

 

Some time has passed since Vlad's visit, and so I have forgotten some of what we learned on Sunday. But for what it's worth, here's the final installment to the notes I began back in June.

 

Sunday

 

Vlad had told us that we'd be focussing on disarms on Sunday. I thought this was an excellent progression. Some instructors might have reversed the order: disarms first, then using the knife. But learning to use the knife is the best background for learning effective disarms.

 

We started with the breathing/tensing exercises. First, Vlad had us just rolling around and stretching freely on the ground, but while holding the tension, then releasing. Then the inhale/exhale exercises as on Saturday, followed by feeling the pulse in different parts of the body. Then some difficult variation of the pushup, with arms spread wide.

 

We did leg raises with partners providing resistance. They are supposed to provide gradual resistance, not merely hold the legs down. This exercise must be done with sensitivity to your partner's ability. It's not a test of strength. Too many guys interpret it that way, and if the person providing resistance is stronger, it does not benefit the person doing the leg raises very much.

 

We did a stretch where you sit on the floor, lean back with arms back behind your head, palms flat on the floor, and gradually move your arms and legs farther apart to make yourself flat to the floor. But most people won't be able to touch the back of their head to the floor. However, Vlad demonstrated this with someone who was so flexible, he was almost flat on the floor! Continuing this same kind of stretch, your partner puts your arms behind head, squeezes the shoulder blades together, and you go down, then stand up again.

 

Vlad started us off by showing some very basic, straightforward knife disarms. He also demonstrated disarms using a jacket, using it against the person wearing the jacket, and wearing the jacket himself and catching the knife in it and wrapping around, or taking off the jacket altogether and wrapping around the blade. He said it doesn't work so well with a tee shirt. He demonstrated that grabbing the knife arm is not so good, instead, wrap your arm around the wrist and then find a grab. The blade itself can be used as a lever to apply pressure to the hand and wrist. I was glad to see Vlad show how grabbing the knife arm recklessly was not prudent, because I see this a lot with the harmless practice blades, and no-one would try this with a live blade.

 

So Vlad asked us to work on just straightforward disarms, nothing fancy, just a warmup. I saw a guy without a partner, tried to catch his eye but he didn't seem too willing. I asked him if he wanted to work, I think, in retrospect, I should have been more mindful of his hesitation. I tried to introduce myself but he wouldn't give me his name. As we worked, he pointed out what I was doing wrong. Sometimes this is helpful, other times, not so much. Gradually I began to accept that everything I was doing, even the smallest movement, was completely wrong, was wrong. I gave up. Fortunately Vlad asked us to switch again not too long afterwards. But that sort of set the tone for me for the rest of the day. It wasn't this guy's fault. It was just the state of mind I was in. I had very little confidence and couldn't bring myself to switch partners too readily. I spent a lot of time just watching so I could avoid asking anyone to work with me.

 

We did the familiar yielding exercise where one person pushes the knife tip into the other, who had to yield, but to stay in the same place. Also moving the knife around to keep the tip in contact, while other person had to rotate to make the blade flat against himself.

 

Vlad showed a really cool way to disarm by "clapping" the knife out of the hand. You hit the knife arm near the wrist with the backs of your hands, sort of rolling them inward. If it's done precisely, the knife goes flying. Vlad also showed hitting the knuckles to disarm, which takes a lot of precision to be effective, and striking the arm to loosen the knife and begin the disarm.

 

Vlad set us up with a scenario where one partner turned his back, the other assumed a frozen attack position with the knife, and when Vlad clapped, the disarming partner had to turn around and disarm and takedown the frozen person. This is not necessarily easier than disarming a moving person. But it allows a more slow and thoughtful consideration of the position of the attacking person.

 

As an introduction to striking, Vlad had us just pushing fists into each other while standing still to affect a take down. Then we did the clapping exercise with frozen attack position, but adding strikes. I preferred this version, as striking usually makes it easier to take down my partners, particularly when they are standing still. But it does make people sort of amped up. I told my partner not to rush. I was standing still and frozen, there was no way he could miss, and rushing wasn't necessary. He hit me rather hard across the temple and upper jaw. Vlad saw this, laughed a little, rubbed my face and told my partner to take it easy.

 

Vlad showed some disarming techniques after the takedown, for when the attacking person was on the ground. Manipulating the small fingers is one of my favorites, but sometimes the person has too tight a grip on the knife. Vlad showed hitting the ear twice, and he said the first hit tenses the person, the second relaxes. He also showed a very cool way to flip the person over to their stomach, where it can be easier to immobilize and gain control. You basically spin the person around with their arm and flip them over. But this has to be done just as the person is hitting the ground. If you wait too long, they will be too heavy to turn over.

 

Vlad mentioned a couple of philosophical observations about knife attacks. He said that fear can either turn inward and freeze you up, or explode out of you, he said it was better to let it explode than to close in on you. He also mentioned that when faced with a knife attack, you have to decide that it is not time to die and that time will come a little bit later. And he disputed the popular notion that anytime a knife is involved, there will be a blood drawn. He said that's not necessarily true, but on Saturday, he demonstrated many ways to deal with blood loss for physical and psychological health. At the same time, it is frightening and demoralizing to bleed heavily, so on Saturday he had showed us how to open up small cuts on the face to frighten the attacker into giving up.

