Sistema Boya: An In Depth Discussion with Leonid Polezhaev

I had the great fortune of speaking with Leonid Polezhaev of Sistema Boya yesterday. With his permission, the following is a portion of our Q&A with his thoughts about Systema, Cossack style training, spirituality and combative arts...(he speaks English , yet some words were translated via Google Translate).

(preface) I have followed Sistema Boya for a while and recently, found a few of his videos posted on Combat Labs Russian Martial Arts' Facebook Page. While I never continued my research into the Boya school, I always admired Polezhaev's videos and his exquisite skill level. Leonid Polezhaev was both profound and deep in our conversation, which was something I have only witnessed with a handful of other Russian instructors. He accredits this depth with the reality of being in Kosovo in 2005 , where he had a spiritual internal awakening of sorts(roughly described). 

Polezhaev spent 10 years from 1998-2008 committed to both his faith and Russian Martial Arts , and in 2008 started his own combative style and methodology. He has a passion for the Cossack style with a focus on personal growth and emotional health and well being. This was something I have become highly familiar with in my understanding how even some of the most sought after instructors really utilize and put into practice in their lives. They negate fear and emotional weakness with a deep understanding of being alive and not taking anything for granted. Often times, their faith is their driving force behind their powerful and effortless movement that reaches a skill level unparalleled to anything I have seen in the United States. The sense of calm and peace radiates from some of the finest instructors and they have all stated that this is the sole reason their skill level is amplified. While at times I still struggle with understanding the complexity of these great instructors, Mr.Polezhaev really explained it at a whole new level.( please note, this is a roughly open conversation with some translation errors and has a generalized open communicative tone-any mistakes made in publishing due to translation will be corrected if necessary)


--I asked Mr.Polezhayev to tell me a little bit about himself and what he thinks of the division and contrast to the "combative" arts and the Cossack style and how he feels about the continued debate of what is right, what is wrong on different resources and RMA threads...this is what his response was ..

LP: Yes. It is fine. Everyone has his own view on the close fight. I tend to think to what is art - the art of life -humanity and human development through the motions? The vector can be deployed in different directions - you can wear uniforms and belong to the "special forces" or "Cossack", but the inner meaning - what is inside a person - it's energy is what is more important.

(on telling me about himself)- I am: Man. Personality. Energy. Divine Energy.Love. No Fear.Violation of Divine Love. Restoring the Balance. No matter distance and time, countries and continents. With thoughts. Promised thought. Micro- and macrocosm. We are together, or not. Friend. Enemy. Love is love. Love is evil. The adoption of an evil. absorption and return back to his Love. Folded point. Expansion into infinity.
Attack the enemy in the reflex of fear, anger, hatred, resentment. Pain. Pleasure. Lust. We expose it to the dead point - adjustment and murder with Love. Take his confession and repentance. Give him the joy of returning to God. Protection - love pain. Holy Rage. He wants to make himself sick. Take in the waves of love, the Holy Sacred Rage what you spawned. I will recompense, and will give you and erase from this world manifestation of the Void. Give a death or life. Destroy or (repair)? Decide for yourself. Why have you come to me? The solution is for you. I am your reflection.If the person does not love - he is afraid. Walk down the street and radiate an inner light through a smile (smiling mask). Peace and balance. If you are afraid - then you are a victim. So you sit .
Another point - practice - training should lead to a balance and peace, the different rhythms of the training-hall one situation to another rhythm street - but it is also training - the game - the main thing at the end of the game to reach nirvana. (Or soon to enter itself in nirvana). Light destroys darkness around, slowing, stopping time. Disappointment that the enemy stands firm. Beat, tear, and tear it with a smile - and then regret it, or a piece of meat (that is left of it) as a child(sic)

OO: And this is something you have written?

LP: Yes.This is the philosophy of "система боя"

OO: And where did you train?

LP:Kosovo. It was scary at first. My soul trembled with terror. But love has destroyed the fear. When I came back - I felt that while I was there, something very important and valuable to mankind. I was asked to describe how I go into an altered state, Not describe the training process but internal content.

OO: Was this during a war in Kosovo?

LP: In 2005 there was no physical war,but a spiritual war. There was a place of contact between light and darkness.

OO: What about other training background information?

LP: In 1998 I graduated from the training system Kadochnikova. and I went to the Orthodox church. Confession - prayer and monasteries - it lasted 10 years. In 2008 I developed my own combat system from there.
Now I'm combining everything associated with the Cossack style because (I value) their policies.

OO: How do you feel about the criticism that the style of dance and fight are not developed together?

