It's a new show, I don't know what it's called. It is supposed to air
in February. I put some photos of the filming on the Fighthouse Web
site:
http://www.fighthouse.com/systema/discoverychannel.html
*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel

--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@...>
wrote:
>
> Why I've never sked this I don't know...does anyone know what
Discovery
> TV show was filming after the U.N. demo?
>

Why I've never sked this I don't know...does anyone know what Discovery
TV show was filming after the U.N. demo?

There was an article on wikipedia about Buza, but it was short and seems to
have been deleted. There was a website for a school in Russia, but it was in
Russian. It seemed to me that it was a Cossack origin RMA and also
incorporated dance. May have been the same thing that was shown on Go
Warrior when they went to Russia, after they finished the visit with
Vasiliev and Ryabko.

I also read recently that Spridinov (the guy who was probably the mastermind
behind the Systema we are all learning today) did include Buza - as well as
other RMAs - in the concepts of his "soft aki like" Sambo or "Samoz" (which
is arguably the root of Systema).

I have also seen "the wave" thing on youtube, and the movement definitely
resembles some of the principles of Systema.

But as Jay said, Systema is really it's own beast now.

M.

>From: "recshooter" <recshooter@...>
>Reply-To: systema_group@yahoogroups.com
>To: systema_group@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [systema_group] Re: wave system..forgot link
>Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:34:30 -0000
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>FILETIME=[8E2306D0:01C851C0]
>
>After doing a little more digging around the art shown on that video
>was said to be a compilation of RMA's and some eastern things...at
>least someone said that.  So I guess it isn't pure "buza".  Does the
>original Buza use wave motions something like that?
>Thanks for the info,
>
>--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Bell" <daimudan@...> wrote:
> >
> > It's sort of a tricky answer.  Buza was one of the components in the
> > creation of Systema, like many of the old Russian ethnic
>traditions.  Back
> > when I was active, we often played with concepts of Buza to seat
>them in on
> > a more comfortable level.
> >
> > This is not to say that pieces of Buza found in Systema are done in
>the same
> > way as their original form.  Systema is it's own beast today.
> >
> >
> > On 1/7/08, Sharon Friedman <ransuru@...> wrote:
> > >
> > >   Hello and happy new year to everyone.
> > >
> > > I think buzo is forest warrior as I have seen in other Russian MA
> > > seminars and there is also Siberian warrior and many more. It is
>not
> > > Systema though.
> > >
> > > all the best, Sharon
> > > Systema Israel.
> > > Our last video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOjJsroNkhI
> > >
> > > --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com <systema_group%
>40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > "rkxyz" <rklingberg@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > The video bears a resemblance to Systema but I don't know what
>it is -
> > > > nor what 'buza' or 'wave system' is, sorry.
> > > >
> > > > You can read about the history of Systema here
> > > > http://www.russianmartialart.com/main.php?page=history It's
>based on
> > > > traditional Russian martial arts as well as Soviet Cold War
>research.
> > > >
> > > > Sorry I can't tell you any more.
> > > >
> > > > *Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
> > > > Rachel
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com <systema_group%
>40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > "recshooter" <recshooter@>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Is this video showing what is termed "buza"(sp)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > As I understand it Ryabko Systema is a collection of various
> > > > Russian
> > > > > > arts...is that correct? Is this vid one of the arts that
>makes up
> > > > > > Systema or do I have it all wrong?
> > > > > >http://youtube.com/watch?v=jRGQIoagHWU
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Signum Pacis Amor
> >
>
>

After doing a little more digging around the art shown on that video
was said to be a compilation of RMA's and some eastern things...at
least someone said that.  So I guess it isn't pure "buza".  Does the
original Buza use wave motions something like that?
Thanks for the info,

--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Bell" <daimudan@...> wrote:
>
> It's sort of a tricky answer.  Buza was one of the components in the
> creation of Systema, like many of the old Russian ethnic
traditions.  Back
> when I was active, we often played with concepts of Buza to seat
them in on
> a more comfortable level.
>
> This is not to say that pieces of Buza found in Systema are done in
the same
> way as their original form.  Systema is it's own beast today.
>
>
> On 1/7/08, Sharon Friedman <ransuru@...> wrote:
> >
> >   Hello and happy new year to everyone.
> >
> > I think buzo is forest warrior as I have seen in other Russian MA
> > seminars and there is also Siberian warrior and many more. It is
not
> > Systema though.
> >
> > all the best, Sharon
> > Systema Israel.
> > Our last video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOjJsroNkhI
> >
> > --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com <systema_group%
40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "rkxyz" <rklingberg@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > The video bears a resemblance to Systema but I don't know what
it is -
> > > nor what 'buza' or 'wave system' is, sorry.
> > >
> > > You can read about the history of Systema here
> > > http://www.russianmartialart.com/main.php?page=history It's
based on
> > > traditional Russian martial arts as well as Soviet Cold War
research.
> > >
> > > Sorry I can't tell you any more.
> > >
> > > *Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
> > > Rachel
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com <systema_group%
40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "recshooter" <recshooter@>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Is this video showing what is termed "buza"(sp)
> > > > >
> > > > > As I understand it Ryabko Systema is a collection of various
> > > Russian
> > > > > arts...is that correct? Is this vid one of the arts that
makes up
> > > > > Systema or do I have it all wrong?
> > > > >http://youtube.com/watch?v=jRGQIoagHWU
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Signum Pacis Amor
>

Hello and happy new year to everyone.

I think buzo is forest warrior as I have seen in other Russian MA
seminars and there is also Siberian warrior and many more. It is not
Systema though.

all the best, Sharon
Systema Israel.
Our last video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOjJsroNkhI

--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "rkxyz" <rklingberg@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> The video bears a resemblance to Systema but I don't know what it is -
> nor what 'buza' or 'wave system' is, sorry.
>
> You can read about the history of Systema here
> http://www.russianmartialart.com/main.php?page=history It's based on
> traditional Russian martial arts as well as Soviet Cold War research.
>
> Sorry I can't tell you any more.
>
> *Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
> Rachel
>
>
>
> --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@>
> wrote:
> >
> > > Is this video showing what is termed "buza"(sp)
> > >
> > > As I understand it Ryabko Systema is a collection of various
> Russian
> > > arts...is that correct? Is this vid one of the arts that makes up
> > > Systema or do I have it all wrong?
> > >http://youtube.com/watch?v=jRGQIoagHWU
> >
>

Hi,

The video bears a resemblance to Systema but I don't know what it is -
nor what 'buza' or 'wave system' is, sorry.

You can read about the history of Systema here
http://www.russianmartialart.com/main.php?page=history It's based on
traditional Russian martial arts as well as Soviet Cold War research.

Sorry I can't tell you any more.

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel



--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@...>
wrote:
>
> > Is this video showing what is termed "buza"(sp)
> >
> > As I understand it Ryabko Systema is a collection of various
Russian
> > arts...is that correct? Is this vid one of the arts that makes up
> > Systema or do I have it all wrong?
> >http://youtube.com/watch?v=jRGQIoagHWU
>

> Is this video showing what is termed "buza"(sp)
>
> As I understand it Ryabko Systema is a collection of various Russian
> arts...is that correct? Is this vid one of the arts that makes up
> Systema or do I have it all wrong?
>http://youtube.com/watch?v=jRGQIoagHWU

Is this video showing what is termed "buza"(sp)

As I understand it Ryabko Systema is a collection of various Russian
arts...is that correct? Is this vid one of the arts that makes up
Systema or do I have it all wrong?

Thanks



> I posted the link in the Links section... I don't think yahoo groups
> posting scripts know how to allow long URLs to maintain a single line.
> I have seen this problem before in yahoo email. Thanks for sharing
> this recshooter!
>

--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry...seems I can't get that link to work
>

I posted the link in the Links section... I don't think yahoo groups
posting scripts know how to allow long URLs to maintain a single line.
I have seen this problem before in yahoo email. Thanks for sharing
this recshooter!

Sorry...seems I can't get that link to work

there seems to be an interest in the human weapons forum about systema.
I've been posting there al ittle but I don't feel I'm qualified to say
too much.  this fellow just asked, "Has anyone on these boards ever
studied Systema before? If you have, please post. It's your chance to
have Human Weapon listen to you."
That would be uh interesting to see a human wepaon show about systema

Here's the link...I don't know if it is worth your time, but thought I
would pass it on.
http://boards.historychannel.com/thread.jspa?
threadID=700023860&tstart=0&mod=1197949845889

Thanks for the feedback I'll have to look into those...I remember
seeing those DVD's but forgot about them.
LOL as for the rollercoaster I didn't scream I would just take a deep
breath before the drop and then exhale in time with however long the
drop was. I exhaled loud enough for my wife to hear and she  always
gets a big kick out of that.  It would make that feeling absolutely
go away..I dunno just wondering if I was doing systema breathing by
accident.  Same herr for anything that goes in a circle, makes me
sick...except for those gravity rides that are coverd where you can't
see outside.  Those, for some reason, don't make me sick.
Thanks
Mike
--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "GTA Martial Arts"
<toronto.martialarts@...> wrote:
>
> It is interesting that a lot of people scream at that point in a
roller
> coaster ride as you have described. I have always enjoyed that part
at the
> feeling in the stomach that you describe has never been a problem
for me,
> though I know it's there. And I prefer not to scream and have no
desire to.
> Oddly enough I can't take any rides that involve going in a circle,
I will
> puke every time. Roller coasters are NP for me though. lol
>
> As for Systema DVDs IMHO the absolutely best DVD for a beginner is
Emmanuel
> Manolakakis's "Systema Training at Fight Club":
>
> http://www.fight-club.ca/russian_martial_arts_video.php
>
> The reason why is that Manny addresses all the principles,
teachniques and
> excercises that you learn at the very beginnning. Vlad's DVDs are
awesome,
> but show more of the fighting aspects of Systema that I think are
better
> suited to someone that understands a few basics already. In this
respect,
> Manny's DVD might be disppointing to some who are looking for a lot
of
> "showcasing" and action; but for someone who is serious about
training I
> would say this is a really important video. He also explains
everything in
> detail throughout.
>
> Regards,
>
> Marcell Rodden
>
> E-mail list for discussion, news, announcements about martial arts
in
> Toronto:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GTAMA
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: "rkxyz" <rklingberg@...>
> >Reply-To: systema_group@yahoogroups.com
> >To: systema_group@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [systema_group] Re: Breathing and rollercoasters
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> >
> >Regarding the DVDs, I think they're all pretty good. I haven't seen
> >them all myself. If you could only have one, I'd say the Hand to
> >Hand is the best choice, but after that, I don't think one is any
> >more useful to beginners than the other.
> >
> >Personally, I hate roller coasters and haven't been on one since I
> >rode the kiddy coaster at AdventureLand when I was a little girl.
> >
> >"Breathing out the pain" as I understand it (not having the book in
> >front of me), is when you exhale "through" certain parts of the
body
> >to relieve pain. Exhaling in and of itself is a relaxation
> >technique. The standard "startle" reponse is a sharp inhale and an
> >exhale counters that tension. If you visualize breathing "through"
> >an injured part and then exhaling and breathing "out" the pain, it
> >can be a helpful to manage pain. Also, when dealing with discomfort
> >such as during difficult conditioning exercises or the "torture"
> >exercises where several classmates grab your limbs and twist in all
> >directions, the "puff" breathing can be helpful - when you inhale
> >and exhale quickly, kind of like a dog panting.
> >
> >Maybe someone else can comment further.
> >
> >*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
> >Rachel
> >
> >
> >--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@>
> >wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > My wife loves roller coasters.  As for me...ehhh not so much.
The
> >thing
> > > I hated about them was during the  big drops that feeling of
your
> > > stomach going up to your throat.  The drop didn't really scare
me
> >it was
> > > actually fun but I just hated that strange feeling.  Somehow
> >(before I
> > > knew anything about Systema) I figured out that if I took deeper
> >breaths
> > > and exhaled (rather loudly to my wife's amusement) during the
drop
> >that
> > > feeling would go completely away.  Is this  similar to what is
> >meant by
> > > "breathing out the pain"  in the Let Every Breath book and DVD ?
> > >
> > > One more question...I have the DVDs Hand to Hand, Let Every
Breath,
> > > Strikes, and Defense In Confined Space.  I ordered two more,
> >Escape from
> > > Holds  and Contact, Impact, Control. These two, from what I
read,
> >seemed
> > > to be a good next step for a beginner.  Was there one that would
> >have
> > > been better? I would have asked here first but the sale was
about
> >to
> > > end....
> > >
> >
> >
>

It is interesting that a lot of people scream at that point in a roller
coaster ride as you have described. I have always enjoyed that part at the
feeling in the stomach that you describe has never been a problem for me,
though I know it's there. And I prefer not to scream and have no desire to.
Oddly enough I can't take any rides that involve going in a circle, I will
puke every time. Roller coasters are NP for me though. lol

As for Systema DVDs IMHO the absolutely best DVD for a beginner is Emmanuel
Manolakakis's "Systema Training at Fight Club":

http://www.fight-club.ca/russian_martial_arts_video.php

The reason why is that Manny addresses all the principles, teachniques and
excercises that you learn at the very beginnning. Vlad's DVDs are awesome,
but show more of the fighting aspects of Systema that I think are better
suited to someone that understands a few basics already. In this respect,
Manny's DVD might be disppointing to some who are looking for a lot of
"showcasing" and action; but for someone who is serious about training I
would say this is a really important video. He also explains everything in
detail throughout.

Regards,

Marcell Rodden

E-mail list for discussion, news, announcements about martial arts in
Toronto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GTAMA





>From: "rkxyz" <rklingberg@...>
>Reply-To: systema_group@yahoogroups.com
>To: systema_group@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [systema_group] Re: Breathing and rollercoasters
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>
>Regarding the DVDs, I think they're all pretty good. I haven't seen
>them all myself. If you could only have one, I'd say the Hand to
>Hand is the best choice, but after that, I don't think one is any
>more useful to beginners than the other.
>
>Personally, I hate roller coasters and haven't been on one since I
>rode the kiddy coaster at AdventureLand when I was a little girl.
>
>"Breathing out the pain" as I understand it (not having the book in
>front of me), is when you exhale "through" certain parts of the body
>to relieve pain. Exhaling in and of itself is a relaxation
>technique. The standard "startle" reponse is a sharp inhale and an
>exhale counters that tension. If you visualize breathing "through"
>an injured part and then exhaling and breathing "out" the pain, it
>can be a helpful to manage pain. Also, when dealing with discomfort
>such as during difficult conditioning exercises or the "torture"
>exercises where several classmates grab your limbs and twist in all
>directions, the "puff" breathing can be helpful - when you inhale
>and exhale quickly, kind of like a dog panting.
>
>Maybe someone else can comment further.
>
>*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
>Rachel
>
>
>--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@...>
>wrote:
> >
> >
> > My wife loves roller coasters.  As for me...ehhh not so much.  The
>thing
> > I hated about them was during the  big drops that feeling of your
> > stomach going up to your throat.  The drop didn't really scare me
>it was
> > actually fun but I just hated that strange feeling.  Somehow
>(before I
> > knew anything about Systema) I figured out that if I took deeper
>breaths
> > and exhaled (rather loudly to my wife's amusement) during the drop
>that
> > feeling would go completely away.  Is this  similar to what is
>meant by
> > "breathing out the pain"  in the Let Every Breath book and DVD ?
> >
> > One more question...I have the DVDs Hand to Hand, Let Every Breath,
> > Strikes, and Defense In Confined Space.  I ordered two more,
>Escape from
> > Holds  and Contact, Impact, Control. These two, from what I read,
>seemed
> > to be a good next step for a beginner.  Was there one that would
>have
> > been better? I would have asked here first but the sale was about
>to
> > end....
> >
>
>

Regarding the DVDs, I think they're all pretty good. I haven't seen
them all myself. If you could only have one, I'd say the Hand to
Hand is the best choice, but after that, I don't think one is any
more useful to beginners than the other.

