'Systema' -  Russian Martial Arts

Systema – the Russian martial arts system.

Systema is a Russian martial art and set of hand to hand combat techniques. It simply means "the System" and has its origins in the early Soviet era although modern practitioners claim its roots and tradition reach back one thousand years to the early Cossack warriors.

Systema is perhaps some of the most effective close combat training around today. It is a close quarters system of hand to hand combat that relies on staying relaxed and loose in the face of approaching threats. This relaxation allows the application of powerful tension-free strikes, punches and kicks against opponents and enemies.

You can make superficial comparisons with the arts of Krav Maga or the Keysi Fighting Method but Systema has a deeper, more complex almost mystical element which is highly appealing. Part of the methodology concentrates on combat without contact and when witnessing this in action, you feel like you could be watching an internal martial arts demonstration. Moves flow into on another in an effortless fashion and without the need for undue strain or massive force application.

Systema's development continues today. The modern instructors that have made forays into the West stress that the Systema way is not to traumatize your sparring partner or even your opponent and you should aim to build a honest and noble character. The training helps with this goal.

Modern Systema has some notable proponents who are making teaching available to Westerners.

Mikhail Vasilevich Ryabko has an extensive background in the military forces and Russian martial arts. He was trained by a personal bodyguard of Stalin from the age of five.

"A person working towards mastery of "SYSTEMA" gradually acquires a great deal of extremely valuable universal knowledge and skills, which he or she extensively uses in everyday life: private life, professional activities, relations with other people, solving problems arising from stressful tight situations, etc. No matter which objectives a person had in mind, when he or she starts doing SYSTEMA, the skills he acquires lead to the same result - growth of his/her personality, physical, psychological and spiritual development and improved health."...Mikhail Ryabko

Mikhail is based in Moscow and runs seminars and workshops for overseas visitors as well as regular classes for locals. Go to his website er, its all in Russian though so click on the English translation if you don't speak it. http://www.systemaryabko.ru/

Vladimir Vasiliev now teaches Systema in Toronto, Canada where he has been based since moving there in 1993. He is one of Mikhail Ryabko's top students. He trained intensively with Special Operations Units instructors and spent ten years with the Special Operations Unit. He also served as trainer for elite units, SWAT teams, and bodyguards. Vladimir teaches in Toronto but travels widely to give masterclasses and workshops around the world. Vladimer’s website is here. http://www.russianmartialart.com.