LP:It is not true! Dance has to do with the Cossack battle! A dance is the rhythm inside of you - this will be drawing the battle. I love Lezginka. My family lives on the Kuban 160 years. We are Cossacks .Before, we lived Chernihiv (Ukraine)

OO: Many "combatives" instructors say it is pointless and there is no reason to train in Cossack style... that there is no history with Russian Martial arts and Cossack style. How do you feel about this?

LP:Then they do not understand the soul of the Cossack.
We are united by Orthodoxy,but the rhythm of movement of Russian and Cossack dancing is different. But in the end what is the difference - which way to achieve inner enlightenment!? Russian or Cossack style?



While my conversation with Mr.Polezhaev continued on to other topics, the few key points he had mentioned , were commonplace for many of the other highly skilled instructors I have spoken with along my journey, including Sergey Zhukov, Sergey Kuznetsov, Andrey Karimov and Yuri Sheshukov. Their seemingly fearless approach, grace, permanent smile and lack of tension, all come from within. Almost all of these men attribute this practice to having a true understanding of themselves and inner peace.


To see Sistema Boya videos you can go to his You Tube page, in Russian language here.

Don't speak Russian? No problem, Leonid has an English You Tube channel here.


The following is an interesting excerpt I copied from Mr.Polezhaev's Sistema Boya website in reference to the rules of his school. Very , very on point(in my opinion)

Guidelines for Practice "combat system"

• "Combat system" should be open only to those who agree and upholds the principles "combat system". Anyone who does not follow this - can not join us. Specifically: Only those who have read and agreed with these guidelines shall be allowed to participate.
• Only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication shall be allowed to participate. It requires a doctor's note. In particular, people with mental illness, drug addiction, or mental instability shall be barred from participation. The need for such a doctor's concerns individuals who may present a danger to others. Naprimer-, those with infectious diseases or clinically insane person or persons who have no self-control.
• Persons with criminal records are not eligible to study. Troublemakers, those who commit crimes, and those who live in Russia that violate domestic laws do not have a right to learn.
• Those who do not uphold the guiding principles of the "combat system", either as practitioners or as members of society who have committed shameful acts should be expelled.
• Regarding accidents occurring during training (both inside and outside the gym), should not cause problems in the "combat system".This is an extremely important point. Those who wish to take personal responsibility for accidents occurring during the practice of "combat system" to learn not allowed. We reiterate for clarity, "combat system" does not accept responsibility for accidents occurring in the course of training, regardless of location.
• The tradition of "combat system" recognizes nature and the universality of human life We are studying the way to a man's heart.Recently "combat system" has become a truly international movement. There are various taboos among the peoples and countries of the world. We must respect each other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must put the heart of the warrior first, working together for self-improvement and "combat system". Those not upholding the above-mentioned guidelines should be expelled from the "combat system".

Here is a brief summary of his education and training :

Education: from 1988-1993 - Krasnodar Higher Military Command School of Engineering Strategic Missile Forces ( KVVKIURV ) Faculty : ACS; specialty: Cybernetics engineer

Combative Training and Experience:

1977 to 1987 -Engaged in Greco- Roman wrestling 

1988 to 1993 . - Training at a military school 

1993 - served in the Armed Forces, a reserve officer 

1995 to 1997 . Martial arts instructor

1998 - current-System " Cossack Spas" 

Since 2010 led the club " Dogfight Cossack scouts 

For the Love of Children:The Importance of Emotionally Safe and Structured Training with Kids in Systema

Alot of people may be surprised at the heavy dose of children's work Andrey Karimov offers at his extensive seminars. Our 21 day seminar in St. Petersburg offered up a nice sized portion of in depth work with children. Before I go any further, Mr. Karimov is a practicing psychologist and has carefully spent several years constructing these modules for children and their emotional health. Each game and series is designed with a few key components in mind :

• identifying children's deep, emotional issues by gauging responses to activities
• helping each child work through such issues
• allowing parents to partake in witnessing their children's independence and strengths 
• formulate a strong sense of identity and free thinking 
• allowing children to try and succeed in a safe, nurturing environment without judgement

Does your kid have the wiggles? Body language is very telling.

• giving parents, specifically fathers, ideas and formulas to help improve relationships with not only their children, but the children around them

and much more.... each activity starts out quite abruptly with the balalaika(yes, I know...you don't know how to play one, don't have one, or don't understand why it's needed....) Remember the game musical chairs? The music played while we all ran around to get to the last chair but the minute it stopped, it was game on?
This, is how the balalaika is used. Now , if you try this in your school, you can certainly use whatever instrument or music of choice but the key is to be consistent. As with anything with children, consistency fosters stability.

