Some amusing stuff but also some pretty interesting stuff too.

Good find. I like fluidity in their techniques. The kinda loose armed strikes they use for weapon disarms and just as finishing strikes are interesting too. I'd like to fell some of that first hand, though. We do something similar so I think the theory is sound.

JM,
One of the top guys in the US is located in Los Angeles, and I am sure he would be happy to let you feel the strikes first hand. You can find the contact information on Vladimir's site for Martin Wheeler.

Enjoy,

Mark J.

Thanks Mark. I gave him a call and I think I'll be able to get out there and do a class.
~Corwin

Looks interesting sure but I have a better idea it's called a swift kick in the nuts and a muzzle thump in the eye. Or a thigh kick that works too. Muay thai is the answer to most everything. That and muzzle thumping.

I see what you are saying, but there is more to Systema than being able to beat people up. I have honestly never seen ANY sort of training that teaches relaxation to the same extent Systema does. It teaches you skills that show you how to relax physically and mentally regardless of the environment or circumstances. I've seen a 100 martial arts coaches tell people to relax. I've never seen anyone show them how to relax until I studied The System.

You don't always get that from the clips on the Internet though!

Relaxing in stressful circumstances comes down to good, deep, rythmic breathing and you can learn that without paying ungodly amounts of cash. But I've never tried systema so I really can't truly say what it's all about I'll have to check it out one day.

I've never paid more than £3 for a Systema class. The most expensive seminar I ever Systema seminar I paid for was £20. That said I have no doubt there are people out there making a lot of money teaching.

The Systema breathing taught me to alter my breathing rythmn depending on what was happening around me or how I was feeling internally. Some times slow deep breathing, other times sharp fast exhalations. Depends on what was going on. Never came across that before. Prior to that Yoga breathing and the Japanese breath work in Aikido always taught to breath in a universal way, regardless of what was happening. The System taught that that wasn't always apparent.

Sorry I've just read my last response back and it is hard for me understand!! I was seriously rushed while typing it. To summarize the above:

i) Systema in my experience has been pretty affordable, though someone somewhere is probably making a lot of money out of it.

ii) Other breathing systems I've study through things like Yoga and Aikido teach long deep breathing regardless of whats happening.

iii) In contrast, Systema teaches a different series of breath exercises, depending on whats going on on the outside and on the inside.

Late joining in here, but what the heck.

I've found the Systema breathing techniques to be pretty amazing to integrate into whatever training I'm doing--they quickly become intuitive, and have really benifited the way I perform techniques and receive strikes. A pretty amazing breath system and much faster to learn than Qigong.