4 Day Systema Camp 29 June – 02 July 2017

Posted on 19/01/201501/06/2017 by Matt Hill

Hit your reset button. This course is deeply rejuvenating, a 4 day Systema immersion for the mind, body and spirit.

Campfire cooking, training by day and night in field, forest and water, self reliance and outdoor skills.

Set in a stunning area of natural woodland this course is much more than just a Systema course or camp experience. The course is deeply relaxing, invigorating, rejuvenating and wholesome for the mind, body and spirit. For four days you will live a very simple existence. Training, eating, sleeping, relaxing and learning all in the company of like minded people.

INSTRUCTOR: Matt Hill – Systema HQ Certified Instructor, 5th Dan Aikido, Ex-Parachute Regiment Captain.

A bit about the course:

Training:

Each day begins with 1 hour of breathing, stretching and mobility training to prepare you for the day.

A campfire breakfast is then followed by morning training, lunch and then afternoon training. A communal campfire dinner follows. For some this is the best time of the day. To just sit under the stars in the open is primal. It is a powerful time to discuss the day or just relax and watch the flames, embers and stars.

This is then followed by a night training session to improve your awareness and senses.

You will immerse yourself in training for 7 hours per day. However, you will be surprised to find that rather than wearing you out this will restore you to an even greater level of physical and mental health and well-being.

You will be studying the unique combat and health methodologies of Systema with its ancient practices of physical and mental training and wellbeing.

NEW FOR THIS CAMP:

I will also cover vital bushcraft skills including:

Priorities of survival: What would you need to do first? Having a systematic approach keeps the panic at bay. Take a deep breath and lets begin….
Shelter building: you will be shown how to set up a tarp (basha) and sleeping system and also how to make a shelter out of woodland material that will keep you dry and warm down to at least -10.
Fire lighting: without matches using only a flint and steel.
Navigation: you will do some basic navigation training including orientation and use of a compass and pacing.
Knife work: – simple skills to make useful items for traps, shelters and importantly to ensure that you stay safe while doing so.
Snare trap setting: you won’t have to catch your own food, but I will show you some basic snare traps.
Camp Cooking: you will have a go at preparing and cooking meals over a campfire.
Simple knots: you will learn a small number of useful knots and put them to use.

The course is:

ALL INCLUSIVE food and all essential equipment is supplied. You can bring your own if desired. *there is limited indoor accommodation for those who require/desire it.
COMPLETE RANGE of training including weapons, empty handed, multiple attack, awareness, striking, stretching, meditation and health promotion
ALL TERRAIN training in the forest, fields and water and practice by day and night,
SUITABLE FOR ALL LEVELS Ideal for beginners and advanced students due to the progressive nature of the training course building from basic concepts to advanced levels. *It is also suitable for all fitness levels as there is transportation to the campsite and all training areas are a short walk from the main camp.

Here is a video clip of highlights from last years course:

Comments from previous courses:

“An immensely enjoyable experience, that will not only put you back into the heart of nature but may also help to put you back in touch with who you really are”
– Danny Hamilton Mills

“Thank you Matt for a very enjoyable weekend and a life changing experience”
– Gergana Milkhanova

“The woodlands course gives those that wish to see a glimpse into what is important”
– Mark Wood.

‘This is my first seminar with Matt Hill. I have learn’t so much that I will keep with me.’
– Dave Hartley

Read more testimonials here: https://www.matthill.co.uk/testimonials/

There are only 40 spaces on the course. Book now below to secure your place.

Cost is just £199 inclusive of food and accommodation for the 4 day course.
Price rises to £225 in June.

Devon Guarantee

Or via bank (Email me for details)

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” – Henry David Thoreau

I sincerely look forward to welcoming you to the course.

Matt Hill.

The 21 day Systema Transformation Challenge

Posted on 31/12/201322/09/2017 by Matt Hill

The 21 Day Systema Transformation Challenge.

The transformation challenge addresses the key areas that make a difference to how you feel on a day to day basis.