Is you Systema kid's class helping or hurting them?

Mr. Karimov often started each session simply by monitoring the children. It was almost a given that the adults in the room were not to interfere or redirect the children in any way...(and if you know me personally, you must know how incredibly difficult this was for me). Without any cues or directions, Karimov began to play the balalaika at a moderate pace, he then would build speed and abruptly stop. The kids, once they heard the music, would run around the room(floor covered in mats) and drop to the ground and stop, when the music stopped. Usually, there would be a few seasoned kids in the group that knew of the routine and seemingly, the other kids just followed along. Again, not much , if any direction from the adults. Once the children stopped(most dropped to the floor face down), Mr. Karimov would quietly point out the children who were unable to keep still...the ones peeking, wiggling, shifting positions, or still walking around....
These were your rule breakers , for lack of a better term.Which is not necessarily a bad thing. These kids also maybe had a difficult time in general by not having a calm demeanor and often times would look back at their parents for approval to make sure they were doing the drill correctly. Again, there was alot to be said by witnessing this display of simple body language.
This all begged to ask the question, what were we teaching our children, in "Systema" in the United States? I know of maybe a few instructors who have done a great job formulating really amazing kid's classes , but that's only a handful. I've found more instructors who have completely thrown the baby out with the bathwater by having kids line up only to punch one another and claiming this was their anti-bullying program.
No one talks about the psychological effect of improper training, or how to help parents foster better relationships or even...dare I say, gets fathers involved?? Not anyone I've heard of.

And how does this pertain to you , as a martial artist? If you have a child, and you spend a ton of time away from you child, training...doing mainly "systema" things, why not utilize that time to the benefit of your parent/child relationship? Not only did some of our best warm up routines come from working with the children at our seminar, almost all of us had a ton of fun, were completely limber and loose, and all of us reached a level of training much more effectively than if we JUST DID SIT UPS.

Barring the musical mat exercise, the demonstrations that followed blew my mind(luckily, the adults got to play too!)...

The great and unmatchable Masha...you'll be hearing more about her

One demonstration in particular, knocked me off my feet, figuratively and literally. Mr. Karimov and a partner each had one end of a rope...they dragged the rope towards and lineup of children and either shifted the rope up or down forcing the children to make a snap-quick decision. Sounds easy? It's not. The goal of the game was to get children to understand that adaptability really is dependent upon them, not the people around them, and that they alone, were responsible for their decisions, so merely mimicking their cohorts may not work for them, especially since the rope was being moved at different angles. And guess what? Same game for adults and almost all of us fell. Why? Perhaps because we have what Mr. Karimov refers to as "maladaptive programming". We are conditioned to overthink, overdo, and over prepare for everything. Pre-jumping over a rope , as an adult, will most certainly land you on your face..(yes, this happened to me). Waiting until the right moment to decide whether you should leap, drop to the ground or merely slowly walk over the rope, was a key way in identifying what your natural behavioral patterns were, and for children, this is key for their parents to understand.

• Are you raising an overconfident child who is impulsive? Early rope jumper.
• Are you raising a child who struggles to decide what to do and goes with the crowd? Cautious rope jumper.
• Are you raising a child who makes the very obvious wrong choices frequently? Opposite end goal determination rope jumper.
• Are you raising a child who waits until the very last minute , but makes a successful choice? Again, cautious, yet thoughtful rope jumper.

Not as easy as it looks. Better than sit ups, squats, rolls and pushups.

You get the idea. And this was only one game, of many, many games. This game, by the way, works great for adults and the kids LOVE to watch the adults play. Not only do you get a heavy dose of plyometrics on board, you start to really work on yourself. Now that I look back at pictures of myself doing this demo, I can reflect on what it felt like participating. Not only was I wearing a skirt, I
noticed that I waited until the moment the rope touched me to move. Again, I'm not a big fan of using excessive energy ( I'm old, what can I say?), but this also is a slow process I've learned to use throughout my life. Normally, I would have panicked, already wondered how I would jump or which direction, but knowing that Karimov was liable to raise the rope in any direction almost gave me a better sense of calm in my own quick decision making and adaptability skills. I , in fact, was relearning to trust my own judgement.

Again..this was a game designed for children, but worked really well for all of us. I will be continuing writing about child-specific , and emotionally safe children's games and training from the seminar in St. Petersburg with a highlighted focus on the importance of adequate work with children. Oh, and at the end of each children's session, the kids lined up to thank the adults... mutual respect was very key in wrapping up each session.

***Photos courtesy of the great Evgeny"Eugenious" Pechkin. You'll be hearing more about him too.

Back to Basics:Getting out of line......

