I returned to Fighthouse on Tuesday to take the evening class with
our guest teacher Martin Wheeler. We started out with a few
conditioning exercises. We did some pushups, changing the position of
our arms each time. In past classes, we've done something similar by
holding a knife in one hand and switching the position of the knife
for each new pushup. We also did backbend pushups, which I find
utterly impossible. Then some one-legged squats, with the other leg
held straight, lowering to floor and up again. I think Martin was the
only one of us who didn't struggle through those! Then partnered sit-
ups, with one person on all fours and the other on their back, facing
their feet, lowering down to the floor and up again. Your head should
almost touch the floor as you go down and drape your arms backwards.
I've collapsed a few people during this exercise, and I've also
pitched a few people off accidentally. It helps to square off and
distribute your own weight evenly before the other person climbs on.
And you have to relax and trust the person to support you as you dip
down. I think of it as a weight-distribution exercise for both
partners rather than an ab exercise.

Next we practiced yielding by avoiding knife slashes, simply getting
out of the way, either rotating inward, or stepping sideways or
backwards and out of the path. We did a similar exercise with slashes
to the legs, letting the movement of the blade "carry" the leg away.
Martin showed us how to separate the upper and lower parts of the leg
to avoid the blade, by moving just the thigh and letting the calf
swing back after the blade had passed. We did the same avoidance
exercises at half-and full squat.

Martin asked us to let a knife slash to the legs move us into forward
rolls. Perhaps because many of us were rolling sort of clumsily, he
also showed us how to fall forward and stop the impact with our
hands, but staying as flat as possible. In our class, we've done this
exercise by having our partners push us from behind, and falling
forward in the same manner. My rolls from a standing position are
still quite tense, and yet, if someone is pushing me, sweeping one of
my legs, or otherwise forcing me into the roll, it's a little easier
to relax mentally. I think for the same reason I find it more
relaxing to practice with my eyes closed, because the situation is
beyond my visual comprehension, so my responses are more fluid ones
because I have limited control.

Martin told us, "Don't plan where you are going to fall, just go down
and work it out when you get there." He also told us not to challenge
the knife, but to just let it move us. He said it was important to
move the body rather than putting the hands out or trying to wrestle
the knife away by grabbing the wrist. A dexterous knife attacker will
simply cut your arm and hand. He suggested we first move, then see
what opportunities exist. I was reminded of his advice to me earlier
in the day, to not be complacent about the swinging stick.

Next we practiced rolling or falling offensively as our partners
slashed, taking them down during our descent. I did the offensive
rolls by snaking my hand through my partner's legs and rolling
against him. I can't imagine why this is so much easier for me than
rolling from a standing position without an application. Why should I
be less frightened, merely because I am touching my partner as I
roll? I just don't know!

Then we practiced "entering in," not focussing on the knife, just
stepping in closer to avoid the slash, which is helpful when in close-
quarters. Speaking of avoidance, I was in the ladies' room for most
of this exercise, so I missed a bit of this practice.

One of my favorite exercises followed. I think of it as the sticky
knife exercise, because it is similar to sticky arm exercises in
Chinese and other traditional MAs. The sensitivity practice is always
my favorite part of Systema class. Our partners slashed at our arms,
moving the blade around with dexterity, while we maintained contact
with the arm. Since Martin's class, we've done this exercise many
times in our subsequent classes, and it's great practice for the
timing and speed as well as biomechanical sensitivity. Martin had us
do the same exercise with slashes to the legs, and it was more
difficult to maintain contact with the legs. Then he showed us how to
use just the legs to disarm, for example, using the knee to push the
knife away in the same direction of the cut and "see what other
opportunities arise." Martin demonstrated several ways to disarm with
just the legs, such as avoiding the knife by turning away from it,
then swiveling back for a surprising 3-dimensional kick and sneaky
disarm. Denis calls this a "horse" or "bucking" kick. I wish I could
describe Martin demonstration of defense against multiple attacks
using only his legs. It was amazing to watch, but can't be captured
with words.

To end the class, we did a little multiple work, two with knives
attacking one. Martin told me not to merely move between the limbs,
but to step behind one or the other. Otherwise, he said, "...it's
just running away, not solving the problem." I chose the person who
was moving faster, with more complicated slashes and thrusts, and
maneuvered behind him. I discovered it's best to stay close rather
than far away where velocity makes the knife more dangerous. Then I
understand Martin's advice. We also did the same exercise with our
eyes closed. I think most of us enjoyed this. The multiple work is
always fun, and with eyes closed, it's more of a game for all three.

Since Martin's class, which was a couple of months ago, we've
practiced working with knives a great deal in my class. I think I've
learned to be less complacent, as Martin had suggested to me during
both the stick and knife classes. You can't be indecisive or lazy
about moving away from a stick or a knife. I know that the principles
ought to be the same without a weapon. It seems to me that even if
the movement is the same, the a stick or a knife weapon adds range
and is less forgiving, somehow. So I've learned to committ to moving
in one direction or the other, not to stop and linger, but to get
parallel to the blade, yet closer to the person wielding it, and to
respect the knife and not compete with it.

We ended with some Marine-style pushups, which I find impossible.
Martin seems to enjoy ending his classes with these! It was a large
and diverse class and when we circled up, the students had
interesting comments. Everyone really enjoyed the class. One new
student asked where Martin learned all those conditioning exercises
and whether he should do them at home. Martin offered some excellent
advice on solo training. "Just do one exercise in every way
imaginable," and he demonstrated doing pushups: slow, fast, changing
his hands, his legs, every which way. He did the same thing with
squats, "Both legs, one leg, no legs!" changing his position each
time. Another student said that his injured leg felt better in
Systema class than it did just walking down the street, and Martin
said with old injuries, it's best to keep working through it,
otherwise the rest of the body overcompensates, and won't "let go" of
the injury even after it heals. He added that a fresh injury should
be given rest and medical attention. Another classmate said that
keeping his form, breathing, and movement all at once was kind of
like spinning many plates, sometimes a plate or two would fall off,
but when they are all going, it's a fantastic feeling. I thought this
was well said, and I completely agree!

Someone requested a strike from Martin and he offered these to the
class, who lined up with the usual enthusiasm. After everyone drifted
away, I asked him to hit me, no more than I can take, I added
unnecessarily, and he said, of course. He hit me lightly in the
stomach lightly a few times, penetrating only the muscle, and it gave
me something to think about on the train ride home, and even for
several hours afterwards, as the best ones always do!

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel