Episodes
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This episode sees the return of Ryo Onishi (Systema Japan) to the podcast, with an engaging discussion of developing real power in Systema. As usual, Ryo brings practicality and a healthy perspective to a topic that can easily drift into the esoteric and impractical. Here, we get into:
Common points of confusionAspects of power development: lightness, ease, asymmetric responsesHow to know if you're on the 'right' trackUse of power in combat and lifeIf you enjoyed this topic...
See Ryo's relaxed power in action on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNjpRLIsUw
Purchase Ryo Onishi's instrutional download From Relaxation to Power at www.systemavasiliev.com:
https://systemavasiliev.com/store/product/from-relaxation-to-power-downloadable
Train with Ryo - or find out about international seminars - at Systema Osaka:
http://systemaosaka.jp/
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This episode, a fascinating discussion with Systema veteran and Head Instructor of Systema NYC, Edgars Cakuls.
In this second appearance on the show, Edgars reflects on ideas and concepts shared during his recent 2-day, outdoor seminar in Durham, North Carolina, entitled Working From the Spine. Along the way, we cover:
The critical importance of spinal integrity
Stability vs fluidity
Training body awareness versus conceptual-intellectual learning
Redirection of force and power
Train with Edgars at Systema NYC
https://www.systemanewyorkcity.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Ryō Onishi Seminar, June 11-12 2022
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Missing episodes?
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Hullo, Friends. After an 8-week sabbatical, Systema For Life returns this month with a broad discussion on the subject of focus, attention, and the attempt to "optimize" your daily training and life routines. I'm joined once again by coach and wellness expert, Howard Jacobson.
Here, we get into:
Losing and reclaiming routines during the pandemicThe upside and downside of tireless life-optimizationThe focus economy and "productivity porn"Psychological parallels between resolving conflict and resolving your struggles with lifeAdvice for achieving that elusive, healthy balanceHope you enjoy the conversation. Next one due out in a couple of weeks.
Find out more about Howie and his health and wellness coaching programs at www.plantyourself.com.
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This week, another fascinating conversation with prolific movement scientist, neuroscientist, and martial artist Jan Bloem.
As we learned during our first conversation last year (see episode 124), Jan has studied the art and science of movement and combat at the very highest levels – on the theoretical side as an expert in kinesiology and psychomotor therapy, and on the front lines as a world champion karateka; a defensive tactics instructor to military and law enforcement; and as one of the early non-Russian students and instructors of Systema under the legendary Mikhail Ryabko.
Here, we build upon upon our earlier discussion of approaches to martial training, focusing on the value (and limitations) of "internal" work to health, self-development, and the realities of practical combat. Taking in along the way:
internal work: problems with presentation and misapplied teachingshifting focus between the internal and the externalthe benefit of allowing and encouraging mistakesdiscovering power through the "less is more" approachMany thanks to Jan for his tireless efforts to advance understanding in all martial arts.
Mentioned in this episode:
SFL Episode 124 (on YouTube):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sgRtIRjrcA
Power Vs Force: the Hidden Determinants of Human Behaviour, by David Hawkins
https://www.amazon.com/Power-vs-Force-David-Hawkins-ebook/dp/B00EJBABS2
The Principles of Effortless Power, by Peter Ralston
https://www.amazon.com/Cheng-Hsin-Principles-Effortless-Power/dp/1556433026
Books by Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio:
Looking For Spinoza: https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Spinoza-Sorrow-Feeling-Brain/dp/0156028719
The Feeling of What Happens: https://www.amazon.com/Feeling-What-Happens-Emotion-Consciousness/dp/0156010755/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=0156010755&psc=1
Self Comes to Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Comes-Mind-Constructing-Conscious/dp/0307378756
Find out more about Jan and his work here:
https://www.kinesica.nl/jan-bloem/
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This week, a deep dive into the world of Original Strength - a system of natural movement and neurological "resetting" created by company founder, personal trainer, and physical educator Tim Anderson. Tim's simple (but effective) OS system is a wonderful complement to Systema practice - especially for beginning trainees - and for anyone recovering from injury, impairment, or the ravages of modern life on the body. After many years of hearing about Systema, Tim took the jump and began training privately with me a month ago. Here, we discuss:
his motives for building (and miraculous discovery of) Original Strengththe power of natural movementthe dangers of fanaticism (in anything)his experience as a strength/movement expert in beginning SystemaCheck out the Original Strength books, courses, and associated materials at originalstrength.net
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This week, a dive into the world of martial arts, medicine and holistic health - with impassioned Systema student and Doctor of Chinese Medicine Gabriel Stern.