It's no secret that Andrey Karimov's style is quite specific. One of the overall themes of Cossack fight style is to move the hell out of the line of attack and only counterattack if necessary. All with as little energy expelled as possible. My own personal theory is perhaps this methodology was adopted to conserve energy in the long haul for other serious warfare trials and tribulations fought by the Cossacks. Whatever the case may be, I LOVED the "less is more" technique. In all practicality, a fight should last no more than a minute. Anything after that, and you may be screwed, royally. So the best thing to do is avoid a situation(if possible), react calmly, and get out of the line of attack. Seems pretty basic, right?
Yeah, no. (Da, nyet..if you're Russian).
One of the VERY first things Mr. Karimov reviewed with us, as a whole, was how to step out of the line of attack. It seemed like it should be easy and really, just watching him, you'd think it was. After about 2 hours of just trying to work this method, I quickly realized that my internal training bad habit brain was misfiring. How could I NOT pick this up? Luckily for myself(and anyone else who was stuck),the gym floor was visibly lined. And even better,Andrey Karimov and Yuri Sheshukov teamed up and combined this with dancing to get us to really grasp what was going on (keep in mind, this was very event-specific for this seminar and not the usual 3 day type workup you would receive otherwise).
Finding the "line" of attack was pretty simple... attacker comes at you...this is your line.
Evading this space became very tricky for whatever reason. My brain scrambled relentlessly in hopes to just be able to move out of the way. Once I got the "move out of the way" part down , I had to learn how to move out of the way to one side or another, completely.
Again, sounds simple. 'Twas not.
One of the main things Karimov teaches is that (your) "legs save". Meaning, move your legs, your body comes with. Move your hips, and your overall structure will solidify with a more solid bearing. Again..I have hips, I move them, alot... but why can I not move them in training?

This is where the dance came in. After what seemed like hours of the class as a whole stepping on ourselves, making complicated and multiple steps for a simple side move, Karimov and Sheshukov resorted to what is similar to line dancing(but in a circle).With the balalaika playing at a moderate speed, we meandered at a slow place from shifting our bodies from one lateral point to another, all with minimal energy and steps. Think "step-ball-change to the right, step-ball-change to the left" all while making sure there was ample clearance and, at least try to end in a parallel fashion near your attacker(this was also incredibly tricky).
At most, this movement should be 4 steps, depending on how close you are in the line of attack. Anything more than that and you will find yourself not only tripping over your own feet, but perhaps landing even closer to a weapon, multiple attackers or even worse...implanting yourself on the ground due to lack of stability.

Get out of the way!

Once the rapid pace of the music picked up, our rhythm in this drill picked up...we moved in a circular motion around the room evading our imaginary line of attack for at least an hour or more without stopping. We even added arm movement(Cossack style for men, the women had handkerchiefs in place to remind us to block our life zones). The women used the frontal triangular method of blocking the upper body while moving and the men learned a more fierce striking and swiping method of pushing and rotating the attacker's upper body (structure breaking)while moving out of the line of attack. To further make sure we understood the process, Karimov and Sheshukov incorporated the almighty stick.

removing the body from the line of attack

removing only the head from the line of attack

And guys, you would get hit if you didn't get out of the way. Imagine handing a small child a baseball bat in a china shop and told him to have fun. This, was probably the quickest way I got it together. While it was not complete pressure testing at it's fullest, it was enough to get the point across.
Oh...and this wasn't just one session...this particular basic concept was a combined 6 - 7 hours of work throughout the next few days,if not more. Why? Because most of us were stuck in not using our bodies effectively and efficiently and neither instructor gave up and called it quits until we all got it. Each new methodology we learned in the forthcoming days, the "getting out of the line" technique was used. Knife disarming, sword work, hand to hand...all of it required a new, heavy dose of getting out of the line.

And as I pour through countless saved "Systema" videos from the last few years, specifically of what is considered "basic" type training, I notice that this is not readily taught here. It should be. And maybe I have just never heard anyone really mention it. I certainly struggled with the concept as did many others involved in the seminar (although most people had NO prior Systema knowledge at this specific event).It's basic level skill and could save your life.

Systema Guideline to Life, Inner Peace and Training.The Philosophy Behind the Art, by Master Andrey Karimov

Foreword

We will begin by discussing the growth and progression of man in Systema. From birth to death, man's role in life , discovering himself, and even training can all be formatted to be a unique and harmonious lifestyle. From the four main stages of life(birth, childhood, young adulthood, wise age), Andrey Karimov reviews the path meant for us all in our divine natural state and what we can all do to become better people. This guide is meant as an outline to self correct , live happily, and progress as a true Systema practioner.. Dictated by Master Andrey Karimov, translated by  Darya Antipina and interpreted by Olivia Overturf.

