Far more than a collection of movements

[Bill McPherson]

I have been over the past year or more slowly opening the mind of a good friend of mine. We both trained under the same Wing Chun Sifu (although at different times) becoming good friends and training partners. Two years ago he moved to California to go to school and study Silat. He was in town for a few weeks and within that time I had the pleasure to try and show him as much of the system as my abilities allowed. He came to my training group, two of the classes I attend, and while at a fair well party this past Friday I put on a small demonstration for his friends (all martial artist whom once studied under our old Sifu) at his request. They were all deeply interested as I tried to show as much depth and variety as possible in the short time I had.

Through teaching and demonstrating the system, I have begun to ponder the differences form other martial arts. Two or more years ago when I began my journey into the Russian martial arts, I would have said it was the nature of the freestyle training and the focus on principles not techniques. This is what drew me to the system in the first place, as I had already been training in such a manner, but with far less sophistication. Now; however; as my training has progressed I understand that the system is much deeper and is far more than merely a way of training.

Most martial arts seem little more than a compilation of movements and techniques. Some provide deeper insights into breathing and even delve a little into psychology, but most fall short. Maybe once they were more and I am shore some still are; however; it seems as McDojo’s continue to prosper in the US and abroad most systems are lacking and focus only on the mechanical aspects of combat. Systema does not. As I tried to explain the system this past Friday and now reflect, I believe I am truly beginning to understand just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

We do not simply train our bodies for movement. The system teaches use how to move properly, effectively, and in a relaxed manner. We study the movements of people and there interactions with us. Visual cues and sensitivity are sharpened through slow and fast training with a live body (not with rehearsed movements). Tactics and strategies are taught along with psychology. This allows us to manipulate our opponents with ease and control. We are taught to fight from any position and without preparation. We learn how to conserve energy, while maximizing power. We strengthen our psyche, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and internal organs with various conditioning drills. We gain endurance and durability through our training. The system develops control of the mind, body, and spirit through breathing. It teaches us how to control our fears and diminish them. We use our tension to control the tension of our opponent. This is not just physical tension, but spiritual and psychological tension as well. We learn all this without stances or patterns. Yes, the system is complete and not lacking at all. When someone asks me if we strike or grapple, I can happily say we do it all.

The system is far more than a collection of movements. It is a system of self-knowledge and expression meant to provide the practitioner with the skills to survive any confrontation. It is a system of self-discovery that is supposed to strengthen the individual mentally, physically, and spiritually in every way. It can only provide the practitioner with a richer and fuller experience in life. And I think God that I could be exposed to such a wonderfully deep and complex martial art.
_________________
Technique comes from flow, but flow rarely comes from technique.

[tonybondioli]

This one's getting printed. Thank you, Bill.

[Jeff Sherwin]

Yeah, I'm going to print this one up and hang it on the bulletin board where I train.
_________________
Jeff Sherwin

"The best is always the enemy of good enough" Mikhail Kalishnikov