Personally, I hate roller coasters and haven't been on one since I
rode the kiddy coaster at AdventureLand when I was a little girl.

"Breathing out the pain" as I understand it (not having the book in
front of me), is when you exhale "through" certain parts of the body
to relieve pain. Exhaling in and of itself is a relaxation
technique. The standard "startle" reponse is a sharp inhale and an
exhale counters that tension. If you visualize breathing "through"
an injured part and then exhaling and breathing "out" the pain, it
can be a helpful to manage pain. Also, when dealing with discomfort
such as during difficult conditioning exercises or the "torture"
exercises where several classmates grab your limbs and twist in all
directions, the "puff" breathing can be helpful - when you inhale
and exhale quickly, kind of like a dog panting.

Maybe someone else can comment further.

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel


--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@...>
wrote:
>
>
> My wife loves roller coasters.  As for me...ehhh not so much.  The
thing
> I hated about them was during the  big drops that feeling of your
> stomach going up to your throat.  The drop didn't really scare me
it was
> actually fun but I just hated that strange feeling.  Somehow
(before I
> knew anything about Systema) I figured out that if I took deeper
breaths
> and exhaled (rather loudly to my wife's amusement) during the drop
that
> feeling would go completely away.  Is this  similar to what is
meant by
> "breathing out the pain"  in the Let Every Breath book and DVD ?
>
> One more question...I have the DVDs Hand to Hand, Let Every Breath,
> Strikes, and Defense In Confined Space.  I ordered two more,
Escape from
> Holds  and Contact, Impact, Control. These two, from what I read,
seemed
> to be a good next step for a beginner.  Was there one that would
have
> been better? I would have asked here first but the sale was about
to
> end....
>

My wife loves roller coasters.  As for me...ehhh not so much.  The thing I hated about them was during the  big drops that feeling of your stomach going up to your throat.  The drop didn't really scare me it was actually fun but I just hated that strange feeling.  Somehow (before I knew anything about Systema) I figured out that if I took deeper breaths and exhaled (rather loudly to my wife's amusement) during the drop that feeling would go completely away.  Is this  similar to what is meant by "breathing out the pain"  in the Let Every Breath book and DVD ?

One more question...I have the DVDs Hand to Hand, Let Every Breath, Strikes, and Defense In Confined Space.  I ordered two more, Escape from Holds  and Contact, Impact, Control. These two, from what I read, seemed to be a good next step for a beginner.  Was there one that would have been better? I would have asked here first but the sale was about to end....

There was an interesting interview with Mikhail Ryabko published in
the Voice of Russia. Here is the link
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=13102&cid=115&p=29.06.2007
interview is on the second half of the page.
I have also pasted the interview below. Fascinating stuff about the
history of Systema!
*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel


Once, my friend and I were talking about various styles of martial
art and he said to me:

"I know a man who can send an adversary into knockout without even
touching him."

I was highly skeptical, of course. He was somewhat offended, and
retorted: "It's not at all funny!"

Then he suggested: "He has a training session tomorrow. Why don't we
go? You'll see everything for yourself."

"Let's go!" I agreed, asking: "What is this mysterious combat style
of his?"

"It's a system of combat from Ancient Russia," he replied.

I was not familiar with this system, although I had long been
interested in various martial arts. Besides, for several years I had
practiced sambo. I was even Moscow's silver-prize winner in this
martial art. Alas, an injury didn't permit me to continue practice.

When we arrived at the sports hall, I anticipated seeing a powerful,
muscular fellow, a Rambo-type. Imagine my disappointment, when a
thickset, shortish man looking more like Winnie-the-Pooh came up to
us. This was no Superman. With a gentle shy smile he introduced
himself to me: `Ryabko Mikhail Vasiliyevich', and firmly shook my
hand (his palm was surprisingly soft).

Looking somewhat doubtfully at his short legs and protruding belly, I
thought: "No wonder I was full of doubts." However, what happened
next was a real miracle…

Ryabko summoned one of those training at his gym and introduced him
to me as "Sergei".

Standing before me was a man of about 40 with a mustache, and a not
very athletic, somewhat protruding belly – he really looked like you
classic Cossack. I later discovered that he had a nickname – The
Cossack.

Mikhail Ryabko suggested I hit Sergei.

"What do you mean by "hit?" I asked, thinking it wasn't going to be
pleasant hitting someone who doesn't offer any resistance.

"The harder you hit, the better," responded the coach.

"What if I overdo it? I have a pretty impressive punch?" I warned.

"Just give it all you've got, never fear!" he smiled.

Sergei, the guy I was supposed to hit, was also smiling. By that time
we had gathered quite a crowd. Obviously, they were expecting
something unusual from their coach.

I finally got the nerve and struck a blow – with all the strength I
could muster. However, my fist entered his stomach like a bog, and
all the while he stood there laughing.

Puzzled, I stood waiting for an explanation. In the meantime, the
coach asked another guest – a heavyset boxer fellow – to do what I'd
done and also strike a blow at Sergei. The boxer punched Sergei in
the stomach longer and harder than I did after all, he was a
professional. But the effect was the same as after my half-hearted
attempt: Sergei stood like a rock, a genial expression on his face.
The boxer, just as myself, stood back, perplexed.

So then the coach Mikhail Ryabko said: "And now watch how you should
strike your blows."

Making a lightning-fast motion with the back side of his palm in the
direction of the solar plexus he forced Sergei to fall to the floor.
He could not get up on his own. The coach had to hit him on the heels
with his foot.

After that the coach changed the trick. Now, after his blow, which
was more like a slap, Sergei stood as if paralyzed, and his muscles
seemed quite rigid to the touch. To bring the Cossack out of this
state, Mikhail Ryabko slapped him on the nape of his neck. In a while
Sergei's muscle tone was back to normal.

I asked Sergei: "What did you feel during the blow?"

"It was as if the blood in my body had first ebbed, then surged with
a powerful impact. This `wave' if you like, knocked me off my feet,"
he replied.

"And when you were paralyzed, was it hypnosis?" I wondered.

"No," he said, "I was completely conscious at the time. I couldn't
move my muscles, though, they were rigid."

"Were you in any pain? And generally, is it dangerous for the
health?"

"No," responded Sergei, "although the sensation was far from
pleasant, I wouldn't characterize it as pain. Right now, though, I
feel excellent, just like after a good steam bath."

In the meantime the coach, as a finishing touch, showed us a quite
remarkable trick: he clicked his fingers right before Sergei's nose
and then imitated a clout, all the while never even touching Sergei's
head – nonetheless, the latter fell to the floor immediately.

A round of appreciative applause wound up the demonstration
performance by the coach.

I was totally astounded by what I had seen and in all honesty
admitted to the coach that I was puzzled and needed an
explanation. "The martial art of Ancient Russia," said Mikhail
Ryabko "is the only type of combat in the world, based on Orthodox
Faith. The fact is, there were only rare instances in Russian history
which passed without war — too many set their sights on our land. The
necessity to continuously repel enemy attacks brought into being
professional warriors who founded their own martial art, the secrets
of which they passed on from generation to generation. We can read
about this in Russian epic tales. For example, the epic tale about
bogatyr hero Ilya Muromets, who was canonized as a Saint. It's a pity
our people have traditionally regarded epic stories as no more than
fairy tales. While, if we look closely they are a priceless source of
information.

Or take the times of the Tatar yoke on Russian land the famous battle
of Kulikovo field, when Russian warrior-monk Peresvet entered combat
with the Tatar Chelubei. To this day Chinese people come to Holy
Trinity St.Sergius Lavra and ask our monks to tell them the secret of
Peresvet. They ask how he could have possibly defeated the Tatar
Chelubei, who was one of the so-called `initiated'. Prior to the
battle of Kulikovo he hadn't received a single scratch in combat and
was considered invulnerable. Yet, the monk Peresvet had killed him
with one stroke.

The almost forgotten martial art of Ancient Rus interested me so much
that I decided to reconstruct and systematize part of the forgotten
legacy."

"So what is the secret of the Holy warrior Ilya Muromets and the monk
Peresvet?" I asked.

"It is in hesychasm," replied Mikhail Ryabko.

Let me explain for those who do not know: Hesychasm is a Greek word
meaning `peace, tranquility, silence, detachment'. It is a Teaching
aimed at towards perceiving the Holy Spirit. The highest aim of
hesychasm is the transformation of Man in the image of the
resurrected Jesus Christ. "The system of ancient Russian martial arts
is based on the union of breathing and heartfelt prayer," said
Mikhail Ryabko. "This is the science of sciences in Orthodoxy, a
tradition passed on to Orthodox Russia by the Holy Fathers of the
Eastern Church. Before you start to learn the system of Old Russian
martial arts you must cleanse your heart through penitence and subdue
your pride. Then, during prayer, the Holy Ghost enters man and grants
him His help.

There can be but two sources of superhuman power – either from God,
or from the demons.

The secret of Orthodox warriors, such as the Holy Ilya Muromets and
the monk Peresvet lies in the power of the Holy Spirit, acting inside
them."

In response to my request to tell me about himself Mikhail Ryabko
sighed heavily and said: "There is nothing good that I can tell you
about myself." He preferred to speak of his pupils. However, he
doesn't call them `pupils'. "They are my students," he says, "because
I am no teacher. There is but one Teacher for us all – the Lord."

I learned more about Mikhail Ryabko from his `students'. They said he
had been an officer in the Chechen war. Among the soldiers and
officers he was known for being fair, incorrupt and far-sighted. The
soldiers had complete trust in him. The Generals sought his advice
before launching serious operations. In the soldiers' ranks there
were legends circulated about how Ryabko single-handedly and unarmed
seized bandits; how he never deliberately ducked fierce enemy fire.
Once Mikhail Ryabko was assigned to join a special task unit that was
to pass through mountain ranges swarming with well-armed gunmen. The
group commander, who knew Ryabko well, said to him: "You shall go
first."

The other troopers looked at him in puzzlement, but he simply said:

"You will see why. Just do everything he says."

And Ryabko led the unit through the mountain maze, all the mine
fields and past snipers, lying in wait in crevices – all without a
single gun shot. They reached their point of destination without
losses – nobody was even wounded.

Today Colonel Mikhail Ryabko is a retired officer, an adviser to the
Justice Minister of Russia. The school of Ancient Russian martial
arts that he founded works under the patronage of the Ministry of
Justice.

Mikhail Ryabko tries not to use his martial art in everyday life with
the exception of critical situations. Once, late at night, he was
driving his wife and children to a different town. Armed men stopped
his car on the deserted highway and demanded that he come out of the
car. He did. When he was getting back in, the five thugs were lying
face-down on the concrete…

Since then he vowed never to show aggression in critical situations,
always trying to get away by joking and thus relieving the tension.
For example, not long ago he dropped in at a cafe at a snack and a
random bloke there approached him saying: "Hey, you! I don't like
your face!" "Well, neither do I," replied Mikhail. And he smiled at
the man so genuinely that the latter had no chance to argue with him
any further.

In another situation, when hassled by some aggressive young fellows,
he told them he was a saxophonist, and if they beat him up and smash
his face and lips he will be unable to play his instrument, and earn
a living for his family.

"Really?" the guys queried at his logic. "OK fellow! Live!" They
thought they were being magnanimous, unaware whom they were dealing
with!

The distinctive feature of the martial art taught by Mikhail Ryabko
is the transformation of evil into good. You need to nip aggression
in the bud, he believes. The most important thing in life isn't to
learn to fight, although, certainly, at times there is no avoiding a
fight. The main thing is to save your soul.

of course its ok to convert it..wow thanks for all the compliments!
I just remember my own experience when I first saw systema on a video
clip. I saw all the slow movement and I hate to admit it, but I
thought "bull".  It interested me enough that now I'm fully on board
but wow it would have been great to have started 7 years ago instead
of just now! I don't know if I can even consider myself "started"
anyway;). I hope that clip helps somebody that is in the position I
was 7 years ago.

  In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "Nathan" <wxman1995@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks!  I just converted it for iPod (is this ok?) so I can show it
> to people who are "skeptics". Thanks again!
>
> --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@>
wrote:
> >
> > I was bored the other night so I put together a little clip
compilation
> > on youtube.  I was hoping maybe this clip would help someone that
was
> > not familiar with systema see that systema was "real" and
hopefully
> > give a tad of background about it. I'm sure to you guys all these
clips
> > are old news.
> >
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7_dzu4TQDs
> >
>

Thanks!  I just converted it for iPod (is this ok?) so I can show it
to people who are "skeptics". Thanks again!

--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@...> wrote:
>
> I was bored the other night so I put together a little clip compilation
> on youtube.  I was hoping maybe this clip would help someone that was
> not familiar with systema see that systema was "real" and hopefully
> give a tad of background about it. I'm sure to you guys all these clips
> are old news.
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7_dzu4TQDs
>

I was bored the other night so I put together a little clip compilation
on youtube.  I was hoping maybe this clip would help someone that was
not familiar with systema see that systema was "real" and hopefully
give a tad of background about it. I'm sure to you guys all these clips
are old news.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7_dzu4TQDs

Igor, I have read the book and I liked it. There's some exercise stuff in there
and there's a
lot of diet info based on the instructions in the bible where the angel told
Samson's
mother what to eat and to avoid before Samson was born. It's the author's
contention that
Samson's great strength was due in a large part to diet. I didn't agree
completely with all
he said but I thought it was worthwhile to read.

Charles

> There is a book called "The Strength of Samson and How to Attain It" by Mike
Brown. It's
> available at www.leviticus11.com.
>
> Charles
>
> > Great series of posts....Must have been exciting to be there.
> > If you find out anything more on the Samson type training I'd like to
> > hear about it.  The only reference that pops to my mind is Samson
> > carrying the Gaza city gates. (Judges 16:3) I don't think I'll try that
> > anytime soon. :)
> >
>

Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar with Konstantin Komarov - Sunday, November
11 at Fighthouse

Visit
http://www.new-pony.com/systema/GunpointSupremacyOct2007Sunday.html
for an illustrated version of this review

(Part III of a three-part series)

Sunday's session started off with Konstantin taking questions.
Someone asked, how do you tell when someone's carrying? And also, how
can you conceal the fact that you are carrying? Konstantin said that
people either try to hide the fact that they are packing, or else
they make it more obvious, for example, by walking with a swagger. In
response to the question, he had us practice telling who was
carrying. He pulled aside three people, told two of them to leave
their guns, and took them outside the room, where he gave the gun to
one of them. The three of them walked into the room and across the
length of the floor, and then back again, while we observed.
Konstantin then asked who was carrying the gun – he pointed to one,
and asked everyone who that that he had the gun to raise their hand.
Surprisingly, the class wasn't evenly divided among the three. Most
people thought that one person had it. I chose correctly – the woman
was carrying the gun. I had seen the way she walked – very upright
and confident, with hips slightly thrust forward. It seemed like the
walk of someone who was carrying.