Introduction

What is a system and why is it needed?
It is all relative. It is not possible to say something sharply about anything exactly. The phrase "psychological trap" can be used. Who is ready to accept this phrase? Whomever is ready, is ready to be in a cage and have psychological weapons used against them. The correct meaning of Systema, is a coordinated system. Everything in the world is Systema. A full version also includes a coordinated system of all people. Systema coordinates obvious and hidden ideals of this organization. If you do not know your personal "coordinates" , you do not know yourself. Man should have his own navigation to understand his path in life. Our Systema focuses on finding our personal control points in this navigational system and to find out where we are now. Alot of people are not living this way, and are lying dormant. There are many reasons this can happen. One major reason is lack of skills to manage a full life. We are working with people who are ready to take control back of their life! It is very important to make sure you are actually ready, as an individual, for this process. Not everyone will be ready.
The secrets of our system or, "life secrets" are not really secrets at all. We are not, or never will, try to hide these secrets. They will always be available to those who are ready.Secrets are very expensive(emotionally) and you cannot buy or sell them. The cost of these in actuality is mental illness and even human life.
To begin mapping these philosophies, it is important to have a social model. In Russia, and many other cultures, these models are described by the use of folklore and fairy tales. This helps to bring children into an underlying awareness that can help them understand difficult concepts. Usually in a fairy tale of this  sort, a man and woman walking together, as partners, in a marriage, is the highest pinnacle of the fairy tale . When a male and female join together, they have a greater, absolute power. This model typically can foresee and help predict a divine path.This is why they are still crucial in society. Even if man is not doing anything , he will know what is working and what is not. The model will start to reflect in his life and have influence on his path of personal growth. This is the magic and beauty of fairy tales.

Image from Cossack Fairy Tales by R.Nisbet Bain

These models are already divinely planted in our individual genetic code and they are universal and worldwide. What is available in one's mind, can also be available outside of one's mind. These two factors can join together and meet but they can also negate each other and not work succinctly or, they can negatively copy itself. People are either ready to live based on this prediction of their own divine path or they will try to grow and improve basic skills, such as self love. Without this kind of "self love", it is impossible to have love for each other. When one fights against this genetic code or resists his own path, this will lay his prediction out as a man.  It is impossible to win in this fight. One will face the personal inability to conquer inner and outer struggles.

(stay tuned for continued series on Systema Guideline to Life, Inner Peace and Training)



You can follow Master Karimov on FB here.
His You Tube channel is available here.
For more information (in Russian ) you can go  to http://ladsistema.ru/

Cracking the Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Systema with Master Andrey Karimov.Part One

The following works were dictated by Systema Master, Andrey Karimov on his philosophies of Systema, personal growth and emotional health. Translated by Darya Antipina and interpreted by Olivia Overturf. This will be the beginning of a multi-layer series based on the work and study of Mr.Karimov. He welcomes your questions or comments following the articles. Enjoy...

The word " SYSTEMA"- the root of the  word, the main idea, is important.

Let's start with  "ST" in  SYSTEMA. 

ST as in "strength", you cannot divide the "S" and the "T". This is the nuclear part of the word that exists in all European languages and even other languages. 

The letter "S" resembles an "idea" or even the sound "sh" or "s" in different languages. As in a "wild idea". The "s" looks like a snake. God's idea temptates a person. God looks to how people incorporate this idea on Earth. For example, an individual can make an idea very bad, or very cruel. Also , an "s"alone is different than two"s's" as in "SS" like the Nazi "runes" for Schutzstaffel. Any good idea can transfer into a cruel ideology.

The "ST" that are commonly neighboring together and are found in the word "SYSTEMA"are a combination of the "soft s" and the "hard t". STat (СТать in the Russian language)is to shape the body, form,overall make-up of the human body. When you draw "ST" with the focal center points placed correctly, the letters transition from :

"ST" with focalized center

combination "S" and "T"

 "ST" with focal center to " the body"

Upright body with generated energy

The STat figure contains all the components of the psychological, physical and spiritual senses. First, the "ST" contain the mild "s" and the hard "t" which make a perfect balance. While it is essential that a person remain "hard" in their life, it is also important that a person remain soft. If a person is upright, he generates strong energy, if he is crooked, his structure is easy to break. The main goal is to be able to take strikes and punches both physically and psychologically.

