‘I always come home a more relaxed and happier person.’

Posted on by

A testimonial by a club member…

I have been training on and off with Matt for a few years, but it was an enforced year-long break that drove home the value of Systema to me.

I am in my mid-30s, and have the catalogue of old sporting injuries that many active people of my age carry around. Hip joint sprains, tight shoulders and damaged knee cartilage all combine to knot up my muscles and my movement.

Systema has helped keep me mobile over these past few years, and also helped me handle the pressures of my career. Matt personally helped me through some challenging moments, coaching me to use breathing techniques to master difficult a situation.

However, late 2018 my workload ramped up to the point I had to stop training, and over the following months I felt aches and tension creeping into my body.

My mobility and relaxation ebbed away, until I was starting to suffer the sudden shocks of pain that used to cost me occasional days off work before I found Systema.

Six weeks ago I was able to return to the Academy, and I have been astonished at how quickly my movement has returned.

I train with Matt at the Academy once a week, and work on the pillars and my breathing daily, and am already pain-free and mobile.

I have trained in quite a few martial arts and can tell that the study of Systema combat, whilst supremely practical, is the work of a lifetime. Yet the physical benefits have been almost instant, and have carried over into every element of my life.

I can lift, run, climb and fall, all without a twinge of pain, which is so important as a father of a little girl who loves to play.

I have just started playing football in a 6 aside league, and knocks that a couple of months ago might have triggered an injury are now easy to shrug off.

The rapid gains in physical health are matched by benefits to mental health.

My wife once commented that she likes me to train in Systema, because I always come home a more relaxed and happier person.

It is important to me that my life reflects a balance of career with family life and staying fit and active, while indulging my love of martial arts.

I feel training Systema with Matt is the key to maintaining that balance. There may be no “quick fixes” for mental and physical wellness, but working with Matt has set me on the right path with remarkable rapidity.

I look forward to finding out just how relaxed, mobile and effective I can be, as I continue my journey into Systema.

All the best,
Liam.

Integrated Systema Breathing Seminar 18-19 Jan 2020

Posted on by

Integrity… – To act as a whole, undivided in accordance with your values, beliefs and principles.

In this context I am looking at the principles of Systema Breathing and whether we act these out in daily life and training.

When integrated, the Systema breathing principles will help to :

  • ​Keep you physically healthy
  • Improve emotional wellbeing
  • Stay calm
  • Increase energy
  • Think clearly
  • Manage pain
  • Move freely
  • Endure longer
  • Recover faster
  • Remove stress
  • Mitigate trauma and injury

Over the two days we will take each of the Systema Breathing Principles and check how integrated they are in your everyday life.

We will look at ways to incorporate them in normal, natural ways, so that you begin to better feel the benefits of the key principles of breath work.

Integrating the practices and principles into your daily life and training is the only real way to realise the full potential of arguably our most important function: the gift of the breath of life.

Details:

Date: 18-19 Jan 2020
Timings: Sat: 11am Finish 5pm | Sun: 9am Start Finish 3pm.
Venue: Systema Academy, Avonside Enterprise Park, New Broughton Road, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6PX.

Accommodation: There is plenty of good accommodation in the Melksham Area. A quick search on booking.com or airbnb will reveal.

Parking: Ample on-site parking available.

Price is £120 for 2 days

£65 for  1 day.

Here is the link to pay via GoCardless.

or email me for BACS details.

My very best wishes for your training and good health,

Matt.

Systema Breathwork – blind faith, until you really need it…

Posted on by

I received this message from Peter, a student at the Academy about the utility of breath work (specifically Lyegkoye) to manage pain and discomfort.

=======

Hi Matt, I just wanted to write about a recent experience, a Systema experience. As you know, I have had an injury that my doctor has explained is age-related. The prognosis was, “Be careful, you are at risk of X.” Like most sensible people, you follow your doctor’s advice strictly.

Today, after the recommended recovery, I decided it was about time I got out with the dogs. We went to Erlestoke woods for a walk. After 10 mins or so, my knee was throbbing. I started to do a breath ladder, then I remembered a chat we had about the, ‘Lyegkoye’ breath; breathing in very lightly and gently, without tension, and exhaling at the same rate. Breathing towards the specific part on the body to relax that area, with a light, effortless breath.

