Systema is a Russian martial art based on fluidity and effortless movement. The following games and demonstrations hope to guide the user into its basic principles and applicable tangents.
Low Pushover
OBJECTIVE: push partner over by pressing against torso
Develops softness, tension awareness, and alignment of actions/interactions with breathing
Key points:
- both force and leverage at play here
- try to trap partner in a line of tension
- slow and deliberate
- use exhale to release tension and free up motion
- breath around touch point and recompose
- teaches softness and practices global awareness
- connects relaxation to softness and fear to stiffness
Standing Knockover
OBJECTIVE: Uproot opponent(s) from their position using entire body.
Develops global sense of awareness and integration, interactive softness vs. stiffness, and awareness of center of mass
Key points:
- can use any and all body parts
- slow movement makes for more contact/interaction and less striking
- variable tactics keep partner alert and guessing
PLAYFUL OFFERINGS/ DEVELOPING IDEAS
Shifting Get Up
Playfighting
Tandem Rolls