What you are eating. Sometimes the amount of information out there on diet is overwhelming. It seems to change week by week. The nutrition plan is simple, timeless and flexible. It works. Simple as that.
How much water you drink. This has a HUGE impact on your health, wellbeing and performance. It is an easy change to make and you need to be getting it right.
How much sleep you are getting. Often overlooked, at your peril. Recent athletic studies show that this is more important than nutrition.
How much and how well you move your body. 21 days of unique Systema exercises that will challenge you and show you how to get and keep a body that is strong, fluid and flexible enough to not just last you a lifetime but to do all the things that you want to do in that lifetime.
How well you breathe. The quality of your breathing dictates the quality of your life. How well you perform, recover, endure, stay calm, release stress, all these and more are linked DIRECTLY to your breathing.

The 21 day transformation challenge addresses all of these in one varied, interesting and simple program.

Participants state that the daily emails were the key in keeping the motivation going for 21 days.

The program starts with a nutrition plan and then daily emails for 21 days to motivate you through to the end. Each email comes with tips and a short video with that days exercise. The exercise challenge can be done anywhere at any time.

Even if you have done the challenge before it is a great motivator to check your key health and wellbeing habits, check your body’s strength, flexibility and fitness levels and detox your body.

So if you would like this to be the year that you have more energy, feel fitter, more mobile, lighter, more toned, stronger and calmer, possibly than you ever have in your life…

Optional free trial included at the club!
If you are local you will also be able to attend four training sessions per week at the club with very friendly and helpful students and mentors where you will learn ancient breathing, movement and health practices and self defence to enhance every aspect of your life.

Your investment
The price is just £1 per day. £21 in total. If you do not feel satisfied at the end of the month I will refund you the entire fee, no questions asked. Don’t even think twice about it. Just click below now to enrol yourself or a loved one onto the 21 day challenge or email me to find out more: matt@matthill.co.uk

With respect and best wishes,

Matt.

Good posture – how to have youthful, comfortable, fluid movement at any age.

Posted on 15/11/201302/02/2015 by Matt Hill

Good posture represents a proper state of mind – Morihei Ueshiba.

Good posture – its not what you think. Dispelling some common myths about posture and tips on how to have youthful, comfortable, fluid movement at any age.

Good posture benefits us in many ways. It:

helps with elegant, effortless, fluid movement,
provides greater comfort and mobility,
puts less wear and tear on joints,
improves mood, self image and appearance,
provides space for internal organs to work and
improves blood and energy circulation.

It also means that you will have optimum readiness for your next movement, pretty handy as a martial artist or sportsperson. However, there are some common misconceptions about posture.

Good posture isn’t just about how straight your back is, or about sucking or pinching things in to be ramrod straight. It is more about being efficient, freely moving as you need to in a natural expression of yourself and being ready for your next movement.

There are three main misconceptions about posture:

Firstly good posture shouldn’t require constant attention to maintain it. If you think about it this is impractical at best. Try constant attention in any movement for more than a few minutes. I bet you can’t do it. For it to be effective we want to have good posture all day not just when we think about it. Good posture needs to be unconscious. Like walking.

Secondly good posture shouldn’t require extra effort. In fact it should require less effort than most people use. Good posture is very efficient. It uses the body’s bone structure to minimise the amount of muscle strength that needs to be used. The body ‘settles’ in a relaxed way. A simple test for this is to check and see if there is any strain in your current position. If there is you are probably not in a very good posture.

Thirdly, posture is not about keeping ramrod straight and still (think military recruit standing to attention) you certainly couldn’t manage that all day. Believe me, I have tried and failed. This type of posture brings stiffness into the muscles and reduces blood flow. This stiffness or tension interferes with other movements and breathing and impedes the natural relaxed state of awareness that you need.

Of course this is not a license to slouch. Slouching also inhibits breathing and readiness for athletic movement. You really need to find that happy medium between tension and complete relaxation. Alert relaxation if you like.

Are you evolving or de-volving?

The way that we have evolved is to be ready at any moment to meet an attack from a predator. Alert, ready, balanced, efficient. Watch an animal. They can move from complete relaxation to very athletic movement in an instant. Good posture then allows for three things:

It is efficient, conserving energy for when you need it most.
It allows for constant subtle movement such as scanning for information or danger.
It prepares you for your next movement, be that hugely athletic or a subtle change of position.