Secondly, the idea of softness is important to understand so that our arms become soft and fluid to allow our hands to become sensitive. We must have this understanding so we can understand our own power. For example, if a robber is choking someone, he can easily kill them with "hard" hands, if he had no sensitivity. The "ST" in "SYSTEMA" embodies the balance of both "hardness" and "softeness".We must learn how to use this balance to not cause suffering and pain to others.

The "SY" in "SYSTEMA" defines "the circle". This is a group of like minded people who have the ability to communicate and speak to one another.

The communal Systema circle

This group, can work together effectively as a group rather than individually. Together, they can reach goals easily . How can we learn this ? From the Slavic language the word "GOI"(go-een). From this word "go" or "go to" in the superior sense. GOI = the truth (Istina), where God's sense is. Istina is where God's revelation is contained. At one point, all of us spoke the same language. Language is what taught us to be successful and prosperous. Language itself, can teach and show us these ideals....

(more in this series to come! stay tuned....)
You can follow Master Karimov on FB here.
His You Tube channel is available here.
For more information (in Russian ) you can go  to http://ladsistema.ru/

Interview with Master Andrey Karimov: Part One- Resuscitating Systema.

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..)


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A Brief Interview with Andrey Karimov from Free Tribune Russia

This is a loosely translated ( I Google Translated my way through most of it) article written by Maria Leontiev.Permission was granted by Mr.Karimov to republish. 

Andrey Karimov is the head of the school, System of Siberian Cossacks. He is an anthropologist, ethnographer, a practicing psychologist, organizer of seminars for the general public and for Special Forces and police units in Russia and Serbia. He created the methodologies, "Ethnomusical Organization of Physical Education Of Preschoolers" and "Fathers and Sons." The following are questions from journalist Maria Leonteva (Kazan) from her interview for the online publication Free Tribune.
What is  System of Siberian Cossack ?

AK: This is a club of like-minded individuals, with whom are engaged in personal growth and development, who care about the education of children. We must understand that the "System of Siberian Cossack" is not some ancient system, and the name,is not the trade name recognizable among other clubs. We have a lot of different workshops for women, men and children. We partake in everything from the interaction of the family, to use of military equipment. Previously, when we had a big club in Novosibirsk, there were eighteen areas of work. Now, we  hold classes in the cities where we are invited. Basically, these are the topics that most people are interested in, such as fighting lessons, seminars for young men and seminars to educate children.

Tell us more about your methodology?

AK: The System of Siberian Cossacks - is about the education of personal identity, through internal questions such as  "Who am I?, Where am I going?, "Why do I exist?" and "If I exist, then what is my purpose?". These are the questions we try to answer through combat, rhythm and movement practices. Tools such as dance,movement and  vocal lessons, help people to actively participate in the world, and not be afraid of it. If you can whip out a voice, if you can stamp your foot, this in itself, encourages you to an active lifedtyle. With the first strike (heel on the floor), a man says, "I am here, I am, I am ready to act, I will act," thus culture encourages people to be.

Why should this person be encouraged specifically, is this not a natural need?

AK: Many people are not productive or are lost in a volitile attitude toward the world, so it is necessary to form a human need to consent to the personal identity. Many now think about this: "I - it's not me, but someone's application." Many live passively, as the poet said: "People are alive and afraid, and do not want to die." People go to work, then to the supermarket in the morning. For what? It is unclear. You must be the person that makes choices and acts creatively in the world to implement a mission, and to realize that people here reveal their soul. We must realize this is nature, and nature is this is the intention, the will and the  initiative. All these people have awareness through their own self realization. So we say - "be a man." What does it mean to fight? It means to defend your own borders, if necessary, be able to cross borders. When I ask whether it is possible for children to climb over fences, the majority says "no, no". But what if it is necessary to save someone on the other side of the fence? Still, half of the respondents say "no". That is what is difficult, strict  parents prevent children to realize the value of time on Earth, be here now, to be adaptable, to learn necessary lessons, to grow.

Why do people come to you at seminars ?

AK: Alot of people come to practice martial arts, and say that they want to learn to fight. But the most important thing remains hidden: the majority of people come from fear, and the real need is to teach them not to be afraid. It is important to recognize all of the instructors, who are engaged in teaching combat practice,this method of fear reduction.  Fears are many: fear of "being  beaten in the stairway" or that "I'm not like everyone else" or "if I build muscle , maybe more people will be attracted to me".  And in fact, this is wrong. It is necessary in life to foster love and creativity, not fear.

 On your website, among other activities specified, social adaptation is taught , but specifically towards military personnel. Why the does this need to be implimented? 

