In retrospect, it is alot harder to write about the seminar weeks after it started. REALLY hard. While I took many notes and journaled on my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (shameless plug) , I really thought I'd be able to remember details of 19 days of the seminar when I was able to sit down to write.
I was wrong..so, so wrong!
As we maneuvered our way through the subway systems on Day 2(really, it was the beginning of the seminar), I became increasingly nervous walking into the sports hall.
I had not trained in months, I knew more people I had only corresponded with on the net would be there and , I had not trained in months...(did I mention I had not trained in months?)... I was sore from just walking for 3 days around St. Petersburg and was still in shock by the 30 minute session I had three days prior with Mr. Karimov at Pushkin Park( he tried to teach us one simple technique, that still, completely fascinates me). I knew his style was different, but I had no idea what was about to happen next would really shake me to my own core...in a good way.
Once I walked into the gym, I slowly tried to become invisible, it didn't work. I wanted to be a fly on the wall and watch for a few minutes but I was incredibly unsuccessful.
Roman Khozeev
This is when Roman Khozeev approached me , in what seemed out of no where. Roman had been an huge inspiration and help in my first few weeks of working with Mr. Karimov online and helped me with tons of computer work... I never really thought I'd meet him, so actually meeting him, really overwhelmed me. Roman was very well known for his work with an anti-drinking campaign for men in his hometown of Perm, Russia. I followed his work pretty closely and enjoyed his photographs and music as well.He is one of the many, multi-talented individuals who attended this seminar and was more than willing to help me learn whatever I wanted. It was a huge surprise to see him and I tried not to cry.
Olga Malkova
Shortly after I met Roman, this very beautiful, dark haired woman approached me with open arms. Her name wasOlga Malkova, and we connected immediately. I had only met Olga a week or so before my trip to Russia (online), but had seen her in a few videos. Her eyes were as orange as the sunset and her hair was almost dark black. She was beautiful and when she spoke, it almost sounded as though she was singing. Her English flowed even in it's choppy state and with everything she said, she had a smile on her face. Almost immediately, we began a knife drill where Olga and Roman quickly cleaned the floor with me. I.was.SCREWED!!! I never thought of myself as a cocky Systema practitioner , but more of a scrappy fighter turned Systema enthusiast. Olga and Roman made it seem like I had zero experience with knowing my own body and how it worked well enough to move freely. I was both devastated and delighted. By the way, Olga, did everything in a skirt and short heeled shoes. She was the epitome of being feminine and fierce.At the closing Systema circle, a few surprises took place. In walked Yuri Sheshukov
Yuri Sheshukov
and I immediately looked at Roman, then at Jesse , then back at Roman. I asked Roman if that was really Yuri. He nodded. I began crying then, smiling. I was not aware that Yuri would be present, but was told that he may try to show up ( perhaps this was one of my other suprises?).... shortly after Yuri walked in, the happiest suprise of them all happened. In walked in D.A.Kirillov. Dima(for short), is an instructor for the Talanov school of Systema and he and I became friends on the internet. I remember inviting him to the event and had asked a few times if he was coming, but did not actually think he would. When I saw him, I sprung up in the middle of the Systema circle and went to him. Of course, I cried. At some point, Dima began translating for our event. This was truly surreal....BUT, he also picked up a Balalaika
D.A.Kirillov having some balalaika lessons
and began playing..(luckily I have this on film). This was truly history in the making on so many levels. Forming an international supportive community of like minded individuals and groups that , while different, can still support each other, was something Mr. Karimov and I had discussed on occasion. We wanted everyone to get along and to work cohesively, but actually making that happen , seemed like a feat in of itself. Here was Dima, in his hometown, just hanging out with us. It was such a glorious moment that I went from crying to being so happy that I almost completely forgot where I was....almost.
D.A.Kirillov from Systema Talanov,myself and A.Karimov
Once Dima left, there was a new sense of celebration in the air. I believe this was one of the many nights that we would all stay up until 2 am singing and dancing and learning. There seemed to be so many people in the room that I even lost track of Jesse. The dancing continued at a raid pace and Mr. Karimov showed no signs of slowing down. Aerobically, I was screwed. Perhaps this was part of the plan to get us so exhausted that we could train with little or no tension.Ultimately, it worked for me. While there were a few folks who did not appreciate this style that this specific seminar was geared to, it made no difference to the rest of us. This became one of the greatest social experiments, dance groups, cultural experience, martial arts seminar and learning expositions ever! This was only day two. Later that evening, we danced as a group in a style known asKadril. The rapid movement of Kadril(see bottom of page for video), had me sweating in minutes and within an hour I was so exhausted that I forgot what time it was , nor did I care.
Many of us sat around and said " I cannot believe this is only Day 2!!". What else did Mr. Karimov have in store? What else would we learn? What were we learning about ourselves and each other...? What could this event teach us other than martial arts and combatives? Day 2 turned into one of the most beautiful and emotional days I had of the seminar....and it was only going to get better!
Not only did we have all these amazing experiences on Day 2, the Pravilo device was set up, Jesse had some one on one training with our "coach" Vladimir and the knife and stick work began to pick up in pace....! Day 2 was loaded with so much fun...no clue how it could be topped!! (It was...oh , it was....)
Jesse getting some one on one pointers from Coach Vladimir
Radik Valeev and his Pravilo device. A much needed stretch for after- training relaxation
I finally decided to interview Systema Master, Andrey Karimov. There are too many questions to fit into one segment, therefore, I decided to make this a series of articles(with no real form to it). Keep in mind, everything is loosely translated(by Google translate)..Also, for the record, Mr. Karimov, did not know any of the questions beforehand.
I will also preface this by saying, I speak to Mr. Karimov, almost daily, and have for about four months now. There hasn't been one single conversation where I wasn't pleasantly surprised by a video, a song, or a response. He is both a mentor and a muse, and I am finding, slowly on this journey, that I am not the only person he has inspired.Mr. Karimov is a Clinical Psychologist and Ethnologist and has been practicing martial arts for almost 30 years. He currently lives in Russia with his lovely wife and three children. He tours the world hosting seminars and events , and will be coming to the United States, for the first time in November, 2015.
He has been extremely patient and helpful with me and all of my questions and comments, that alone, is a testament to this man's demeanor..enjoy!(yes, my initials are "O.O.")
O.O.:There are many clubs and groups that have tried to define the word "Systema", can you clear up some of those misconceptions?
A.K: Systema is a way of becoming a mature person, with creativity, adaptability,the ability to take a punch, all while remaining true to yourself.This paradox, this dynamic, is Systema.
O.O. : Can you be more specific about that last phrase?
A.K.:The ability to be adaptable, without losing yourself in the process.
O.O.:Most men have trouble being creative and carefree and have the capacity to take a punch. How can they find that balance?
A.K.:There are many ways. Immersing ourselves in culture is a great way. Finding your way into a circle, becoming open, not being afraid to make mistakes or to be judged by others, like with dancing, wrestling and craftwork.
O.O:Would you say being a good Systema practitioner is almost like performing?
A.K.: Exactly!
O.O.: Many people struggle with public speaking, let alone performing. For those just starting out with Systema, what do you recommend?
A.K.:For those who are just starting, I propose alot of footwork, literally and physically. Your "legs save". Meaning, your legs are what carry you and save you. Because of this, we study the steps and dance of the Russian Cossacks. This style of dance also provides a vast experience and knowledge of motor skills, both on the ground and upright. It is effective, if you are moving continuously.Public performance is comparable to fearing death, to some. Does it define who you are?Does this fear make you who you are? That is a question many people will have to ask themselves and it is a real question of personal identity and fortitude. A circle of like minded, positive individuals will overcome those barriers. That is why , we sit in a circle of support of one another, we are all equal in the circle.
O.O.:So if anyone has issues with insecurity, it will be best overcome by finding a group of supportive , like minded people, who can encourage each other and help each other grow in a positive direction?
A.K.: Yes. Grow together as a group. Meet with other groups, share power and positive energy. Closed groups lack communal strength and support. The energy is reduced.
O.O.:I have discussed the complexity, or lack thereof, of Systema in the United States versus what I have seen and read and heard about in other countries. In the U.S., it seems to be more of a conceptualized idea and less of a "community " feel. Much of what you are describing , may seem irrelevant to a large number of practitioners here. How can you explain why it has become more rigid and less about "art"?
A.K.:I do not know about the U.S. at all and cannot really say anything at the moment. Maybe it's the fear of losing status, position in society, or fear of trying new concepts. But, the more you fear it, the more it happens to you.
O.O.: Personally I was thrilled when I first discovered your videos from a friend (who is a long time practitioner), and became an instant fan.I was also shocked that I had not heard of you before , and was not the only one. It seems, the majority of us were only aware of one "method" of Systema in the United States. Do you think that people may be stuck in only learning that style and not open to others?
A.K.: Making the choice is laid upon the person themselves.God gave us all the ability to see, hear and understand. Making the personal and conscious choice, manifests in the person, himself. Personal choices can mature and strengthen. If people have no choices, they become addicted to the wrong ones. O.O.:That being said, to train with you, may take alot of men out of their comfort zone, in many ways.Since you use several layers of Cossack dance style and movement, how can you explain to the people who are not aware of your method, and how it connects to richer, deeper part of Systema?
A.K.: It is all very simply interconnected. It's continuity , deep and personal. An experience.
O.O.:So , in reality, Systema cannot be defined by one person or group. Systema is just a word the classifies "methods" and has evolved over a long period of time, like karate.There is no specific "inventor"or "creator" of Systema, is that correct?
A.K.: If someone claims they invented Systema, they are not being truthful with themselves or others. God invented Systema, it is a method of the divine laws of nature. Tones, sounds, rythym of the heart, breathing. It is the prinicple of continuity, integrity, viscosity,consistency, balance, commonality and many other ideals.Populations of Russian Cossacks were kept and made to be held in hostile environments, and out of this, a method was comprehended and proverbs were formed.The social model of success and maturity was passed down in fairy tales, song and dance. Anyone who claims they own or created "Systema" creates a barrier to it's further development and ruins it's original copy, which creates a huge restriction.If Systema is sanctioned off to one group, you cannot expand as a whole and causes inner group fighting and corruption.Tradition is time honored, proven and works. The "system" with the same name, is an attempt to manipulate and appropriate gullible and naive students who do not have honest information. It has become a business project and is not the path intended.The fraudsters are beside you , and if you run out of money, they will toss you aside.You can become used to this, and either you run from it or stay and pick at the crumbs left at the table. You cannot pretend to be something you haven't learned ( and commercializing it, is not teaching it).
O.O.:Can you detail that last statement a little more?
A.K.:If the level of requirements are lowered to teach and to practice, then that is bad and deceitful.Then , Systema becomes dependent on these same groups of people. If you are robbed, you will settle for handouts. A commercialized training program cannot teach you these things.
O.O.:It is very clear, that you encourage your students to grow and learn as much as possible. If anyone watches your videos , you sometimes seem superhuman, or indestructible, yet if we pay attention to your videos, we can see that you play guitar like instrument called a "balalaika" and have just as many videos of training with children as your others. Can you explain your methodology behind this?
A.K.: I encourage my students to learn and grow as much as possible and to learn from other groups as part of enrichment of ourselves and others.Training with children is exciting and helps us let go! The Balalaika organizes the process, creates a space, accelerates understanding, destroys fear and normalizes the function of internal organs. Children exude strength and energy and this is what people need. We need this strength and excitement to strengthen our confidence and it is an important part of societal function. It is important for young people to have our support and see us as a source of confidence, with will and purposefulness.
O.O.:Here , in the U.S., often in training or seminars of Systema, to "break the psyche" students are made to do countless push-ups, rolls, squats, and sit ups. In your videos, this isn't a common place, yet the men look relaxed and exhausted after training with children. Is this perhaps a better way to "warm up" ?
