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Old 10-14-2010, 08:54 AM   #3
Thomas Campbell
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 407
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Re: Anyone care to feed back their Systema experiences?

The quality of instruction and the effectiveness of skill develop vary tremendously within the Ryabko/Vasiliev line of Russian martial art. In the UK, Rob Poynton (http://www.cuttingedgeshop.com/systema.htm) is a great resource for Systema.

For a secular approach with a more structured approach to learning, it's worthwhile corresponding with Canadian Kevin Secours (kevinsecours@hotmail.com) about his "Combat Systema" approach (www.combatsystema.com). A couple of Kevin's articles are worth reading with respect to the "intuitive learning" espoused by the Ryabko/Vasiliev approach:

http://www.meibukanmagazine.org/Down...no10LowRes.pdf

http://www.combatsystema.com/uploads...MA_Article.pdf

With respect to your Aikido, no approach to Systema is a panacea for another art's shortcomings in teaching. The "slow-training" approach of Systema can encourage dive-bunny tanking behavior just like happy harmonious ukes can in Aikido. That's why it's important to check into making sure that any particular Systema instructor will teach graduated progress towards realistic levels of conflict and tension.

On a personal level, the physical conditioning and breathwork of Systema would probably be very useful to many aikidoka.

Just some thoughts--hope that helps.
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