We did this with two more sets of three. I picked the wrong person
for the second set but the right person for the last set. The woman
had revealed herself to be carrying by her confident walk, but in the
last set, the man who had the gun seemed to be hiding something. He
looked almost guilty about it. It wasn't hard to spot him. But I did
surprise myself by getting two out of three right. I guess all that
research into body language paid off. Konstantin said he chose the
people not randomly, but because of certain characteristics they had.
He said that some things, like a hangover, could make people walk in
such a way as to give the impression that they are concealing
something. One of my classmates, who did have a hangover, fooled most
of the class into thinking he had the gun, but I was familiar with
the way he walks and knew that he did not have anything.

Our first drill was a reprise of the readiness drills we had done
previously. In pairs, one person turns around, the other positions
himself, draws, points, and says "Ready," at which, the first person
has to turn around and shoot his partner. The person drawing could be
standing, sitting, lying down, or at any position within the room.

Konstantin stopped us to review some mistakes: big flashy
movement, 'pushing' the gun into the target, which he again said was
a technique for the lower order of soldiers who can't be expected to
become expert shooters.

In groups of four, one person served as the 'director,' and one
person turned his back. The director positioned the other two
throughout the room and they both drew and pointed at the person with
his back turned. Then the director said "Ready" and the other person
had to turn around, spot the two partners, and shoot them both. It
was difficult to spot your two partners in the crowded room. Often I
saw them and wanted to shoot, but there were other people in the way.
I didn't want to risk hitting someone else, even with plastic
pellets. Also, the penalty for hitting someone who wasn't your
partner was 20 pushups!

We did some interesting blindfold work with eyes closed. Konstantin
demonstrated on the ever-valiant Denis the Menace, who served as his
target all weekend. Denis stood against the wall and Konstantin
closed his eyes. Denis said, "Here," and Konstantin had to fire based
only on the sound of his voice. Most of the time, he hit Denis, but
of course it wasn't 100% of the time. Our own results were
considerably less impressive. We practiced this in groups of four,
first, just pointing the gun at three people against the wall. I
asked my partners to say their names and if my pointing was
completely off, to repeat their names again so I could readjust. We
did the same thing, only this time we fired at our partners with eyes
closed. It wasn't as dismal as I expected. Most of us managed to hit
40%-50% of the time.

I was a little sleep-deprived, as it's hard to leave a Systema party
early enough to be well-rested for a 9 AM seminar the following day.
When we broke for lunch, I ate rather quickly, as I wasn't very
hungry and had brought my light lunch to save money and calories. I
thought I'd nap on the floor but it was cold in the room, people were
talking, and I was concerned that someone might hit me accidentally.
I made my way to the back room where the girls had slept. It was
toasty warm because they had been running a space heater the previous
night. In case you are wondering what it's like to bunk down at
Fighthouse, it's actually quite cozy. I stretched out on the floor
and using my jacket as a pillow, had a lovely refreshing 30-minute
nap. I was surprised by how comfortable I was on the hard wooden
floor, but I'm blessed with this ability to fall asleep anywhere.

After lunch, Konstantin talked for a little while. He's so
fascinating, I'd have been happy to just listen to him talk all
day. "We are not learning to shoot," he said. By that, I think he
meant we're not learning to aim and hit a target, as you'd do at the
shooting range. It all leads back to his definition of combative
shooting as creating a set of favorable circumstances that allow you
to shoot accurately without having to aim.

He talked about distances and the distance recommended in a Russian
soldier's handbook. I can't recall the exact number but it was a very
far distance, from which a soldier is expected to shoot accurately.
Konstantin said that he himself was unable to hit a target from this
distance.

He also talked about psychology and body language, coping with fear
and stress, and how fear is stored in the body in muscular trigger
points. He demonstrated with a volunteer, showing where the tension
was stored in the back muscles. He said that if a person is knocked
unconscious, they go soft and the muscles release the tension, but
when they recover consciousness, they tighten up again. He whipped
the volunteer with the Cossack whip coiled up. He hit him pretty hard
and the guy took it well. The whipping is a kind of massage, though
it seems bizarre and even sado-masochistic, but it isn't. Science has
proven that whipping improves mental and physical health and wards
off depression. I have found that it brings a lot of blood to the
surface of the skin and helps to relax the muscles. But it does hurt;
in fact, it's quite similar to the feeling of being struck on a
vulnerable part with an Airsoft pellet; the same kind of stinging,
burning sensation.

In groups of three, we did another variation on the kind of drills
we'd been doing all weekend. Two people walk towards one, and one of
the two draws and fires, and the one has to detect the draw and fire.
The rule was that you could not put your hand on your gun until you
saw one of your partners drawing on you, and also you could not shoot
a person once they had walked past you. In generally, this exercise
led to exchanges of shots rather than one at a time. I did find that
I often froze up when I saw that someone was pointing a gun at me,
and this delayed my reaction time. I asked Konstantin about this at
the end of the seminar and he gave me some thoughtful advice, see
below, a little farther down in this review.

We also did some disarm drills that I liked quite a bit, as I had
missed the good ol' Systema hand-to-hand. Konstantin demonstrated the
disarms and said it was quite a bit easier when the gun was actually
touching your body. I quickly found that it was nearly impossible
when your partner won't come close enough to touch you. My first
disarm went quite well but my partner quickly discovered that staying
close to me meant he'd end up underneath me, with my knee grinding
into his gun hand to force him to drop it. It's not that I was being
brutal, but I am much more fluent with disarms than with shooting in
general. After my initial success, my partner came close only until I
started to disarm him, then he quickly ran away and shot me from a
safe distance. I don't know if this was wrong; it seems to me that a
person with a real gun might act in such a way. But it didn't look
like the drill that Konstantin had demonstrated, where the person
with the gun kept close to the person who was to effect the disarm.

We also did a version of this disarm drill where the gun-wielding
partner threatens from a distance and says "hands up ... get down on
the ground," and so forth, and the 'victim' attempts a little psy-ops
to bring him closer, saying he doesn't understand, doesn't speak
English, etc. In my case, I didn't have to try to be too inventive as
my partner's demands were often unclear. However, as with the first
disarm exercise, even when I could draw him close enough, if I tried
any sort of disarm, he simply ran away and shot me from a distance. I
am not saying that's wrong, just different from the exercise that
Konstantin had demonstrated.

I did manage to throw him off-guard a little bit just as he was going
to shoot me from a distance. I grabbed a stack of loose paper on
which someone had written notes and tossed it right into his face
just as he was going to pull the trigger, thereby buying myself a few
seconds. Though a little unorthodox, Systema is all about using what
you've got, and in that case, I had nothing against a gun but a stack
of papers that happened to be nearby. In case you are wondering if
this ninja-style tactic works, it does. Having a bunch of papers
suddenly flying right into your face is disorienting enough to make
you miss your shot.

Next we practiced in groups of three with two people in a line, side
by side, a few feet apart. The third had to walk past them and as
soon as he detected one or the other drawing, he had to shoot that
person. This was very characteristic of the awareness drills we
practiced all weekend, where detecting intent was the most important
factor.

The last 45 minutes or so were spent on crowd wor. In groups of
three, you had to shoot each of your two partners twice, at a
distance of no more than 6 feet, and shooting from the hip. We then
mixed it up so that you shoot one and the other one shoots you, so we
had to shoot and avoid at the same time, which puts a totally
different spin on the exercise. And then we reversed the targets so
the person who had been shooting at you was now your target. I found
one of my partners quite easily; her long black coat was distinctive.
The other was much harder to spot and he seemed to hide out in the
corners a lot. Also, his windbreaker looked so much like everyone
else's jacket. It was hard to recognize people who were wearing face
guards, unless their clothing was unique.

