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This episode, a fascinating discussion with Systema veteran and Head Instructor of Systema NYC, Edgars Cakuls.In this second appearance on the show, Edgars reflects on ideas and concepts shared during his recent 2-day, outdoor seminar in Durham, North Carolina, entitled Working From the Spine. Along the way, we cover:The critical importance of spinal integrityStability vs fluidityTraining body awareness versus conceptual-intellectual learningRedirection of force and powerTrain with Edgars at Systema NYChttps://www.systemanewyorkcity.comMentioned in this episode:Ryō Onishi Seminar, June 11-12 2022 (https://www.systemanewyorkcity.com/ryo-onishi-nyc-seminar.html#/)

Hullo, Friends. After an 8-week sabbatical, Systema For Life returns this month with a broad discussion on the subject of focus, attention, and the attempt to "optimize" your daily training and life routines. I'm joined once again by coach and wellness expert, Howard Jacobson.Here, we get into:* Losing and reclaiming routines during the pandemic* The upside and downside of tireless life-optimization* The focus economy and "productivity porn"* Psychological parallels between resolving conflict and resolving your struggles with life* Advice for achieving that elusive, healthy balanceHope you enjoy the conversation. Next one due out in a couple of weeks.Find out more about Howie and his health and wellness coaching programs at www.plantyourself.com.

This week, another fascinating conversation with prolific movement scientist, neuroscientist, and martial artist Jan Bloem.As we learned during our first conversation last year (see episode 124), Jan has studied the art and science of movement and combat at the very highest levels – on the theoretical side as an expert in kinesiology and psychomotor therapy, and on the front lines as a world champion karateka; a defensive tactics instructor to military and law enforcement; and as one of the early non-Russian students and instructors of Systema under the legendary Mikhail Ryabko.Here, we build upon upon our earlier discussion of approaches to martial training, focusing on the value (and limitations) of "internal" work to health, self-development, and the realities of practical combat. Taking in along the way:* internal work: problems with presentation and misapplied teaching* shifting focus between the internal and the external* the benefit of allowing and encouraging mistakes* discovering power through the "less is more" approachMany thanks to Jan for his tireless efforts to advance understanding in all martial arts.Mentioned in this episode:SFL Episode 124 (on YouTube):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sgRtIRjrcAPower Vs Force: the Hidden Determinants of Human Behaviour, by David Hawkinshttps://www.amazon.com/Power-vs-Force-David-Hawkins-ebook/dp/B00EJBABS2The Principles of Effortless Power, by Peter Ralstonhttps://www.amazon.com/Cheng-Hsin-Principles-Effortless-Power/dp/1556433026Books by Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio:Looking For Spinoza: https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Spinoza-Sorrow-Feeling-Brain/dp/0156028719The Feeling of What Happens: https://www.amazon.com/Feeling-What-Happens-Emotion-Consciousness/dp/0156010755/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=0156010755&psc=1Self Comes to Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Comes-Mind-Constructing-Conscious/dp/0307378756Find out more about Jan and his work here:https://www.kinesica.nl/jan-bloem/

This week, a deep dive into the world of Original Strength - a system of natural movement and neurological "resetting" created by company founder, personal trainer, and physical educator Tim Anderson. Tim's simple (but effective) OS system is a wonderful complement to Systema practice - especially for beginning trainees - and for anyone recovering from injury, impairment, or the ravages of modern life on the body. After many years of hearing about Systema, Tim took the jump and began training privately with me a month ago. Here, we discuss:* his motives for building (and miraculous discovery of) Original Strength* the power of natural movement* the dangers of fanaticism (in anything)* his experience as a strength/movement expert in beginning SystemaCheck out the Original Strength books, courses, and associated materials at originalstrength.net (www.originalstrength.net)

This week, a dive into the world of martial arts, medicine and holistic health - with impassioned Systema student and Doctor of Chinese Medicine Gabriel Stern.On the medical side, Gabe was a trained EMT and ER nurse before becoming a student and clinician versed in Chinese healing modalities. On the martial arts side, he studied Eskrima and Pekiti Tirsia Kali for several years before venturing into Systema with Edgar Cakuls in NYC, and with us here at NC SYSTEMA. Always candid and radically honest, Gabe turns his dizzying intellect here upon:* the convergence of Russian and Chinese health concepts* comparing Chinese meridians and anatomical fascial chains* how organ health relates to emotional states and personality types* avoiding the pitfalls of self-delusion - in both medicine and martial artsGabe trains and explains at NC SYSTEMA in Durham, NC, and has his own clinic focused on traditional and modern acupuncture and herbology for a variety of conditions. Find him at https://www.centermedicine.com

This week, a rare hour with bestselling author, speaker, and leadership specialist Greg McKeown.  Greg is the author of the best-selling Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less (2014), and the new New York Times bestseller, Effortless (2021). If you haven't read them, the relevance of Greg's central principles to Systema training are well worth exploring.Here, we discuss: * the futility of trying to "do it all" * minimum viable actions vs minimum effective doses of effort * releasing, noticing, and removing the cataracts of distraction * creating and maintaining an effortless state of action Sign up for Greg's newsletter and purchase his books here: https://gregmckeown.com ( https://gregmckeown.com)Listen to Greg's podcast, What's Essential, on your favourite podcatching app, here: https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/ (https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/ )  