On the medical side, Gabe was a trained EMT and ER nurse before becoming a student and clinician versed in Chinese healing modalities. On the martial arts side, he studied Eskrima and Pekiti Tirsia Kali for several years before venturing into Systema with Edgar Cakuls in NYC, and with us here at NC SYSTEMA. Always candid and radically honest, Gabe turns his dizzying intellect here upon:
the convergence of Russian and Chinese health conceptscomparing Chinese meridians and anatomical fascial chainshow organ health relates to emotional states and personality typesavoiding the pitfalls of self-delusion - in both medicine and martial artsGabe trains and explains at NC SYSTEMA in Durham, NC, and has his own clinic focused on traditional and modern acupuncture and herbology for a variety of conditions. Find him at https://www.centermedicine.com
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This week, a rare hour with bestselling author, speaker, and leadership specialist Greg McKeown. Greg is the author of the best-selling Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less (2014), and the new New York Times bestseller, Effortless (2021). If you haven't read them, the relevance of Greg's central principles to Systema training are well worth exploring.Here, we discuss:
the futility of trying to "do it all"minimum viable actions vs minimum effective doses of effortreleasing, noticing, and removing the cataracts of distractioncreating and maintaining an effortless state of actionSign up for Greg's newsletter and purchase his books here: https://gregmckeown.comListen to Greg's podcast, What's Essential, on your favourite podcatching app, here: https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/
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This week, an enlightening conversation with veteran Systema, Filipino Martial Arts Instructor Al McLuckie. Al has over five decades of experience in arts ranging from Western Boxing and Kempo Karate, to Eskrima, Kali, Silat, and (of course) Systema. A former instructor for the famous Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts in Chicago, Al's unique and unparalleled knife skills, in particular, have seen him teaching famous martial artists such as Lee Wedlake, Scott Glenn, and Martin Wheeler, along with workshops for the Lethal Force Institute. Here, we talk about:
- his path into martial arts training and teaching- rare experiences working with FMA, Systema, and H'sing-i masters - the deep principles he has observed across multiple martial styles- posture, connection, and attitudes to "reality-based" training
Al is also a prolific oil painter. See examples of his work at http://www.almcluckie.com
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This week, a brief chat with Senior Systema Instructor Martin Wheeler, following his recent Redwoods Systema Camp in California, and foreshadowing his 4-day Masterclass events in Los Angeles and Raleigh/Durham, NC. Here, we chat about:- insights from teaching and training worldwide- the benefits of multi-day immersion training- the surprising effects of training outdoors- discomfort as a necessary path to awarenessBoth of Martin's Masterclass events - East Coast and West - are still open for registration. Click below for details.Masterclass Los Angeles (Oct 1-4 2021)The Academy Beverly HillsEast Coast Masterclass (Oct 21-24)Falls Lake (nr Raleigh), North Carolina
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This week, another engaging conversation with author, podcaster, and expert health and wellness coach, Howard Jacobson. Here, we get into the tricky question of how to discern truth from falsehood, reality from creative (and compelling) stories. Using concrete examples in the fields of nutrition, exercise, and martial arts practice. Touching upon:
How we decide what is true (or true enough)The necessity and paradox of trustResolving conflicting ideasWhat science, medicine, and Systema training have in commonFollow Howie's healthy exploits at www.plantyourself.com
Mentioned in this episode:Burn, by Herman Pontzer, PhD:https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Research-Really-Calories-Healthy/dp/0525541527Reality-making: the Art of Distinguishing Truth from Falsehood:https://medium.com/the-understanding-project/reality-making-the-art-of-distinguishing-truth-from-falsehood-a30d5c3c3d7c