Efficiency really means minimal effort to get the job done. With posture this means holding a position to do the work while counteracting the effects of gravity. I am sure that you all agree that lying down is a pretty efficient posture. However it is not very efficient when it comes to doing other things at the same time (well with the exception of a couple I guess). Standing on the other hand, is a very unstable position. It is like balancing a bowling ball on top of a stick on top of two sticks. It requires constant corrections and movement to keep you upright (apparently for every inch the head falls forwards in bad posture the weight on the spine increases by 10lb causing long term muscle strain, disc hernaitions, arthritis and pinched nerves*)

In a standing or sitting posture you are in fact never standing still. We are all continually making minute falls and corrections in order to maintain good balance.You should strive to keep the main heavy body parts (feet, knees, pelvis, chest and head) stacked one on top of the other. Any change to this requires a lot of muscular effort to maintain balance. An understanding of these bio mechanics is what allows you to disrupt someones posture in a martial arts setting.

To keep alertness in our movements we need to be able to comfortably make subtle shifts of movement in a good posture to scan for information. Taking in the field of play, the location of different attackers or escape routes, or other dangers approaching. Alternatively it could be as simple as typing, eating or turning around to check over your shoulder in the car. If you are too tense and rigid, these on going movements will be restricted.

Finally you need to be optimally ready for the next movement, relaxed and ready to make a big exertion or just a subtle change of position. If you are too tense or rigid then your next movement will be slow, strained or cumbersome. This is however, situation specific. An almost perfect example of posture is a sprinter in the blocks. He is efficient, ready for information and perfectly positioned for his next movement.

As a martial artist you train for the time when you don’t know what is going to happen next, such as an imminent attack. In this instance your posture would be more neutral – ready to move any part of you in any direction, freely and spontaneously.

I want to get old gracefully. I want to have good posture, I want to be healthy and a good example to my children. – Sting.

In conclusion good posture is not just about sitting straight and still with an erect spine. It is more about a dynamic and ever changing event that takes minimum effort to hold, doesn’t cause injury, allows for constant ongoing activity and is ready for the next movement.

There are just two days left and only 6 spaces remain for the seminar with Jamie and I this weekend where we will cover in depth the last four posts on
Breathing, Movement, Relaxation and Posture. Attention to these four arts really can improve the quality of your health and life immeasurably, seeping into everything that you do. Click here to book now to ensure your place.

1 Day Holistic Performance Improvement Seminar

Posted on 02/10/201308/08/2024 by Matt Hill

For dramatic and lasting improvements to your physical, mental & emotional well-being….

Saturday November 16th
Melkham, Wiltshire
10.00 – 14.00
Cost: £40

This course is for people of any activity level from martial artists and athletes to couch potatoes who want to get active, or people who have lost thier mobliity and flexibility. The day is progressive and WILL change the way you operate, move and think.

One of the questions that I am most often asked is, ‘How long will it take me to get good?’ or, ‘How do I get faster results?’. This seminar is my answer. Not because it will give you magic pills, but because it will give you tools that you can use in almost every facet of your life, all day long. You see the honest answer to the oft asked questions is, ‘it depends on how much time you are willing to put into it.’ The more time you can put into training the better you will get, simple really. For most people the answer is two or maximum probably four hours per week. However, with most practices you have to set aside time to do them. Not with the material that Jamie and I will be sharing. You will learn habits that you can adapt easily and seamlessly into everyday activities helping you to train not just when you go the gym, the track or the dojo, but when you are doing anything and everything.

Jamie and I will be delivering an exclusive and new programme designed to radically change and improve your health, well-being and performance in everything you do. On the four hour course you will learn ancient breathing and relaxation techniques that you can practice throughout the day as part of your everyday activities.

You do not have to set aside time to do these practices as in meditation, yoga or exercise. They will become part of your daily habits, as natural as breathing and moving.

You will also learn subtle yet profound ways to improve your movement and posture that make everyday movements, smoother, more relaxed, less strained and more efficient.

Jamie and Matt will be sharing new material and tools that will make you:

More energised
Feel calmer
Think clearer
Less anxious
More mobile with greater freedom and range of movement
Able to deal with blood pressure and pain management issues
Understand what your body is communicating to you
Able to perform under conditions of increased physical or psychological stress and
Able to recover yourself from conditions of high physical or psychological stress

It will improve your physical performance whatever your level and whatever your activity be it yoga, meditation, walking, running, martial arts, football or anything else.