A.K.: It is easier to achieve this level when training with children. It is very important for their growth , both physical and emotional, and gives them agility and consistency with their bodies and their minds. Push-ups are for teenagers. We are not teenagers. We do not have teenage psyches. We need to move past this.
O.O.:On the subject of working with children, is seems like it is a huge part of your training style. Is this mandatory for your students?
A.K.: This is not mandatory, but encouraged.
O.O.:In the U.S. , it is not common to see a large training session including women or children. Often times, women and children are excluded (or not engaged in) alot of the methodology.In fact, alot of "Women's Systema" is called "Women's Self Defense" and children's classes primarily focus on "drills" and "warm up"exercises. This is not the case with your style. Can you explain why it is important to openly include women and children in training Systema?
A.K.: Working with women raises social and psychological human adaptability. As for children, their energy is what we all want, in reality. If we give them a platform to perform, they will find their place in life.Training with women and children help all of us remove social and psychological blocks. O.O.:The psychological and social aspects of Systema are mostly lost here. In several of your videos , you have a whiteboard or chalkboard in the background.I have never seen Systema broken down in a intellectual,holistic and functional format like this. Is this an important part of teaching your students, the actual discussion of these topics?
A.K.:Yes, I break down the components of Systema as part of a model of living. It is a lifestyle. A total environment. A "system".
(...to be continued..)
For more information about Master Andrey Karimov click here.
To check out some of Master Karimov's videos go to his Youtube page here.
To follow our Texas network on Facebook , go here .
To check out Siberian Cossack Texas Systema and follow Master Karimov's seminars, videos and pictures on Facebook, go here.
The words "move , breathe, relax" are commonly chanted in Systema (at least in the United States). In fact, I don't think I have ever been to a seminar or class where I have not heard it.
Recently, I was at a seminar where the visiting instructor said "remember..move, breathe, relax". I was half paying attention, because I was coloring with my stepdaughter off to the side, but I immediately looked up and smiled. Before the class started, several of the men had been warming up by doing rolls, or "drills"(as they are formally called here). I, personally, was chatting away with my stepdaughter with no intentions of participating in the seminar because I was overcome with allergies.
I think the instructor may have said something along the lines of "guys, the best way to relax is to....RELAX!!!". Bingo. There it was. He said it and almost everyone looked at him like he had 8 heads. I smiled again.
Since I had been sort of online training with Andrey Karimov, one of the main topics of discussion has been psychological training. Yes..you read that right. PSYCHOLOGICAL training. Here in the U.S., one of the focal points of Systema are squats, sit ups, pushups and rolls. Very few times have I been to any type of Systema demo or class where this was not how class started out. In fact, at one major international seminar I went to, I think I attempted a combination of at least 200 of these.
When I asked the instructor the reason behind the "grunt" work he simply said "to break the psyche".
Um....what?
Immediately my internal monologue that switches to vocal retort had to turn on to mute.
It took everything I had to not say the following..
" I am a single mother, with two, maybe three jobs at times. I am a cancer survivor, a PTSD survivor, and have multiple medical conditions. The fact that I am 35 years old and still able to walk, is a miracle. Pretty sure my psyche has been broken."
Luckily for me, I never said it outloud. I understood , for the most part, WHY this was done, but I felt surely there had to be a better way. A softer way.
As the next few days of the international seminar unfolded during the "psyche breaking drills",I lay face down on the gymnasium floor, daydreaming about donuts and coffee, and how many souvenirs I can cram into my luggage before I head home. I briefly glanced up at the instructor who was standing immediately to my right. He had a huge smile on his face...I said in a quiet voice " I'm breaking my psyche..shhhhhhh". By the third day of the seminar, I pretty much checked out of the "psyche breaking" part all together. I became highly focused on how everyone else was going all out to achieve their maximum effort of each exercise. It didn't help that I had recently had a conversation with a fellow Systema practitioner who said " I don't really go to seminars...you pay $300 + to do a bunch of stuff your home instructor probably already taught you".
