Systema For Life

"Systema is not a fighting system. It's a method for growing a better, more realized human being."

Interview with Texas-based Systema Instructor and author, Gene Smithson - a personal hero, and an exemplary human being.

Gene has been training martial arts - including Systema, Tai Chi, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - for most of his adult life, and is a certfied Systema Instructor under Vladimir Vasiliev. He teaches adult and youth groups at Austin Systema and Tai Chi Chuan, and is the author of Shot: Healing Hurt, and Simple, Not Easy: 30 Days to a More Deliberate Life.

Gene has a unique story, in that he used Systema to recover from the trauma - both physical and psychological - of a near-fatal shooting incident, and has come back stronger and happier than ever before. In this first part of the interview, Gene talks about his formative experiences in Systema training, the difference between Systema and other martial styles, and his very personal experience of growth through trauma.

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

You can purchase Shot: Healing Hurt, along with his other books, at Amazon.com.

The second half of a two-part discussion on the nature and importance of dexterity. Inpsired by conversations with Konstantin Komarov, Emmanuel Manolakakis and others, and by the book On Dexterity and Its Development by Soviet era Neurophysiologist Nikolai Bernstein.

Here, we discuss how dexterity is built in the brains and bodies of humans and other animals, dexterity types and levels, and the implications for teaching and training Systema.

The first half of a two-part discussion on the nature and importance of dexterity. Inspired by conversations with Konstantin Komarov, Emmanuel Manolakakis and others, and by the book On Dexterity and Its Development by Soviet era Neurophysiologist Nikolai Bernstein.

Here, we discuss what dexterity is, why its so important, and how it applies to life, health, and Systema training.

Part II to follow next week.

"You see this manifestation in some of the highest levels of martial arts, where they work with very little contact. And it looks effortless. And everybody calls it bullsh*t. But then you watch Michael Jordan going for a layup...he's changing five different directions and sailing up there like a bird, and everybody's like 'WOW'. But nobody doubts it. That's interesting to me."

In-depth interview with Senior Systema Instructor and Chief Instructor of Fight Club Toronto, Emmanuel Manolakakis.
Emmanuel has been training Systema for more than 20 years, and has trained extensively under masters Vladimir Vasiliev and Mikhail Ryabko. He now teaches adult and youth groups at his own studio on the south side of Toronto, and teaches seminars and workshops around the world.

Recorded live at Fight Club earlier this year, this conversation covers a lot of ground, including: why he trains Systema, working with youth groups, building resilience through anti-fragility, and the benefits of quiet time and journaling.

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

"The idea of the style is to remove tension. When you remove tension, you remove fear. And when you remove fear, you start to be more happy."

Short interview with Director and Chief Instructor of Systema Headquarters Toronto, Vladimir Vasiliev - the man credited with first bringing Systema to the West.

In this brief chat following an evening class at HQ, we talk about how Vladimir first came to Systema, the power and mastery of Mikhail Ryabko, the pitfalls of pride, and advice for new practitioners of the art.

For more information about classes and seminars at Systema Headquarters Toronto, visit www.russianmartialart.com.

Short introductory episode, outlining the aims, goals, and format of the podcast. What to expect, how often to expect it, and how you can get involved.

For more information, visit www.ncsystema.com, or contact [email protected]