This week, a deep and fascinating discussion with Dr Raul Sanchez Garcia, Systema practitioner and Assistant Professor of Sports Science at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Raul is what you might call a fighting scientist - having studied the mechanics and pedagogy of running, fencing, judo, MMA, and a wide range of traditional martial disciplines.

Here, we discuss Systema in the context of his work, including:

Find out more about Raul's orginal work at https://raulsangar.wordpress.com/cv/

"The types of exercises you do...giving people neural tasks, moving through different physiological states...these are very polyvagal-informed"

This week, a unique discussion with Dr Stephen Porges - distinguished research scientist and global authority on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic stress.

Among his other accolades, Dr Porges is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, Professor Emeritus at the Univeristies of Chicago and Maryland, and the author of over 300 papers in subjects ranging from psychology and neuroscience to space medicine and exercise physiology. He is also the creator of the Polyvagal Theory - a theory that links the evolution of the mammalian nervous system to social behavior and physiological states. For those that understand it, this has huge implications for the way we teach and train Systema - particularly for those that come to training following assault, abuse, and other types of trauma.

Here, Dr Porges and Glenn Murphy go deep on:

In short, we discover that Systema is - in the words of Dr Porges - seriously "Polyvagal-informed"

Find out more about Dr Stephen Porges and his work at https://www.stephenporges.com/

This week, another exploratory conversation with health and wellness guru - and continuing Systema student - Howard Jacobson. Here, we dive into the causes, symptoms, and consequences of burnout, including:

how and why burnout happens, in work, life, and training

how to recognize burnout in yourself, and in others

how to avoid burnout by mindet and behaviour change

how training Systema correctly can insulate you against burnout, in all its forms

Hope these conversations are proving useful in your training, and your life. If so, we’d love to hear about it. Drop us a line at ncsystema.com/contact, and share your own opinions and experiences.

And if you’re getting value from this podcast, please be sure to support it as best you can, in one of the following ways:

Like and Share on social media

Share links to the episode via email with friends

Talk or blog about it on your own platforms

Support us directly with a monthly contribution, at www.patreon.com/ncsystema

"To know the way is to see it in all things"

This epsiode, we chat with Washington, DC-based Systema Instructor Jonathan Han. Honest, generous, and humble, Jonathan is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. But beneath the modesty lies a man of many hats - artist, architect, dancer, teacher. Here, we enjoy a wide-ranging dicussion that touches upon:

Systema as a creative art

Similarities between Systema and Argentine Tango

Training as a spiritual practice

The necessity of knowing (and losing) your self

Meet Jonathan in training at Maryland Systema, Takoma Park MD, nr Washington DC.
https://marylandsystema.com/

This week, we chat with Ontario-based Systema Instructor and Marketing/Communications specialist Gary Bernier.

Living, training, and teaching just an hour or so from Systema HQ Toronto, Gary has had the benefit of hitting almost every HQ seminar since 2008, starting with his first experience at the 2008 Immersion Camp. Along the way, he has also learned much about how to apply Systema to enhance his personal and professional life. Topics here include:

Train with Gary at http://systemageorgetown.com.

This week, we chat with Dimitri Trufanov of Systema: Russian Martial Art Chicago - engineer, father of three, Systema instructor, and Russian translator for numerous Systema seminars, articles, and training videos.

Russian by birth, but training in America since 2003, Dimitri has enjoyed an uncommon level of access to three of our style's greatest masters - Mikhail Ryabko, Vladimir Vasiliev, and Konstantin Komarov - and gained some serious wisdom along the way.

Here, we talk about:

A fascinating account, not to be missed.

Find out more about training with Dimitri via the Systema Vasiliev website, or at http://www.systemarussianmartialart.com

This episode, another health-focused chat with Howard Jacobson - Systema aficionado, podcaster, and co-founder of WellstartHealth.com.
Here, we go deep on the subject of healing, including:

This week, more deep insights on the Against Tension seminar, hosted by Systema HQ Toronto in August 2019.
Your guest commentator? Your guest commentator? None other than Senior Systema Instructor - and Founder of Fight Club Toronto - Emmanuel Manolakakis.

A veteran Instructor and direct student of Vladimir Vasiliev for over 25 years, Emmanuel always presents a fresh and fascinating perspective on Systema training. In this interview, we talk about:

A rare, double-whammy for the podcast this week, as we join Systema Iowa Instructor Lance Rewarts and Senior Systema Instructor Martin Wheeler. Recorded during the recent Against Tension seminar at Systema HQ Toronto, Lance and Martin share their insights from the weekend, and offer windows into the genius of our shared Instructor, Vladimir Vasiliev. Along the way, we cover:

This week, a frank and pragmatic conversation with Jim Eglin of Maryland Systema.

Humble, affable, and highly skilled, Jim is a great example of someone who lives Systema through his actions, and a longtime friend of the NC Systema. In town for a week of training, we took some time to chat about how he found Systema, and how he brings his expertise in marketing to help new trainees discover its benefits.

Including:

- what makes Systema unique to potential students

- building your online presence as a new training group or business

- the importance of honesty and authenticity in advertising

- parallels between training and buiness relationships

Hopefully of interest to many, there is some truly great advice here for those hoping to make their training groups into established, professional martial arts schools.  Many thanks to Jim for sharing his hard-earned insights and advice.

Maryland Systema is based in Takoma Park, MD, close to Washington DC. Find out more about training with Jim at https://marylandsystema.com/