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.
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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.
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