Training Tips

Articles by Vladimir Vasiliev

The articles presented here are for the education and enjoyment of the Systema community. The writers are solely responsible for the content and such content may not completely reflect the views of Russian Martial Art Systema by Vladimir Vasiliev. Any training conducted by you is at your sole risk.

Born in Russia, Vladimir Vasiliev received intense combative training and profound Systema training from Mikhail Ryabko. Vladimir moved to Canada, and in 1993 founded the first school of Russian Martial Art outside Russia - Systema Headquarters.

He has since personally trained and certified well over 700 qualified Russian Martial Art Systema instructors and schools in over 40 countries worldwide, and has produced an Award-Winning instructional film collection. Vladimir holds a number of government medals and awards including the Russian "Order of Duty and Honor" and the "Order of Loyalty". He offers regular training at his school in Toronto, at international seminars and camps, and through the Systema Video Program.

Systema Training Vladimir Vasiliev

Strikes. Take It or... Grieve It...

by Vladimir Vasiliev Published: September 30, 2008

An interview from the gym of Vladimir Vasiliev Student: We heard that you are currently working on a new book on STRIKES. One of the topics covered in that book will deal with the skill of taking strikes. It is of great interest to anyone studying martial arts, self defense or even human psychology. In Systema training, this skill is recognized to be very important, quite a lot of time is devoted to learning it. Why is that? Vladimir: Why study this, you ask, but when they get hit, students also ask Why Me?..There are 2 reasons for training to take strikes. […]

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Systema Training Vladimir Vasiliev

Personal Interview with Mikhail Ryabko

by Vladimir Vasiliev Published: April 16, 2008

FROM A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH MIKHAIL RYABKO   Question to Mikhail: In your opinion, what makes stick a good weapon?   Reply: I like it because it is easy to get for training and easy to find in most situations outdoors and indoors. Also, a stick is not classified as a dangerous weapon; anyone is allowed to have one. In a confrontation, stick allows you to keep your opponent at a distance and it works well against a knife. In addition to that, I like the fact that stick training prepares you very well for working with a sword. […]

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Systema Training Vladimir Vasiliev

Tying Up With a Stick - Work of a Master

by Vladimir Vasiliev Published: March 05, 2008

This happened over 20 years ago in Russia. My friends and I were at Mikhail Ryabko's class. The format of classes was such that a student could choose absolutely any form of attack and Mikhail would just demonstrate his amazing variety of spontaneous defenses. We would rarely choose a stick as an offensive tool because it was so painful. But that evening, one of the guys who was probably new to the class came at Mikhail with a stick in his hands. After a few moves, Mikhail tied him up with the stick. Yes, tied him up. […]

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Systema Training Vladimir Vasiliev

Defense in a Car

by Vladimir Vasiliev Published: October 08, 2007

We'd like to get you familiar with this most essential self defense topic, and here is the first preparation glimpse into the CAR FIGHT DVD. Professionals in this line of work know that dangers associated with a car can be divided into 3 categories. […]

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Systema Training Vladimir Vasiliev

Break Through Tension

by Vladimir Vasiliev Published: August 28, 2007

We all know that breathing is our best tool to eliminate tension. We have done numerous great drills at Systema classes and seminars. Many of these exercises are outlined in the book Let Every Breath and DVD on Systema Breathing I would like to share a very useful drill with you. Mikhail Ryabko and I recently used this drill during our training sessions in Moscow. You will enjoy it as it gives you an accelerated way to clean out your tension: 1. Begin by lying on your back relaxed, and exhale. 2. Inhale smoothly and fully. 3. […]

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