Systema For Life

In-depth discussion with Systema Instructor and co-founder of Systema Peru / Ruso Combate Funcional (Perú) - Bratzo Barrena.

Bratzo has decades of hard-earned experience in martial arts and combatives training, and is the translator of many articles published by Russian Martial Art HQ in Spanish.

Here, he shares his insights into what makes Systema different; the dynamic differences between duelling and survival ; the martial arts myth of invincibility; and the necessity of "acting your age" in training.

Find out more about Systema Peru online, and read articles in English and Spanish, at http://systemarusocf.wixsite.com/peru/blog

Referenced in this podcast:

"I Saw A Video...Systema Doesn't Work!"

"What To Expect In Systema"

Part two of an extended Q&A with world-renowned Systema Instructor and martial arts phenomenon, Martin Wheeler - co-owner of The Academy, Los Angeles, and trainer to elite athletes, military groups, and movie stars alike. Regulars at Martin's studio include Wesley Snipes, Dan Inosanto, and Chadwick Boseman (Marvel's Black Panther).

Here, we discuss how Systema breathwork and psychological training function in real, life-or-death situations, the parallels Martin has found between writing and teaching, and what it's like to be teaching Dan Inosanto, Richard Norton, Marc Denny, and other legendary figures in martial arts.

East coasters - please note that Martin will be coming to NC SYSTEMA on Sep 22-23 2018 to teach a two-day seminar entitled Slip, Strike, Grapple, on the subject of distance, timing, and core fighting tactics. Sign up before April 1st and save $100 on the door price. Martin's seminars with us have sold out the last 6 years running, and numbers are capped due to venue requirements. So don't delay. Click here to register online.

First part of an extended Q&A session with Systema Instructor and world-renowned martial artist Martin Wheeler - co-owner of The Academy, Los Angeles, and trainer to elite athletes, military groups, and movie stars alike. Regulars at Martin's studio include Wesley Snipes, Dan Inosanto, and Chadwick Boseman (Marvel's Black Panther).

Here, we discuss his approach to teaching, mindsets in training, and how taking the Top Gun approach of studying enemy tactics and manoeuvres is essential in preparing for a real fight.

Martin will be coming to NC SYSTEMA on Sep 22-23 2018 to teach a two-day seminar entitled Slip, Strike, Grapple, on the subject of distance, timing, and core fighting tactics. Sign up before April 1st and save $100 on the door price. Click here to register online.

Find out more about Martin's classes and seminars worldwide at www.wheelersystema.com.

Life is always an assumed risk. You have to say to yourself: "Which are the risks that I'm going to pay attention to, and which are the risks I'm going to try to mitigate? How much of this can I trust, and how much risk am I willing to assume?"

This week, Glenn is joined by healthy living guru Howard Jacobson for a discussion on the ever-present aspects of risk and discomfort in our daily lives, and how Systema training can help us contextualize the former, and live and learn from the latter.

Along the way, we cover the two systems of risk perception in the brain; the role of memory and experience in consdering risky decisions; how Systema helps mitigate the REAL threats we face in the world; and Glenn's lopsided sense of risk, apropos aeroplanes and motorcycles.  

Support Systema For Life for as little as $1/month, at www.patreon.com/ncsystema

Follow Howie and his healthy exploits at www.plantyourself.com

Short Interview with NJ-based Systema and BJJ Instructor - and founder of Pravilo USA - Arseniy Grebnov. Recorded at Tidewater Systema Virginia in early 2018.

Here we discuss his path from sambo, kungfu and MMA to Systema, and the astonishing benefits of working with the Pravilo machine on life, health, and Systema practice

Find our more about Arseniy and Pravilo at
http://fightandheal.com, and www.praviloUSA.com

"True relaxation has more to do with... a state of being in your body...where you have freedom."

Interview with Russian Martial Art HQ (Toronto) Instructor Jason Priest, recorded during the Pillars of Systema seminar he taught in Greenville, SC in November 2017.

Jason has trained under Vladimir Vasiliev for over a decade, and regularly teaches breathwork and weekend classes at Toronto HQ.

Here, we talk about his serendipitous path from Taekwondo to Systema; the characteristic (and deceptive) lack of aggression in Systema; the value of pacing yourself in training (and teaching); and how you can train solo - on a daily basis - to improve your life, health, and skill in Systema.

For a short clip of Jason in action, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfwHYZiGMNU. Train with him and other superb instructors at Russian Martial Art HQ.

Visit www.russianmartialart.com for details.

Extended discussion between NC SYSTEMA Chief Instructor Glenn Murphy and health and lifestyle guru Howard Jacobson, PhD.

"Success is built on the fundament of wrongness"

Here, we muse on the perils, difficulties, and critical benefits of critical feedback, and of admitting our weaknesses and flaws in general.

Further reading (for interested listeners)

Thanks For The Feedback
by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen

Being Wrong
by Kathryn (not Karen!) Schultz

Find out more about Howie and his work at www.plantyourself.com. You can find his podcast, Plant Yourself, on iTunes, MyCast, and most major applications.

Part two of an extended Q&A with Senior Systema Instructor Emmanuel Manolakakis, veteran student of Vladimir Vasiliev and founder of Systema Fight Club, Toronto.

Here, we discuss the many ways in which Systema can serve us in our daily lives, outside the realm of safety and security. Including its role in conflict management, stress management, and lifelong education.

For more information about classes and seminars with Manny, visit www.fight-club.ca/

Part one of an extended Q&A with Senior Systema Instructor Emmanuel Manolakakis, veteran student of Vladimir Vasiliev and founder of Systema Fight Club, Toronto.

Here, we consider questions of how to train for enhanced awareness in Systema, and the role of speed and intensity in training.

For more information about classes and seminars with Manny, visit www.fight-club.ca/

"Slow down. Do not try to be better than anyone else. Lower your intentions. Just let your body decide how to move, what to do. And help peple around you."

Interview with Russian Martial Art HQ (Toronto) Instructor Igor Ponizov - a 20-year student of Vladimir Vasiliev, and a powerful practitioner in his own right.

In person, Igor is quiet and unassuming, yet his incredible skills and his wealth of knowledge and awareness speak for themselves in training.

Here, we explore how Systema training has changed over the years, the early, rough-and-tumble era of Systema, the stages we all go through in training, and the common mistakes he sees - even in experienced trainees.

Check out Igor's 'Systema for Dummies' series on YouTube, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt-IfynFycoMHBfKT6cUFEQ/videos