I have been involved in teaching self defence and the martial arts for many years. My exploration into the realm of survival tactics has taken me to the fascinating and the surreal parts of the world. I now focus only on the art of Systema. It allows me to move with lighter feet, while removing a burden of complexity known as technique overload. It was actually a friend of mine, who presented me with some inspiring footage of this art, which led to my new path.. At the time he was a dedicated teacher of Tai Chi and we had exchanged various ideas and concepts. We had both exposed different chinks in our martial armour and wanted to find something that would offer balance and depth. It was time to enter The System. I have written this article as a student of the System, though I have been fortunate......as I have been able to train under some of the top teachers of this absorbing art. These are my observations and I hope that they follow what has been taught. Enjoy, and welcome to the System.
Mention Russian martial arts to people and they may assume you are talking about Sombo, the leg locking grappling art. There are many other arts within the depths of Russia’s culture, a culture now attracting much attention in the West. Some of Russia’s fighting arts can be traced quite far back into Russia’s war like history. One of the most unique arts that are now gaining much popularity is an art known as The System. The System is a lethal art but it teaches much more than self defence. The depths to this art were explored by certain Russian Special Operations Units. (SOUs). Only some of these Russian military units were taught the System. The members of these units were put through vigorous training regimens that tested their limits on both physical and mental levels. The elite troops that embraced the System were also involved in a high risk operational sphere. While the System provided them with a functional survival tool, their sharp military experience also gave them something to put back into the System thus furthering its development. Most of the top teachers of this powerful art, have served within the Special Operations Units.
One of the key strengths of Systema, a strength quickly noticed by anyone observing the class, is the diverse nature of the training. The diversity of the training is something that probably stems from the diverse requirements of the special operations professional. In one class, a student of the System may practise escape from grabs, work against knife attacks, rolling movements and takedowns. The System thrives on spontaneity and flowing movement. Despite the diverse range of training drills ,there are some basic principles that are constantly stressed. One important principle is correct breathing habits. By breathing effectively, the practitioner learns to keep the body relaxed. The Systema practitioner likes to manoeuvre with a relaxed body as this allows for more possibilities or more strategies. A relaxed body is less likely to sustain injury than one that is tense.
Another key principle of the System is maintaining form and efficient spinal alignment. Even during a self defence situation, the intention is to keep the spine straight. By doing this, the practitioner gains efficient balance and his awareness levels are greatly increased. The curved forward animalist posture that may be seen in other arts is avoided in Systema for such a posture creates a very different mind set. In the System, the practitioner remains calm but focused as opposed to charging in with wild aggression and muscular zeal. The breathing skills are developed consistently throughout training so that, under pressure, the person can use them to remain calm and functional. The Systema practitioner operates using flowing movement to overcome an attacker. Indeed movement is favoured over trying to oppose the force of the opponent’s punch or kick. At times the person will simply flow around an enemy’s punch or he may redirect the punch thus using the attacker’s aggression to his advantage. This is not a simple cause and effect style where the student learns a set technique to deal with set attacks. The defence and attack mutually connect with subtle angles and fluid motion.
The freedom of movement within the System gives the practitioner a sense of endless possiblities. A gateway to one’s potential, perhaps.......? It also allows one to deal effectively with the infinite number of attacks and scenarios that can occur. Strikes, takedowns and joint manipulation are all fair game and very much a part of the Systema practitioner’s arsenal. No area of hand to hand combat is favoured over the others. Perhaps one could say that the desired technique is the one that gets the job done as quickly and effectively as possible. The takedowns are based on leverage, timing and balance not power lifter style strength. All physical action requires some element of strength but the System seems to avoid making combat too much of a strength game. Now you might argue that if you have strength why not use it? The answer here is simple: You don't always have strength on your side. In a military environment, you may be starving, injured and exhausted. You may have been marching for days, through snow or jungle. Under harsh , cold conditions such as these strength can be lost quickly. Even civilians can find themselves in a predicament where strength is not an option. For example, you may be feeling sick or injured on the day you are attacked. Strength can leave the body. Moreover, it is dangerous to get into a wrestling match when your opponent is stronger or more powerful. The observations of certain Russian Special Operations veterans suggests that strength and excessive aggression can make one tired very quickly. One can not afford to tire quickly when there is more than one attacker.
The art may favour movement but do not let this mislead you into thinking it is devoid of conditioning work. All attributes have their place in combat and so the student should expect to do encounter plenty of interesting exercises. These exercises not only enhance physical attributes such as tendon strength, flexibility and endurance, they give confidence and a strong feeling of vitality to the diligent. The priority when doing these unique exercises is very much in the breathing but they will help develop mobility and functional power. In tangent with the physical exercises are more specific breathing exercises designed to relax the practitioner and remove stress. There are even health boosting exercises and practises but such areas would be best learnt direct from one of the Systema teachers. All the exercises in the System seem to link the physical and mental together. The art does not try to categorize or separate the different objectives. The emphasis on natural movement means that injuries are far less likely to occur and the breathing itself can help prevent much harm.
When it comes to the combative movement, the practitioner can use various parts of the body as a weapon. The hands, elbows, knees, and feet are just some of the tools at hand. Even the hip or shoulder can provide damage to the attacker when required. The strikes of Systema flow from one to another and wreck havoc on the opponent’s sense of awareness and his body structure. In contrast to some martial arts, the strikes and takedowns can be delivered from any position and there is no pre strike chambering or positioning required. The beauty of this is that strikes can be delivered even in awkward situations such as when one is in a confined space or even in a car. The strikes can have unusual effects on an opponent; they project from unusual angles and they distort the attacker’s sense of timing and balance. Of course, while techniques and movement can be of great value, there is one concept that is really embraced: awareness. A typical Systema class will always increase one’s sense of awareness. Awareness can prevent one from even entering a dangerous situation or it can give one a chance to move away from the danger. So how is awareness developed in the System? Almost every aspect of a Systema class is designed to strike home the awareness concept. Each exercise and drill develops some form of awareness. There are some very specific drills as well. Awareness of one’s capabilities, awareness of one’s attacker and awareness of the unexpected are just a few examples of different realms of awareness. They also remind students that the art deals on the physical and psychological aspects of survival. Indeed, survival is favoured over gung ho futility by the realist. This may even mean that one simply rolls away from an attack and escapes.
Entering the art of the System can be an exercise in clearing the body of tension . Tension that has infiltrated the body through one’s adventures, defeats and near misses. It helps clear the mind of bad training habits and dangerous mistakes .
If one wants to become more aware of Systema’s depths or simply...more aware...the best advice would be to try to attend one of the seminars or better still head due south…or north…or which ever direction gets you to Toronto, Canada. There you will discover the Russian Martial Art School. Taught by Vladimir Vasiliev a former SOU operative and teacher of vast experience, the classes allow you to explore much in the way of practical self defence. So to discover this Russian art, you may need to apply that key Systema concept of movement but ......I think you will like what you find.