The pain and throbbing in my knee wasn’t abating, so I tried to put the, ‘Lyegkoye’ breath to use with my knee. I concentrated on my posture, my breathwork and relaxing the area of tension around the knee with the light, gentle breath. After a few minutes the pain had gone, my imediate thought was that I had been walking and my knee had just got used to it, so I let my posture and breath work go back to being unregulated.

After a minute or so, the tension and discomfort returned, so I resumed my posture control, light breathing, and releasing the tension around my knee. After a few minutes I was walking pain free again.

In martial arts, we train in blind faith much of the time. It’s not until we need these skills or techniques that we fully understand, trust or beleive in the training we receive.

We then understand more about the subconscious fears that dictate our actions.

I just wanted to share this with you.

All the best Peter.

=======

Please note that I am running a Systema Breathwork course in Pembrokeshire on the 9-10 November. Lyegkoye breathing will form part of that seminar. Here are the details.

Plus, whenever you ready, here are a few ways I can help with our Systema journey:

1. Come and Train at the Systema Academy in Melksham, Wiltshire.

We regularly have visitors from all around the world to train at the academy and they are always made very welcome. Whether you just want to train at the regular classes, take some 1-1 sessions or a bit of both, just reply with ‘visit’ in the subject line.

2. 2-Day Systema Breathing Course – Pembrokeshire- 9-10 November 2019. Click for information: Systema Breath Course – 9-10 Nov 2019

This will be a 2-day deep insight into the unique Systema breathing methodology for improved health, performance, energy, recovery, and wellbeing. You can find out more here.

3. Sign up for the 5-Day Intensive Course in Wiltshire – 13-17 November 2019. 3 spaces left.
Hosted at the Systema Academy in Wiltshire, this 5 day course immerses you deeply into the holistic aspects of Systema: Health, self defence, mobility, conditioning, relaxation, indoor and outdoor training, massage and much more. You can find out more here.

My very best wishes for your training and health as always,

Matt.

My tree broke…and I found myself on the Jungle floor – Borneo reflection by Phil Collins.

Posted on by

This prose from Phil is so beautifully written that I had to share it. I hope that you enjoy the read.

Systema Borneo Expedition September 2019.

Day 5. We’re sitting with the Iban (local indigenous tribesmen) at dusk on the river, enjoying their company, their food and rice whisky, which I think has a slight cognac taste to it; Glenn, serving into the only bamboo cup, cries of, “Ah-oose!” meaning, “I’m thirsty!” He gets on with it and downs the drink in one. The cup makes it round us all.

In a slight haze I hear toasts being made. Alvin, our wonderous lead guide and organiser makes a toast to our esteemed and highly trained leader, Matt Hill. I hear a toast to ‘S… F… Hills’. Heard the first word, “Steep!” Missed the second word beginning with ‘f’! Words passed in my mind; fortunate, fantastic, faraway, favourite? I settled on fabulous! It seemed appropriate.

Day 1. Spent the first night in the longhouse – very comfortable and great food. Ralph and team, you are great cooks! In the morning we lined up in our groups – order of march established by Matt. Feeling excited, slightly nervous and wondering why my pack feels much heavier than it did in training. Christina, guide and expert on orang-utans, leads the way as we follow a track parallel to the river. First thoughts, “Oh my! What have I let myself in for?” It was hard, very hard! The path was very narrow, with a steep fall off to the left. Immediately soaked in sweat as I tried to negotiate the ups and downs and bumpy root-ridden obstacles. I pride myself a little on my sense of balance. Done some good one-on-one work with Matt over the months; one of my favourite end-of-session exercises is to stand on a 3kg hard medicine ball for a while and then do some squats. But here I was, all over the place! “OK,” I said to myself, “Just breathe. One step at a time.” Each of us was carrying a stick. The technique being to plant the stick at 45°, place it down the slope, move a foot while retaining stability, then move the other foot and repeat. Each step needed careful thought. Certainly, I had too much tension, physical and mental at the beginning.

