A Philosophy of Natural Movement
in mind and body
in mind and body
An Introduction to Systema
Systema has its roots in 10th century Russia, where it developed equally as a martial art and an art of health, each philosophically mirroring and supporting the other.
As Vladimir Vasiliev says:
“Natural movement is the key to Systema. All other principles are centered around it. The psychology and link to the individual’s spiritual and psychic side, all aid the warrior in his ability to access his true nature.”
Natural movement lies in Freedom, Individuality, Creativity and Awareness, pillars of the Systema approach.
Health is the essence of life. Systema identifies fatigue, whether emotional, physical or intellectual fatigue, as its main enemy. It teaches that keeping the body strong and preventing disease is far preferable to waiting to get sick and treating symptoms with medicine that very often brings on additional disorders.
This depends on keeping energy levels high.
We do this by increasing our vital energy in Five Fundamental Ways:
At the heart of Systema is proper breathing. We cannot move properly if we do not breathe properly first. Proper breathing is learned through the Seven Principles and the associated exercises (explained in depth in the book Let Every Breath).
Life is movement.
Vasiliev also tells us that, “movement is external - visible changes in the body positions and internal changes - the activity of your mind and energy, movements of your thoughts, perceptions and intentions. The goal of training is to make them both [mind and body] free, fluid and precise.”
Systema has its roots in 10th century Russia, where it developed equally as a martial art and an art of health, each philosophically mirroring and supporting the other.
As Vladimir Vasiliev says:
“Natural movement is the key to Systema. All other principles are centered around it. The psychology and link to the individual’s spiritual and psychic side, all aid the warrior in his ability to access his true nature.”
Natural movement lies in Freedom, Individuality, Creativity and Awareness, pillars of the Systema approach.
Health is the essence of life. Systema identifies fatigue, whether emotional, physical or intellectual fatigue, as its main enemy. It teaches that keeping the body strong and preventing disease is far preferable to waiting to get sick and treating symptoms with medicine that very often brings on additional disorders.
This depends on keeping energy levels high.
We do this by increasing our vital energy in Five Fundamental Ways:
- strengthening the body with water
- cleansing the body from inside
- movement
- proper breathing
- positive interaction
At the heart of Systema is proper breathing. We cannot move properly if we do not breathe properly first. Proper breathing is learned through the Seven Principles and the associated exercises (explained in depth in the book Let Every Breath).
Life is movement.
Vasiliev also tells us that, “movement is external - visible changes in the body positions and internal changes - the activity of your mind and energy, movements of your thoughts, perceptions and intentions. The goal of training is to make them both [mind and body] free, fluid and precise.”