 

We practiced "invisible" use of the knife. One partner walked towards the other, who was to draw the knife and stab or cut from the front or back, invisibly. At the end of the seminar, we spent a few minutes working more or less freely. I found a very large BJJ guy to partner with. The BJJ guys tend to look for the submission. He took me down, but instead of knocking the knife out of my hand, he twisted my arm quite painfully. I told him there's no submission in Systema, if he wanted to break my arm, just go ahead and do it but don't wait for me to tap out. I didn't mean literally, just that a submission hold is not necessarily a disarm, as painful as it was, I still had the knife because he wasn't applying pressure in the right direction to make me drop it. He admitted that he had trouble letting go of his BJJ training.

 

Vlad then wrapped it up and asked if anyone had questions. One student asked what to do about a knife attacker who wanted to fence with the knife, jabbing and retreating out of the way and keeping at a distance. Vlad said just turn and walk away. Everyone laughed, but he was quite serious. He said that if the person didn't want to use the knife and was feinting and retreating, it meant they weren't serious about hurting you and this was a good thing. It was a good question because I did see several people fencing with the knives and this is not necessarily how a serious knife attack will happen. An attacker who retreats is not as committed to hurting the opponent. Sometimes I work with a partner who adopts a can't-catch-me approach. But if my partner runs away from me, that can hardly be described as prevailing over me. I always assume that if running away were an option, I would have already done so, and the self-defense training is for those situations where you cannot run away.

 

No-one else had any questions. I wanted to ask Vlad how proficient one should be before carrying a knife for self-defense, but I wasn't feeling bold enough. The seminar was a little marred by my low self-confidence. Several times Vlad and Denis had to match me up with training partners because I wouldn't do it myself, preferring to just watch. Afterwards, as I shook Vlad's hand, he told me I must not be so timid about finding partners. I promised I wouldn't, but then regretted saying so. Was I making a promise I could not keep? I gave him my word but wasn't sure I was good for it. So I was a little upset as I walked away, feeling that the social aspect of Systema was one of the hardest things about it.

 

But sometimes things are darkest just before the dawn. Since then I have reached a turning point in my training. I am not so apologetic about my skills. Many people are deluded about their skills, I guess it's hard for any of us to see ourselves the way we truly are. But I believe I've actually underestimated myself for a long time. A lot of guys do not want to admit that I can prevail over them, no matter how little training they have. But it's a fact that most beginners are no match for me. And it's not my problem if other people feel humiliated because I'm better than them. I don't have to apologize because I've worked hard at my Systema. And I don't feel so bad when I hurt the guys to prevent them from hurting me. If one of us is going to get hurt, I'd just as soon it's the other guy.

 

My decision to start a study group is part of my recognition of my hard-won skills. Everyone talks about lessening the ego but not everyone has this problem of overconfidence. It's more common, but lack of confidence can also be a problem for some. I am gaining confidence, and I think Edgar also expects more from me. He asks me to be more precise even when my takedowns are effective, but he expects that my partner will be on the floor and in a position of vulnerability at my feet, not flung halfway across the room. And he wants to see me do fewer movements to achieve the same result, one thing, rather than five or ten. I've spent these last few years learning to do Systema, but now I find I also need to learn to do it well.

 

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),

Rachel
----------------------------------------------------
by Rachel Klingberg

Martin Wheeler's March 12th and 13th seminar on ground-fighting was fantastic! I think I speak for all attendees when I say that we learned a great deal and had so much fun! I posted my notes from Saturday below. Please remember it's just a few long-winded pages from my training journal, not a review or an essay about Systema. I have notes from Sunday as well, and from the Tuesday classes at Fighthouse that Martin taught. I'll return to post those a little later. Meanwhile, if anyone who attended the seminars would like to add their comments, I am sure that we'd all enjoy reading them. I have listed the exercises we did and how I learned from them, but I am sure someone else could capture the feeling of the seminar more succinctly. Please don't be shy if you've never posted to this forum before, if your grammar is less than perfect, or if you don't remember everything that happened over the week-end. If you enjoyed the seminar, why not post a sentence or two telling us about it?
Special thanks to Martin for sharing his immense knowledge at another wonderful NYC seminar. We are also grateful to Peggy and Edgar for arranging and hosting this training opportunity for Systema students. And of course, thanks to all the attendees. It was great to work with you all and I look forward to meeting you again at future training sessions.
*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel

Saturday

After introductions, Martin told us we have to get back to being as unafraid of the ground as children are, but that's it's difficult to lose the fear we've acquired because the ground is now so much farther away. It's hard, it hurts, and if you hit your head on it, you might just get knocked out or worse. He said that Systema's approach to ground fighting makes it different from many other martial arts, as well as from typical street fighting. He did a brief demo to show the difference between Systema and grappling. When you lock someone with your legs, you are locking yourself as well. In Systema, instead of maneuvering to lock the opponent in a motionless position, it's constant movement between the limbs.