Day 2. Walking up a jungle hill that never seemed to end. Just as you thought the top had been reached, you looked up to see your comrades twenty metres ahead and already 20 metres higher up. This continued for a long time. It was hard going. With so many people on the trail it was inevitable that traffic jams occurred as obstacles were negotiated. Even harder than walking was staying still with your feet at a 45° angle and leg muscles straining to hold position. The only way to cope was to draw on Systema breathing and relaxation techniques. It was then that all the training kicked in from breath ladders and holds etc. (Read: “Let Every Breath” for details).

At the hardest moments I remembered some breath training Matt had taught me: instead of an inward focus on the body, you take your consciousness outwards – my awareness expanded to above the jungle canopy – then to above Borneo, the world, the solar system, the galaxy and on to infinite space. My pack load lightened, my body and breath relaxed on each step and a certain joy and strength entered my mind.

Great! We reached the top! After a lunch break we were off again, down the hill. Another challenge, different but also with its own difficulties. Wet, already sensitive feet, sliding down into boots, trying to find balance along steep traverses and with drinking water running out. Again, it was necessary to pull out all my Systema training, allowing for a certain calmness which then gave the opportunity to take in the stunning scenery.

On the way down, for a while, I had the good fortune to be the front person behind Christina. She also was carrying her own heavy pack and moved with a grace and fluidity that was a joy to see. Always alert to the chance of seeing wildlife and always with a smile and a happy disposition.The Iban trackers were way ahead – she scanned the trees and saw the trail blazes – I saw nothing until they were about a metre away!

Eventually we reached the river! What joy to walk and lie in a cool refreshing jungle stream! We walked along the river until the camp area was reached. We then spent 20 minutes or so clearing the area with our Parangs (Malay machete) then setting up bashas and hammocks. Out of wet kit into dry – sort out our feet – relax and prepare an evening meal. Three six-inch nails and hexi blocks – the preferred, simple and effective way to cook! Then into our hammocks at nightfall to try to sleep with some loud jungle noises all around.

So, basically this was the routine for each day: wake up about 5:30am – out of dry kit and back into yesterdays wet kit, decamp, breakfast, river walk, ascent, fairly flat at the top of the hill, descent, river walk to new camp. Mixed in with this daily activity were some truly unforgettable moments; swimming in jungle pools, showering in waterfalls, banter with companions, sharing of deep and meaningful conversations, lessons in jungle-craft by the Iban, looking for orang-utans and wildlife and periods of quiet self-reflection.

Matt said to try and find some time to be alone in the jungle to absorb and internalise it. My moment came on the last night. At half-past midnight the tree holding up my hammock broke! Who would have thought that finding trees in the jungle to set up a hammock would be so difficult! The bigger trees are too far up the steep slopes to use and the ones by the rivers tend to be saplings with not much root structure. Anyway, one of my trees broke with a loud snapping sound and I found myself on the jungle floor. The tree could be moved with one finger, so I decided that it would be better to sleep a few metres to one side on the ground. I think I had about 10 minutes sleep that night – but it was great. I could see the sky easily. It rained but I was protected by the huge leaves – a firefly danced above me. I was dived bombed a couple of times by some large beetles that sounded like Spitfires. I melted into the rather spiky and bumpy ground and really felt connected to my surroundings – I will never forget that feeling.

For me this adventure started nearly two years ago when I had the good fortune to come across Matt’s Systema books. Back then I took up his 28-day challenge, I met him personally at seminars and camps and I had one-on-one sessions using Facetime. Two years ago, I couldn’t do a single push-up. In July 2018 the 10-minute walk with a rucksack from the carpark to the centre of the 5-day Systema camp in Wiltshire was quite a struggle. So, having completed this Borneo adventure, I feel proud of myself and am grateful to Systema and Matt for having mended and improved my body and psyche. I would say to anyone, no matter what their age and level of fitness, that it’s never too late to start their own journey into the unknown. You never know who you might find!

