‘Tensing up is like shutting the door, it keeps things out, but it also keeps things in, and some things can stay locked inside for years.’
Hi [FIRST NAME GOES HERE],
We have just finished the annual 5 day intensive seminar at the Academy.
The theme this year was, ‘Tension Removal’.
We focused on how to remove tension using breathing, movement and increasing sensitivity and awareness of tension in the body, mind and psyche.
Over 5 days and about 30 hours of training this was a deep experience for the group.
One of the participants remarked at the end that it was scary to truly relax. In a way you have to surrender yourself and open up.
Anyone who has had a Systema Massage will understand this concept. When pressure is applied you want to tense up against it to protect. This tension causes pain.
As the pressure is maintained, you then have a choice, live with the tension and resultant pain, or find the courage to relax the muscle, and then feel the pain recede. This not only cleans out the tension that you put in, but deeper and deeper layers of tension and self protection.
Tensing up is like shutting the door, it keeps things out, but it also keeps things in, and some things can stay locked inside for years. They can affect your physical movement and your emotional responses.
Unconscious tensions are coming into the body all the time, though our posture, thoughts, activities, lifestyle, interactions etc. To become competent in feeling and being aware of this process and being able to drop tension out is a skill well worth cultivating.
My very best wishes for your training and health as always,
Matt.
Plus, whenever you ready, here are a few ways I can help with our Systema journey:
1. 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. 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.
2. 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.
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.