Weaponising Natural Movement with Systema Sydney

The following is footage from our Monday night Class in Surry Hill. The theme of the class is WEAPONISING NATURAL MOVEMENT, which we will explore over 6 video clips detailing our work.

I hope this is of use.

Part 1: Familiarising the Body with Different Attacks

Part 2: Accessing Natural Movement

Part 3: "Surfing" Your Body's Need to Survive

Part 4: Working from Physical Contact


Part 5: Feeling and Working from the Push Before it has Made Physical Contact


Part 6: Working Offensively

In Conclusion,

Before you can weaponise natural movement you first must be able to access natural movement. But REAL natural movement. This is what your body will do instinctively to keep itself intact, with minimal interference from your conscious mind. The opposite of this is contrived movement which stems from excess fear and tension. Natural movement is not so much something that you do, as much as it is something that you give permission to occur.

Once you have acquired natural movement as an ATTRIBUTE, progress to developing it as a SKILL, then APPLY it proactively.

Best of luck,

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com 

Got OODA? Or is it Something Entirely Different? by Systema Instructor Sonny Puzikas

Observations (no pun intended) through participation and while teaching over the years have led me to somewhat of a strange conclusion...

Is most of the training even conducive to let that illusive process often called OODA work? To function as intended? To be true cycle of observing reality, orienting in real time, making decision to act in most appropriate way based on information present and then, finally- act...

And what I observed has somewhat surprised me.

Through training that is focused on specific solutions of the problems faced- most often very narrow and limited field of "view" is being cultivated. Narrow field of view that is also focusing (and I use that term loosely, as such "focus" will result in blurry picture at best) on given problem through a prism of preconditioned and yet again- very limited- "orientation" tools, which are all geared in reverse direction to justify the preconditioned, trained, premeditated action.

In essence- a lot of modern training methodologies create fighters/operators who are- for the lack of better term- goal oriented with specific action being that goal- often ignoring what can be observed, thus excluding the "orienting" in current situation, with decision being made to chase the action that is not the best, nor optimal, nor efficient in current situation...

Action- especially conditioned habitual action- should not be the ultimate goal of Boyd's loop. The two O's are the most crucial components. Yet- aren't they excluded from this new "loop"? By the virtue of a fighter "looking" for an opportunity to execute specific action, in the process he is missing so much- mainly the reality in real time. Where targets, opportunities abound... Call it CPHA cycle... Chasing premeditated habitual action... 

About the Author: 
Sonny is a highly skilled operator gaining his experience from the special purpose unit (Spetsnaz) in USSR MVD. Sonny entered military service in late 1980’s and after the basic training was chosen for service in special purpose unit of Soviet MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs). The reality of violence was exposed from a very different perspective with many revelations and learning experiences coming not only from very intense and brutal training regiment, but also from operational deployments to central Asia and Caucasus regions with his Spetsnaz unit, as well as work in some correctional institutions in Siberia and Far East. Extensive interaction with personnel from special purpose units from KGB, GRU and other entities provided opportunities to learn and polish new skills in areas of armed and unarmed combat, tactics and field craft, fighting methods based on native Russian combat arts. After the military service Sonny traveled extensively throughout Russia and Middle East providing protective services.  Because of unique combination of skills and experience, Sonny became very highly sought after authority in the areas of rifle fighting skills, unarmed combat and field craft. He was featured in numerous publications, TV programs and a recent Discovery Channel special. For more information visit:
http://www.gospelofviolence.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DallasCombatLab


As always thank you for your insights Sonny,

Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com

On Form, Structure and Posture written by Systema Instructor Vali Majd

Form, 

Structure 

and Posture

This may seem a question of semantics, but in the practice of Systema, I have noticed these terms used interchangeably, both by instructors and practitioners alike. I will share a little of my understanding of these three terms and their application to Systema, and Martial Arts in general.

Form is the dispersion of density throughout the body mass given any posture or position. It is a bit like your "shape", and can be compared to a bag of water, and its qualities. This is why it is possible to maintain good form even while changing heights, or while doing ground work. A fascinating aspect of "Form" is that it can be maintained in dynamic conditions.

Structure refers to the scaffold of the body and its designs. The relation between limbs, joints and core.

Posture refers to what position the structure has taken. It usually implies a static position.

"You can have good form but the structure of your arm (wrist, elbow, shoulder, body) might make for a weak strike." Sound mechanics and basic geometry are required every step of the way. The components of sound structure are simple in static modes; but it is when they get loaded, that the equations become more difficult. Concepts such as density, balance, weight transfer, force vs. power vs. strength, tension, resistance, all need to be considered. These are part of the bridge going from structure to form.

"Good form is when the body moves as one unit." The limbs might work independently, but the body is a single unit. There is no lower or upper parts. Using relaxation and/or resistance (not tension), weight placements and shifts, proper use of breath, the body as a whole functions as a unit. It remains master of its density and knows when to transfer, increase, decrease or neutralize.

It is possible to maintain good form within a compromised structure while moving, but when form goes, structure becomes very vulnerable.

This is a huge topic. Please take the time to ponder on these terms and use them appropriately!

Biography

Before being named as Founder and Chief Instructor of Roots Dojo, Vali Majd, since 1996 had been, and still is a student of traditional Ryabko – Vasiliev Systema. Vali Majd brings along an army of talent and could be considered honest and dependable; his lengthy exposure to the art, along with his abilities to practice, to teach, to demonstrate and to clearly articulate subtle concepts of Systema makes him and his dojo worth visiting.




2009-Founded JTFCanada
2002-Formed Comox Valley Systema
1999-Founded Pacific Coast Systema (now Roots Dojo)
1995-Started at Russian Martial Art HQ, Toronto

Vali is a Medical First Responder and a Firefighter with the Denman Island Volunteer Fire Department.

For more information visit: http://www.pacificcoastsystema.com/


Excellent Vali,


Justin Ho
Principal Instructor
Systema Sydney Russian Martial Art
www.systemasydney.com