Day 5. Dusk. So, I see it’s my turn with the bamboo cup. Thanks Glenn. Here’s my toast:-

“To Matt, for conceiving and organising such a great adventure. To our wonderful guides, Alvin, Christina, Edwin and Ralph. To the Iban, masters of the forest. To my buddy Chris. To ‘Team 2 Delta’. To my travelling companions and to an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime. Lastly, to the ‘steep, fabulous, hills of Borneo!’ Ah-oose!”

Philip Collins – October 2019.

Phil touched briefly on the changes Systema has made to his physical and mental health and confidence over the past 2 years. What he didn’t say of course, is how much of that is down to his consistency and hard work, two of the things which make great achievements possible. It was a privilege to take him and the rest of the team.

The next trip is in the planning for late summer/early Autumn 2021. If you are serious and would like to stay informed of the expedition, just reply to this email. Applicants are already coming in.

==============================

Phil touched briefly on the changes he has made to his physical and health and confidence over the past 2 years. What he didn’t say of course, is how much of that is down to his consistency and hard work, two of the things which make great achievements possible. It was a privilege to take him and the rest of the team. Phil’s Dad had served in Malaysia in the 60’s so this was a return to childhood memories for Phil. I am confident that he would have done his fathers memory proud.

The next trip is in the planning for late summer/early Autumn 2021. If you are serious and would like to stay informed of planning, just reply to this email. Applicants are already coming in thick and fast.

Plus, whenever you ready, here are a few ways I can help with our Systema journey:

1. 2 Day Systema Breathing Course – Pembrokeshire- 9-10 November 2019. Click for information: Systema Breath Course – 9-10 Nov 2019

This will be a 2 day deep insight into the unique Systema breathing methodology for improved health, performance, energy, recovery, and wellbeing. You can find out more here.

2. Sign up for the 5 Day Intensive Course in Wiltshire – 13-17 November 2019. 4 spaces left.

Hosted at the Systema Academy in Wiltshire, this 5 day course immerses you deeply into the holistic aspects of Systema: Health, self defence, mobility, conditioning, relaxation, indoor and outdoor training, massage and much more. You can find out more here.

3. Systema on-line breathing course – an access anytime anywhere course ideal for those wanting to deepen their understanding of Systema Breathing, Instructors who want to broaden their knowledge of drills or for those who spend time practicing on their own. You can find out more here.

4. 28 Day Systema Challenge Course – The programme is ideal for complete beginners, people who want to hit the ‘reset’ button, or those who would like to undergo a structured programme that covers the key principles and movements in Systema.

You can find out more here.

My very best wishes for your training and health as always,

Matt.

Lessons from Borneo.

Posted on by

We have been back from the Borneo jungle a week now and it is a relief to say that everyone we took out came safely back.

The Borneo trip was the adventure that I hoped it would be.

We stepped back in time….. 140 million years to be precise and submerged ourselves in undisturbed, pristine jungle.

One of the expedition members commented to me, as he looked around in awe at towering trees, vines hanging down and the river flowing past, that he never expected it to be quite so stereotypical; like scenes from a film in his imagination.

Aside from our group of explorers, we didn’t encounter another soul during our week in the jungle. The world shrunk and grew at the same time.

But it was hard, very hard indeed. In fact for some, there were times when taking another step really was too much.

The lack of flat ground and how tough the terrain is in the jungle was a huge surprise to the expedition members. Like the Grand Old Duke of York’s men, we were either going up or down and it was steep. Many of the climbs were what the locals called ‘knee to forehead’. So termed because as you climb, your knee is literally hitting your forehead! Each person was also carrying 20kg in their pack, food and everything needed for a week without resupply.

We walked all day, in soaking wet boots and by day two, some peoples’ feet were literally falling apart. Skin sloughing off and blisters that quickly became open wounds. I was running a foot clinic each morning to treat their sore feet, tape them up and just keep them going.

So what helped?

Firstly it was Systema Breathing and sensitivity. One of the things that you have to understand quickly is that you can’t fight the jungle. It will always win. You have to learn to move softly, smoothly, efficiently, cleanly. Treading softly saves your feet and your energy levels. It also allows you to change direction and step back softly when a, ‘take a step back’ plant, with razor like barbs catches hold of you and literally makes you step back to unhook yourself.

