When I was a teenager and new to martial arts training, my cousins and I kept coming across print ads proclaiming that martial arts didn’t work and we could learn how to fight “for real.” Eventually, we took the bait and sent away for a VHS tape of these secrets to self-defense…. What a waste! Read More …

Never apologize for wanting to improve, and don’t succumb to the insidious idea that wanting to excel is somehow evil. Every master of any craft had the burning desire to excel and translated that desire into prolonged, determined action.  Michelangelo competed with DaVinci and other Renaissance artists for commissions. Some of their greatest masterpieces were Read More …

Edward Van Halen, who rightfully earned the title of guitar virtuoso, died this week and garnered universal respect from the music world. One of my fondest childhood memories was hanging out in my grandmother’s basement listening to 8-track tapes of bands like REO Speedwagon, Styx, and Van Halen’s eponymous debut album. Whether or not you Read More …

Negative Space Any middling artistic skill I have owes itself directly to Betty Edwards’ book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, a classic text in the field of visual artistry. Edwards masterfully presented various exercises to overcome my doubts about my ability to draw, such as copying a piece of line art by Read More …

Before you start Systema, it will help to know just what it is. Systema is often explained in negative terms — there are no uniforms, no memorized techniques, no kata,  no belts — All the elements that people have come to expect to see in a martial art.  So,whenever this explanation is given about Systema, Read More …

Practice Weapons Systema practice includes all sorts of weapons training so you will eventually amass a small arsenal of personal practice weapons. Though all you need to get started taking Systema is yourself, you will want to have, and you will need, some practice weapons. Here’a a quick list: KNIVES First, you will need at Read More …

     “Any concern of how Systema class would be degraded during these physically-distant times was put to rest since classes started back up. Those that study Systema know that the more you study, the more ever-expanding amount of things you can do (up close) presents itself- it never ends and is why we keep Read More …

So you’re ready to take your first Systema class. One of the first questions you probably have is, “what do I need for class?” If you begin training at a traditional martial arts school you would need: a uniform, a belt, a groin cup, a mouthguard, protective gear for sparring, etc. One benefit of Systema Read More …

 What the rise of peanut allergies in America has to teach us about excelling at Systema Every school event, party or gathering I attend for my children comes with a warning, no peanuts. Peanut allergies are one of the most common food allergies children in the US today develop, and one of the most deadly. People Read More …

To recap, there’s inherent danger in practicing martial arts, where the point is to inflict damage, yet we have to train in such a way so as to not injury each other while we are learning how to injury the bad guys. This raises the question, “How do I stay safe while training, given the Read More …