INSPIRED BY MOVEMENT… Film reviews

“It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see.” Thoreau

It is always nice to have a video of a seminar you have attended. It is also rather annoying to see the things you missed while you were there.
Vlad’s newest DVD: Movement and Precision is now among my favorites of his videos. The first thing I noticed was the superb camera work. The work itself takes place during the May 2009 seminar with Sergey Ozereliev and Vladimir Vasiliev, and what work it is!

Take your pick, there is something for everyone in this video: slow work, brutal work, partner work (one against two, two against one, two against two), exercises, and drills. There is also some fun! Seeing Vlad and Sergey doing knife work against one another is worth the price of this video alone. In all that Systema is (brutal yet fun, serious yet enjoyable), this video shows it if you will but see it.

In the midst of this video, a medical doctor and student of Systema, gives a great explanation on the difference between thinking, and feeling and the effects of learning.

Something a little different in this video is a Camera 2 segment. You see some of the same material except from another angle, from a different camera. This actually provides you with a greater sight picture, if you will.

Thankfully, what this video does not have is any fluff. There are no time fillers such as crowd scenes and the like.

This video really reminds me of what keeps me in Systema, the sheer fun of brutality.
Ok, that did not come out quite right.
The sheer joy of two professionals doing the work and sharing that work with us…

This is video is one to have.

Brad Scheel
Systema Instructor teaching in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

This video is great!  A friend sent this to me and it is a series of Mr. Sub commercials.  Watch the second one to see Vlad….It is priceless!

“ Breaking — by the Numbers ”
by Kwan Lee

Recently, I visited Vladimir’s school in Toronto, as usual had an awesome time training, and I want to share a few impressions with you. Vladimir demonstrated some jaw-dropping work in a class that showed how versatile the movements could be against multiple attackers if applied with correct timing, distance, and tactical awareness.

In one situation, Vladimir subdued three attackers at once while against a wall. I can vividly recall that while he was breaking a knife wielding attacker’s elbow with his left arm while using his left hand to counter a grab from a second attacker, he used his right hand to secure the wrist of a third attacker while using his leg to not only break the third person’s elbow (using the back of his knee as a fulcrum) but broke the person’s knee as well (in a stepping motion with his foot). Of course, though he was more than capable, he did not fully commit to the breaks. Throughout the demo, I remember that he remained perfectly balanced throughout the movement and looked totally calm, while the others were contorted into regretful and painful positions. It sounds complex and messy, yet it was totally unrehearsed and really did look beautiful.

Vladimir explained that it is easier to initiate breaks on the move because an attacker becomes less grounded, which means less ability for him to resist the energy of a breaking movement with strength alone. When combined with perfect positioning and timing, the break becomes easier to execute, especially on limbs that extend toward you in a grab or punch.

Deeper instruction can be found in Dynamic Joint Breaks DVD. There you will learn how to move into the best possible positions that allow for easy access to joints and how to set up for more complex connections between your attackers, all on the move. When the movements and concepts are broken down as they are in this DVD, you begin to realize how simple and opportunistic the work can be and how, with a little practice, you too will be able to achieve full control of similar situations.

About the author.
Kwan Lee is one of the top senior instructors of Systema for Vladimir Vasiliev. Currently living in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the Director and Chief Instructor of Russian Martial Art Arizona and a structural engineer for military aerospace. He teaches classes and seminars to law enforcement officers, military personnel, and the general public (www.systema.us).

The following article was can also be located on Vladimer’s website: www.RussianMartialArt.com

First is show up to train…

Second breathe and relax…

Third keep your spine straight…

Fourth: Repeat…

See you at practice soon.

Bill

INSTRUCTOR: Vladimir Vasiliev

• Director and chief instructor of Russian Martial Art
• Russian Special Operations Unit profession

(more…)

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to let you know about a couple of seminars that I just finished getting setup that are happening in October and November…

The first is October 19, 2008 in Dayton, Ohio from 11:30am to 2:30pm
contact: Matt McCormick for more info at (937) 672-0382 or john.mccormick@wright.edu

also check out: Systema Dayton

The second is November 1, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana from 3pm to 7pm
contact: Paul Adamson for more info at (317) 733-8101 or adamson_paul@hotmail.com

also check out: Adamson Karate

And by the way we will have some footage of the most recent Systema seminar hosted by Legion Fit in Lexington, Kentucky.

Talk to everyone soon,

Bill

Hey Guys,

We had a Systema seminar in Lexington, Kentucky this past weekend and was just sent some pics.  Thought you might like to take a look at them….

Systema Seminar Pics in Lexington, Kentucky

There will be more coming soon!

Best regards,

Bill

I noticed something very cool about life.  The more fun I’m having doing something… the more time becomes meaningless, the experiences and information around me go straight into my long-term memory, and I feel that all things are possible.

The fun I’ve had with Systema in particular has kicked off a quest of inner discovery.  There are many valid reasons that I train; however, having fun was the one reason that I thought should be brought to the forefront.

I know that if I didn’t have fun with Systema, all the other reasons that I train wouldn’t be as valid.  Think about it, self defense is a great perk to training; however, without the fun… how hard would I push myself?  How, “good” would I get?  How much would I journey down the self-discovery road?

The old saying, ”If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well!”  is a good saying.  I’d only add that you should have fun while doing what your doing.

Best Regards,

James