When I first started conversations with Mr. Karimov, I secretly began planning my trip to Russia. I was am all but convinced that he has something that I, maybe we desperately need here in the U.S. I had way too many questions to ask him on Facebook ( still do). I asked him at one point " what do I need to do to prepare myself if I go to Russia to train with you?"
His answer , "nothing".
Um, what? NOTHING???!! As in "not one thing"? No pushups, squats, rolls? Nothing physical? Lose 20 pounds, start lifting weights? Nothing?
I quickly realized what he was getting at. Why not just learn? Why not just go and be organic? There's so much to learn, how do you know what to prepare someone about if you don't know the psyche of that person? In my head, I thought "awesome, I don't have to start doing a million rolls" but my heart was pounding . My previous U.S. Systema mentality kept rearing up it's ugly head. How can I not prepare..what does he really mean?
He means what I have said to myself everytime someone says "oooooh you should watch (fill in the blank) Systema video of (fill in the blank) instructor. It's REALLLLLLY good."
I don't watch Systema videos. Or..didn't , until I watched Mr. Karimov's. I immediately became a fan. I have now watched so many that I can't even remember which ones I've watched and which ones I haven't. I never watched Systema videos because I really, reallllly am a fan of learning without preconceived notions of what is supposed to happen and what I should be learning. And, in fact, if you watch enough Systema videos(or enough of the wrong ones) you may end up not even going to a class.
Mr.Karimov's videos are full of music playing in the background, usually by him. He plays an instrument called the "balalaika". It's is a pitchy, guitar/banjo instrument, that has a bit of intricate artwork on it.
Andrey Karimov and Balalaika
This, THIS is how he breaks the psyche. Music. He plays at an alarmingly fast paced, loud rate. He very methodically watches his students as he's doing this. The tempo changes ( I have yet to figure out if he is changing it to the pace of his students or if he is changing it to CHANGE the pace of his students or if there is even a reason). Whatever the reason, it works. If you watch the videos (muted) you may flinch a few times at some of the "work" that is being done. If you unmute it, you just notice, movement. You may also notice a few smiles. For me, this idea works.
Why is this not done here? If you are a serious practitioner, I challenge you to ask yourselves that. Is there a reason we "pump" up to partake in a martial art, that explicitly asks that you remain "relaxed"? Is there a reason we need to be reminded constantly to " move, breathe, relax"?
Some may say " the drills at the beginning of class are to break the psyche, that is it". Here's a little note on that...
Not once, since I've been "learning" from Mr. Karimov, has he ever described ANY of the work he does as "drills". Not once. Why? Maybe because for him and the amazing people that train with him, THIS IS THEIR WAY OF LIFE. They actually incorporate Systema as a lifestyle . Not a weekly class that you show up to.A "drill" implies that it is something only to be implemented when needed or for training purposes. A "drill" makes it seem like an exercise you must learn to be successful. If it is just something you do, then it is just something you do.
And to make things even more interesting, I am not even sure Mr. Karimov has a training/class schedule. He has a zillion and one seminars, that include full immersion in all aspects of what he teaches...including psychological work. That's right...PSYCHOLOGICAL.
One simply cannot learn how to run, without learning how to crawl then walk..we all KNOW this, but why , why are we not being taught this? Why is Systema here in the US taught without any type of psychological emphasis of remaining human? We are told "remain human" but , do most practitioners know what that means? Why are we not sat down with pen and paper, to discuss why this part of Systema is so very crucial to making you the best practitioner you can be?
Is it marketing? Is it watered down version? Is there something more? What are we really not learning?
Relaxing, to become a better martial artist, sounds weird at first, but really, it is highly effective. When I did finally jump into training at the seminar with "RELAXXXX" instructor, I found myself completely floating when we did our "drills" together. He had me up and on the ground in the matter of seconds. We playfully trained and he was so incredibly smooth that I felt, personally, THIS is what I want. THIS.
In fact, when I asked Mr. Karimov what he would like to do while he is here in the U.S.( I plan on selling a kidney to get him here) he just wrote "PLAY".
Yup.Me too...me too.
To watch more of Mr. Karimov's videos on You Tube :