Although not new, the effect of the breathing skills were a revelation for the team. We did a short lesson on it at the start of day 1 and literally 10 minutes into the walk, people were utilising it to full effect. One of the team who has been training with me for over 5 years came to me and said, ‘I never truly appreciated the importance and power of the breath work until now.’ This is true of much of Systema. It prepares you for physically and psychologically extreme situations and when you are in them, you finally understand the importance.

Accumulating relaxation and recovery.
The focus on conscious breathing allowed people to clean themselves with each step. So rather than accumulating tension and fatigue with each step, you accumulate relaxation and recovery. You literally try to gain strength as you go along.

Running it like a Platoon.
The second thing that helped was a military approach to communication, leadership and control. During the week in the jungle, the team had a good insight into what being part of a platoon was like.

The group were split into teams with a leader appointed for each team that changed each day. Each person in the group was paired with a buddy who knew where they were at all times and was there to help. So each person was one of a pair, each pair was one of a four and each four was one of an eight.

The team were surprised that every moment was occupied. No-one recalls being sat down thinking, ‘I wonder what to do now?’ They were either preparing to do something or in the midst of doing it. From setting up or taking down sleeping areas, to cooking and eating, washing, looking after their feet, walking all day or finally sleeping, every moment was full.

Far from being burdensome, this gave them a focus. The calls, “Group leaders on me!” or “Two minutes to move!” will echo long in peoples’ memories. The constant activity was a comfort because there was no time to over think or ‘psyche’ themselves out of what lay ahead or was left behind.

Keeping people busy kept them alert, focussed and ‘switched-on’, which was vital in a location where a foot wrong could easily take us from a hard walk to a survival situation. If someone had broken an ankle or cut themselves badly with a Parang (local large machete for jungle usage), getting them to a hospital would be a long, hard undertaking. Even with a Doctor, Paramedic and Nurse amongst our team of adventurers and with full evacuation plans.

The Last of the Mohicans.

During the trip we were accompanied by 4 guides and 6 native Iban trackers. The Iban are the last headhunter tribe in Borneo.

Spending a week with the Iban in their native environment was an indescribable privilege. As a boy I watched ‘Dances with Wolves‘ and ‘The Last of the Mohicans‘, where people lived alongside ancient cultures and were transformed by the experience. I dreamed of what it would be like and lamented that those days had passed. The privilege of spending a week with them was not lost on me. It brought a tear to my eye.

The way they moved through their jungle home and lived off it was awe inspiring. One particular moment was just like a page out of a book.

The Iban showed us how to fish one night, using bamboo and man-made hooks, that literally took them seconds to prepare and start using. Just as they were showing us this, one of them pointed and said a word which meant, “Look!” As I turned, the chief’s son was walking across the river, he dived into a deep pool in the way that natives can, naturally, silently, deliberately. Seconds later he came up holding a fish!

I had read a passage in the book, ‘Into The Heart Of Borneo’, about a naturalist going deep into the jungles in search of the lost rhinoceros where that exact scene was described perfectly. That moment alone was worth the trip for me.

Others came on the trip for different reasons. Choke points in life, a sense of adventure, the desire to do the trip of a lifetime, completely ‘stepping off the grid’ for a period of time, re-engaging with a natural environmental and adjusting perspective on life, amongst the many reasons for undertaking such a testing and rewarding expedition.

I am immensely grateful to and dare I say proud of each and every one of the individuals who came on this expedition into the Borneo jungle. There wasn’t a single fall out between them. Their fortitude in adversity, sense of humour, respect for the environment and its peoples and the speed with which they acquired the necessary skills to survive the jungle humbled me. I knew what to expect…. they didn’t.

Alvin, our main guide and a veteran of the Indonesian Campaigns, who acted as my Platoon Sergeant, echoed the same sentiment. He said that they were the real heroes. Both he and I had experience of the environment; they came in and just got on with all the physical and mental tests that lay ahead.

Off the back of the huge success that this trip has been, we are already talking about the next expedition in 2021.

It will be another remote experience, giving you a feeling that you could be the first to walk there. It will also be led by native guides.

