The Punch of Calmness
May 19, 2021 by Vladimir Vasiliev
I'd like to tell you about a remarkable fight preparation.
Back in the old days when I was training with Mikhail Ryabko in Russia, we were invited to demonstrate Systema to some high ranking officials. I had to be in a real full contact confrontation against some famous martial artists and competition champions.
Needless to say, I was fairly fearful. To prepare me, Mikhail did not say any encouraging words, there was no cheering up or helpful tips, but instead he hit me very very hard and with extreme calmness. It was a different kind of pain I experienced, it felt like that punch put me in a different mode of operation. The unnecessary emotions were gone, I became calm and handled the fights successfully.
We were able to demonstrate the power of Systema!
And to this day, I vividly remember this punch.
Back in the old days when I was training with Mikhail Ryabko in Russia, we were invited to demonstrate Systema to some high ranking officials. I had to be in a real full contact confrontation against some famous martial artists and competition champions.
Needless to say, I was fairly fearful. To prepare me, Mikhail did not say any encouraging words, there was no cheering up or helpful tips, but instead he hit me very very hard and with extreme calmness. It was a different kind of pain I experienced, it felt like that punch put me in a different mode of operation. The unnecessary emotions were gone, I became calm and handled the fights successfully.
We were able to demonstrate the power of Systema!
And to this day, I vividly remember this punch.
Born in Russia, Vladimir Vasiliev received intense combative training and profound Systema training from Mikhail Ryabko. Vladimir moved to Canada, and in 1993 founded the first school of Russian Martial Art outside Russia -