AK: (long silence ... )The fact is that when a person is gone a long time and learns to obey, he ceases to make independent decisions, and is always more or less clear what to do. Then, when he goes to a great life and does not expect such a large number of  bases. Do not expect that non-requirement exists. There are many promises andfalse points of emphasis to which the person is not ready, especially if he was brought up in simple terms and if he is expected to only carry out commands. Learn to understand what a lie is the only provocation military elite units, and many ordinary units do not teach this. But unfortunately,it is not only the consequences of military service, it is the  consequence of raising children in the daily environment at home and at school. As a result, people are becoming more adapted to the fast-paced life. At my school as a child,  they did not teach a person to distinguish fact from fiction. This is a  common question  now,during a more challenging time than ever before. The mission, is to distract people from self focus. Just as bank loans are designed to confuse a man's head, the same as in the supermarket, and so on.

 What other problems are there now in the education of children? What qualities are important to form a human child?

AK: The fact that the formation of the individual ends at seven years. In  pre-school education, at this age (seven years), everything is incorporated, which makes everything much harder. The child's brain is developing very actively up to three years, and then more slowly. Before that age should form three important things: trust, commitment and dedication. The fact that the child in our society does not have a yard, where he would play alone or with other children.Children are conducted ,constantly. Children are deprived of this self exploration, and it seems , the town is isolated from children. It threatens our consciousness and causes "hotbed education" in terms of any framework, soft or hard leads to the fact that a person dies or abandons action, closed in itself. A seven year old boy needs his mother and then he needs a leader,then he goes into another spatial condition in this fairy tale forest. Boys need uncles,positive role models and mentors. Society today is built on a matriarchy - all its institutions contribute to the comfort of life, focused on the institution of motherhood, even if it does not work, but is determined to protect women, the protection of women without a husband. The social protection system is configured for single mothers. How have we have developed such a system? The fact that the Soviet system at some point became very weak, whereas , previously, right from kindergarten, people had and acknowledgment of self, deeper self awareness and knew what steps to take next in life. The system has manifested to men being overprotective, rigid, or tyrannical, which are all essentially the same thing.  Those who tried to escape from the system, escaped through sports clubs, hiking or army. But now, the army is weak, because the officers are not independent and heavily rely on their mothers still "brushing teeth and washing their faces".

The Soviet system created groups of people who have forgotten how to think for themselves. and to make independent decisions. When and why did this happen?

AK:In fact, this happened when fighting with fists , died. Who is the fist? It is he who "sleeps on his fist," who think for themselves. What did the Soviet system do?This created people who have forgotten how to think for themselves and love themselves. That is, take care of their growth and development, to make independent decisions. There is a loss of responsibility in our young males.This is done in order to have a more obedient slave. And so it happened everywhere, seen as everywhere, the boys live with their mothers up to forty - fifty years, in Italy the same.

 What causes contributed to the loss of these practices?

AK:In Soviet times, the social life was highly regulated, and all forms of social life were subjected to inspection or sharp as it's called censorship. Especially those where people showed their independence or will, especially dance. They were not just washed out of the culture, and even condemned. It was believed that if you sing or danced openly, then you must be drunk. An example is the inability to use my voice. Physical causes - social consequence, people can not sing because their voice is clamped, then you need to remove the barriers that man could sing. Robbed voice robbed first parents, then the social structure. The fact that the culture of the Russian apparently created culture-soil, destroying any basis for making the soil more tolerant to any crop, although in itself susceptible culture and peaceful.

Which tool allows you to maintain the viability of the traditional culture of the person? 

AK: Cultures can create a social collaboration or collective. A social collaboration is designed to change a person from their current state, to charging them with energy for their future life. From well-known social collaborations,now only one remains.The feast. Then when people come together to eat, sing, talk. That in of itself, is a social idealology.

Among those who are engaged in the study and restoration of Russian folk culture, to denote the totality of knowledge and training in this line the word "tradition." What is a "tradition" in your understanding? 

AK:Tradition  is a set of principles or entity that transcends people through time and any particular place and time updated: old prolongs itself in the new. I have  even had the phrase "tradition, it germinates with the old in the new, still yourself and it becomes  real, modern" This is how I live, and stick to it.

Continuity is unique to the Russian tradition, or applicable to any tradition of people, is this your idealology? 