Testimonials:

“After so many years of back and knee pain I find that within just 2 months I can manage steps with a feeling of real strength in my knees and legs and almost no discomfort. For the first time in over 10 years I find I am now sleeping through the night without being woken by back pain. I’m even finding that when I lay in bed in the morning there is much less pain or discomfort. I can now bend over at the basin in the morning and clean my teeth without being in agony, something I never thought I would do.” – Gareth Leake

“After 8 years in Martial arts I can now roll straight up onto my feet, rather than putting my knee down. I have also found out that I can now jump from kneeling to standing. I contribute this new found ability to my daily practice of the four pillars of Systema, especially squats. They have opened my hip joints while removing tension from my legs. I have managed to achieve this new skill in a little under 4 weeks. With this in mind I am inspired to carry on discovering new freedoms that the four pillars can provide.” – Karl Durrant

“Just getting in touch to let you know that after just 8 weeks I’m feeling the benefits of Systema training in everyday life!
I’ve noticed that during times of pressure at work I am better able to identify the early signs of stress and prevent it from affecting my mood and productivity. Overall as a result of Systema training I am much more mindful of the state of my body and psyche (and often the state of others around me) and so feel equipped to deal with adversity in a relaxed manner and thus feel much more relaxed on a day to day basis. From a physical standpoint my body also feels refreshed. My joint mobility and strength is continuously improving and my ability to endure strenuous exercise improves without fail each time I apply Systema breathing techniques.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time so generously.” – David Greenwood

If by the end of the morning you feel that you will not benefit from the seminar we will happily return your course fee.

Spaces limited to 40. First 20 places will get a discount of £10. Click here to book now for £30.

Or pay by bank transfer:

Barclays Bank
Seend Aikido Club
Sort code: 20-05-06
Account Number: 33042545.

From the mountains of Costa Rica to the jungles of Borneo Jamie has always sought out the best in Health and Combat methods. Jamie has studied extensively with masters in martial arts, martial sports, energy and mind development, including various healing methods.

Matt is a Certified Systema Instructor, 5th Dan in Aikido and an Ex-Parachute Regiment Captain. He has been devoted to the study of optimum performance of mind, body and spirit since childhood and has lived, studied and taught all over the world. Matt is committed to sharing this knowledge with others.

A Lighter, Leaner Pack

Posted on 23/07/201308/08/2024 by Matt Hill

helping you go further on an adventure, in everyday life and in martial arts.

Anyone who has had to carry a pack over any distance will know the value of making that pack as light and lean as possible. Imagine this scenario:

You park up at the car park and check off the kit list: basha, bag, roll mat, hammock, stove… all done. As you are closing it you see a spare set of trainers. Better throw them in just in case, my feet might get wet or hot you think. You also throw in a trusty top, an extra wooly jumper just in case it turns chilly; an extra pair of wooly socks, a couple of extra snack bars (not mars bars of course) and a light rain jacket for those occasional downpours.

Okay pack ready and I am now set for any eventuality you think.

You put the pack on and almost buckle under the weight. You brace yourself and set off on the trail with the pack digging into your shoulders. Its okay you say to yourself, I will get used to it.

The Fork in the Trail
However, ten miles in and the pack is really starting to weigh you down. The straps are digging in, your back is covered in sweat, your feet have ‘hot spots’ and all that extra stuff that you put in is taking its toll. And what’s worse? You haven’t used any of it. You come to a fork in the path. You have heard about a glorious spot about 8 miles further up the trail to the left. People have waxed lyrical about how stunning it is and how good they felt when returning from the spot. It is a small secluded glade by a pool at the bottom of a waterfall that almost no one goes to. It is quite a steep path with some loose rock and all uphill. Any other time you would do it but after walking so long with such a heavy pack you are thinking of taking the more traveled route down to the riverbank. Not as spectacular, quiet or secluded but still nice and rewarding.