This week, an enlightening conversation with veteran Systema, Filipino Martial Arts Instructor Al McLuckie.   Al has over five decades of experience in arts ranging from Western Boxing and Kempo Karate, to Eskrima, Kali, Silat, and (of course) Systema. A former instructor for the famous Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts in Chicago, Al's unique and unparalleled knife skills, in particular, have seen him teaching famous martial artists such as Lee Wedlake, Scott Glenn, and Martin Wheeler, along with workshops for the Lethal Force Institute. Here, we talk about: - his path into martial arts training and teaching- rare experiences working with FMA, Systema, and H'sing-i masters - the deep principles he has observed across multiple martial styles- posture, connection, and attitudes to "reality-based" training Al is also a prolific oil painter. See examples of his work at http://www.almcluckie.com (http://www.almcluckie.com)  

This week, a brief chat with Senior Systema Instructor Martin Wheeler, following his recent Redwoods Systema Camp in California, and foreshadowing his 4-day Masterclass events in Los Angeles and Raleigh/Durham, NC. Here, we chat about:- insights from teaching and training worldwide- the benefits of multi-day immersion training- the surprising effects of training outdoors- discomfort as a necessary path to awarenessBoth of Martin's Masterclass events - East Coast and West - are still open for registration. Click below for details.Masterclass Los Angeles (Oct 1-4 2021)The Academy Beverly HillsEast Coast Masterclass (Oct 21-24)Falls Lake (nr Raleigh), North Carolina

This week, another engaging conversation with author, podcaster, and expert health and wellness coach, Howard Jacobson.  Here, we get into the tricky question of how to discern truth from falsehood, reality from creative (and compelling) stories. Using concrete examples in the fields of nutrition, exercise, and martial arts practice.  Touching upon: * How we decide what is true (or true enough) * The necessity and paradox of trust * Resolving conflicting ideas * What science, medicine, and Systema training have in common   Follow Howie's healthy exploits at www.plantyourself.com Mentioned in this episode:Burn, by Herman Pontzer, PhD:https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Research-Really-Calories-Healthy/dp/0525541527 (https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Research-Really-Calories-Healthy/dp/0525541527)Reality-making: the Art of Distinguishing Truth from Falsehood:https://medium.com/the-understanding-project/reality-making-the-art-of-distinguishing-truth-from-falsehood-a30d5c3c3d7c (https://medium.com/the-understanding-project/reality-making-the-art-of-distinguishing-truth-from-falsehood-a30d5c3c3d7c)

After a short break (and an extended, three-week road trip across the USA), we return this week with Menamy Mitanes - Systema and BJJ Instructor at The Academy Beverly Hills and Systema Los Angeles. In this, Menamy's second appearance on the podcast, we delve beyond his personal story and get into the core training philosophies of the martial arts - about which Menamy is more than qualified to speak. With a pedigree that includes JKD and FMA (under Dan Inosanto), BJJ (under Rigan Machado), and Systema (under Martin Wheeler and Vladimir Vasiliev), Menamy is a truly prolific student and teacher of the martial arts. For context, this interview followed a weekend seminar Menamy taught in Greenville, South Carolina, attended by Glenn and several of the NC Systema Crew. Here, we get into:- core similarities (and differences) in approach: FMA, BJJ, and Systema - training for self defence versus training for competition- the dangers of "faith in tradition" and of "go hard or go home" approaches- why high-level external skill must (and can only) emerge from internal understanding Find out more about training with Menamy at www.systemalosangeles.com (http://www.systemalosangeles.com) and www.theacademybeverlyhills.com (http://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com), and follow Menamy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SystemaLA (http://www.facebook.com/SystemaLA) Mentioned in this episode:Interview with George Saint-Pierre on the Lex Fridman podcast (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjEqeyq3ezxAhVZHc0KHbLdDW4QwqsBegQIChAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DfIPxfzfOTxk&usg=AOvVaw2Lf2nzbdoFPkzwMpVC7RK9)4-day East Coast Masterclass NC, with Martin Wheeler (Oct 21-24, 2021) (https://cp.mystudio.io/e/?=BREATHE%2F3145%2F266844%2F%2F1623186155)

This week, an engaging romp into the worlds of Systema, alternative medicine, and meta-cognition, with deep thinker, podcaster, martial artist, and Chinese medical practitioner Taran Rosenthal. Taran has an incredible breadth of knowledge - which is apparent to anyone who talks with him about anything - yet his experience of Systema profoundly influenced his experience of daily life and parenthood. Here, we riff on all that and more. Including: - Discovering Systema as a means of self-regulation and self-exploration- Similarities and differences between Systema and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) philsoophy- The assumptions of modern, western science and medicine- Living in relationship to the world If you enjoyed this, check out Taran's co-hosted podcast Apricot Jam, here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Podcast/B08K56GN39

This week, a mind-expanding walkabout through the realms of body, mind, and spirit, with Indigenous Australian author, scholar, arts critic, and martial artist Tyson Yunkaporta. Tyson is a Senior Lecturer in Indigenous Knowledge at Deakin University, and author of the extraordinary book Sand Talk: How Indigenous Knowledge Can Save the World. Originally aired on Tyson's own podcast, The Other Others, this episode delves into the confluence of Systema and Indigenous thinking, including: * Physical practices to enhance thinking and awareness * Blurring the boundaries between self and other * Distributed cognition, and how we can use it * Reconnecting with place, finding right story, and living a relational existence Mind-blowing stuff, for those interested in such things.  For a better context and understanding of half the stuff we "yarn" about here, be sure to purchase Sand Talk (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/sand-talk-tyson-yunkaporta?variant=32280908103714) in hardcopy or audiobook (https://www.amazon.com/Sand-Talk-Indigenous-Thinking-World/dp/B07WSHGCHQ/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) format (narrated by the author). For more mind-expanding (and unapologetically triggering) yarns, check out Tyson's own podcast, The Other Others (https://open.spotify.com/show/2SYIwG9Yc91UeM79srVzTr), on Spotify.