Hi all,
I'm so glad that 3 people have joined this group. One of my hobbies
is writing, so I thought I'd start to share some of my "newbie's"
thoughts about Systema classes. Usually after class I think about the
things we've learned for several hours, and jot down a few notes in
my training diary. Yesterday, Saturday, was our (me and my mom's)
fourth Systema lesson. The first was a seminar with Martin Wheeler.
For more on Mr. Wheeler, you can read his bio here:
http://www.ironmonkeyma.com/3.gif (if the image looks small, click
anywhere on it to enlarge). After that seminar, my mom and I signed
up for classes at a NYC dojo, Fighthouse (www.fighthouse.com but
their site seems to be down right now), where we've had three classes
with the Systema instructor Edgar Tsakouls.
Yesterday's class started with some stretching exercise, rolling
around on the floor, also some breathing and visualization exercises,
breathing in "through" one limb or the other, which can be beneficial
for pain management and relaxation. We did some exercises with a
tennis ball, stick, and partner, some one-handed pushups, and slow-
count leg lifts and squats. Once we were all in a state of controlled
fatigue (emphasis on the *fatigue* here for me and my mom!) we worked
on some yielding excercises where we all shoved each other, and tried
to shove back at the same speed and intensity, first in pairs, then
in large groups. I was paired with our instructor and I must say it
was a challenge to shove him back with the same feather-light touch.
I see where the terms "soft work" originates.
Then we worked with our partners on evading punches, knife thrusts,
and using the shoulders and elbows to deflect blows and strikes. We
spent a lot of time working on elbow joint locks, and pushing on the
face, back of the head, and neck to unbalance our partners.
Anatomical knowledge would probably be helpful to the Systema-ist.
After I post this, I am going to look for an anatomical muscular
chart to help me better understand the six vulnerable points that
Edgar mentioned to us in an earlier class (head/neck/shoulder, elbow,
wrist, hip/groin, knee, ankle...or am I mistaken? Please post a
correction if so). I will post a link to an anatomical chart in the
Links section of this group.
I had some trouble not stepping away and behind my partner during the
knife exercises, that is my first instinct, but for the elbow joint
locks, we were trying to step close and straighten the attacking arm
by holding it close to our chests. I also had some trouble knocking
the knife out of my partner's hand. One of my partners asked me to
step on his wrist to make him drop the knife. Couldn't make myself do
this, I guess the aggression just isn't there. This particular
partner is one of my favorites, he always starts chatting with me as
he comes at me, so that my instincts take over and I disarm him more
effectively, though I suspect there is some co-operation on his part,
I find it easier to disable or un-balance him when I am so relaxed.
One highlight of yesterday's class was getting knocked down, then
mock-slashing at my partners' legs with the training knife after they
forgot the point of the exercise was to disarm, not to fell, our
partners!
As always, much fun was had by all. I will be posting more
descriptions of our classes and I hope that anyone interested in
Systema will become as fascinated as am I, because it has been so
beneficial to me physically (because I'm recovering from an old
injury, and it's greatly improved my range of motion), and
emotionally/psychologically, (I am far more relaxed and in harmony
with fellow human beings, is the only way I can describe it). I
recommend you find an instructor in your neighborhood by going to
russianmartialart.com or find a training partner and practice with
some videos that you can buy from the same Web site. Systema has has
changed my life for the better in just a few short weeks, and I've
also met some great people in the commmunity. I know it can do the
same for anyone who has interest, enthuisiasm and an open mind.
*Vsego nailuchshego* (All the best),
Rachel