Systema, Russian Martial Arts

REAL Martial Arts Training for Combat
A look at Systema, Russian Martial Arts

Spirit Warriors Martial Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
www.martialartssantafe.com 

I attended a workshop with Martin Wheeler this past weekend.  Martin teaches Systema, Russian Martial Arts.  He has an extensive martial arts background and is an excellent instructor.  Except for still being bruised and sore I had a fun and very educational experience.

On my drive home with my friend Ken, who also attended, we started talking about the difference between most martial arts training in technique based styles and what we had just experienced.  To put in a little context here, I have been studying martial arts for over 25 years.  I have run the course from traditional, culturally based arts to more advanced, modern combat sciences.  Ken has studied Shotokan for 7 years.

I came up with the analogy of Systema working on the core operating system, while most martial arts are working on a technique based programming level.  Just like in a computer, the operating system has to be in place, strong and able to handle anything you throw at it.  If the operating system fails, nothing else works.  Technique based styles function at a much simpler level just like computer programs.  You can add one for kicking, punching, grappling etc.  However if there is no grounded and comprehensive operating system that unifies the whole, it is just a bunch of separate disconnected programs.

Systema's core operating system works on basic principles, not individual techniques or a series of moves put together to respond to a certain stimulus.  It is much more comprehensive in it's approach.    Four of these principles, that I understand, are relaxation, movement, structure and proper breathing.  Drills are designed to emphasize some or all of these areas of development.

Relaxation.  I like to think of this more as no unnecessary tension.  People often confuse relaxation with the wet noodle type of relaxation that is also counter productive to good martial arts.  Relaxation means responding to something with exactly the correct amount of tension needed to move the body, avoid an attack and neutralize the threat with the least amount of energy needed.  Unnecessary tension creates openings for attack, slows down movement, requires more energy to do the same amount of work and is completely unnecessary.  A relaxed body moves faster and more fluidly, responds to more subtle cues and avoids injury when it gets hit.  It is similar to the drunk driver who does not get hurt in a crash because he does not tense up, but just moves around with the impact.  Noticing tension in your opponent also creates openings and opportunities for attack.  Reading a persons tension, lack of mobility and targets is what makes a Systema practitioner so precise and deadly.  No action is wasted and it is not based on preset attacks and defenses that will never occur in the real world, it is based on reading what your opponent is actually doing and taking advantage of that opening right now.  As you advance in your practice and are relaxed and fluid in your own body you can also create the tension and targets you want in your opponent by manipulating them and gaining control over them with little effort.  One of the biggest creators of tension is fear.  There are many ways to dissipate fear.  This however is an extensive discussion that can not be properly addressed in this article.  We will do so in a future article that will be devoted entirely to fear and how to use it to your advantage.

Movement is vital and absolutely necessary. Allowing the body to move naturally and without restriction is the best way to avoid being hit and to hit without giving away your intention and using surprise and stealth to your advantage.  If your opponent can't see whats coming he can't respond to it.  The only way to do this is to be relaxed.   When you move there is a level of relaxation that makes it hard for others to perceive what is really happening.  Movements are smooth, non-aggressive and difficult to read.  Your attack has already landed before it is observed, therefore your opponent has no opportunity to respond.  There are no fighting postures or stances.  There is no telegraphing your intentions.  Action is taken with such finesse that your opponent does not even know what happened.  Fluid, natural, unrestricted motion is a trademark of Systema.  Others often make the mistake of thinking Systema is weak and has no power.  That is until they get hit by a Systema practitioner and didn't even see it coming, or get frustrated in not being to hit back because of the illusive, relaxed movement of their Systema opponent.