Then you catch yourself in mid thought. When am I next going to be taking this trail? The last time was over a year ago. No, I am going to do it. You make the commitment and suddenly feel a surge of adrenalin and energy. You move into the bushes and take out everything except what you will need for the trip. Out come the spare shoes, rain jacket, wooly jumper, socks, extra snack bars and you hide them under a bush. You put the pack on and it feels so much lighter, almost half the weight. Buoyed by your decision and commitment you step onto the trail again with a fire in the belly and a spirit of adventure. The warriors spirit of knowing how fleeting and precious every experience and moment is. This day will never come again and you have the knowledge that you are seizing life by the horns.

The principle of sufficiency
I know that this resonates with many of my experiences. In the Army we would go to huge lengths to lessen the weight of the pack. Cutting the bottom half off toothbrushes, cutting a roll mat in half, squeezing half the toothpaste out so that you only had what you needed. Cutting towels in half, trimming the edges of the map. It sounds crazy I know, but all of these things added up to a significant lessening of weight. We were ruthless with it. Take care of the ounces and the pounds will look after themselves was the maxim. It was also mentally important to know that you were as lean as you could be. When you know you have extra clutter it is not just the physical weight, but mentally every step reinforced in your mind that you were carrying more than you should be.

Lightening your pack in life.
The worries of everyday life can be seen in the same light. Worrying about meeting the costs of our ever increasing outgoings for things that we know that we don’t really need. Meeting the demands of commitments to friends, family or co-workers that we couldn’t say no to even though you know that you should have. Wading through a life cluttered with stuff that we haven’t used in years. Items from old hobbies, an office and drawers overflowing with manuals for things we don’t even own anymore. Go through them and ruthlessly de-clutter. It will feel great afterwards.

Lightening your emotional pack
Then there is the mental fatigue of carrying anxiety, stress, worry, and tension. These mental things very quickly become physical. Worries and fears quickly become physical tension. Usually in the back, neck and shoulders. These sap your energy levels, drive, motivation and enthusiasm. They cause poor posture, knotted muscles, headaches and worse, and they rob you of your vital energy. Spend just 10 minutes sat on a bench or at an airport watching people as they walk. The majority won’t be walking naturally and at ease. Most will be hunched in the shoulders, back, legs or hips. Most of the time this will be worry or anxiety related tension rather than an actual physical injury.

A lighter pack for martial artists
Lightening our pack is vital as a martial artist. It is possibly the most important aspect. In training we work to create an environment where the training pushes our buttons. It triggers our fears, tensions, anxieties, pride, ego, frustrations and other unwanted ‘heavy’ emotions. It gives us the tools to be aware of these emotions and simple reliable methods of removing them. In battle, be that a combat situation, self defence situation or a high pressure negotiation, we need to be free of these inhibiting emotions. We need to be relaxed, fluid, loose and creative both physically and mentally. We are often blissfully unaware of the fears and anxieties that are running constantly through our minds. Our body and our movements are the physical barometer for them. Unchecked these fears and tensions inhibit spontaneous, natural, creative movement and a response that is ‘just enough’ and appropriate to the threat.

Daily Ablutions
As well as normal cleaning, the warrior would need to ‘wash’ themselves daily of these unwanted emotions. The tightness, headaches and knots are the roadmap of the fears and thoughts of the mind. Daily training and simple breathing exercises help you to firstly notice and then remove these tensions. The amazing thing is that once you notice and remove the physical tensions, the mental ones go too. Think of the body as your alarm clock. Once you start to do this you will find yourself much more aware of the daily tensions and be able to drop them, leaving you with more energy, feeling more relaxed, moving more smoothly, being more creative and much, much healthier.

Attention to keeping your pack light whether for a trip, in daily life or in a martial situation will make a huge difference.

De-cluttering your pack is an on-going process. It gets easier the more you do it, a bit like weeding a garden. In the beginning the best advice would be to tackle one area at a time. There are really 4 things to de-clutter:

1.     Your ‘stuff’ (old clothes, papers, manuals etc. for things you no longer need use, or even own)
2.     Your finances (BIG cause of anxiety.   The key thing for stuff you have is to ask yourself, do I need it, do I use it, and is it worth it?)
3.     Your schedule (is it filled with things that you should have said no to but couldn’t? Things that are not aligned with your key priorities?)
4.     And finally and most importantly your mind of fears, worries, anxieties and stresses that you don’t need.

Now watch your lighter leaner life fill with opportunities and adventures that truly matter to you. The view from the waterfall is exhilarating.