To warm up we did some pushups, sit-ups, and squats. For the sit-ups, we alternated between holding the torso at 45 degree from the floor, and then the legs at 45, and then both off the floor-very difficult. We also did the "Superman" exercise where you lay on your stomach, push the stomach out and lift the arms and legs off floor as if you are flying. Pushing the stomach out can be helpful for moving across the floor, as we found later with the "handcuffs" exercises. We also did this great stretch where you lay on your stomach, hands pointed downward to your feet, and bring one foot behind and over to the opposite hand-it's a nice stretch for the hips, thighs, and shoulders.

To get comfortable moving across floor, we moved around on the stomach using just shoulders, and then our on backs using just shoulders. For the latter, Martin wanted us to isolate the rotation of the shoulder blades, not rock side to side from one shoulder to the other.

We practiced rolls for a good long while. Rolling forwards and backwards, rolling and changing direction mid-roll by moving across the shoulders. Rolling in a "handcuff" position with hands clasped behind the back. Martin explained that the "pinwheel" roll-in-place is useful, but he wanted us to learn to cover distance by rolling. He demonstrated by springing forward like a panther from a low crouching position and falling softly into a forward roll. His relationship with the ground is amazing to see. Martin is always graceful but his movements on the ground are especially soft and even carefree, if that makes any sense. It's kind of hard to explain but if you get a chance to train with Martin or even just to watch him, it's worth going out of your way to experience his phenomenal style.

To get us comfortable with covering distance, he had us spring forward and reach our arms out to catch ourselves as we fell. "Like diving into a pool," he said, demonstrating springing forward and down, not just straight down. I've always been afraid to dive into pools in this way, I just fall downwards into the water rather than springing up and down. I told Martin I was scared to do this, and he told me not to be. It's actually easier to spring up and forward, than just straight down, but I still found it hard to catch myself with my arms without collapsing. Then we were to spring forward and tuck into a roll, bending the knees in one direction or the other if necessary, but I just continued with springing forward to confront my fear without rushing.

My mom's rolls are nice and controlled, she can roll very, very slowly, but when my legs tip beyond a 90 degree angle to the floor, I lose control of the roll. Finally I learned why. Martin observed that I was rising my torso as my legs come down and told me to relax my back and keep my torso flat after rolling. He told us, "If you're rolling, you can't stop rolling," and demonstrated rolling across the floor like a ball. He explained that rising the torso can be useful if you need to stand right up again after the roll, but it can be limiting if you might need to change your direction or your movement mid-roll. Also keeping the torso flat after the roll helps to protect it from bullets or other dangers.

We also did some "duckwalking" exercises, walking around in a tight formation in the center. Also duckwalking and falling forward into rolls. Martin asked us to walk on our feet, not the balls, which is very hard for me. Once my knees are bent beyond 90 degrees, all bets are off!

We practiced backwards rolls. Martin demonstrated some escape artistry worthy of Houdini--how to free yourself if your hands are bound behind your back. He rolled backwards, and wiggled his hips through the imaginary constraints. Most of us struggled to do the same; my mom was one of the few people who seemed to have no trouble with this exercise. It takes patience to free yourself in this way, and so it's a slow rolling exercise, in addition to a "handcuffs" one.

We did this exercise where you do a forward roll starting flat on your back. You slide your foot towards your head as you lift your torso and kind of rock your hips forward, then into a forward roll. "Like someone is pulling a string," Martin said, pantomiming this as he and Edgar demonstrated. It's very difficult. I tucked my leg underneath instead of going right up on my foot, rolling on either side of my shin and rising on the other foot, allowing some room to bring the other leg at a less acute angle into a kind of catcher's crouch, to avoid the acute angles. Martin said that was fine and told us that it's just a matter of making things work for your own body, regardless of its physical restrictions.

We also did this exercise I found a little confusing. You start on all fours, swing one leg over, and then the other leg, round and around-.kind of like the "star" exercise except you don't change your hand and opposite foot, you just flip the legs over and over. It's kind of like a breakdancing move. We also practiced rolling from side-to-side staying flat, starting on your stomach, "threading" one leg beneath the other in sort of a number 4 shape, rolling onto the back, then onto the stomach again by threading one leg beneath the other. We rolled from side-to-side with the arms clasped behind the neck as well as the arms extended over the head. We practiced leading the movement of the body by "tossing" the arm, starting on the back, and flinging the arm in a circle and rotating from back to stomach and back again.

My favorite set of exercises began with one person lying on their back, the other draped across. Every time the person on the top tries to get up, the one on top shifts their weight to prevent it. The goal is not for the person beneath you to get up, nor for you to pin him, but just to explore movement on the ground. If you are dynamically sensitive to the other person's movements, you can stop them from rising using only a few ounces of pressure. It's a sensitivity exercise. At a previous seminar I saw Martin prevent someone from rising using just a few fingers.

Next, the person lying on the bottom had to move around, and the person on the top allows the movement carry them along. Martin demonstrated, giving the illusion that he was about to be thrown off at any moment, yet always gliding effortlessly along on top of the other person. This was a fun exercise, probably a little harder for the person on the bottom, but again the goal was not to pin them, but to let them move and stay "afloat" on top of them.

