Systema For Life

"Natural movement is the emergent property of getting out of your own way...if you just keep yourself open, relaxed, and balanced as a default state, then your body will answer those questions naturally..."

Glenn Murphy joins resident health and wellness guru Howard Jacobson as they explore concepts, notions, and principles of balance. Here, we cover:

Balance will be one of the themes explored in this month's Lessons From HQ workshop at NC SYSTEMA, on Saturday June 9th. Locals, sign up at: www.ncsystema.com/events

Follow Howie's healthy exploits online at www.plantyourself.com

"There can be barriers with people when they're learning this...because they have to walk through doors they really don't want to go through. And in order to *fit* through those doors, they have to leave that backpack of junk behind."

A fascinating, wide-ranging conversation with 20-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces - and founder of Systema Kingston (Ontario) - Pete Rogers.

Pete has been training at Systema HQ Toronto for more than a decade. But in addition to this, he has trained extensively in karate, Muay Thai, Filipino Martial Arts, and continues to train BJJ and military combative styles.

Here, we cover perceptions of "reality" in martial arts; breaking the pride barrier; and how he uses Systema in his post-military life to work with dogs, horses, combat veterans and PTSD sufferers. 

Learn more about training with Pete and his group on Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/systemakingston

"You have all the answers you need already. And that's the value of what we call 'Systema' - it's not knowledge that is injected into you...it belonged to you from the start...it's your birthright."

Anyone who has ever met him will attest: Sergey is a force of nature. A mountainous man with legendary, Samson-esque strength, you might assume he has little need of subtle fighting skills. Yes his skills are as immense as his stature. Sergey is a veteran martial artist - well versed in competitive wrestling, judo, karate, sambo, and other combat arts - and is a powerful practitioner and Instructor of Systema.

He is a highly eloquent and astute observer of martial arts practice, and of what sets Systema apart in this regard.

In this deep and wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the differences and parallels between the most popular martial arts; the primacy of continuous change and development (versus copying and mimicking); the advantages and *dis*advantages of being bigger and stronger than most; and his Systema-mediated recovery from a debilitating spinal infection that threatened his very life. 

Sergey will be leading a two day seminar at Systema Greenville, SC on June 15 & 16 2018. Find out more and register online at https://systemagreenville.wordpress.com/events/

See clips of Sergey in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ac21c7TiPw

Learn more about training with Sergey and his group at www.norcalsystema.com

"Either you control the messages that you're sending out, or you just send random messages...and that  creates effects in the conversation, the interaction, or the conlfict that you didn't intend."

Glenn Murphy is once again joined by NC SYSTEMA's resident health and wellness guru Howard Jacobson, for a chat about all things relating Systema to human communication. Including (but not limited to):

Mentioned in this episode:

What Every Body Is Saying, by Joe Navarro

The Elephant in the Brain, by Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson

Never Split the Difference, by Chris Voss

Follow Howie's healthy exploits online at www.plantyourself.com

"That's the magic of Systema - it allows you to dismantle the prison that you've built for yourself...We've all built our own prisons - we've done it to ourselves - and gradually Systema dismantles that for you."

This week, a change of perspective from Instructor to student, as I talk with Marcia Walker - Principal Industry Consultant for Manufacturing at SAS, and Systema student here in NC since 2014.

Here, Marcia talks about her experiences as a woman training Systema; the insight Systema has given her into life, work and relationships; and how Systema has helped her become a stronger and more courageous person.

This month, Marcia will be presenting at the Raleigh Convention Center on the subject of parallels between Analytics and Martial Arts - accompanied by Glenn Murphy and Jeff Sodeman of NC SYSTEMA. Locals - find out more, and register online (for free) here.

"Internal training...it's very important, because you study timing...you become more meditative...which means you sense yourself."

Extended interview with veteran Instructor and founder of Systema New York City, Edgars Cakuls.

Before beginning Systema, Edgars had an extended martial background in sambo, karate, kungfu, and other arts. But in Systema, he found something entirely different. Through regular pilgrimages to Russia and Japan, anddedicated training under Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev, Edgars has acquired an uncommon depth of knowledge and understanding.

Here, we discuss the meaning of 'internal work', the necessity of patience, cultural differences between Systema students worldwide, and Systema as a kind of 'Zen in the body'.

Find out more about training with Edgars - and the other fine Instructors of Systema NYC - at https://www.systemanewyorkcity.com/

"Cultivating humility is one of the key characteristics of a good teacher, or of becoming a good teacher..."

This week, we're joined once again by health and wellness guru Howard Jacobson, for a discussion of the perils of pride.

Along the way, we touch upon what pride is; whether there's such a thing as "good" pride; moral/religious injuctions on pride; humility and realism as the anitdote to ego; and why bees are assholes :)

Mentioned in this episode:  Ego is the Enemy, by Ryan Holiday


Follow Howie's healthy exploits online at www.plantyourself.com

"...and it was a tremendous experience - even beyond martial arts - of just 'people are people'..."

Part two of an extended chat with veteran martial artist and Systema Instructor Brad Scornavacco - Founder of Systema Colorado and the Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy in Longmont, CO - one of the most successful Systema schools in the USA.
Brad has been training Systema under Vladimir Vasiliev for more then 20 years, and has made numerous trips to Russia to train under Mikhail Ryabko at Moscow HQ.

Here, we talk more about the essentials of running a full-time Systema school; teaching Systema to children; and his experiences training in Russia. 

For more information about classes and seminars with Brad, visit http://www.systemacolorado.com/

To purchase Brad's Book: Systema Revelations online, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Systema-Revelations-Lessons-Russian-Martial/dp/1478717807

Part one of an extended chat with veteran martial artist and Systema Instructor Brad Scornavacco, Founder of the Systema Colorado - one of the most successful Systema schools in the USA. Brad has been training Systema under Vladimir Vasiliev for more then 20 years, and has made numerous trips to Russia to train under Mikhail Ryabko at Moscow HQ.

Here, we talk about teaching Systema alongside other martial disciplines; the amateur vs the professional mindset; and how his background in philosophy and economics have influenced his teaching and approach to business.

For more information about classes and seminars with Brad, visit http://www.systemacolorado.com/

Host Glenn Murphy chats with health and wellness guru Howard jacobson about the role of emotions in our psychological lives.

Along the way, we touch upon: how emotions are constructed in the brain; the relative contributions of memory, attention and sensation to the soup of emotions we experience; simple drills for observing emotional states; and training your inner Homer Simpson.

Check out Howie's health-centred exploits at www.plantyourself.com.

Mentioned in the episode:

How Emotions Are Made
by Lisa Feldman-Barrett

Awareness Through Movement
by Moshe Feldnekrais