Seminar Reviews

Profound, life-changing, spectacular...after a few reviews, you can see the pattern forming here. Having attended Vladimir's seminars before, I expected world-class instruction and training opportunities. But I could never have expected what I got from this experience, nor can I adequately put it into words or do it justice even now. For six days straight, we weren't just trained - we were tested and forged, physically, mentally and spiritually. Water, weapons, forest, darkness, strikes, grapples, ground attacks and mass attacks - all were used to make us more aware of our own fears and limitations. And with Vlad and Konstantin's expert guidance, we continually worked through our tensions, stretched our limits, and learned more about ourselves than perhaps we ever thought possible in such a short time. And all of it in an atmosphere of pure joy and friendship, in the most beautiful of natural settings. I can honestly say I returned from the Immersion Camp humbled, but also a stronger and happier person, with a new outlook on life, health and the deep benefits of "knowing yourself". This is not a gushing overstatement. This is truth. I would like to thank Vlad, Konstantin, Valerie, everyone who made this event possible, and everyone who helped me work and learn so much during that week. (Cheers Mark, especially - I'm, breathing normally these days!) Glenn

Hi! After almost a month of the seminar, i´m still trying to digest all the information, insights and exercises from that amazing week. Till now i´m still remembering and undestanding what we trainned. It´s been much easier to understand so may things that i´ve been practising for so long!!! Many thanks to everybody that was there. Special thanks to Vladimir for all the information. So many new friends from the week, that´s hard to list every one in here, but i´m very glad to be part of this new family!! Gafa -from Brazil

I have been practicing hand to hand combat for more than 20 years. I started out with the Judo Junior Olympic Team then trained with Russian Airborne troops, Russian and Israeli Recon groups. With this experience, I thought I had accomplished something in the hand to hand combat field, but when I met Vladimir and he introduced me to Systema, I understood I knew very little. Vladimir changed my life 180 degrees! The major elements that Vladimir has taught me is 1) being a good man, 2) the objective is not to win but survive. Since training with Vladimir, I have a deeper understanding of my mental and physical being, as well as about people and life in general. This summer 2008 I attended for the first time Vladimir's summer camp in Canada, which gave me the opportunity to spend more time with Vladimir and Konstantin Komarov. I was amazed by how much these two people, in this short period of time, were able to assist all attendees on a professional and human level. I met a lot of people from all over the world and everyone's description of these two masters was strictly positive and warm. Vladimir and Konstantin were more than just instructors, they were your friends, who were always available to give you help and advice when needed. I learned a great deal during these few days... psychological, physical, tactical, weapons and so on. Not only did they give me invaluable information about myself as a person in these five days, but I receive immeasurable information as an instructor than any other boot camps that I trained for months. I have never in my life, experienced the level of survival psychological training by Vladimir and Konstantin, both at night in the woods and in the water. Due to the realistic setting, you felt the results immediately. After this training, I felt mentally and physically prepared to survive anywhere. The level of intensity during the camp -- 3 training sessions per day -- allowed me to see the improvement in not only myself but the other attendees as well in such a short period of time. Normally you might have to spend at least 3 months to achieve such results. There was never any aggression amongst the group. The level of maturity and patience was overwhelming, which speaks to the level of professionalism of Vladimir and Konstantin. I can only image where I will be after a year of such training! Words cannot sufficiently describe the experience, on an emotional, mental and physical level. You can't get it in a video or on a cd, you truly have to be there! The only sadness I have is that five days was far too short. I wish I could have spent the whole summer! Although it has been four months since the camp, I feel that everything I learned, is still fresh as if I just learned it yesterday. I can't wait to get back soon. Big thanks to Vladimir and Konstantin for their wisdom and knowledge. Special thanks to Valerie Vasiliev and the entire group for their amazing assistance and organization throughout my five days there. I truly felt at home. With respect, Sergei Maslikhov Systema - Polygon Elite www.PolygonElite.com

Wow, what a week! This seminar brought together not only the three top Systema masters in the world (Mikhail Ryabko, Vladimir Vasiliev and Konstantin Komarov), but some of the top instructors certifed by these masters. The Systema masters (as always) were surprisingly accessible and selfless in their availability to answer questions and spend time explaining and demonstrating finer points. The certified instructors were friendly and engaging, also helpful in the work of those just starting out or requiring more explanation. The facilities were picturesque with excellent staff and service, but more importantly, the grounds, forest setting and beaches just perfect for the work we did. It was interesting to note the differences in the Masters' styles of teaching: Konstantin like a college professor, with a strong psychological slant, useful in developing self and environmental awareness; Mikhail with his depth of knowledge and wisdom, incredible economy of motion and "gentle" power; Vladimir with his child-like creativity and humor, rugged work ethic and deep understanding of the concepts and application of Systema. A lot of new concepts were covered, and a deeper understanding of basics made this camp a treasured experience. I would strongly recommend return visits, or if one is starting out for the first time, just sign up and come to the camp! Only one sugestion would be to have a beginner's class on the first day. This way concepts (Breathing, Relaxation, Posture/Form, Movement) could be covered didactically, then followed by demonstrations.

