Hi,
In response to your question, I have been training 3X a week for 3
years and 10 months. I remember the date so exactly because I pay my
class tuition on the 15th of every month. I live in NYC and train at
Fighthouse with Edgar Tsakouls http://www.fighthouse.com
I think individual psychology is more of a factor than gender. I
guess women have one advantage in that strength is rarely an option
in a class full of men, and there are very few women in Systema and
in martial arts in general. So women have to learn the skills, we
have no choice if we want to excel. Sure, it can be a bit lonely
sometimes, being the only woman at a seminar of 50 men. At the 2005
training camp, there were about 95 men and only 5 women. But that's
more of a social reason than a practical one. Most guys are nice, a
few feel humiliated that a woman with a lot of training is a better
fighter than a man with almost none. In general, Systema guys are
decent, gentlemanly types who respect women who can fight rather than
feel threatened by them.

I wouldn't say Systema is easier for me because I am a woman. It's
easier for me because I was able to learn to relax more quickly than
some other students. This is the single hardest thing to learn. You
can pick up the other foundations of Systema, the breathing, constant
movement, and correct posture. But you simply cannot force yourself
to relax. Systema is 90% psychological. If it wasn't, I would not
have come this far. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I'm one of
Edgar's top students, I rarely miss class. The last time I missed a
Systema class November of 2006. So because I am diligent, I have
learned more than students who train sporadically or only once a
week. But I am neither strong, nor fast, agile, certainly not
aggressive, I have no desire to "beat" anyone, in fact, I'm actually
a shy person. Systema is so effective that even though most of the
guys are bigger, stronger, more competitive, and have a lot more
invested in "winning," very few are any match for me. This is not a
testament to my superior skills. It's just that diligent Systema
training will have that effect on anyone! And I have a great
teacher :)

The most important thing, in my opinion, is to relax mentally and
physically and to use proper breathing as described in Let Every
Breath. Don't try to "do" something to your training parter. Let the
movements of the attack guide your defense. Sooner or later it will
all blend together. By defending, you also learn effective attacks.
It's a very small difference between attack and defense, very often,
it's simply a matter of who starts the engagement. Anything you use
to defend can also be used to attack and vice-versa.

Lots of guys want to go all commando, they get lured into Systema by
its connection to the special forces and the military. Systema is
extremely brutal and effective, yet it is not possible without what
some would consider the more New-Age-y side: breathing and
relaxation. My advice is to not overlook these key components of
Systema simply because they don't appear dramatic or exciting. Don't
be shy about coordinating breathing to movement. I have seem many
students who do not progress because they are unwilling to explore
the so-called "softer" side of Systema: relaxation and breathing.
These are the very things that may save your life if you are held in
a tight joint lock or sustain a mortal wound and feel your strength
ebbing away. I always remember that Vlad told me Systema is 90%
psychological and that means that whatever movements and techniques
you practice, ultimately it's your own psyche that will aid your
survival.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your training and *vsego
nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel

--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, sean davis <sadavis7154@...>
wrote:
>
> thanks a million Rachel,
> I will do that. How long have you trained, where are you located
and was you treated differently being a woman in the system? Or did/
does it come easier to you than it does with men, We have a tendency
to use strength where grace is needed. Sorry if im asking to many
questions
>
> Sean
>
> rkxyz <rklingberg@...> wrote:
> Hi,
> Have you tried the training partners section of Vlad's site:
> http://www.russianmartialart.com/main.php?page=partners
> If there's nobody listed nearby, try posting a question to the
forum,
> they might know of another student in the Frankfurt area. That's
> probably your best chance of finding someone in your area.
> Good luck and best wishes,
> Rachel
>
> --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, sean davis <sadavis7154@>
> wrote:
> >
> > hi im living in germany, Frankfurt area which is west germany,
all
> schools for systema are in east a great distance from where i
reside. I
> was hoping someone may know of someone who may be a certified
trainer
> are at least trained in the art. living in the area (hessen)Anyone
got
> any clues?
> > thanks
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on
> Yahoo! TV.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone
who knows.
> Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
>