Some of you have asked about coming on the next one and I will be in touch with you as things firm up in the coming months.

My very best wishes for your training and health as always,

Matt.

 

 

How to improve your energy levels – 8 key factors:

Posted on by

Most of our energy comes from breathing. We breathe between 4000-72,000 times per day. Doing anything that much has a huge impact on your energy levels. Imagine if you can make each of those breaths just a little better, fuller or cleaner? There are huge returns to be gained from this.

Hi [FIRST NAME GOES HERE],

How are your energy levels on a day to day basis?

Do you struggle out of bed or do you get up ready to meet the day feeling good?

The more energy we can bring to our endeavours, the more likely they are to succeed.

There are some key ways in which we get and manage our energy levels. You will notice that they all have something in common. There are as nature intended, with as little interference from man and technology as possible barring cleanliness. I have listed the main ones below:

  1. Fresh Air.
    1. Clearly the fresher and more natural the better. Think of how energising you find mountain air, coastal air of forest Air. If you can get to a natural environment or even a park this will give you more energy than a town or city walk and certainly better than an air conditioned gym. We spend so much time indoors that outdoor time is crucial to leave you feeling energised.
  2. Sleep.
    1. Think about how you feel after even one bad nights sleep. There is very little that will sap your energy like a lack of sleep. Try to get at least 7-8 hours and before midnight. The old adage that, ‘every hour before midnight is worth two hours after’ I think holds weight.
  3. Clean water.
    1. The best energy drink is pure water. It is very difficult for us to drink fresh from a mountain stream anymore, but in the times of my life when I have, you can feelthe difference in your body and energy levels. Drinking at least 2-3 litres a day will shock you in the difference it will make to your energy levels over a short period of time.
  4. Sun.
    1. We are all solar powered. Getting enough vitamin D is vital for our energy levels. You don’t need to bathe all day of course, and be sensible, but in moderation the sun will energise you and lift your mood.
  5. Real food.
    1. Real food carries energy. Even more than this, plenty of fresh uncooked fruit and vegetables are key. The fastest time from ‘pluck to plate’ without cooking will generally give you the most energy return for the food. As little out of a packet as possible. Better for us, better for the environment.
  6. Attitude.
    1. How you approach life and its struggles can be a big drain on your energy levels. Can you let things go or do you chew on them far longer than is useful? Reading widely helps, especially uplifting or spiritual literature, also prayer, affirmation or talking with a friend.
  7. Movement.
    1. I use the word movement rather than exercise because it conjures a more natural idea. Try to move in a healthy way, with a fuller range and variety of movements. A healthy movement practice should including the main groups: forwards, backwards, pushing, pulling, jumping, crawling, throwing, catching, lifting, hanging, balancing and carrying all with moderate intensity and occasional short periods of intensity. The litmus test is that for the vast majority of your movement sessions you should finish it feeling more energised than when you started.
  8. Breathing technique.
    1. Last and certainly not least how you breathe on a moment to moment basis probably has one of the biggest impacts on your energy levels. Learn to consciously breathe. To be able to adjust according to the demands of the situation. Most of our energy comes from breathing. We breathe between 4000-72,000 times per day. Doing anything that much has a big impact on your energy levels. Imagine if you can make each of those breaths just a little better, fuller or cleaner? There are huge returns here.

I will be running a 28 day challenge as we move into Autumn, it is a great way to move smoothly into the autumn and winter months and shed some of the excesses of the summer in terms of stress and weight.

I will keep you posted as to when we are starting.

My very best wishes for your training and health as always,

Matt.

Dealing with Fear – Testimonial from the recent Systema Camp

Posted on by

“Systema is a method for me to deal with these fears and so, hopefully, by the end of my life uncover the Michael I was meant to be in God’s plan.” – Testimonial from Michael Katzensteiner

After doing the 28 Day Programme and Breathing Exercises online I was curious to come into closer contact with Systema.

Matt kindly answered my questions per mail and invited me to skype with him about my further steps.