Structure is another core principal.  Structure does not mean over exaggerated stances or unnecessary  holding of positions.  Structure means proper alignment of the body is relation to what is happening.  Keeping the head up and spine straight are very important.  Moving the body as a whole from the core is vital to create power and avoid being hit with consequence.  Let me explain that last statement.  Being hit is not of concern.  If you are relaxed and in motion with proper breathing being hit is only a mild irritation, if that.  Being hit when you are tense, out of alignment or immobile can be another thing.  That is why it is so important to understand these principals and to perfect them.  Structure keeps the body strong and allows for fluid motion and power generation from various positions.  In Systema you learn to strike from almost anywhere, to catch your opponent by surprise and do the unexpected.  It is not necessary to be in a particular stance, facing your opponent at a particular angel in order to cause damage.  In fact it is preferred to avoid all of these preconceived ideas and to move with instinct and do what is natural for you.

Breath, the first thing we do in this life is breathe in, the last is breathe out.  Breath is life.  We all breathe.  There is however proper breathing and just breathing.  There are entire books written on proper breathing techniques for combat.  Systema has it's own version as well.  Breathing helps to create all of the previous principals.  It can also destroy them.  One of the first and most important things a practitioner learns in Systema is how to breathe.  There are literally hundreds of exercises focused on breath work and how to use your breath to create relaxation, strength and endurance.  How to use breath to reduce fear, expel tension and heal the body.  I believe breathing is the most important of all the principals we have talked about here.  That is why I saved it for last.  I want you to remember how important it is and to learn more about it.  Breathing is taught to soldiers, law enforcement officers, martial artists, it helps to contain stress and keep adrenaline responses under control.  It helps to heal the body and allow it to continue when injured.  Proper breathing is vital to relaxation and movement.  I think one of the best places to start is with the book written by Vladimir Vasiliev entitled "Let Every Breath".  It is comprehensive in it's description and shows you hundreds of exercised to do to perfect your own breathing.  You can also find lots of videos on Youtube with breath teachings as well.

I hope this very limited information about Systema has created a curiosity in you.  I have been studying Systema for about three years and the teachings have changed the way I do almost everything in my life.  Systema is not just an effective martial art, or combat system.  It's principles are true in all aspects of life.

Spirit Warriors Martial Arts
Raven Hicks
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Taking Personal Responsibility

More from Spirit Warriors Martial Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico

 www.martialartssantafe.com

Taking Personal Responsibility 

Taking personal responsibility for your own safety is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your loved ones. 

We all want a safe and secure world for ourselves and our children and it is up to us to create that world by taking the steps necessary to make it so.  Accepting responsibility is the first step.  Sticking your head in the sand and pretending that the world is safe and there is no crime or having the mindset that “It will never happen to me” are just delusions that allow us not to deal with reality.  The reality is violent crime has increased 500% in the past 50 years.  There are many ideas as to why this is occurring and many factors that can be blamed.  I feel however that the biggest reason is complacency.  People have become so selfish, so self consumed in their drive for personal satisfaction that they have failed to take responsibility for what goes on in their communities.  They blame economics, politics, social class, lack of police presence, religion and just about anything else they can think of.  This is much easier than taking personal responsibility and making a difference themselves. 

The police can not be everywhere, the politicians are too busy with their own power lust and our neighbors have their head stuck in the sand.  So it is up to you. 

What can you do? 

The first step is to become aware of what is happening in your community.  What types of crimes are being committed?  Who is committing them?  When are they occurring?  This creates awareness, the first step in self defense.  The second step is learning how to assess situations and how to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as they say.  When you are aware of what is happening and know how to assess situations you can make choices that will decrease your chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime substantially. 

Avoidance is always the best option when dealing with a potentially violent situation.  I had an experience a couple of years ago with a lunatic on the highway.  He started following me and yelling at me as we were driving.  I guess I offended his sense of honor or something.  He followed me for about 15 miles until we got to my turnoff.  When I moved to the right lane to take my exit he followed me so I got back on the highway.  I went a few more miles and then made a U turn at which time he yelled some racial slur and derogatory comment about my heritage out his window and kept going.  I could have stopped and pulled over got all offended about his comments about my parents and perhaps kicked his butt.  I have, after all, been a police officer and have a black belt.  The problem is he didn’t know any of that and he probably didn’t care.  He may have been armed or just been lucky and kicked my butt.  I guess we will never know.  What I do know is that I went home, happy and safe, and spent the rest of the evening with my family. 

  

If all attempts at avoiding a situation fail it may be necessary to take action.  The actions I am talking about here are defending yourself and others.  They are actions that should only be taken under the most threatening circumstances and when there are no other options.  Self defense is your right.  It is also your responsibility.  It is your responsibility to learn safe and effective skills that can be used when your health and safety are threatened.  It is your responsibility to know your legal rights and what you can do without getting into trouble.  Using force against another person has to be done within the confines of the law.  If you use too much force you may have prevented physical injury but now face civil and criminal liability.  It is not an easy subject.  You must learn more than just the physical skills, you must learn how to protect yourself in all areas. 

At Spirit Warriors Martial Arts we offer a comprehensive program of self defense that covers all areas of personal protection, physical, mental, emotional, legal and financial.  Our programs teach you everything you need to know to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property in an increasing violent and uncertain world. 

Spirit Warriors Martial Arts

Santa Fe, New Mexico

What really works?

From Spirit Warriors Martial Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I have studied martial arts for over 25 years.  I have been involved in traditional styles such as Goju Ryu Karate, Hakoryu Jiu Jitsu and Tai Chi Chuan.  I have also played a little with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other sport oriented styles.  My true interests lie in reality based martial arts such as Krav Maga, Russian Systema as well as the Philippino and Malaysian stick and knife fighting systems. 

As you can imagine there are many different approaches and ideas as to what works best and how it works.  I have watched people do one step and three step techniques.  I have observed students learning rote memory attacks and defenses against completely impractical movements.  I have walked up and down the floor throwing punches and kicks into the air at imaginary opponents.  I have sparred with so much protective gear covering my body it did not matter what my partner or I did to each other, it didn’t work.  Thus the question, “What really works?”

I do not pretend to have the answer to this question.  That is why I am a student.  Tonight in class I was working with one of my students.  He has several years of martial arts experience and is up to what people would call a Black Belt.  He moves well, knows his stuff and trains hard.  We started off slow working with a wooden knife trying techniques and skills we have done before.  As we progressed the speed accelerated, the intensity increased and we both started getting cut, a lot!  If it was a real knife we both would have ended up dead. 

We worked on trapping, grabbing, redirecting, striking, you name it we did it.  When I have done this in the past with a cooperative partner it worked well and looked great.  I was the skilled warrior ready to take on any knife wielding attacker.  But wait, he wasn’t cooperative.  He didn’t stand still with his arm extended and wait for me.  When I moved he moved, when I attacked he defended.  Sometimes he attacked my attack.  OK something is not working here.  I am doing everything I have been taught from some of the best and my student is cutting me.  He is doing what I taught him and he is being cut and stabbed.  What are we doing wrong?  What are we doing right? 

I decided that I need to look at things a little different.  As I said earlier I have studied traditional, sport and reality based martial arts.  I have done all the things martial artist do when we train.  Most of it is a complete waste of time therefore we are very particular about what we do and how we do it at our school.  Even with this very realistic, practical approach we need to change. 

How are you training?  What is the primary focus of your school?  How does you teacher present the material to you?  Will it work on the street as well as it works in the dojo?  Will it work on a moving, aggressive, uncooperative attacker as well as it works on you compliant training partner?  We spend hours training and learning, make sure you are not wasting your time.  Take a good look at what you are doing and how you are doing it and ask yourself. “Does this really work?” 

Let me know what you come up with.  I would love to hear your stories, suggestions and comments.

Classes at Spirit Warriors are offered weekly in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Come check out a class.

Raven Hicks

Spirit Warriors Martial Arts
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