No Class Next Monday

Please note that there will be NO class next Monday, January 16th due to national holiday. Classes will resume without interruption the following Monday.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Happy New Year!

On behalf of everyone where at Central Florida Systema school, we wish everyone a happy, joyous and prosperous 2012.

For those that joined our school this year, welcome. We are thrilled to have you. Your presence has made our school that much better.

For those contemplating joining our school in 2012, our doors are open to you. Come be a part of an exciting, challenging and fun martial arts experience. We are ready when you are!

Sample Clip from my teacher, David Merrel

5 Most Common Mistakes I Have Seen In Martial Arts

After more than 2 decades in martial arts, from Karate to Kendo to now Systema and Iaido, I have noted common mistakes that if adjusted, would make life better in the martial arts world for all. This is by no means a complete list; rather, they are the ones that I have experienced, done or witnessed the most.

1. One day or weekend training does not make one an expert.  It was a remarkable weekend. You trained hard for two days straight. Learned more in the 10 hours that you had in the weeks prior. Your skill improved. You are off to a great start.

Going in the right direction and being an expert in the area are worlds apart. It is NEVER the one day or one weekend of training that makes (or breaks) the individual. It is the long, lonely hours and hours of training that lead into months that lead into years that forge the martial artist. Consistency is the key.

2. Lack of respect for the Art. Most people I have come across respect the individual(s) involved in the art. They are their brothers and sisters of sorts, and typically treat others with the earned appreciation. Where respect sometimes gets lost is with the art itself.

This ties in with Point #1. “I took the weekend training and now I know the art.” This is unfortunately, not uncommon. Sometimes, the ” American Way”  – fast, compressed, cookbook-like — is not compatible with the Martial Way. Treat the art with respect and it will slowly release its secrets and powerful lessons.

3. Reading  is not martial learning. I love history as much as anyone. Seeing the History Channel special or the book series is a great addition to the library. It is should not be confused with the art however.

Reading a book will not help with redirecting a kick or using a knife. It adds information, not martial skill. Take a sword, go to class and training. Then rinse and repeat. That is the sequence that matters the most. Reading is entertaining at best. Distracting at worst.

4. Master of One Art Does Not Mean Master of Another. I started training in Iaido a short 3 months ago and love it. Aside from it being an incredible art, I am learning an enormous amount from my teacher, Bob Elder Sensei.

Elder Sensei is a true master of the art, having spent more than 30 years training. He is high ranking and a judge for testing in Japan, an honor virtually unheard of for an American in a  Japanese art.

He and I do an exchange of teaching. For the first hour, I learn Iaido. For the second, I teach him Systema. I have learned as much from teaching as from being a student. As mentioned, Elder Sensei is a master of the art of Iaido (Toyama Ryu), yet when he trains in Systema (an art he is completely unfamiliar with), he is 100% a student. There is a very clear distinction between Elder Sensei — sword master and Bob — beginning Systema student.

Some experts in one art are afraid to be a beginner, to be completely vulnerable, fearing their students will react with disapproval or their ego will shatter. The irony is the opposite is true — Student gain a deeper appreciation and the True Self gains confidence.

At the end of the day, great teachers are also great students and great students are great teachers.

5. There is no best. There is only “best for you.”  There is no best art. Nor best teacher. Nor best method. There is only the art, the teacher and the methods that speak to you. Everyone has different goals and dreams as it relates to martial arts. As such, that is one reason why there are 101 different flavors. Test and find the one that speaks to you, the person that you are and the one that you want to evolve into. THAT is the one that is “best.”

Those are my top 5.

My belief is that the martial arts today, are less about self-defense and more about self-development. The creation of guns have push martial arts to the back seat in the defense world but in the process, pushed it forward for opportunities to find the better version of ourselves. Adjusting the aforementioned mistakes (and others not listed) will go along way for each of us to go further along the path of development as warriors and as people.

Vladimir’s Seminar in Tampa Information

The Splintering Effect

I have seen it too many times.

A great art.

A great school.

Exceptionally motivated students.

A few years later, someone decides to break off and start their own “version” of the art. Then another follows suit. Over time, the art gets so diluted, it is no longer relevant. The magic is gone. . . . long gone.

Though I have made quite a number of mistakes setting up the Central Florida Systema school over the years, the one “golden rule” that I adhere to at all costs is remaining solid, remaining loyal to those individuals for whom I have had the great honor of learning this art.

First and foremost, my loyalties are to David Merrell, my teacher and friend. Without his instruction over the years, I would not have a Systema school. I often remark to David that the Central Florida Systema school is more like “West Palm Systema, Central Florida branch.”

He laughs.

I do not.

The other loyalty I have is to Vladimir Vasiliev, co-founder of Systema. I do not know Vlad very well, but have had the pleasure of training with him on a couple of occasions. The teaching aspect was surreal. I have never met someone with such incredible skills as Vlad. Our personal interactions were equally enjoyable. Humble, outgoing, likable are just a few of the many characteristics I experienced.

It is easy to see why the bond of  loyalty is so strong with these gentleman.  We are martial artist, practicing our craft and living by the Bushido code. To venture off or splinter would be beyond disrespectful and into the world of completely unacceptable.

This quote sums matters up rather nicely: 

“Unless you can find some sort of loyalty, you cannot find unity and peace in your active living.”