I didn't think 2010 Summit of Masters could be better than 2008, but it was. I especially liked the internal focus. My top ten Summit of Masters 2010 takeaways: 1. I have gotten in touch with what Constantine describes as the "action state" or "working state" and now look for ways to get into it, 2. for as incredibly strong as Mikhail is his real focus is on precision - I found it in my notes at least 10 times a day, 3. if you are not in touch with how you feel, forget about trying to sense anyone else, 4. the ultimate relaxation and readiiness seems to come out most when it is like "play", 5. moving and breathing are inseparable twins, 6. disrupt your breathing and you disrupt your motion, 7. disrupt your motion and you disrupt your breathing, 8. disrupt either and you are going to get hurt, 9. awareness is a trainable skill and exercises need to be frequent - especially in the dark, 10. when in doubt or need of the action state or making sure your form is right or your fist is right, there is nothing better than pushups - and as Vlad says when we groan about more pushups, "Guys, we love pushups" and we do. Thank you Mikhail, Vlad, Constantin, Valerie, Kwan, big Sergey and all the other instructors that helped me have again one of the most amazing weeks in my life. Cash Nickerson, now Instructor in Training and devotee of Systema. See you in Cancun, God willing.

Well WOW what an amazing week! I'm still reeling from the insights and realizations that were invoked during the summit. Before leaving Australia I had already decided upon a number of areas in which I wanted to work, fear and self mastery were among them. I must admit to getting more then I bargained for, the summit did push me. I found the work around development of the psyche particularly interesting and will definitely pursue further training and development in this area. BREATH. Definitely an area in which I'll be doing alot of work. Huge thanks, love and respect to everyone who attended and worked to make the summit the success that it was. I have already been approached by a number of acquaintances who are keen to join me at the next summit. Peace, love and good health. Kalvin

After the last, superb Immersion Camp in 2008, I couldn't wait to return for more work, fun, camaraderie, and top-quality training under Vladimir and Konstantin. This year's Summit of Masters - with Mikhail Ryabko also taking the reins - did not disappoint. Rather than dabble and dip into different areas of training, this intense seminar - we were told from the beginning - was focused on one primary goal. This was understanding, feeling and achieving "the State" - the precise physiological and psychological state required for effective Systema work. Of course, far more was also offered and learned. As usual, the training was deep and affecting, and will take most of us many weeks and months to unpack. But this central goal of feeling the State (and how to snap into it in practice) was, for me, the invaluable gem to be brought home. With many newcomers in attendance, the pace started out slow - working on proper breathing and calm, relaxed movement during takedowns. But by day three, it had all shifted up a gear. Every morning, Vlad and Konstantin led breathwork with exercise, each day adding a new element. While the walking, running and exercise patterns varied, every day physically reiterated the goal of assessing your internal state before, during and after work. By day, we worked on precise and subtle movement - whether with knife, with stick, and unarmed. By night, Konstantin helped us to explore new depths of understanding, having us feel and use The State in practical application. For me, these sessions marked a breakthrough. This type of training effectively linked the internal, self-directed "sensitivity and relaxation work" (for want of a better term) of Systema with the external perception of tension and movement. It opened a door in my head, and revealed a path toward the mastery of truly subtle, efficient and appropriate movement. Although I've only just begun to explore this new world, I'm hugely grateful to have been shown the path, and I have a renewed purpose in training and teaching Systema. And that, I guess, is the mark of a 5-star seminar! Thank you to the Masters, to Valerie, to Max (for the superb weekend of pre-summit training at the RMA HQ), and to everybody else who made this Summit possible. And a special thanks to the Knights of Knightsbridge - I had enough laughs in one week to last a year. But let's hope it's not that long before we're all training (and laughing) together again.

Google search‘2010 Summit, Huntsville, Ontario’ comes with 36th G8 Summit with no reference to Summit of Masters occurred couple months after G8 getaway just across mesmerizing Fairy Lake. G8 Summit was secured by over 30,000 well armed protectors. 140 participants of the 2010 Summit of Masters had training knives, military shovels & three men whose presence made that summer week more memorable than any globalization festivity. 2010 for me was fifth altogether & forth one in Swallowdale camp. Every single lesson & memory of each event is precious & unforgettable. After every camp an effort to summarize flow of experiences into a sharable format took couple months of processing. No longer I try to determine what really stands out – immense amount of incredible knowledge, stream of jaw dropping demonstrations, rare opportunity of round clock outdoor training, bulls eye pointers & instructions, unforgettable camaraderie, or inescapable fragrance of T-shirt nearly dried from sweat, rain, dew & lake water. All of it & more is now undividable treasury of perpetual inspiration. Saying that work & instructions delivered & demonstrated by Mikhail, Vladimir & Konstantin are truly unique & rare does not even begin to describe this event which crediting Konstantin I will remember as one devoted to the STATE – condition of minimum tension & maximum effectiveness. HUGE subject was the camp’s focal training point covered from numerous angles & with multiple illustrations so masterfully & generously offered by Masters. I can’t now imagine how flat & rudimentary my experience would be if Systema was not part of it. Not one camp, seminar or even practice did not lay another brick into what I today am, can do or share. Don’t know about G8 Summit players but my friends ended up with prosperous, powerful & unforgettable memories of this summer. Word of advise for those who missed this opportunity – DON’T DO IT AGAN!

For me this summit was really one of the best summits of all I been to. Really still amazed, even now (3 months later), feeling gratitute, humility, what a learing experience. Mikhail was amazing, the demo's, exercises and .... (so much more) WOW. The work with Constantine and Vladimir, so good, the 3 masters work really good together. This summit gave so me so much on many levels, I learned so much. You had to be there it is not explained in words alone. Arend

I attended this event a few years ago and find that I still utilize the concepts that were presented by Mr. Vasiliev and Mr. Komarov. As a sport focused martial artist I wanted to learn more about defense against weapons. The approach that good Systema instructors present is very effective to learn valuable skills quickly.