For our final exercise, everyone shot everyone else, up to three
shots each, and whoever used up their three shots had to go stand
against the wall. I fired only one shot. Konstantin asked us, what's
the hurry to shoot? He said this is how gunfire happens in crowds; it
only takes one shot for the other shooters to panic and fire, too.

I wasn't quite sure what he was getting at. He told us to fire three
shots and it seemed the people who did that the quickest were told to
stand up against the wall and those who took longer to fire their
three shots were the 'survivors.' We tried this exercise again and
Konstantin said not to rush to shoot, and anyone who got hit had to
go stand against the wall. It was hard for me to tell if I got hit as
the pellets just slid right off my jacket, so if someone hit me at
the zero point, I would not even feel it. But I don't think anyone
hit me, nor did I fire a single shot. I noticed that the people who
were against the wall were more spontaneous and impulsive. The people
who were left milling around, who had not fired, tended to be more
cautious and thoughtful. I'm not saying spontaneity is necessarily a
bad thing, just that those of us who were left were waiting for any
one of us to draw before shooting, so we had this kind of stalemate,
as none of us drew, therefore, we didn't fire.

Konstantin said that the training applies to all different kinds of
guns, and someone had an Airsoft AK-47, which he used to demonstrate.
As I mentioned previously, he said that each bullet costs money,
life, and health, and suggested we practice with just three rounds in
the magazine, to make us stop and think between shots.

In conclusion, he took questions, of which there were many. I asked
him how to stop myself from freezing up when I knew that my partner
and I would be shooting each other simultaneously. He commended me
for noticing that tendency in myself, which kind of surprised me as I
saw it as a kind of failure, but I guess as long as you are conscious
of it, it's not a big a failure as if you pretend it's not happening.
Konstantin said I should remember to breathe, and to use the short
panting breath if necessary. He said to practice re-creating the
situation, the exact moment where I froze, and work through it from
that point. He said don't stop and start again, but keep going even
if I freeze up.

One of my classmates asked how to quell the panic and fear of the
blowback from a real gun, but I don't recall the particulars of
Konstantin's answer. Denis said that Airsoft was similar in feel and
blowback to a real .22. Konstantin had encouraged us to pick a gun
that feels right for us, and not one that is big or shoots fast. He
said all that was irrelevant in the long run, if the gun wasn't
comfortable in our hands.

Someone else asked why aim for the zero point, the midsection, when
the American shooting schools teach you to aim for the chest.
Konstantin replied that it's not necessary to aim, the stomach
happens to be in line when you shoot from the hip or from the navel
level, so that eliminates the need to aim. He also said the stomach
is less mobile than the head or chest and therefore can't get out of
the way of incoming fire as easily. Previously, he had also mentioned
that shooting to the stomach is psychologically easier than shooting
to the head.

There was an inquiry about shooting with two guns and Konstantin did
a brief demonstration. He said there were two methods: shooting with
a gun in each hand in direct line, and crossing the guns and shooting
the to the left with the gun in the right hand and vice versa. He
demonstrated both ways, again with the intrepid Denis as the target.

There were a whole bunch of other questions, but I didn't write them
all down. Many were just re-iterating what Konstantin had already
told us earlier in the seminars. We spent a good half-hour in the Q&A
and finally Konstantin concluded by saying that we could not expect
to retain this knowledge that we'd gained in two weeks' time unless
we practiced. He also once again told us not to trust him, but to
trust only ourselves. We all applauded him for sharing his
wonderfully astute wisdom with us during the three days. I also
publicly thanked Val Hainley for providing such tireless translation
of Konstantin's words. I wish to also thank Peggy and Edgar for
hosting the seminar – it was not easy, as we had to work in a
segregated, padded room with all the mirrors covered and the windows
blocked out. Many thanks also to the people who travelled great
distances to participate in the seminar and make it a truly
successful event. Spasibo!

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel

Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar with Konstantin Komarov - Saturday,
November 10 at Fighthouse

Visit
http://www.new-pony.com/systema/GunpointSupremacyOct2007Saturday.html
for an illustrated version of this review

(Part II of a three-part series)

On Saturday, Konstantin gave us a piece of advice he'd repeat several
more times: "The gun doesn't protect you; you protect the gun." He
also reminded us that you don't need to aim if you line up
properly. "Shooting is just an afterthought." The idea is to create
favorable circumstances leading up the squeezing the trigger. He re-
capped what we had covered on Friday; the introductory material. I
forgot to add in my Friday review, he had also advised us not to
point the gun upward, that's it's faster and easier to change targets
if the gun is pointing down between shots, and you are less likely to
shoot yourself if you point the gun downward. But for most of the
drills where we fired more than one shot, the gun was parallel to the
floor.

With this advice in mind, we again did the drill where we simply
shoot each other, drawing from the hip, and then in groups of three,
shooting two people, moving smoothly from one to the other without
stepping or excessive turning. Then a repeat of the alertness drills
in groups of three: one person turns around, the other two decide who
will be the shooter, and when Number One turns around, he has to
instantly see who's drawn and pointing at him and shoot that person.

Launching off the "you protect the gun" theme, we did an exercise,
still in our groups of three, where one person turns around, another
person claps, at which Number one turns to face the other two, and
one of the two rushes at tries to get the gun. The goal is to draw
and shoot the rusher before he gets too close.

We then practiced shooting from a distance with our partners,
starting three or four steps away from each other. If you missed, you
had to take a step closer, and if you hit your partner, take a step
back. I was able to shoot my partner from about three-quarters of the
length of the room. I did this with several different people and
unfortunately the second kept shooting me in the face. After asking
him not to several times, I gave up and resigned myself to being shot
in the face. It is really uncomfortable without a helmet, though the
ski mask was better than nothing. I found myself feeling a sense of
dread each time I faced him, knowing I had to just stand there and
take the shots in the face, and that he couldn't, or wouldn't, aim
for the midsection as Konstantin had asked us to. I don't know if he
had terrible aim or just a grim determination to shoot to the face,
but it was very uncomfortable. This was the only person I encountered
who seemed to be a bit reckless with the Airsoft. I did work with
another guy who vented the magazine, shooting rapidly over and over
again, which, being a New Yorker, I always associate with those NYPD
panic-shooting deaths that we occasionally hear about. You know, the
suspect is reaching for his wallet and ends up with 200 rounds in
him. How many shots do you really need? I asked my classmate
rhetorically during the lunch break. A Fighthouse boxing coach
overheard us and answered, "Just one, if you aim correctly."

"Each bullet costs money, life, and health," Konstantin told us on
Sunday. "Practice with three bullets in the chamber. The act of re-
loading will make you think."

We practiced shooting while walking, which I find a lot easier than
shooting from a stationary position. Later, Konstantin said he also
found it easier to shoot while in motion. We walked past our
partners, drew, and shot them while continuing to walk "just as if
you were on your way to work," said Konstantin. We also did this
while walking towards our partners from a 45 degree angle.

"You must pull the trigger while your foot's in the air," said
Konstantin. Throughout the three days, he constantly reminded us to
keep moving, before and after we shot. I had to be very diligent
about remembering not to freeze after I had fired.

In groups of four, three of us stood at different distances from the
fourth, and he had to step forward and shoot everyone. For this, we
practiced a different kind of draw – no longer shooting from the hip,
we held the gun in front of the belly button, slightly extended, but
arm still bent.

"Don't aim, don't hesitate. Position your body so the shot is just an
afterthought," said Konstantin again. With that in mind, we broke for
lunch.