In that meeting he encouraged me to join the Living Systema Camp in Wiltshire. I was deeply impressed by his clear and calm manner, an impression that deepened during the camp. To get mindful seemed possible …

The step-by-step curriculum for learning helpful ways concerning breathing, relaxed and balanced movement, gaining flexibility, self-confidence in potentially dangerous situations and awareness (my aims for the camp) exceeded all my expectations.

To be allowed to do this together with outstanding, nice and supportive people who had great patience with a nearly 72-year old rookie touched me deeply.

The frame – living in the woods and learning some bush-craft skills – fitted perfectly into the general objectives. We had also enough time to talk to each other, to laugh (a lot!) or to have some rest to digest all we had learned.

What I discovered for myself was especially how restricted and permeated with fear I am.

Systema is a method for me to deal with these fears and so, hopefully, by the end of my life uncover the Michael I was meant to be in God’s plan.

Breathing, movement and the combat part of Systema began to unify in my experience. To do this in baby steps, in a way that is “nice and calm” as a new friend encouraged me, is my aim now.

I will find a Systema group in my region and follow this path. I feel deep gratitude towards Matt and each participant of the group and hope to be back soon!

Michael.

New downloadable courses coming soon!

  • Stay tuned for two new video courses that will be coming out soon – A Stick mobility and conditioning sequence and a walking mobility sequence. Both can done on a walk and are fantastic all round mobility and conditioning programmes.

My thanks to Michael for sharing his testimonial and for his bravery on attending the course.

With respect and best wishes,

Matt.

Take your time, don’t rush.

Posted on by

This morning I embark on my annual 5 day Systema Immersion Camp. The theme for this years camp is, ‘Living Systema’. During the camp we will explore how to live the practices and principles of Systema on a moment to moment basis, to make you more relaxed, calmer and healthier.

We will focus on how to bring the principles to life in routine actions like how you sit, walk, stand, work and of course train, adding pressure to the skills.

It is of course easier in a camp environment, as the outdoors naturally makes you move more…. naturally.

My thought for you though comes from a podcast that I did on Sunday with Ryan Hartley from the Always better than yesterday Interview Sessions.

During the Interview we talked about Leadership and Sacrifice, Courage, Systema, self-management and other topics.

At the end of the podcast he asked me for a final thought and with camp on my mind, it was this phrase, which is not mine, but that I always say to those coming on camps and trips:

“Take your time and don’t rush through these next five days. Take the time to stop and smell the smells, taste the food and enjoy the relationships. Just sit and soak in a sunrise or sunset. Watch a kite circling. You will have some very special moments over the next five days, so Savour the moments, because if you miss the moments, you miss your life.

I hope that you all have a great week.

My very best wishes to you all,

Matt.

Plus, whenever you ready, here are a few ways I can help with our Systema journey:

1. Complete your Systema Assessment:

The holistic assessment is designed to check your overall level of movement quality, range, tension, stress, stability, freedom of movement, coordination, strength and balance. Find out how you score across the 10 Functional Systema areas here.

2. Work with me 1on1 as your personal coach to improve aspects of your health, fitness or Systema Skills:

This is for people struggling to find the right coaching locally. Lots of people don’t have access to a regular instructor, or maybe you are an instructor and don’t have access to a regular mentor to help you improve. You may need to broaden or deepen your knowledge of Systema, get you over hurdles in your breath work, movement, tension or structure in solo or partner work.

The coaching will keep you accountable and progressing in your journey. I have space for 3 or 4 clients, so if you’d like to discuss and see if it’s a fit for both of us, reply and put ‘personal coach’ in the subject line.

3. Come and Train at the Systema Academy in Wiltshire.

We regularly have visitors from all around the world to train at the Academy and they are always made very welcome. Whether you just want to train at the regular classes, take some 1-1 sessions or a bit of both, just reply with ‘visit’ in the subject line.

4. Systema on-line breathing course – an access anytime anywhere course ideal for those wanting to deepen their understanding of Systema Breathing, Instructors who want to broaden their knowledge of drills or for those who spend time practicing on their own. You can find out more here.

5. 28 Day Systema Course – The programme is ideal for complete beginners, people who want to hit the ‘reset’ button, or those who would like to undergo a structured programme that covers the key principles and movements in Systema.

You can find out more here.