We spent a few minutes on choking, just sitting on the floor. Martin demonstrated the windpipe choke and the artery choke. He told me either is extremely dangerous and can kill a person within seconds. We practiced choking each other a little, just to get a feel for it. Martin also showed us a vulnerable point on either side of the trachea, near where the jaw meets the neck, it's right behind the thyroid gland. A choke doesn't have to be a two-handed throttle. Martin showed us some other sensitive areas of the neck. He demonstrated on each of us how a hooking, squeezing or pinching motion with one hand is quite painful and alarming. Standing up, we practiced using this one-handed movement against a punch, rotating out, and stepping in to apply the choke. Done correctly, it drops you to the ground almost instantly. We also tried just hitting the sensitive parts of the neck with the side of the hand, with "heavy" hands kind of like judo chops, Martin explained.

Back down to the ground again, we rolled back and forth over our partners as they lack on their backs. My mom and I rolled over each other in four directions: starting parallel and rolling side to side each way as well as starting perpendicular and inching over on our backs or stomachs, and over again on our back. Then we did the same exercises with eyes closed. Also changing position while rolling over our partners, so that your head ended up where your feet were once you were on the other side.

We began to work with manipulating the arms to maneuver the person on the ground. We started by exploring the range of our partners' arms as we both lay side by side. I kind of enjoy this, because my shoulders are sometimes stiff, yet the joints have a wide range, so I'm afraid I treated it more as a passive stretching exercise for myself! Then we tried using the arm to gently roll our partners from stomach to back to stomach, etc. Next Martin had us lock our partner's arms as they moved to yield to it, and then they locked us in turn, back and forth, locking each other. "You can lock a person anywhere, not just the arm," said Martin. We also practiced manipulating the fingers to move our partners and locking each other in turn with the fingers. Then the same locking back and forth exercises in tight formation in the center, with eyes closed. I generally stay on the fringe of such exercises. I'm a little wary of entering the melee, but sometimes it's worse to stay on the edge because the flailing limbs are more dangerous!

We ended with some mass groundwork and and offensive chokes with eyes closed. First, rolling around and choking our partners in turn. Then, Martin told us to switch partners with our eyes closed. "Don't make friends, just find a new partner!" he said. He told us to work in groups of two or three. Switching partners is not something I do well even with my eyes open. I'm very timid about it. But I soon realized if I didn't attack the nearest body, I would miss out on some great training. So I began to choke someone but I felt a little hesitant about doing it with my eyes closed. I couldn't see if they were tapping out and I'm still unfamiliar with exactly how much pressure and how long it takes to kill someone in this fashion. Someone began to restrict my air flow, but he stopped before it became uncomfortable. Nevertheless, I took his finger and bent it backwards painfully until he yielded. It was kind of calculating and even a little spiteful of me. Because he choked me, I hurt him in return, until we sort of just drifted apart and began to attack other people.

Some tight holds and chokes do make me feel vulnerable, such as being choked in the mounted position. I find it better to keep moving before the person choking me gets a good grip. If I'm trapped, I want to make a space by inflicting a little sudden pain until I can move a limb to free myself. But I'm unwilling to hurt my partners until I can do so with some finesse. Like Martin said in the beginning, the ground is hard, it hurts, and it can even kill you. I would like to learn more about how to work when you can't move between the limbs, if you find yourself wrapped up like a Christmas present by a tight, painful hold. If I can't move out, I just start the exercise over. But sometimes there is another solution in the back of my mind. I like my classmates a lot and would never intentionally go for the groin, but there are a lot of times when I'm locked up tightly by a very strong person where it just seems to be the only way to freedom.

In Systema, controlling the other person is more important than just hurting them. Pain compliance can be a means of control, but some people will keep fighting even with such acute pain that any normal person would pass out or go into shock. It's hard to know the effect of the body's own chemicals during a conflict when all the instinctual senses are engaged. But if you can control the other person by being sensitive to their tension, their movements, and how your own movements will affect theirs, it's a more powerful psychological tool than merely inflicting pain.

On the ground, it's easy to get tricked into thinking that if you're on top, you're "winning." But as we saw with Martin's "tumbleweed" exercise where he lay atop the other person as they rolled around, carried along effortlessly by their motion, a situation on the ground can change instantly. I like this about ground fighting. It is never too late; there is no position where I feel as if I haven't a chance. Even pinning someone with your entire body weight isn't enough to neutralize the threat, if the person on the bottom is continuously moving. And you know what they say, "if you can breathe, you can move!"

(to be continued in subsequent post(s)...)
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RachelKlingberg



Joined: 12 Dec 2003
Posts: 201
Location: New York City

PostPosted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject: Martin Wheeler NYC Seminar March 12th and 13th Part II Reply with quote
Hello,
Here is Part Two of my journal notes from Martin Wheeler's groundwork seminar at Fighthouse on March 12 and 13th. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks again to Edgar and Peggy, to all attendees, and most especially to our teacher Martin Wheeler.
*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel

Sunday

Sunday was more like a continuation of the themes of Saturday than a separate seminar. We started with some typical Systema breathing and conditioning exercises, pushups with inhale/exhale plus ten without breathing, "pushups for two" where one person lays on their back with arms straight up and the other person puts their hands in their palms and the person on the bottom bends and straightens their arms. We did some back-to-back squats with arms laced. I try to avoid these because it hurts to bend deeply, and I always end up leaning into my partner so that they are doing all the work. Then we did some sit-ups where one person kneels on all fours and the other person sits on their back, facing their feet, and lowers their head down to the floor, and up again.