I am organizing a trip to Sweden in September this year that will focus on two of these topics. A lighter pack for an adventure and lightening the emotional weight of fears, tension and anxiety. Let the stunning Swedish forests and some simple effective, reliable exercises melt away your tensions, worries, anxieties and stresses.

For the ideal chance to get a better understanding of the unique breathing exercises in a martial arts setting come and see the hugely talented Martin Wheeler in Melksham on August 10^th and 11^th.

Shinrin Yoku – The healing effect of Forests

Posted on 17/05/201319/02/2014 by Matt Hill

As our lives get busier, time seems to go quicker. We have less time, more stress and seemingly ever greater responsibilities.

In 2008 we crossed the Rubicon. For the first time in human history more people lived in towns and cities than in rural areas. This is compounded by the fact that the average worker now spends 8 hours a day in front of a screen. They then go home and relax by watching on average 3 hours TV or the Internet.

Research tells us this is not good for us, that this behaviour makes us more aggressive, more depressed, less patient, slower witted and fatter. But we already know that. What research hasn’t been able to tell us is why, or how we can fix it.

The answer really is simple and obvious.

If you knew of a simple, scientifically proven way to lift your mood, make you 50% more creative, increase your production of cancer fighting cells by 40% and keep all these levels high for a month afterwards, would you take it? You bet. Read on for the answer.

I’ve often wondered why I take such pleasure from being in nature. I teach my classes outside whenever I can and get immense satisfaction from taking people into forests for weekend experiences. What I couldn’t really explain was why people seemed to ‘get’ things so much quicker in an outdoor environment than they do in a dojo. It is almost as if there is a secret accelerant in the air.

Why does a weekend in the woods would have such a profound impact on people? I thank Japanese researchers for giving me the answer.

Miyazaki San, a Japanese physiological anthropologist and vice director of Chiba University’s Center for Environment, Health, and Field Sciences, located just outside Tokyo has been at the centre of Forest Therapy for the past decade. In that time he has taken more than 600 people out into the woods and monitored their reaction to their surroundings.

The results are startling.

The findings show that leisurely forest walks, compared with city or town walks, yield a 12.4% decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, a 7% decrease in sympathetic nerve activity, a 1.4% decrease in blood pressure and a 5.8% decrease in heart rate. On subjective tests, study participants also report better moods and lower anxiety.

Is that really a surprise? When you consider that we have spent 99.9% of our evolutionary journey in nature and we are still physiologically tuned to it. The more time we spend there, the better we feel. Consider how you would feel…

Listening to the sound of running water and birds singing
Smelling fresh pine, wild garlic, bluebells
Feeling the sun on your back and the wind in your hair
Seeing sunrays through a canopy or a beautiful waterfall
And have you ever noticed that food tastes better outside – think barbeques and picnics or fresh fruit plucked straight from a tree.

As much as the forest gives us, it is also what it takes away that cleanses us. The anxiety of checking your smart phone, sweating the little things and lack of perspective that every day life brings.

Japanese Doctors have been prescribing a cure for these ailments called ‘Shinrin Yoku’ or ‘forest bathing’. Literally spending time in forests. You don’t have to do anything else. Researchers are building a body of evidence that proves at a cellular level what we already innately know.

So if we know it, why don’t we do more of it?

I think that it is too easy to stay comfortable and easily entertained. I confess that I am as guilty of this as the next person. I maintain numerous social network platforms, spend most of my day in front of a screen and yes, I relax in the evening in front of one too.

So how do I get my dose of forest medicine? I try to build in to my life as many reasons as I can to go outside. Building a business around the outdoors has been instrumental, as has having dogs and a family that loves the outdoors and wild swimming – so in no particular order:

I have dogs,who LOVE walks in the forest.
I have cultivated a love of wild swimming in my daughters and have a wife who loves walking
I make conscious decisions to live near woods.
I teach my general classes outside whenever I can.
I teach private lessons outdoors whenever I can
I run woodlands experience courses where people literally rediscover the pleasures and benefits of being outdoors.
If I have to choose a business hotel when travelling I will click the ‘countryside hotel’ option wherever possible.

I am sure that very little of what I’ve said will astound you. You will have felt it yourselves I’m sure.

All I would say is try to find ways to get out into nature and just be there.