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After a short break (and an extended, three-week road trip across the USA), we return this week with Menamy Mitanes - Systema and BJJ Instructor at The Academy Beverly Hills and Systema Los Angeles. In this, Menamy's second appearance on the podcast, we delve beyond his personal story and get into the core training philosophies of the martial arts - about which Menamy is more than qualified to speak. With a pedigree that includes JKD and FMA (under Dan Inosanto), BJJ (under Rigan Machado), and Systema (under Martin Wheeler and Vladimir Vasiliev), Menamy is a truly prolific student and teacher of the martial arts. For context, this interview followed a weekend seminar Menamy taught in Greenville, South Carolina, attended by Glenn and several of the NC Systema Crew. Here, we get into:- core similarities (and differences) in approach: FMA, BJJ, and Systema - training for self defence versus training for competition- the dangers of "faith in tradition" and of "go hard or go home" approaches- why high-level external skill must (and can only) emerge from internal understanding Find out more about training with Menamy at www.systemalosangeles.com and www.theacademybeverlyhills.com, and follow Menamy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SystemaLA
Mentioned in this episode:Interview with George Saint-Pierre on the Lex Fridman podcast4-day East Coast Masterclass NC, with Martin Wheeler (Oct 21-24, 2021)
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This week, an engaging romp into the worlds of Systema, alternative medicine, and meta-cognition, with deep thinker, podcaster, martial artist, and Chinese medical practitioner Taran Rosenthal. Taran has an incredible breadth of knowledge - which is apparent to anyone who talks with him about anything - yet his experience of Systema profoundly influenced his experience of daily life and parenthood. Here, we riff on all that and more. Including: - Discovering Systema as a means of self-regulation and self-exploration- Similarities and differences between Systema and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) philsoophy- The assumptions of modern, western science and medicine- Living in relationship to the world If you enjoyed this, check out Taran's co-hosted podcast Apricot Jam, here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Podcast/B08K56GN39
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This week, a mind-expanding walkabout through the realms of body, mind, and spirit, with Indigenous Australian author, scholar, arts critic, and martial artist Tyson Yunkaporta. Tyson is a Senior Lecturer in Indigenous Knowledge at Deakin University, and author of the extraordinary book Sand Talk: How Indigenous Knowledge Can Save the World. Originally aired on Tyson's own podcast, The Other Others, this episode delves into the confluence of Systema and Indigenous thinking, including:
Physical practices to enhance thinking and awarenessBlurring the boundaries between self and otherDistributed cognition, and how we can use itReconnecting with place, finding right story, and living a relational existenceMind-blowing stuff, for those interested in such things. For a better context and understanding of half the stuff we "yarn" about here, be sure to purchase Sand Talk in hardcopy or audiobook format (narrated by the author). For more mind-expanding (and unapologetically triggering) yarns, check out Tyson's own podcast, The Other Others, on Spotify.
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This week, a conversation with health and wellness guru, Systema For Life regular, and possessor of relentlessly regular bowel movements. Here, we ponder the subject of self-talk, which one way or the other has become louder and more frequent over the last, lonely year. We're often told by therapists, leadership gurus, and cocky celebrities that self-talk is all-important - the difference between success and failure. But how important is self-talk, really? What role does it play in our health, our decisions, and our self-development?Here, we discuss:
Positive and negative self-talkThe problem of excessive thinking and ruminationCognitive (versus behavioural or body-based) solutionsProgressive / attenuated experience as the antidote to fear and self-doubtFollow Howie at plantyourself.com, and buy his book (co-authored with Josh Lajaunie) Sick to Fit, on Amazon.com.