Then Martin asked us to lie side by side on floor on our backs, arm wrestling with our partners. We changed sides to wrestle with the other arm. I wasn't too adept at this. Systema has taught me if someone wants to grab my arm, I just let them, rather than trying to wrestle it away. But Martin wanted us to specifically fatigue this part of the body. Next, one person lay on their back and the other just walked "through" them while the person on the ground moved out of the way. Some people call this the "zombie" drill because you don't track the person on the ground, just walk straight through them. Their job is simply to avoid by swiveling or rotating around.

We moved into kicking the person on the ground, letting them feel the contact and move away from it. It's one of those "wait-for-contact" exercises that are good for practicing timing and yielding. Also kicks to the head, so they could "pass" the limb over. Martin demonstrated the "fear reaction" of protecting the head from an incoming kick, but then just waving the kick off by passing it and moving through. I was reminded of what he said yesterday, that Systema groundwork is moving though limbs.

We did some more "handcuffs" exercises. One person lay on their stomach, hands clasped behind the back. The other person kicked, and the one on the ground had to avoid the kicks, get up, and take the other down with just the legs. Then you switched roles. We did the same exercise but starting on the back, with hands clasped behind the head.

We formed groups of three with one person on the ground, the other two kicking. The one on the ground was to avoid the kicks and/or take the other people down, then get up and roll out of it. I'm still scared to roll from a standing position without a lot of "planning," so I went down on one knee, but trying to use the same energy of my partners' attacks. I've been trying to explore the concept of shared perpetual energy in Systema practice, rather than "you do this, then I do that." It seems like a more harmonious approach to physical conflict. As Martin told us in a previous seminar, "It's not about you, it's about them [i.e., the attacker(s)]."

Then two people kicking one on the floor, stepping through, while the one on the floor takes down the kicking people. Stepping "through" while kicking your partner is important for effective groundwork practice. It's hard because, as the "attacker," you know the person on the ground is going to take you down. If you have resistance to going down, it can be tricky not to kick reflexively to prevent this from happening. So it's very good practice for me to be taken down by someone on the ground, because it helps me not "plan" my descent but just find a way to arrive softly.

Martin demonstrated rotating around, "stealing the step" with perfect timing, extending and/or stopping the movement of the kicking people in many different and surprising ways. He told us we should be "like ice." You don't realize you are slipping on ice before you foot hits the ground, it's that half-inch descent after your body weight has been dropped into your step that throws you off balance. Martin wanted our timing to be just that subtle. He demonstrated while students attacked him on the ground with knife slashes and thrusts, stopping their approach just before or just after their steps, changing their structure just slightly to halt their approach, not impeding the movement, but taking advantage of that short gap between physical and mental comprehension. We practiced this in groups of two or three people kicking one on the ground.
After that, a little work with strikes. We kneeled and faced our partners, pushing fists into each other's torsos. This was a sensitivity exercise, he wanted us to explore where the push would collapse the other person. Most people are a little unstable in a kneeling position so it didn't take a lot of force if the push was well-placed. Then we did the same thing at a full squat, the "duckwalk" position that I find so painful, I have to rise up on the balls of my feet. I fell over pretty quickly no matter where my partner pushed me.

The purpose of these exercises was to learn to strike at all levels, as Martin demonstrated, changing levels and striking fluidly. We stood up and continued to do the pushing strikes into each other. Martin said if we felt comfortable, we could strike rather than push. My partner asked me to hit him. I'm still a rank beginner when it comes to striking, but my partner was encouraging. He said that I hit harder than any of my classmates (though Martin said we should "hit well, not hard!"), but that I sort of "talk myself out of the strike." He also noted that I have no problem kicking the daylights out of anyone, but I tend to pull my punches. My fists are too loose and tend to collapse upon impact. When my strike arrives, it has only velocity. My partner helped me to understand that you have to maintain a little tension in your fist, otherwise, the strike doesn't enter the body.

I also have an unwillingness to hurt my partners. I need to find more confidence in my their ability to absorb or yield to any pain I cause them, and not become too limp, or too passive, during practice with strikes. But it was fun to exchange strikes with my partner, it's very relaxing, and sort of humbling, to realize that you can't always get out of the way. Martin came over and encouraged me to use trinity strikes, the elbow, forearm, or any part of the arm, which made it a little easier for me to continue the flow of energy.

Back to the ground, we spent the last hour or so of working with knives. First just pressing the knifepoint into our partners, to let the body feel the rotation point, and how to move away from it. Martin told us not to push against the knife, or to lie there thinking and planning about the best way to move, but just to feel the blade and yield. Martin borrowed a small pocketknife so he and Edgar could demonstrate the exercise with a sharp blade. We observed as Martin gently pressed the point of the practice knife into Edgar, and then the point of the live blade. There was a world of difference in Edgar's movements. Martin talked a little bit about the difference between living and surviving. He told us, "Survival is for worst-case scenarios, living is something you can do every day." I loved this remark because I think it's important to remember that training isn't a "worst-case scenario," just as it says in the Russian System Guidebook.

We began to work on knife slashes or stabs to our partners while they lay on the ground and simply avoided. Martin came around to everyone with the pocket-knife and asked if we'd like to try. I've never worked with a live blade before, but I immediately realized that hurrying to get out of the way might lead to an accident, whereas if I moved at the same speed, I wouldn't be hurt, not with Martin wielding the blade. He started to slowly stab at me while I sat on the ground, and it's quite different from the practice knife. I didn't even think about moving, my body just naturally eased away from the knife. It was almost like an electric pulse at the end of the knife tip was pushing my body away, automatically maintaining a certain distance between the blade and myself. I rotated around and even as he came at me from behind, it was as if I could still see the blade in my mind's eye. Martin complimented me on this, my first training experience with a real knife.

Another thing that Martin said that stuck in my memory is that you only get broken when you stop moving. He demonstrated as a student attacked him on the ground, how tension and immobility would quickly lead to broken bones, whereas constant movement would serve as protection. We practiced knife disarms, one person lying down, the other standing and slashing or thrusting with the knife, while the person on the ground disarms or neutralizes the threat. We went back and forth on this one, switching roles, doing a little free-work to put together all the principles we learned.

The training with Martin last weekend was so memorable because I love groundwork. I think my body is particularly suited to moving on the ground. I have long limbs for a person of my height, and that can be surprising to my partners. And I think women's hips give a natural advantage to ground work. I've noticed that kneeling and sitting cross-legged are a little more difficult for the men, because the line between the hip and the knee is straight. Like many women, I'm also a little more well-padded than my male counterparts, so it's not as difficult for me to avoid the bonier parts when moving on the ground.

I also enjoy attacking my partners on the ground, because of the opportunity to fall in unexpected ways. You don't always see exactly what the person on the ground has done to take you down, so you have to learn to fall spontaneously. If my partner on the ground is proficient, or if I think they might continue the sparring after taking me down, I like to fall on them. I figure if I'm going down, might as well be on top. I always warn my partners beforehand if I intend to fall on them, but sometimes I get a little carried away. I'm afraid I squashed several people by landing on them; sometimes I couldn't resist crooking an elbow to add a little pain to my descent.

Groundwork is actually my favorite Systema topic, although I look forward to the day when I can work as fluently in all dimensions. Martin Wheeler is phenomenal in his ability to move in 3, 4 and even 5 dimensions, at every level, standing, sitting, laying down, moving through the physical world, through time and space, to interact with his training partners in a way I'd never would have imagined possible, before I began my Systema training.

RachelKlingberg

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2003
Stick and knife classes with Martin Wheeler


Hello,


These logs are from early March, when Martin Wheeler came for a 2-day seminar at Fighthouse, and taught a few classes in the week that followed. It's actually two entries in this one post, so it's rather long. I hope you will enjoy reading it!

Training Log #41: Stick class with Martin Wheeler

I was a little stiff, and still sore from the weekend seminars when I went to Martin's noon class on Tuesday. He started us off rolling the sticks (I think ours were actually bo staffs) over our muscles to massage and warm them. I had just woken up after sleeping all morning, so this was a nice warm-up. Then he asked us to drape the stick over our shoulders with arms draped over the front a la "prisoner of war," and to fall with the stick in place. I did this by spiraling downward and using my straight leg as sort of a rudder to guide me to the floor, none too gracefully, but it wasn't an impossible descent. Then Martin told us to keep the straight leg off the floor and remain in one place, sinking down to the floor and tucking the hips, basically, a one-legged squat, which is difficult even without the stick! I approached this exercise starting from a walk to sort of give myself the impetus, but I balked. I usually have trouble with low squats, and I felt myself tense up at the prospect of sinking from higher than I would have preferred. At the same time, I was kind of surprised to discover that my falls were so dependent on this spiraling motion, and how difficult it was to fall from a standstill and keep one leg off the floor at all times. In comparison, the stick across my shoulders wasn't much of an impediment. Martin came over and kindly encouraged me to do it just once, so I did, rather clumsily, and then again, a little smoother the second time. Looking around the class, it seemed to be a challenge for all of the students, and I think I wasn't the only one to be feeling sore from the previous week's training.

Fortunately we moved onto falling forward. I found this a lot easier than the one-legged exercise. Pushing out the chest really helps protect your face when you fall forward like this. It's hard to overcome the fear response of curling up into a ball, and of course, this is impossible with the stick. If you curl your shoulders forward, your head could hit the floor first, and that's rather painful. Laugh if you will, but I think being "blessed in the chest" is an advantage for falling forward with restricted arms. I don't have to worry as much about turning my face or protecting my shoulders, since I know which parts are going to touch the floor first! After falling forward, we also practiced getting up again without turning over onto our backs. "Find a way," Martin said. I didn't find these two exercise nearly as difficult as the first one.

We practiced wiggling around on the floor on our butts, without letting the feet touch the floor and of course, with the stick still in place. Then moving around on our stomachs, still with the stick across our shoulders. And finally, the most impossible of all, doing pushups with the stick draped across the shoulders! I literally felt locked into place for that last one!

