Thursday, September 18, 2014
Giving you what you need.: The Battery Effect: How The Company You Keep Can D...
Giving you what you need.: The Battery Effect: How The Company You Keep Can D...: One of the most amazingly surreal things that I must point out immediately is that not ONE of any of the people (mostly men) who Mr. Karimo...
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
The Battery Effect: How The Company You Keep Can Drain You
One of the most amazingly surreal things that I must point out immediately is that not ONE of any of the people (mostly men) who Mr. Karimov has connected me with, have been disrespectful or rude. Not one.
Considering the language barrier, the lack of knowing who I am, and the cultural differences, all, yes, ALL of the men who train, work with, or know him have all been the most delightful or helpful people ever.All of them.
Mr. Karimov himself has taken so much time from his schedule to answer any of my questions, has shown me archived footage, shared photos and even gone as far as to Skype with me! How cool is that? Very.
Considering , for the most part, I can't even get a response from one of the biggest Russian Martial Arts factories here..without jumping through a zillion hoops. Coincidentally, this is the same factory that I have dumped a ton of money into. Good luck trying to get on their forum , email list or getting a question answered.
This goes back to what I like to officially now call , " The Battery Syndrome". I am not sure of the direct origin of this phrase, but my fiancee told me about it a few years ago. Basically, if you are a fully charged battery, and you are around nothing but negatively charged batteries, then you too, will become a negative battery. If you are around positively charged batteries, you will remain positive. Perhaps even if you are a negatively charged battery and surround yourself with positive ones, then you will up your game. If you take the battery part of the equation and replace it with "humans", then there ya' have it.
Brings me back to what I have recently been through on this journey. Not that long ago, a school here in the U.S. posted a very sexually explicit, demeaning and disturbing "ice bucket challenge" video.
I.LOST.IT.
How on earth is this going to HELP women in Systema in the U.S.? If you read the comments after the video(now deleted), you would damn near think that this behavior, was completely OK by U.S. standards. And you know what....? It was.
As I sat in shock and watched the video , over and over, with the school's logo, insignia and owner partaking in the background, I noticed one MAJOR issue. Not one instructor associated with the international program said anything...not publicly anyway.
The fact that this was even an "ok idea" was completely absurd. I had just mentioned to several of my female friends who had been interested in Systema , that it was a completely balanced art, and that they would surely be welcome at any school. I was mortified. And to think some of the more sought after international instructors had daughters...just....ick. How would they feel that one of their largest earning schools/networks considered this an "ok" practice? What about respect , as a whole, for who you are representing as a school?
As I launched into an online melee of sorts over the whole deal, I had to ask....
How does this happen?
Batteries.
Some of these men, clearly do not take into consideration there are women who are eager , and willing to jump into a class and spend hundreds of dollars a year on a program that doesn't really have anything for them. We do it because we *think* it will help our self defense strategies. And , if you have the right instructor, it will. I was VERY fortunate to have an amazing instructor. Who , most certainly treated me the way he treated anyone else. He didn't care if I had female anatomy. He only cared if I was understanding the information. He only cared if I got it. He only cared if I showed up to class and participated. I was lucky.
How does this pertain to Mr. Karimov?
As I stated before, not one individual who I have met through him , has been even almost rude. Not one. My training here in the U.S., it is easier for me to count the 5 or so men who HAVEN'T been complete moral apes. Maybe Mr. Karimov has absolute standards in the company he keeps. Maybe, just maybe, he has expectations of his instructors, collegues and students. Maybe , this is Systema at it's finest. Maybe, this is how it realllllly should be.
The main prompt of writing this today also came on the heels of an online conversation I had with another martial artist. Midway through our chat, he said the following:
Man:" oh..oh you're a woman???!! I AM SO SORRY! I thought I was talking to a man! "
Me:"It's ok, I get that alot, I mean.. in person, with my hair up..although I think my profile picture doesn't really look masculine"
Man: "It wasn't really your picture, it was the manner in which you were candidly asking questions and debating my statements so profoundly"
This is an actual copy and paste with names deleted to protect privacy. This, really did happen.
