“Be a good person & everything else will come to you”  > Mikhail Ryabko.

I am passionate about this Art. I believe in its foundation and its teachings. Over my short space of seven years practicing it, I’ve learnt that Systema has changed my life in so many beneficial ways.  Not so much in the sense of a theological or radical change, but in the way of how I now gradually accept and approach my daily life. Systema has helped bring me, both clarity of mind and a healthy outlook on life, although I should add, at times, it’s still been a tough journey.

Such a diverse journey has brought me the opportunity to train with some of the world’s leading & most inspiring Systema Instructors & Mentors, alongside many students & artisans of other Martial Arts who also participate in Systema. Global camps, seminars, workshops, alongside quite intensive & hard regular training, has allowed me to step, be it only briefly, into the sometimes-enigmatic world of Systema.  A world where the art of simplicity, efficiency, strength of mind & purpose, all come together, in a unification of goodness & humility.

In the physical sense, Systema has so far taught me that one does not have to prove themselves through agility, physical prowess, feats accomplished, or heights attained…..but simply, by having the conviction, the confidence, & the courage to be able to see beyond ego & material achievement; as difficult as that can be….we are after all, only human.

So, how can I describe Systema intimately to you, the uninitiated person. I could delve into its fascinating history, its mastery, its spirituality, but there lies a lifetime.

While Systema has evolved into a highly developed an extremely practical all round ‘life’ system; it is by far, more than just about enduring.  It is a complete system, balancing the well-being of both mind & body through the physical, spiritual, psychological, philosophical and emotional.  All of this combines to develop an all-encompassing, efficient practitioner, able to deal with the realities of modern-day life.

From a self-defence perspective and different to most other styles, Systema has for example, no fighting stances; we simply fight from any position.  We stress relaxation, and to slow movements down rather than accelerate them.  We guide students to reduce power in strikes, rather than focus on the generation of maximum power, allowing you to strike from odd angles; and even to smile when fighting.

Even during meditation or deep breathing practices, while Systema teaches us to relax, students are guided to become also aware of all that is around them; to never close their mind off fully. The purpose of this discipline is not merely to be ready for a sudden intrusion or attack, but to improve one’s own mental state, to have a healthier & more supple body, to be more relaxed; to live a peaceful life.

In essence, anyone from the young to the very old, from the experienced to the complete novice, from the impaired to the very fit, can learn from this wonderful and healthful system.

Rob Hodgkinson (Instructor Systema Mid Wessex)