We moved on to yielding exercises with our partners. We practiced gently swinging the sticks at our partners and while they just avoided, keeping form. Also the same exercise but swinging straight down touching the end of the stick to the floor, rather than swinging horizontally. Then we did the same thing, only changing the angle of the sweep on the upwards swing. We practiced avoiding swings to the head. Also swinging the stick at our partners by letting the stick fall naturally without aiming, sort of like twirling a baton. For this one, Martin told us to let the movement of the head lead the body. Martin came over and pushed my partner's head around to show him how to let his body follow. I noticed a big improvement in my partner after this. So when it was my turn, I asked Martin to do the same thing to me. He rotated my neck around, but it was difficult for my body to follow because my neck was kind of stiff. He had me rotate his head to feel the difference. Because my neck muscles were tense, he just rotated my head around and around and asked me several times to relax. I tried not to be nervous as Edgar videotaped us. I couldn't help but think how easily my neck could be broken if I tensed up. I think I have a phobia about my neck being broken because of my own tension. But after Martin cracked several vertebrae, I felt a lot better. Some people feel pain when this happens but for me, cracking joints are always a relief. When Martin returned to pushing my head, it was easier to let my body follow, but somehow I ended up stepping heavily on the floor rather than stepping softly. I was a little resistant, stopping the energy he had sent into the push on my head by stamping my foot. Because my joints tend to be stiff and lock up, it's especially important for me to let my partner's energy travel through me, rather than try to stop it.

Martin said Systema movement was very much like a matador's. He demonstrated with an imaginary cape so we could envision how fluid hips are so important to this kind of movement. He told us how the matador does not run away from the bull, but steps closer. We continued to avoid the swinging sticks, but now by rotating inwards, stepping closer to our partners and placing a hand on their shoulder. Then taking them down using the continual movement of the stick, then finally take the stick away and switching tasks. I found rotating inwards a lot easier than rotating outside the stick; obviously, moving inwards keeps you farther away from the business end of the stick.

Martin told me not to be complacent. Perhaps I was being a little lazy about getting out of the way. The stick deserves extra respect, learning how avoid quickly is important. When we do exercises with the stick, with strikes, or even just a practice knife, I always find out if I've been doing the bare minimum. These objects do not care about your safety the way another human being does. So it's very good practice for moving properly.

Since my partner's job was to hold onto the stick and keep it away from me, his consciousness was focussed into grasping the stick. It wasn't hard to use it as leverage for takedown. But after that, taking away the stick was a bit trickier. After my partner fell, I found it easiest to grab one end of the stick and tilt it, then use my leg to collapse it out of my partner's hand.

We finished by targeting our partners a little with the stick, not swinging in straight lines, but tracking them a bit. Martin and Edgar demonstrated this exercise, a good deal faster than we were doing it, which was pretty impressive. But I noticed that Edgar didn't always get out of the way in time. It looked painful, but this is how the body remembers what to do next time!

I liked the stick class a lot because our focus was mainly on movement and posture rather than applications. We practiced letting the body lead the movement, not passing the stick over by rolling off the arm, as was my inclination was, but letting the arms hang naturally at the sides and moving the entire body. Movement often begins with the hips, but as we saw earlier, it can begin with the head or with any part of the body that must move out of the way first. When the stick is swinging fast, you might not have the option to maintain contact and pass it over you, or even to move the closest leg first. Sometimes, the farthest leg has to move first so you can get out of the way faster. We did a few applications towards the end of class, using the motion of the stick to take our partners down, such as the exercise I described above, but for the most part, the stick class with Martin was just about learning to move honestly.

This was a good class for me because I was a little sore from the previous three days and because I had just woken up less than an hour before class began. I sleep so
soundly that my joints sometimes lock up from being in the same position for so many hours. I found myself a little distracted by my cracking joints, a tension headache, my skipped breakfast, and of course, my fear of the stick. As usual, getting hit and taken down a few times relaxed me a good deal, and I felt much better after class. It was a fine day so I walked home. I was so sore, it hurt to step off the 6-inch curb! As I walked, I was thinking that a stick or a staff is a useful Systema accessory for solo training. Last year, I remember watching Martin roll with a stick stuck down one pant leg, or through the neck of his shirt and down his back, and even across his shoulders. The falling and rolling exercises with a stick are great practice. I'm going to look into getting a bo staff so I can practice in the park the summer.

I returned for Martin's evening class, which was about working with knives, but it's a separate log entry, which I will post shortly.

Training Log #42: Knife class with Martin Wheeler

I returned to Fighthouse on Tuesday to take the evening class with our guest teacher Martin Wheeler. We started out with a few conditioning exercises. We did some pushups, changing the position of our arms each time. In past classes, we've done something similar by holding a knife in one hand and switching the position of the knife for each new pushup. We also did backbend pushups, which I find utterly impossible. Then some one-legged squats, with the other leg held straight, lowering to floor and up again. I think Martin was the only one of us who didn't struggle through those! Then partnered sit-ups, with one person on all fours and the other on their back, facing their feet, lowering down to the floor and up again. Your head should almost touch the floor as you go down and drape your arms backwards. I've collapsed a few people during this exercise, and I've also pitched a few people off accidentally. It helps to square off and distribute your own weight evenly before the other person climbs on. And you have to relax and trust the person to support you as you dip down. I think of it as a weight-distribution exercise for both partners rather than an ab exercise.