An afternoon or a long walk will bring you lasting benefits. Even better would be a few days. The Japanese prescribe 3 days. If you would like to get some real benefits try a few days on a woodlands course and on top of the health benefits improve your martial arts capability way beyond where it is now. You will be immersing in at least 6-7 hours of training a day and far from leaving you depleted you will be energised in a way you will have rarely if ever felt.

Three days of this gives you about 21 hours of training with more time spent in discussion with like-minded people. Most people spend about 3 hours a week in training – 12 hours a month. You will be getting about 2 months worth of training in a weekend.

Add to this the compound interest of the training being condensed into a short period. without the skills fade that comes between sessions. You then have incredible value.

There are limited spaces for this years Devon Camp in June. Click here to find out more

P.S If you fancy something even more thrilling There is a four day course in Sweden in some of the most beautiful forests and lakes that I have ever seen. Once again spaces are filling fast for this so don’t wait too long to book. Click here to see a video of it

If I was to leave you with one message from this it would be that If you want to feel better, spend more time in nature. It really is that simple….

I hope to share some of those great forest experiences with you.

Stonehenge Course write up – Sensei and the Stones – by Karl Durrant

Posted on 10/04/201310/04/2013 by Matt Hill

Sensei and the Stones

It was a fresh morning, the journey to Stonehenge was certainly a lesson in night driving especially taking some unknown B roads. I arrived alert and excited it was 0530 Sunday 24 March 2013 I was here to watch the light come up and to practise aikido within the centre of this mystical site.

Being lead by Matt Hill of Wiltshire Martial arts the organisation of the event was very smooth and energising. Matt was on hand to liaise with the site staff and made sure all student attending the event had what they needed. This is an example of leader ship that is not commonly seen in martial arts, often it is the student serving the master. With this being my second course with Matt it is clear that his teaching to allows others to see themselves, not to see him.

From dark to light I began to see the face of fellow student clearly during the sunrise. The group stood in silence for a few moments in preparation to meet the stones.

Moving to the site car park, people adorned hakama and gathered weapons. After a quick security briefing we ventured through a tunnel to the site of our morning practise, the inner circle of Stonehenge.

With a briefing from Matt, we opened practise with a few minutes of sitting meditation. With my eyes closed I focused on the background hum of wind and traffic. Then all of a sudden it stopped, like someone pressed the mute button, after a few seconds all that could be heard was bird song and the wings of resident crows. Reviewing this later I found it was mutually experienced by all.

After meditation people had already began to feel the warmth that the stones provide. Moving onto tai-jitsu and awase practice the fresh weather was soon ignored for mindfulness, breathing and movement. Working with new people I felt nervous of my ability, this is common when stepping out of my comfort zone. But here in the circle I was safe as I had the pleasure of sharing this experience with some helpful and patient fellow Aikido students.

Before we knew the final kokyo-ho exercise came, grabbing my camera to get some final pictures my plans soon changed as Matt wanted to practise with me. A great end to a fantastic practise session. The morning was not over yet.

Heading back to the car park everyone was buzzing about the session and discussing the “mute button” during meditation. Some could not stay for breakfast so after goodbyes, the remainder gathered their cooking equipment and lead by Matt,headed for the woods 1 mile away.

Walking and chatting with new faces and future friends I began to feel a positive commonality in our experience. Arriving at the woods people naturally sat in groups of 3 and 4. Getting their stoves out and pans ready, a number of people , including me, realised that the wind was stopping their bacon from frying. I gave up on mine and settled for large mug of tea and some breakfast bars.

I noticed that Matt did not sit with any particular group while having his breakfast, once done, he made an successful effort to mingle with everyone. This demonstrated to me a key leadership ingredient, the ability to treat everyone equally allows for natural group cohesion.

Overall the experience will take a lot to equal, but the one thing I took was the lesson that a good leader stands behind ready to catch any who may fall.

KF Durrant.