After lunch, we did an interesting exercise in pairs. One person
pressed the barrel of the gun into the other person's body, and then
moved around, stepping, rotating, rising up and down, all the while
maintaining the shot. Then we did the same thing, but actually
shooting each other (not from point-blank, we stepped back a little).
We did this for 5-10 minutes each.

Konstantin told us we had too much tension in our shoulders, and that
we were 'pushing' the gun forward into the target as we shot. He said
this is how soldiers are taught to shoot and that's it's a low-level
skill that can be easily learned, but we were aiming for a higher
standard of work.

Next we did an exercise where we shot our partners while walking in a
figure-8. I found this very difficult. I guess I have a little
trouble with the figure-8; at the risk of making myself sound like a
moron, I somehow found it difficult to keep walking in a fluid,
consistent, figure-8. Then we remained in the same place and our
partners walked around us in a circle and we had to shoot them
standing, sitting, and lying down.

At this point, I was without a partner and remained so for the last
hour of the seminar. There was another student whose gun had
malfunctioned and that is why I ended up without a partner. This
happens sometimes and I don't get so upset about it as I used to. I
did have a chance to observe and take some good notes.

They did a crowd exercises with partners. At Konstantin's command,
everyone had to walk around, draw, and fire two shots at their
partners; both of them had to be accurate and hit each other. Next
they did the same thing in groups of three, and each person had to
fire two shots and hit their two partners. You were not supposed to
put your hand on your gun in preparation, you arms had to hang
normally until your opportunity to shoot presented itself.

"People have a tendency to shift responsibility to a piece of metal,"
said Konstantin. Of course the gun itself can't be blamed for
anything. "When you think you can't be seen, you relax, and if you
think you will not be seen, you will get closer," Konstantin
observed. Again he reminded us to focus not on the shot itself, but
on the circumstances preceding it. "Calm, confident movement," he
advised. "You should be able to change your movement at any given
time." He encouraged us to use our inner vision for the crowd work
exercises, to keep our eyes soft, and not to reveal our intention.
It's been awhile since I've heard a reference to the 'unfocused gaze'
of Systema. This is when you use your peripheral vision, look above
your opponent's head, and try not to focus too intently on any one
thing. Using the unfocused gaze often causes my partners to believe I
am not 'ready' to be attacked because I appear to be looking in a
different direction, but it's intentional on my part.

To conclude, Konstantin summarized what we'd learned: proper grip,
trigger pull with relaxed finger. He suggested an exercise: shooting
with a shell on top of the barrel. If the shell was undisturbed after
the shot, that was smooth work. He suggested starting with the shell
close to the hand and moving it all the way to the end of the barrel.
He also mentioned some sort of 'paper cone' exercise but I wasn't
quite clear on what that entails. He said that the hands will get
used to the weapon, but shooting is mostly psychological. He also
said that the 'floating arm,' was still raw and not yet developed; we
had been working with the arm and the body moving as one unit.

A few people asked questions, which I did not note, though I have a
few notes about questions on Sunday. At this point, I was still
undecided as to whether I wanted to attend the seminar on Sunday. I
just wasn't as enthralled with shooting as everyone else seemed to
be. I was a bit daunted by getting hit in the sensitive areas of the
face, hands, and inner thigh. And finally, though it's a lame excuse,
I was a bit put off by the 9 AM starting time of the seminar. But I
eventually decided that I had invested in the gun, and spent two days
learning from Konstantin, and I'd be cheating myself if I didn't
finish off the training. So I resolved to return the next day.

Later that evening, we had our Russian banquet, which is always a
good time for all who attend. I tried some delicious Long Island
wines and watched my classmate make a fool out of himself with an
athletic cup. I had to leave earlier than I wanted to so that I could
be well-rested for the following morning's training.

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel

There is a book called "The Strength of Samson and How to Attain It" by Mike
Brown. It's
available at www.leviticus11.com.

Charles

> Great series of posts....Must have been exciting to be there.
> If you find out anything more on the Samson type training I'd like to
> hear about it.  The only reference that pops to my mind is Samson
> carrying the Gaza city gates. (Judges 16:3) I don't think I'll try that
> anytime soon. :)
>

Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar with Konstantin Komarov - Friday, November
9 at Fighthouse

Visit http://www.new-
pony.com/systema/GunpointSupremacyOct2007Friday.html for an
illustrated version of this review!

(Part I of a three-part series)

On Friday, Konstantin first covered the basics. This was helpful
because I think most of us had very little shooting experience. I had
only just loaded and fired my Airsoft for the first time
(incidentally, startling Konstantin so that he jumped. I didn't want
to begin the exercises having never fired it before, though probably
it would have made no difference.) Goggles were a must; many people
had full face masks. Long sleeves were a wise precaution. I soon
found that thick pants are helpful, too, and on the third day, I
actually wore long johns under my BDUs, as well as a sweatshirt
underneath my nylon jacket. The jacket was good protection; it's a
police coat sans insignia, and the pellets just slipped right off it.
Baggy clothes seem to helpful with allowing the pellets to slip off.
I had a ski mask for facial protection and it was marginally better
than bare skin. The pellets that hit my face left bruises; they did
not break the skin, but stung quite painfully for a few seconds. I
think getting hit in the inner thigh was the worst, though. Generally
it was not as painful as I expected it to be; we were all hit
hundreds of times and I only heard a few people crying out in pain,
usually from shots fired at point-blank range.

Konstantin talked about the proper grip for the gun, which is just
the way you'd naturally hold it. He demonstrated passing it from one
hand to the other, getting comfortable with the feel of it, as a
recommended drill. He also showed how to draw it from behind the
belt – throughout all three days, we kept our guns there in the
Mexican carry style. A few people used holsters. Several of us did
end up shooting ourselves inside our pants while trying to draw – in
my case, this was because I am so uncoordinated with my left hand.

In addition to passing from one hand to the other, he also
demonstrated drawing the gun, and how to compensate when you draw in
such a way that the gun is a little loose in the hand. It's almost
like you are dropping the gun, then sliding your hand down to catch
it, which settles it more firmly in your grip. It's hard to explain –
almost like a yo-yo action. Konstantin said we should practice these
three exercises on our own. He also recommended working with a laser
dot or a gun outfitted with a laser dot to improve aim.

He mentioned a few other basics: for safety reasons, don't shoot each
other in the face. Aim for the 'zero level' – the midsection (reasons
for aiming at midsection were explained a little later in the
seminars - one reason is that it's psychologically easier to shoot
someone in the stomach than in the head). Keep the gun close to your
body, shoot from the hip. In the next few days we'd try different
kinds of shooting but starting out, we shot from the hip. He also
told us to keep the wrists straight just as you would do with
punching. I found it extremely difficult to shoot from the hip and
also keep my hip straight. I had to angle my body to hit a target
directly in front of me, because shooting from the hip would mean
missing a target directly opposite me. Konstantin also showed how to
move the gun up or down, or side to side, by tilting the pelvis.

His introductory remarks were interesting. He said, "Ask
yourself, 'why am I doing this?' Don't trust me to tell you; trust
only yourself." That gave me some pause because I wasn't really sure
why I was doing the gun seminars. The only reason I had was that
Konstantin is such a fascinating person, I felt I could not pass up
the chance to learn from him, although I am not that interested in
shooting. It's okay, I like to do it the same way I like playing pool
or darts. Konstantin said we'd be learning about combative shooting,
not sport shooting. I'm afraid that I'm more interested in the
latter – hitting paper targets or clay disks seems like fun; shooting
at other people, a source of anxiety.

We did a drill where your partner draws and as soon as you detect his
draw, you have to draw as well – sitting, standing, and lying down.
We worked in groups of five on the passing drill – simply passing the
guns from one person to the next. You take the gun by the barrel with
one hand, pass it to your other hand, and finally to the person on
your right. We reversed it to pass both ways, and also to do this
sitting, standing, and lying down.