Next we practiced yielding by avoiding knife slashes, simply getting out of the way, either rotating inward, or stepping sideways or backwards and out of the path. We did a similar exercise with slashes to the legs, letting the movement of the blade "carry" the leg away. Martin showed us how to separate the upper and lower parts of the leg to avoid the blade, by moving just the thigh and letting the calf swing back after the blade had passed. We did the same avoidance exercises at half-and full squat.

Martin asked us to let a knife slash to the legs move us into forward rolls. Perhaps because many of us were rolling sort of clumsily, he also showed us how to fall forward and stop the impact with our hands, but staying as flat as possible. In our class, we've done this exercise by having our partners push us from behind, and falling forward in the same manner. My rolls from a standing position are still quite tense, and yet, if someone is pushing me, sweeping one of my legs, or otherwise forcing me into the roll, it's a little easier to relax mentally. I think for the same reason I find it more relaxing to practice with my eyes closed, because the situation is beyond my visual comprehension, so my responses are more fluid ones because I have limited control.

Martin told us, "Don't plan where you are going to fall, just go down and work it out when you get there." He also told us not to challenge the knife, but to just let it move us. He said it was important to move the body rather than putting the hands out or trying to wrestle the knife away by grabbing the wrist. A dexterous knife attacker will simply cut your arm and hand. He suggested we first move, then see what opportunities exist. I was reminded of his advice to me earlier in the day, to not be complacent about the swinging stick.

Next we practiced rolling or falling offensively as our partners slashed, taking them down during our descent. I did the offensive rolls by snaking my hand through my partner's legs and rolling against him. I can't imagine why this is so much easier for me than rolling from a standing position without an application. Why should I be less frightened, merely because I am touching my partner as I roll? I just don't know!

Then we practiced "entering in," not focussing on the knife, just stepping in closer to avoid the slash, which is helpful when in close-quarters. Speaking of avoidance, I was in the ladies' room for most of this exercise, so I missed a bit of this practice.

One of my favorite exercises followed. I think of it as the sticky knife exercise, because it is similar to sticky arm exercises in Chinese and other traditional MAs. The sensitivity practice is always my favorite part of Systema class. Our partners slashed at our arms, moving the blade around with dexterity, while we maintained contact with the arm. Since Martin's class, we've done this exercise many times in our subsequent classes, and it's great practice for the timing and speed as well as biomechanical sensitivity. Martin had us do the same exercise with slashes to the legs, and it was more difficult to maintain contact with the legs. Then he showed us how to use just the legs to disarm, for example, using the knee to push the knife away in the same direction of the cut and "see what other opportunities arise." Martin demonstrated several ways to disarm with just the legs, such as avoiding the knife by turning away from it, then swiveling back for a surprising 3-dimensional kick and sneaky disarm. Denis calls this a "horse" or "bucking" kick. I wish I could describe Martin demonstration of defense against multiple attacks using only his legs. It was amazing to watch, but can't be captured with words.

To end the class, we did a little multiple work, two with knives attacking one. Martin told me not to merely move between the limbs, but to step behind one or the other. Otherwise, he said, "...it's just running away, not solving the problem." I chose the person who was moving faster, with more complicated slashes and thrusts, and maneuvered behind him. I discovered it's best to stay close rather than far away where velocity makes the knife more dangerous. Then I understand Martin's advice. We also did the same exercise with our eyes closed. I think most of us enjoyed this. The multiple work is always fun, and with eyes closed, it's more of a game for all three.

Since Martin's class, which was a couple of months ago, we've practiced working with knives a great deal in my class. I think I've learned to be less complacent, as Martin had suggested to me during both the stick and knife classes. You can't be indecisive or lazy about moving away from a stick or a knife. I know that the principles ought to be the same without a weapon. It seems to me that even if the movement is the same, the a stick or a knife weapon adds range and is less forgiving, somehow. So I've learned to committ to moving in one direction or the other, not to stop and linger, but to get parallel to the blade, yet closer to the person wielding it, and to respect the knife and not compete with it.

We ended with some Marine-style pushups [clap hands as you rise - SM], which I find impossible. Martin seems to enjoy ending his classes with these! It was a large and diverse class and when we circled up, the students had interesting comments. Everyone really enjoyed the class. One new student asked where Martin learned all those conditioning exercises and whether he should do them at home. Martin offered some excellent advice on solo training. "Just do one exercise in every way imaginable," and he demonstrated doing pushups: slow, fast, changing his hands, his legs, every which way. He did the same thing with squats, "Both legs, one leg, no legs!" changing his position each time. Another student said that his injured leg felt better in Systema class than it did just walking down the street, and Martin said with old injuries, it's best to keep working through it, otherwise the rest of the body overcompensates, and won't "let go" of the injury even after it heals. He added that a fresh injury should be given rest and medical attention. Another classmate said that keeping his form, breathing, and movement all at once was kind of like spinning many plates, sometimes a plate or two would fall off, but when they are all going, it's a fantastic feeling. I thought this was well said, and I completely agree!

Someone requested a strike from Martin and he offered these to the class, who lined up with the usual enthusiasm. After everyone drifted away, I asked him to hit me, no more than I can take, I added unnecessarily, and he said, of course. He hit me lightly in the stomach lightly a few times, penetrating only the muscle, and it gave me something to think about on the train ride home, and even for several hours afterwards, as the best ones always do!