AK: I do not advocate separation of one thing from another. I love to find a commonality, so I will answer this way. Each person and each tradition attempts to answer questions about why people exist and for what - this is the main question .General culture, any tradition, encourages people to be, to act and continue to be ones' true self. Russian tradition to encourage to be - there are those who consider themselves Russian, helping to live in the world. And all its elements: intonation, rhythmic style of the past, and living for  the future. Soviet cultural policy has had a major impact on the national culture of all of it's people who were part of the country. The Russian culture is said to have suffered more than others. Because it is of Russian traditional culture that has created a culture of Soviet man. Was this lost throughout  authentic Russian tradition? Tradition has purpose and meaning and this goal has not changed, but some elements are, in fact,  lost. Tradition that can only be described as a phenomenon is present in large quantities. The main objective of folk culture, as already mentioned,is to induce a person to be. A person's ability to adjust to shock is what determines his life, fate or spirituality. But by itself blow means "gift" and the completion of the action, fell, saw surprised convinced. Objective resist, restrain strikes happening around. In this sense, culture is still preserved and continues to keep the strike. Punch - this is one of the necessary qualities, without which man can not be.

 This is only a man's quality culture? Or culture - is the notion of the male?

AK:No, women also have this ability, just in the female body, physiological ability to take a punch and can easily manifest, meaning , it is more natural. Men's quality punch brought tradition. Culture and it's elements, for instance, fairy tales, are intended to educate boys from the men. Culture largely focused on the education of men, and tales told to men. When men have ceased to teach it, we get young boys who can not take a punch. Culture keeps hitting only if it is independent, dependent, or if it is pegged, then sooner or later it dies. If a  boy is nursed for  a long time, as a result, he becomes either alcoholic or drug addict or commits suicide. So if we babysit our children too much,  traditionally, there is a paradox that results in only faster self destruction.

 Is not there a feeling that all the generations of Russian now substituted by such a blow?

AK:Well, what can I say, I'm certain some long lived abroad in Australia, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Switzerland, Germany, Romania and I can tell you we have a unique country. To love our fatherland must move away from him, then feel to it spicy cravings and understanding of what is happening. I think there is a special mission and destiny that exists in Russia. Do not judge us about it, but I do know that we have the most interesting and unique people. What is now happening in the world is a huge, big idea and Russia plays a major role in it. In other countries, people look at Russia with hope, because the world is on the verge of mental and spiritual, or may not be exactly on the verge of a spiritual, not so easy to explain. Even despite the fact that we have problems with education, with all our tradition preserved the most in terms of initiative, commitment and trust.

Trust in what?

AK:Credibility of all, because there are many kinds of trust. To yourself, to know, to society, to God. In other countries, this level of mistrust leads to the fact that the person is a person in a case, a small coffin.

You say that for young boys, there are some basic phases of maturation, reflected in popular culture with the help of symbols, archetypes, and fairy tale characters that correspond to each phase of growing your space action. The growth phase, when a boy - a child in the fairy tales portrayed the hare, the phase of the sample and experience guy - wolf phase of affairs when a man, breaking initiation wedding, acquires strength and tenacity, and is called a" bear "in the tale, and then, breaking childbearing period, becomes an old man - "gray wolf", acquires wisdom and acceptance. Whether it is possible to extrapolate and say in what phase of maturation is now the Russian society as a whole?

AK: In the nineties, the company was on the stage Man, everyone was like wolves tearing all, such a wild flock without a king in the head, in the tale says that the guy is then your skills to the king, behold the nineties, this is the time for. And now I find it hard to say, the government act like men, changed mentality, they see the provocation and are able to take a punch. The man knows how to fend feints, ie attacks the double intention.

You're talking about what is happening in Ukraine? 

AK:Ukraine - is only part of the big plan, what is happening in the world. If we talk about social roles, I see that the leadership walk as the mature people who can meet the challenges of the outside.
Culture tends to be rehabilitated and even somewhat aggressive play itself when the system pressure and censorship ends. This can be seen, for example, in the stage of the national republics, not of good quality, but differing viability. Why this is not happening with Russian culture? There are several reasons.
Firstly, the Russian culture is also a literary culture. Between secular and urban popular culture, between them is still a struggle, even though the first two picks in the juices. It is believed that the villagers uneducated, uncultured, they say. Although contrary language is the main means of authentic culture, the language is retained by the people, of popular culture took many composers such as Glinka and Bortnyansky.

How do you feel about modern music, which is located at the junction of the pop culture,What about mass and folk tradition, when musicians are synthesized traditional and modern culture?

AK: In the hands of masters of the culture, as well as any product does not die, but continues to evolve, but some performer's material "dies" in his hands and lips.

What does "die"mean? 


AK:Culture encourages people to live and act. If the material encourages people to become stuck, or hang, then it destroys the person. Here's how to get unstuck,  either be or not be. This idea either increases the power to create, to grow, to develop, so it is a continuation of life. If it only entertains, corrupts, take away, then this toxic culture is killing the person.

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