The 40 Aikido and life lessons that 2012 taught me

Posted on 01/01/201314/02/2013 by Matt Hill

Here are 40 of the best lessons that I have learnt, had reinforced or found a new angle on in 2012: Hope they ring a few bells for you:

If you’re not improving something at each session, you’re going stale and backwards.
If you want an A-Level dojo, you can’t afford to settle for B-Level practice.
Practice Atemi in your aikido.
Practice against free attacks, punches, kicks, grabs, rugby tackles – taking the speed out of the training. This is where Takemusu lies.
Regularly practice multiple attack work – it is vital to efficacy and understanding O’Sensei’s magic.
When doing techniques look for complete precision. When doing randori look for takemusu.
Get hit – done right this can be therapeutic, honestly! And it is very good for your budo.
Transform your fitness and you’ll transform your Aikido.
Don’t waste time in bickering about other styles, train instead.
Exercising for 20 minutes first thing in the morning is a game-changer. As a teacher try to give your students exercises that they can do in their own time.
It is when you least want to get up and go training that you are going to get the most out of it personally.
Don’t do it if you’re not having fun. It is the job of the teacher to make training stretching and fun and the job of the students to bring enthusiasm to it.
If you’re not scared a lot you’re not improving and growing very much.
It’s never been easier to be of service to a large amount of people in aikido (and few things are as rewarding).
People are craving transparency, authenticity and community. Give it to them through your dojo.
Progress comes in hills and plateaus. Understand this and your approach to training becomes much more relaxed. (I’ve been working on integrating this lesson for years).
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax (When you relax, your brain shifts into alpha state–the time when real breakthroughs and those profound realisations present themselves).
Change is hard at the beginning, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. (And without change, there is no progress).
Dream big in your Aikido – plan a trip to Iwama, or Japan or a big seminar – push your boundaries. Aim for that which you think is out of reach.
Pursue excellence versus chasing perfection.
Celebrate small wins in your club and with your peers and you’ll unleash a huge amount of momentum and positive energy.
“There is no purpose in wanting or pursuing many techniques. To master a technique, one needs to make each technique, one by one, his/her own.” – O’Sensei, Budo.
“I don’t fear the man who has done 1000 kicks once, I fear the man who has done 1 kick 1000 times.” – Bruce Lee
Begin with the end in mind: We should not lose sight of the fact that our aim in aikido is not to master techniques but to master the principles of aiki through the techniques.
Delete ‘victimspeak’ from your training. No more “I can’t” and “It’s not possible” and “It’s so hard.” More “I will” and “This is awesome” and “I can”
If you inspire one person each session, your class hasn’t been a waste. It’s been a blessing.
Live an amazing path in Aikido but enjoy your life, family and friends along the way. What’s the point of becoming an Aikido legend but a failed human being.
Look people in the eyes when you talk to them on the mat. Smile at people when you train. Say “please” to respect them. And “thank you” to appreciate them.
Don’t be on time–Be early.
The person who tries to master everything at once achieves nothing. Focus. Focus. Focus. **More on this with the goal planning to come
Spend time in silence each day. You’ll never do O’Sensei level work if you’re over stimulated by technology.
Your behaviour on the mat broadcasts your truest beliefs.
To have the results only 5% of Martial artists in the world have, have the guts to do what only 5% of the Martial artists in the world are willing to do.
World-class begins when you think you’ve done a great session but know you can do a better session.
Everyone’s in Aikido Human Resources. And we are all there to develop the talents of the people we train with.
Mediocrity is a mindset. Avoid the mental viruses of negative people.
Problems and loss of motivation come to test your commitment to your goals, hopes and dreams.
Begin to feel energised through your practice – be like a dynamo. You should generate Kokyu energy.
At the end Budo is as much about what you take out as what you put in. Rid yourself of tension, fear, doubt, redundant and superfluous movement and unnatural or incorrect movement. Your movements need to be precise, calm and powerful.
Use your time in Aikido to make the world a better place.

Enjoy your training and let 2013 take your Aikido to new heights.

Inspired by Robin Sharma’s 50 lessons of 2012. If you haven’t read his stuff check out, ‘The monk who sold his Ferrari’ – awesome book.

In Aiki,

Matt.

For dramatic and lasting improvements to your physical, mental & emotional well-being….

Saturday November 16th Melkham, Wiltshire 10.00 – 14.00 Cost: £40

helping you go further on an adventure, in everyday life and in martial arts.

Sensei and the Stones

Saturday November 16th
Melkham, Wiltshire
10.00 – 14.00
Cost: £40