Konstantin used the "holding a fly" analogy for how tightly we should
grip the guns. I have heard this used about punches, also. The grip
should be tight enough to contain the fly, but not tight enough to
kill it (until you land the punch, at which point, you should squeeze
the fist to 'kill the fly.') To that effect, we did an interesting
exercise where the entire class walked around with one fist held out,
and the gun in the other hand, elbows bent, wrists straight, and we
lightly pushed first the fist, then the gun, into each other as we
passed. Then we paired up and one person pushed the other, first
lightly, then really hard, and the person being pushed had to turn
and draw simultaneously, using the yielding to the push to instigate
the draw.

"You must be calm," said Konstantin. This was a recurring theme
throughout the three days. "If you get too excited, do pushups to
calm yourself." But he frequently stopped us to urge us to calm down,
not to be too excited or fearful.

Next we did a very straightforward drill where you simple draw and
shoot your partner, shooting from the hip and aiming for the 'zero
point.' This was my first experience with being shot with an Airsoft
pellet and it wasn't too bad if it hit my midsection. It was very
painful on the inner thigh, face, and hand, though. But fortunately
my partner was accurate. Later, Konstantin complimented her on her
steady, calm work. I think she is the only student that he singled
out for her excellent shooting.

Konstantin also had us practice tilting the pelvis to raise or lower
the shot. Since I didn't think my aim was so great, I forewent
tilting my pelvis, as I was already missing my partner sometimes
anyway. Then we shot in groups of three – Konstantin wanted once
person to shoot the other two, as we all stood in a triangular
formation, but not to step or move side-to-side. Remaining in the
same place, but swiveling the pelvis as necessary. Strangely, I found
it easier to shoot two people than one.

We then did a "readiness" exercise in groups of three. One person
turns around, the other two decide who will be the shooter and then
say "ready." When the third person turns around, he has to spot which
of the two is pointing the gun at him and shoot that person.

One of Konstantin's final pieces of advice was "Don't draw the gun
unless you intend to use it." He explained how people get into
arguments, they run out of angry words, and since hitting each other
hurts too much, they draw their guns to threaten. He said that we
should never use the gun to threaten but only draw if it was
necessary to shoot someone. He repeated that advice several times
throughout the three days.

I felt a little more comfortable with handling the gun after Friday's
training, but I was still not that interested in shooting, as
compared to other kinds of Systema training. Maybe because, unlike a
knife or even a stick, a gun is a weapon I am not likely to use. At
best, after investing a few thousand dollars, I'd only use a handgun
in my home, if someone were to break in or otherwise threaten me. And
I don't plan to make that investment anytime soon. If concealed carry
was legal in NYC, I might feel differently, but as it stands,
shooting is something I wanted to learn only to round out my Systema
education, and because Konstantin is such a fascinating individual.
However, I did start to take a shine to it by the third day, so my
next two installments will reflect my increasing enthusiasm for
combative shooting practice.

*Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
Rachel

Thanks for the help and all the great ideas!

Mike



--- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "rkxyz" <rklingberg@...> wrote:
>
> You might also find some of my past writings helpful. Here is a
> review of a strikes seminar with Martin Wheeler:
> http://www.new-pony.com/systema/martinsatdecember2004.html
> and a seminar with Mikhail Ryabko that also covered strikes:
> http://www.new-pony.com/systema/mikhailsatjune2005.html
> Hope this helps.
> *Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
> Rachel
>
> --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter" <recshooter@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks for the tips, Rachel and Sharon.  You may have to forgive
my
> > newbie excitement but in nearly 20 years of martial arts I have
> never
> > felt anything like that when striking. Truly amazing. I'm sure it
> > would have been funny to have filmed and seen the shocked look on
> > both of our faces.
> >
> > Rachel, I have the Strikes DVD but I never could understand
exactly
> > where the power came from. Maybe I just missed it watching the
> faces
> > eveyone made getting hit ;) I downloaded Val Riazanov's ebook on
> > ballistic striking and that helped me a great deal to understand
> what
> > I needed to be doing. The ebook is probably below basic to
someone
> > who is working with an instructor, but it filled in the gaps for
> me.
> > I'll have to go back and watch the strikes video again now that I
> > have a clearer perception of what is going on
> >
> > Sharon, thanks for pointing me to the videos on youtube.  I have
> ran
> > across them before but I will watch them now with greater
> > understanding.
> >
> > I've seen on various clips where Val Riazanov did seminars with
VV
> > and MR..is he still involved with Systema or is he kind of doing
> his
> > own thing?
> >
> > Thanks again
> >
> >
> > - In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "Sharon Friedman" <ransuru@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > A FEW SUGGESTIONS:
> > >
> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvIoaWqRsik
> > >
> > > Work on pushing without tensing up by using your breath as the
> wave
> > > and by letting the movement come from your body as one unit but
> > > relaxed so there is no attempt to keep a certain shape despite
> your
> > > senses telling you it's a bad idea :)
> > >
> > > Fall on your fists and let the movement pass onward.
> > >
> > > Have a partner place his hands on your shoulders and close his
> eyes.
> > > You need to strike him and if he feels you are moving before the
> > > strike hits in, he slaps you in the face.
> > >
> > > Smile, it relaxes the face and than the rest relaxes.
> > >
> > > Remember that learning to take strikes and survive is more
> important
> > > than learning to strike deep. They are connected of course.
> > >
> > > Sharon
> > > Systema Israel.
> > > http://systemablog.blog.com/
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "rkxyz" <rklingberg@>
wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Well, I'm no expert (I have been training 4 years), but it
> sounds
> > > > like you are doing good. That wet smacking noise is a good
> sign.
> > But
> > > > I'd try to get a hold of the Strikes video and see if you can
> > pick up
> > > > some pointers from that. Striking is intermediate to advanced
> > work.
> > > > It is better to have a qualified instructor guiding you, but
I
> > > > realize that's not always possible. The Strikes video will be
> > > > helpful, if you haven't already seen it.
> > > >
> > > > Maybe some other group members will weigh in.
> > > >
> > > > *Vsego nailuchshego* (best wishes),
> > > > Rachel
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In systema_group@yahoogroups.com, "recshooter"
> <recshooter@>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > My friend and I were messing around with trying to figure
out
> > the
> > > > > Systema striking method.  I know it doesn't come in a
couple
> of
> > > > days
> > > > > or anything like that. We were basically just playing
around
> > trying
> > > > > to figure out how in the world you punch and at the same
time
> > are
> > > > > relaxed.  Out of nowhere I think I "got it" by accident.  I
> > punched
> > > > > him in the stomach and it felt like my fist went in all the
> way
> > up
> > > > to
> > > > > my wrist. He said it felt like the punch, "went through to
> the
> > > > > spine."  The sound it made connectiong was different also.
> It
> > is
> > > > > hard to explain what the sound was, kind of a wet smack.
It
> > > > sounded
> > > > > very different than usual.  My friend had his abs really
> > tightened
> > > > (I
> > > > > know that's the wrong way to take it) and the punch went
> > through
> > > > like
> > > > > a knife through butter.  LOL I think it scared us both
pretty
> > bad!
> > > > > If this is the right way to do it I would suppose it worked
> > becuase
> > > > I
> > > > > quit "trying" and just did it.  It is really frustrating to
> try
> > and
> > > > > get back in the right frame of mind to repeat it!  I think
> > we've
> > > > > learned not to try that without some sort of pad or
> something.
> > We
> > > > may
> > > > > be too careful but we really don't know what we are doing.
> > Better
> > > > > safe than sorry.  Are we on the right path here to proper
> > striking?
> > > > > Or at least  taking a baby step in the right direction?
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>