Martial Fake?
Martial Arts hold a special place in my heart and the other day, I spent some rare time browsing through videos on youtube and searching forums, but I am amazed at how much junk is out there and I am sad to say, most of what I watched is so far away from reality and in my opinion, dangerous for the people learning. I've been doing Martial Arts for 25 years and like most people, I took up Martial Arts to defend myself and also to gain self confidence. The arts are very diverse, but in real terms, any art must be able to deal with combat at all ranges - close, medium and long. Sadly, many are unable to do this and in the worst case, they provide the practitioner with a false sense of security.
Over the years, I have been lucky enough to train with some of the finest teachers in the world, in my search for arts that really work and teachers who can really teach. My very first teacher was a guy called Kevin Brewerton and Kevin taught me near my home in Southern England way back in the early eighties. For me, Kevin's teachings provided a much needed boost of self confidence as well as getting me extremely fit! Kevin concentrated on the sporting and competitive aspects of the arts and himself became a five time world champion in his field. Kevin now lives in Los Angeles and I made a trip there last year to see him and am amazed that he looked younger than when I last say him 15 years ago! Kevin is also a successful actor, author and personal trainer.
I wanted more out of the arts than sport and I was lucky enough to meet a guy called Floyd Brown, who was practicing Thai Boxing - now this was reality! Floyd also introduced me to a Martial Arts Legend - Steve Morris. Anyone who is anyone in UK Martial Arts will have heard of Steve. Steve opened my eyes to reality and when I was training with him back in the late eighties/early nineties, I think he was in his fifties, although he had the physique, speed, movement of someone in their twenties, not to mention devastating power! There was absolutely no doubt in my mind, after meeting him for the first time, that he could really 'do the business'. What further amazed me was how articulate he was in explaining the science behind his theories and also the fact that he has dedicated his entire life to the Martial Arts.
Now back to the 'fake' aspect of Martial Arts. If you search Russian Martial Arts, you will come across an art called Systema, meaning 'system'. I came across this art some years ago and ordered some videos from Vladimir Vasiliev, who is based in Canada. My first reaction was they were fake - I had a background in traditional, 'hard style' martial arts and boxing, so to me, these were as far removed from reality as you could get! I immediately sent copies to Floyd, who thought the same, but then we both thought, "what is it's real"? there was a training trip to Moscow that year and both Floyd and I decided to go. Sadly for me, I had to cancel due to business commitments, but Floyd went! Floyd came back a changed man and told me that this was what we both have been searching for.
Following the trip, Floyd and I started training in London and this is when I met Val Riazanov, who is now a friend and also the teacher on the DVD we are producing - Ballistic Strikes. Now meeting Val opened me to a whole new approach in Martial Arts, one of simplicity, relaxation and devastating effectiveness! Val offered me to go to Moscow with him to train with the head of Systema, Mikhail Ryabko. I jumped at the chance.
I want to set the record straight about training in Moscow and with Mikhail Ryabko, Val Riazanov and Vladimir Valsiliev. There is much written about Systema on the Internet and I can understand everyone who has not met any of the aforementioned instructors, looking at the videos and deeming them fake, after all, I did. But when I when I first met these instructors, they simply said to me, "attack me, any way you want". Now I have met many 'masters', who invite you to attack them in a specific way, but not many who simply let you do what you want. Naturally, being the gung ho skeptic, I did and very quickly wished I did not! Many other 'famous' Martial Artists have done the same, with the same result and I can personally assure you, there is nothing fake about these guys.
You must also understand that Systema has no belts, gradings, stances, katas, forms etc - it is up to the individual to apply the principles to their own body and effectively, work it out for themselves. the principles are easy to learn and with practice, can be applied and I can testify to this first hand! It is however, this 'interpretation' that can lead to people not understanding the principles and in my opinion, this is why the art sometimes gets a bad name. If you wish to learn or have any doubts, simply go to a seminar with any of the aforementioned and your doubts will disappear! There are many other fine instructors out there, but I have not had the pleasure of training with them - both inside and outside of Russia.
Moving forward, I am working with Val on a series of DVD's - these will focus on Ballistic Kicks, fighting from the stand up position, going to the ground and then back up to standing, weapons training, as well as discussing the psychological aspects of combat - all under the name of the Val Riazanov Total Combat System!
I'm excited about it all…except the pain!
~ Neil
Technorati Tags: Russian Martial Arts, Val Riazanov, Steve Morris, fake, conditioning, ballistic striking, Thai Boxing, Systema