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This week, a light-hearted romp into the world of martial arts, mind, and creativity, with Systema Instructor and fiction author Patrick E. McLean. Patrick is an accomplished martial artist with a pedigree that includes Judo, Jujitsu, Eskrima, AikiJujitsu, and Systema. He is also the author of more than 10 dramatic-comedic fiction books, including the award-winning How To Succeed in Evil, and the host of the How It's Written podcast. Here, we talk about aspects of creativity in life, work, and training. Including:
Why creativity needs structure to roam freePracticing martial arts to increase your creative powersBarriers to creativity: fear and prideAdvice for aspiring writers and artistsPurchase Patrick's books on Amazon.comHow It's Written podcast
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This week, a deep-dive into the myths, half-truths, and hard truths surrounding training for defence against edged weapons, with none other than Martin Wheeler - Senior Systema Instructor and Co-Founder of The Academy Beverly Hills. Here, we seek to include a wide range of perspectives on knife defence, in order to dispel confusion, inform your practice, and make sense of the frequent (and predictable) objections that inevitably arise whenever anyone puts out a knife-defence video clip. The hope being that next time someone starts to argue about knife defence online, you can avoid the pointless back-and-forth, and steer them here for a full discussion. Included:
Primitive states and "inevitable" responsesDangers of magical thinking and self-delusionLevels of ability and understanding in knife fightingWorking with strength, skill, and powerMentioned in this episode: 4-day East Coast Masterclass NC (October 21-24)Live and Online Training with Martin at The Academy
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This week, a ponderous diversion into the world of behavioural economics, with Economics Professor and Systema practitioner Rik Chakraborti. At first glance, you might not think that economics and martial arts have much in common. But in truth, both involve the resolution of internal conflicts, warring instincts and incentives, and a keen understanding of human behaviour. Here, we get into:
Rik's attraction to Systema as an operating system Varying motivations for training martial arts How our choices reveal our underlying preferencesCultivating habits for success in training and lifeEnjoy!
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This episode sees the return of author, health and wellness coach, and host of the Plant Yourself podcast Howard Jacobson. Prompted by nothing and nobody in particular, we tackle the tricky subject of how not to be an a**hole - especially when you are trying to coach or change somebody for the better. Along the way, we touch upon:
When and why good intentions go badClarifying your motivationsRecognizing where the power lies (hint: it's not with you)The three golden rules of a**hole avoidanceHowie's new book - co-authored with Peter Bregman - will out later this year. Mentioned in this episode: How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman-Barrett
The Bregman Leadership Podcast
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This week, an interesting departure into the field of nutrition and metabolism, with Stanford-educated physician, metabolic health expert, and Co-founder / Chief Medical Officer of Levels Health, Dr Casey Means. We know that diet, nutrition, and metabolism are critically important to overall health, regardless of other behaviours and considerations in life. As it has been said - you can't out-exercise a bad diet. You can't out-relax or out-meditate it, either. But given that there is such a glut of information out there on diet, nutrition, and metabolism, it can be hard to know who to believe, which metrics to trust, where to focus for the optimal result. Enter Casey Means and Levels - a unique biodfeedback system that measures real-time blood glucose levels in order to help you make connections between your lifestyle choices, your unique metabolism, and your overall health. Here, we get into:
Why metabolism is so important to overall healthWhy individuals process the same foods in different waysWhy "a calorie is a calorie" is an incomplete and misleading model for human nutrition How sleep, stress, and movement affect metabolismFind out more about Levels - and read high-quality scientific articles on metabolic health - here: https://www.levelshealth.com/blogFollow Dr Casey Means on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcaseyskitchen/?hl=en
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This week sees the joyous return of veteran instructor, founder of Austin Systema & Tai Chi, and thoroughly decent human being, Gene Smithson. Always an elightening guest, here Gene shares his insights on:
how he has grown and developed because of the pandemicwhy the goal of good movement is joythe difference between training, manifesting, and beingadvice for staying happy and whole in tough timesTrain with Gene at https://www.austinsystema.com, and buy his execellent books and e-books Shot: Healing Hurt, BreathWork and Simple (Not Easy) on Amazon, here
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