The Systema Factory (I think I'm gonna just call it that for short) here in the U.S. has become a big one full of self absorbed, ego filled people who want to be on top. As I have reached out to "other" strains of Systema, I noticed something....the men..of the other versions, not so ape like. They kinda just want you to learn some basic information. Ok so maybe they don't have the best personalities or maybe it's BECAUSE I am female and not many women ask them technical questions, but you can kinda see , they are just eager, passionate people. In fact, I am going to go as far as to say, they have been far more valuable as a training resource than I could have possibly imagined. Including Mr. Karimov, to date, I have more than enough "other strains of Systema friends" than I could have possibly dreamed of. This makes me even question my own battery strength. While I have nothing really informative to share, the one thing these men have said to me was "thank you".
WHAT? Thank "me"?
I don't understand it either, but as a close friend of mine put it, "maybe you let them know there is something they are missing by being female and just talking to them about this stuff"
I hope so.
I really do hope standards of practice change here in the U.S. and I really hope instructors hold their students and themselves to a higher level or moral code than what has been put out there. As I continue conversations with Mr. Karimov and his instructors, I think that is the one thing we may have missed the boat on here. I am always amazed at how his instructors are amazed by my stories of anti-female sentiment, lack of incorporating women, and complete loss of the psychological instruction needed to become a decent practitioner.
Now, I am far from living a complete moral code of emotionally and psychologically healthy infused Systema, but am working my way there. It is alot harder than doing knuckle pushups, situps, squats, and rolls.
Also, there are some great, wonderful U.S. instructors out there. Amazing men, who have nothing but kindness emoting from their hearts. You will know them when you see or meet them.
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Considering the language barrier, the lack of knowing who I am, and the cultural differences, all, yes, ALL of the men who train, work with, or know him have all been the most delightful or helpful people ever.All of them.
Mr. Karimov himself has taken so much time from his schedule to answer any of my questions, has shown me archived footage, shared photos and even gone as far as to Skype with me! How cool is that? Very.
Considering , for the most part, I can't even get a response from one of the biggest Russian Martial Arts factories here..without jumping through a zillion hoops. Coincidentally, this is the same factory that I have dumped a ton of money into. Good luck trying to get on their forum , email list or getting a question answered.
This goes back to what I like to officially now call , " The Battery Syndrome". I am not sure of the direct origin of this phrase, but my fiancee told me about it a few years ago. Basically, if you are a fully charged battery, and you are around nothing but negatively charged batteries, then you too, will become a negative battery. If you are around positively charged batteries, you will remain positive. Perhaps even if you are a negatively charged battery and surround yourself with positive ones, then you will up your game. If you take the battery part of the equation and replace it with "humans", then there ya' have it.
Brings me back to what I have recently been through on this journey. Not that long ago, a school here in the U.S. posted a very sexually explicit, demeaning and disturbing "ice bucket challenge" video.
I.LOST.IT.
How on earth is this going to HELP women in Systema in the U.S.? If you read the comments after the video(now deleted), you would damn near think that this behavior, was completely OK by U.S. standards. And you know what....? It was.
As I sat in shock and watched the video , over and over, with the school's logo, insignia and owner partaking in the background, I noticed one MAJOR issue. Not one instructor associated with the international program said anything...not publicly anyway.
The fact that this was even an "ok idea" was completely absurd. I had just mentioned to several of my female friends who had been interested in Systema , that it was a completely balanced art, and that they would surely be welcome at any school. I was mortified. And to think some of the more sought after international instructors had daughters...just....ick. How would they feel that one of their largest earning schools/networks considered this an "ok" practice? What about respect , as a whole, for who you are representing as a school?
As I launched into an online melee of sorts over the whole deal, I had to ask....
How does this happen?
Batteries.
Some of these men, clearly do not take into consideration there are women who are eager , and willing to jump into a class and spend hundreds of dollars a year on a program that doesn't really have anything for them. We do it because we *think* it will help our self defense strategies. And , if you have the right instructor, it will. I was VERY fortunate to have an amazing instructor. Who , most certainly treated me the way he treated anyone else. He didn't care if I had female anatomy. He only cared if I was understanding the information. He only cared if I got it. He only cared if I showed up to class and participated. I was lucky.
How does this pertain to Mr. Karimov?
As I stated before, not one individual who I have met through him , has been even almost rude. Not one. My training here in the U.S., it is easier for me to count the 5 or so men who HAVEN'T been complete moral apes. Maybe Mr. Karimov has absolute standards in the company he keeps. Maybe, just maybe, he has expectations of his instructors, collegues and students. Maybe , this is Systema at it's finest. Maybe, this is how it realllllly should be.
Man:" oh..oh you're a woman???!! I AM SO SORRY! I thought I was talking to a man! "
Me:"It's ok, I get that alot, I mean.. in person, with my hair up..although I think my profile picture doesn't really look masculine"
Man: "It wasn't really your picture, it was the manner in which you were candidly asking questions and debating my statements so profoundly"
This is an actual copy and paste with names deleted to protect privacy. This, really did happen.
The Systema Factory (I think I'm gonna just call it that for short) here in the U.S. has become a big one full of self absorbed, ego filled people who want to be on top. As I have reached out to "other" strains of Systema, I noticed something....the men..of the other versions, not so ape like. They kinda just want you to learn some basic information. Ok so maybe they don't have the best personalities or maybe it's BECAUSE I am female and not many women ask them technical questions, but you can kinda see , they are just eager, passionate people. In fact, I am going to go as far as to say, they have been far more valuable as a training resource than I could have possibly imagined. Including Mr. Karimov, to date, I have more than enough "other strains of Systema friends" than I could have possibly dreamed of. This makes me even question my own battery strength. While I have nothing really informative to share, the one thing these men have said to me was "thank you".
WHAT? Thank "me"?
I don't understand it either, but as a close friend of mine put it, "maybe you let them know there is something they are missing by being female and just talking to them about this stuff"
I hope so.
I really do hope standards of practice change here in the U.S. and I really hope instructors hold their students and themselves to a higher level or moral code than what has been put out there. As I continue conversations with Mr. Karimov and his instructors, I think that is the one thing we may have missed the boat on here. I am always amazed at how his instructors are amazed by my stories of anti-female sentiment, lack of incorporating women, and complete loss of the psychological instruction needed to become a decent practitioner.
Now, I am far from living a complete moral code of emotionally and psychologically healthy infused Systema, but am working my way there. It is alot harder than doing knuckle pushups, situps, squats, and rolls.
Also, there are some great, wonderful U.S. instructors out there. Amazing men, who have nothing but kindness emoting from their hearts. You will know them when you see or meet them.
 |
| The man with the huge smile, that's Andrey Karimov. |
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Move, Breathe, Relaxxxxxx !!!!
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. Iwas 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.
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 :
http://www.youtube.com/user/nrooLad/videos
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
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 |
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.
http://www.youtube.com/user/nrooLad/videos
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Happy Mexican Independence Day??Traditions lost, cultures revived.
Speaking of tradition, a very important holiday is coming upon us. Diez y Seis de Septiembre is also known as "Mexican Independence Day". Like most Mexican Americans, I grew up thinking that's what Cinco de Mayo was...I was so wrong.It wasn't until college that I learned that the "Diez y Seis" was actually the day Father Miguel Hildalgo called for the end of Spanish Rule in Mexico. It's also one of the most celebrated Mexican holidays here in Texas. (we don't have that many).In fact, most children don't understand why this holiday is important.
Self included.
I was largely left out of any type of cultural experience growing up. Aside from going to Catholic Mass and eating cabrito, lengua and barbacoa, there as not much cultural activity for me. My mom even taught Ballet Folklorico, to everyone else but me. It didn't stop me from watching her classes.
I remember thinking" why won't she teach me this?" over and over , and even hearing my friends say "your mom's dance class is so fun!".
I will never know why she didn't pass down this tradition, and perhaps, that is why someone like Andrey Karimov is so important for me to understand. Not only is he teaching HIS children about tradition and culture, he will teach anyone who wants to learn! How awesome is that?
It never fails, the minute I wake up , I open Facebook to a bevy of archived videos, links, songs and photos. It's literally Cultural Christmas every single day. I have spent
This is the question that I ask, what do you know about your cultural history? Does your family have a generational celebration that you meticulously pass down? How far have you gone to seek out your cultural background? If you live in America, probably not very far.
We have become a culturally complacent society that only vaguely celebrates a few cultural festivities. If you have a child in public school, you get the worksheet of the cultural branding, sent home so you KNOW that someone is talking about it.That's about it.
One of the greatest moments I had messaging Mr.Karimov was when he sent me a video of a group of grandmotherly like women singing, chanting and stomping away. As I watched the video , I melted into a pile of tears and laughter. These women had it down, and he had the wherewithal to film this ! Who does that anymore? Who did that 20 years ago? He does and did. Sitting above my desk , I have the ONLY picture of myself and my grandfather who I loved dearly. He was the ONLY positive male role model in my life and had a knack for making me laugh. I never thought for one second to preserve any amount of any type of cultural speck he had to offer. Not once.
It is one of my only regrets I have in my life. Maybe he had nothing to share, maybe he had a ton to share. Maybe..just maybe he would have shown me a little dance.
I stopped trying to count how many videos Mr.Karimov has on You Tube. It is endless. They range from Systema Training videos, to Siberian Cossack videos, to music, to dance , to historical and vintage.
I encourage you to take a moment and check out his You Tube page. You won't be disappointed.
http://www.youtube.com/user/nrooLad/videos
Friday, September 12, 2014
The T-shirt says it all
As I mindlessly fumbled through Trader Joe's today, something infinitely strange happened.
An employee ran up to me, extremely enthusiastic, and said "Awe DUDE, where do you train Systema!!"
(I don't *think* I look like a man, but...sometimes in Texas, "dude" is used between like aged, like minded adults.I think.)
This happened while I was attempting to figure out their credit card machine for the zillionth time.
I looked up at stared at him for probably a full minute when I heard my son's voice say "Mom, you're wearing the T- shirt"
Ohhhh , right. The T-SHIRT!( the TSHIRT , is a whole 'nother blog)
" I ummm, well, I don't really train anymore, I mean..I used to train at this place, and even then not alot, so I , ummm...."
My son finally said "it's at *FILL IN THE BLANK* country club with *FILL IN THE BLANK* instructor."
I composed myself and remembered a rule of Systema..."breathe".
"Sorry, um sorry, it's just it caught me off guard and this isn't even my shirt, it's my fiancée's."
So he said "Oh, so you don't train? Orrrrr, you did train , or ummm?'
(this game of "ummmms" really did happen)
"Yes, I do train, just not very often at this gym, but this instructor is great, you should go check him out, he's amazing..and the nicest man..."
The guy softly asked "what do you think of Combat Systema?"
OH.MY.GAWD. please don't go there..breathe.breathe.breathe.
"well, I mean..it is what it is. I guess I'd prefer not to think of it. At all. Ever..it's not particularly what I am drawn to. I do like knife work, but I kinda hate guns and....(interruption..)
"My mom is going to Russia to train with a Cossack. She's pretty awesome.Even though she doesn't train now."
Leave it to my son, to absolutely put me on the spot.
The guy(whom I now know as "Brian" ) said "NO WAY!" I was JUST looking into that...there's a Facebook page called "Cowboys and Cossacks", have you heard of it?!"
"THAT'S MY MOM's PAGE!!!" (for the love of all things righteous, my son is my biggest fan)
Brian then went on into a variety of unintelligible noises, words, half phrases and movements.
And then it hit me.This guy, this one man, did not give a rat's ass if I was a female. He didn't care that I hadn't practiced for very long, or that I wasn't bulging with muscles, ranting about how many burpees I could do. All he cared about was how much I could tell him about Systema in 5 minutes. As he meandered through very technical terminology, I feverishly looked up the school's schedule for him. I had no business cards to hand out, and since I don't go to training anymore, I have zero memory of dates and times.
He immediately called his friends to try to set it up so they all could go when he got out of work. The one thing I heard was "dude, the person who runs that "Cowboys and Cossacks" page is right here!"
The PERSON. For the second time in our 10 minute conversation, this man, so innocently did not give a care that I was female. He was most certainly the kind of male that belongs in Systema. He was eager, pleasant, laid back and just wanted more.He had been studying Jiu Jitsu and wanted something different. Something more holistic, something real. He had heard of Systema a few years back and wanted to try it, but wasn't sure if it was COMBAT Systema or Systema. I tried to answer as many questions for him as I could, without going overboard. I gave him the number to the school and times of classes, and told him it saved my life. Because it did.
On the drive home I had an overwhelming feeling of the first anti-female partner I trained with. It was at a seminar and this man ( an instructor from another state) openly and very loudly said " I AM NOT TRAINING WITH HER!!"
Yup. There it was. He said what I am sure any macho male who paired up with me wanted to say. Before the words "What did you jussst...?" could officially leave my mouth, I felt a tug on my arm by someone I vaguely recognized...he said "it's ok, you can train with me, that guy's a douche".
As we laughed our way through a series of slow movements and soft work, I thought in my head,
"who wouldn't want to train with women? We are soft, fun, soft...um...."
Oh...I know. Men who have issues with women..that's who doesn't want to train with women.
Later on , said douche tried to buy me a drink, you know..to apologize.I declined and walked away from him. Left him in all his glory.
Brian, the guy from the store...not a douche. I hope he goes to class soon, and helps change the stereotype of women in training.
Brian, you made my day.
To visit "Cowboys and Cossacks" go to :
http://tinyurl.com/qganbd7
An employee ran up to me, extremely enthusiastic, and said "Awe DUDE, where do you train Systema!!"
(I don't *think* I look like a man, but...sometimes in Texas, "dude" is used between like aged, like minded adults.I think.)
This happened while I was attempting to figure out their credit card machine for the zillionth time.
I looked up at stared at him for probably a full minute when I heard my son's voice say "Mom, you're wearing the T- shirt"
Ohhhh , right. The T-SHIRT!( the TSHIRT , is a whole 'nother blog)
" I ummm, well, I don't really train anymore, I mean..I used to train at this place, and even then not alot, so I , ummm...."
My son finally said "it's at *FILL IN THE BLANK* country club with *FILL IN THE BLANK* instructor."
I composed myself and remembered a rule of Systema..."breathe".
"Sorry, um sorry, it's just it caught me off guard and this isn't even my shirt, it's my fiancée's."
So he said "Oh, so you don't train? Orrrrr, you did train , or ummm?'
(this game of "ummmms" really did happen)
"Yes, I do train, just not very often at this gym, but this instructor is great, you should go check him out, he's amazing..and the nicest man..."
The guy softly asked "what do you think of Combat Systema?"
OH.MY.GAWD. please don't go there..breathe.breathe.breathe.
"well, I mean..it is what it is. I guess I'd prefer not to think of it. At all. Ever..it's not particularly what I am drawn to. I do like knife work, but I kinda hate guns and....(interruption..)
"My mom is going to Russia to train with a Cossack. She's pretty awesome.Even though she doesn't train now."
Leave it to my son, to absolutely put me on the spot.
The guy(whom I now know as "Brian" ) said "NO WAY!" I was JUST looking into that...there's a Facebook page called "Cowboys and Cossacks", have you heard of it?!"
"THAT'S MY MOM's PAGE!!!" (for the love of all things righteous, my son is my biggest fan)
Brian then went on into a variety of unintelligible noises, words, half phrases and movements.
And then it hit me.This guy, this one man, did not give a rat's ass if I was a female. He didn't care that I hadn't practiced for very long, or that I wasn't bulging with muscles, ranting about how many burpees I could do. All he cared about was how much I could tell him about Systema in 5 minutes. As he meandered through very technical terminology, I feverishly looked up the school's schedule for him. I had no business cards to hand out, and since I don't go to training anymore, I have zero memory of dates and times.
He immediately called his friends to try to set it up so they all could go when he got out of work. The one thing I heard was "dude, the person who runs that "Cowboys and Cossacks" page is right here!"
The PERSON. For the second time in our 10 minute conversation, this man, so innocently did not give a care that I was female. He was most certainly the kind of male that belongs in Systema. He was eager, pleasant, laid back and just wanted more.He had been studying Jiu Jitsu and wanted something different. Something more holistic, something real. He had heard of Systema a few years back and wanted to try it, but wasn't sure if it was
On the drive home I had an overwhelming feeling of the first anti-female partner I trained with. It was at a seminar and this man ( an instructor from another state) openly and very loudly said " I AM NOT TRAINING WITH HER!!"
Yup. There it was. He said what I am sure any macho male who paired up with me wanted to say. Before the words "What did you jussst...?" could officially leave my mouth, I felt a tug on my arm by someone I vaguely recognized...he said "it's ok, you can train with me, that guy's a douche".
As we laughed our way through a series of slow movements and soft work, I thought in my head,
"who wouldn't want to train with women? We are soft, fun, soft...um...."
Oh...I know. Men who have issues with women..that's who doesn't want to train with women.
Later on , said douche tried to buy me a drink, you know..to apologize.I declined and walked away from him. Left him in all his glory.
Brian, the guy from the store...not a douche. I hope he goes to class soon, and helps change the stereotype of women in training.
Brian, you made my day.
To visit "Cowboys and Cossacks" go to :
http://tinyurl.com/qganbd7
Thursday, September 11, 2014
The path to....many paths
First of all, let me start off by saying... I am not a martial arts expert. Hold all your "how long you been training?" questions for someone who cares. I am just a bold female, with a bold perception and a permeating taste for the truth. The words "tradition" , " warrior" , "honor" , "integrity" all ring feverishly in my ears.
If you are into store bought gimmicks, following the median lines of typical consumeristic bullshit, please move on.If you are afraid to ask yourself "what am I REALLY doing?"
This blog is not for you.
If you are moderately interested in learning a little more about culture , traditions, sensational people and experiences, please stay tuned. If you are searching for a way to reconnect with life, people,yourself....I hope you can be inspired.
Secondly ,
I was wholeheartedly inspired by one person. Period. The shear fact that I met this person, was in truest form, kismet. I had no intentions of forcing myself into his life, yet..here I am..all up in it.
This man is Andrey Karimov.
Never heard of him? Me either.
Wanna find out more?
Me too.
And we will, together, I promise.
Life is too short NOT to seek out what really matters. For me right now, what matters most, is that ITRY and live my life to the best , fullest, most enriched I can. I spent the last 6 months battling for my own life, my health, my psyche...so this...is no small task at all. I will be the very first to admit, I am a complete hot mess. But being a hot mess, lead me to do some serious soul searching, and hot damn, if I didn't find some part of my lost self.
The journey I've been on to get to this point, is mind boggling. There has not been a day that has gone by since I've met Mr. Karimov, that I haven't asked myself "how the f*ck did I get here?"
Not one day.
Mr.Karimov has all but allowed me into glimpses of a Traditional Cossack past, that I had absolutely ZERO knowledge of more than a month ago. He has allowed me to randomly pick his brain, ask the weirdest of questions and Google Translate ourselves into the world of foreign culture. And through this savant-like human being I have learned more than enough to die absolutely happy.And, I know there is more.
He is an effervescent reminder that...we all came from somewhere ; we all need to belong.
I'm only writing from my personal experiences. I am not much of a writer, more of a story teller. I will try not to rant, rage, or otherwise. Along this journey, I have encountered some of the nicest, meanest, douchiest, sweetest people ever. I've witnessed tragedy, triumph, love, loss, defeat and resurrection. I've lost friends, made enemies and made better friends....and bigger enemies.
As much as I think this blog may be about working and learning from Mr. Karimov, I have a feeling it will be much , much more.
"When a tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centuries, you don't just turn it off one day."
If you are into store bought gimmicks, following the median lines of typical consumeristic bullshit, please move on.If you are afraid to ask yourself "what am I REALLY doing?"
This blog is not for you.
If you are moderately interested in learning a little more about culture , traditions, sensational people and experiences, please stay tuned. If you are searching for a way to reconnect with life, people,yourself....I hope you can be inspired.
Secondly ,
I was wholeheartedly inspired by one person. Period. The shear fact that I met this person, was in truest form, kismet. I had no intentions of forcing myself into his life, yet..here I am..all up in it.
This man is Andrey Karimov.
Wanna find out more?
Me too.
And we will, together, I promise.
Life is too short NOT to seek out what really matters. For me right now, what matters most, is that I
The journey I've been on to get to this point, is mind boggling. There has not been a day that has gone by since I've met Mr. Karimov, that I haven't asked myself "how the f*ck did I get here?"
Not one day.
Mr.Karimov has all but allowed me into glimpses of a Traditional Cossack past, that I had absolutely ZERO knowledge of more than a month ago. He has allowed me to randomly pick his brain, ask the weirdest of questions and Google Translate ourselves into the world of foreign culture. And through this savant-like human being I have learned more than enough to die absolutely happy.And, I know there is more.
He is an effervescent reminder that...we all came from somewhere ; we all need to belong.
I'm only writing from my personal experiences. I am not much of a writer, more of a story teller. I will try not to rant, rage, or otherwise. Along this journey, I have encountered some of the nicest, meanest, douchiest, sweetest people ever. I've witnessed tragedy, triumph, love, loss, defeat and resurrection. I've lost friends, made enemies and made better friends....and bigger enemies.
As much as I think this blog may be about working and learning from Mr. Karimov, I have a feeling it will be much , much more.
"When a tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centuries, you don't just turn it off one day."
Chinua Achebe
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