Seminar Reviews

Many Thanks to Vladimir and to all the guys who made this seminar possible. This was great experience for me (and my daughter). I learned importance happy workout with humor and smile without being hurt. This seminar had best atmosphere of the participants that I experienced till now in Japan. It must be because there is your being. I look forward to the seminar of the next year!

This was only the second time I've had a chance to train live. The last time was 6 years ago. Mainly I have the videos and myself. I did hear some good news at the seminar for people like me. Martin Wheeler told me he has a video coming out in a few months on training alone so that is something I will definitely buy. During the seminar, I learned a lot and it's nice to be able to practice live. I think everybody I partnered with were way more advanced than I am and some were perfectly willing to not take their turn on the drills to work with me and help me along. I met some great people there. I think the seminar could have been a lot better had they changed the order some. On Saturday, we did mostly striking drills. I wish we would have done the grappling and various movement drill on Saturday and the striking on Sunday. Since I don't have a chance to train live, I'm not used to taking a punch. I got beat to a pulp basically so I wasn't near as affective as I could have been on Day 2 nor could I put all I had into it. I hurt so bad at times, I could barely move. It turns out that reason why was some overzealous attendee cracked one of my ribs on day one. At this very moment (Moday after) any movement on my right side is limited and very painful. I also broke my big toe on my left foot Sunday morning during a grappling drill but that was minor compared to the rib thing. So the whole thing would have been better if the striking would have taken place later instead of first. At least I would have enjoyed it much more. Vladimir was his usual amazing self to no one's surprise. Overall, I did learn but could have learned much more had the injury not taken place in the morning on day one.

Once again, it was another amazing Vlad seminar put on by the most hospitable folks of Longmont courtesy of Brad, Karla and crew. The hotel we got was great. Food, snacks and water was plaentiful for all attendees. The focus was on sparring, striking, evasion, multiple attackers and knife work. The work was perfectly geared towards beginners and advanced alike. Vlad took unusual care to prepare the body for striking by taking an entire day on Sat showing us drills to absorb and disperse the strikes. Everyone felt so energized by it and were eagerly awaiting the folowing day when we could safely develop into deeper and faster striking. It was a pleasure to meet new folks and everyone had a marvelous time. Special thanks to Martin and Al Mcluckie for opening up Friday with some amazing knife and stick work. All together a seminar that couldn't be missed. Catch the next one in May in Toronto as Vlad will continue building on this work. Best, Thong

The longmont seminar was great. Vladimir's personal touch gave everyone an experience to remember. The simple approach and explination of concepts allowed individuals of all levels and backgrounds to avidly engage in live contact, rather than being separated. I greatly enjoyed this seminar and look forward to all to come. And I personaly thank Vladimir for all his hard work and dedication, allowing this to be a great seminar. ENJOY HITTING PEOPLE

I'm a newcomer to Systema (about 6 mos.) and this was my first experience of Vlad. I was blown away by his teaching and his wonderful presence as well as the helpfulness of all the attendees. I have been to seminars with both Martin and Kevin, and they were great, but Vlad is clearly a show-stopper. I found the knife defense work particularly exciting. Really, though, I spent most of the time just absorbing Vlad presence and trying to get a feel for how he moves with such relaxation, balance and power. What an experience. I will definitely be going to Toronto in May to catch him again. Thanks to Martin and Al for a great Friday night class, and Brad and the rest for being wornderful hosts! Cheers!-Nick

FWIW, I have to disagree with Charles on the order of teaching. I have attended seminars with the heavy striking on the first day like this one and seminars with the striking on second day. From my perspective it doesn't make a difference, learning to accept life as it comes instead of how we wish it to be is more productive. I also disagree that it would help students to learn more with the striking on the second day. If anything, it would be the reverse as a good deal of fear was worked out of our bodies the first day. This makes it easier to move the second day, even when sore. But that is just my opinion others can certainly have different views. Charles sorry to hear about your ribs. In your post is sounds like you are blaming the 'overzealuos attendee'. This is neither helpful or healthy. If you choose you can learn much from this experience; if you choose you can make this experience into a negative that will inhibit your healing and retard future learning. The choice is yours, best of luck. As for the seminar Vladimir never stops amazing me. He always has new insights and drills to share. Below are a few random memories from this weekends seminar: - Doing pushups with one hand on our partners face/throat and the other on his body. While I had done the pushups on the body I had not used the face. This drill is good on many levels. - Wrestling after strikes to cleanse the body. We have all been told to do pushups, situps and squats after working on strikes but Vladimir had us wrestle frequently instead. This really seemed to help a great deal as it used the entire body and forced heavy breathing. - Freedom of movement: For me this weekend was like seeing Vladimir again for the first time. While his movement is the same, i.e. exceptional, I felt like I finally saw the freedom part. It is hard to explain but instead of being captivated by the physical movement I finally saw the freedom created by his lack of ego and staying in the moment. It is embarrasing that I was so focused on the physical before but feel this insight will help me to move forward. Thanks. - 'Leaving something behind.' - When avoiding strikes Vladimir showed us how to leave part of us behind to give the attacker something to focus on and allow us to counter attack. - 'Focus on the second motion not the first.' - Vladimir explained that too often we focus on the first incoming strike which leaves us wide open for the second one. Move our bodies to avoid the first but use our hands/arms to work the second motion of the attacker. This is related to leaving something behind. Difficult to explain in words but both insights give me plenty to work on. Brad, Karla and the Colorado Crew did a great job hosting. Martin and Al gave us excellent training Friday night and helped us out during the seminar. Many thanks to each of you and to everyone that attended, your positive attitudes and smiles were greatly appreciated. Where else do you get to 'beat each other to a pulp' and smile and laugh about it. Take care, Mark J.

GREAT SEMINAR! Words cannot describe. Brad & company did a spectacular job in planning event, ensuring all attendees needs were taken care of. Al McLuckie (stick) & Martin Wheeler (knife) Fri evening seminar was a real treat. Vladimir was phenomenal Sat & Sun! I always seem to find measureable improvement in myself after a Vladimir seminar...in my systema & in my spirit. Vladimir, thank you for sharing your tremendous gifts with us...mind, body & spirit. Rick Ybarra, Arizona

What a great time as usual. Vlads teachings were amazing. One of my favorite topics were covered, SPARRING! Really answered alot of questions I had. Great energy from a great group of people. Thanks agian Vlad, and special thanks to Brad and Karla for organizing a weekend I would not trade for anything. Great to see all my friends, old and new! see ya soon. Frankie F

The seminar surpassed my greatest expectation. The weather was perfect, the people were friendly, and the topic was phenominal. We started the seminar on a high note with Al and Martin who covered stick and knife work. Over the weekend that high note just kept rising with Vladimir taking us through strikes in such an easy and simple manner it felt like we were playing instead of working. Coming from 1000ft. elevation to 5000+ feet, I was worried that I wouldn't have enough energy to do everything. I simply applied systema breathing and not only did I have enough energy, I had some left over to burn. I would like to thank Brad for putting this seminar together. I would also like to thank Vladimir for a wonderful experience. Thank you both.

I have been training in Longmont for one year, so I still consider myself a new student to Systema. I had a blast at the seminar. I especially enjoyed working with Yuri Talalaev, Martin Wheeler, and (of course) Vladimir Vasiliev himself. All of the instructors I have met in Systema have been very helpful to me, and I appreciate all of their wonderful advice. The seminar was a perfect opportunity for me to work with new people and, as a result, learn more about Systema. Thanks to everyone who worked with me!