A quick update for all Systema practitioners:
Our Colorado Weekend Workshop with Vladimir Vasiliev on May 16th and 17th, 2009 has run into a scheduling conflict.
Vladimir will be teaching a Seminar in Toronto that same weekend, so now we are looking for a new date for our Workshop.
We have to find and secure an available space, lodging and banquet hall.
We are trying to reschedule our Workshop to the May 2nd and 3rd weekend.
People have been emailing about the Seminar already and I hope to have the new date and schedule finalized within a week or two.
In addition to Vladimir we will have not 1, but 2 Special Guests that are going to add a TON of value to the weekend.
Keep your eyes peeled for updates.
I will post them the minute I know.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
My Buddy Al's Confession
My buddy Al McLuckie introduced me to Systema 10 years ago. I knew Al because he was one of the best Filipino Martial Artists in the states who taught at my Kenpo teacher's school (Lee Wedlake). I had just moved to Colorado to open my own martial arts school when I invited Al out to teach a Knife Work seminar.
That first seminar rocked. Everyone loved what Al taught, but I knew something was different. It wasn't until we went out to eat later that Al gave me his confession. I still remember how nervous he was when he was about to tell me.
Here it was: What he taught that day wasn't Filipino, it was (gasp!) Russian.
Most people get hung up on labels--it is Kenpo or Silat or Jiu-Jitsu--I don't care, as long as it works.
And the knife-work Al taught worked like gangbusters!
See, Al had lost some long-time students because what he started teaching them was Russian and not Filipino.
Get this, Even Though They Loved The Work And Saw How Effective It Was?!
Labels. Imagine being stabbed to death when you could have used a move to save your life, But You Didn't, just because it came from another country...
What the heck kind of thinking is that?
I was so pumped by the prospect of a whole new, expanded world of martial arts skill that I went "whole hog" began training in Systema, teaching it to all my students, hopped on a plane to Russia instead of buying a Condo, and becoming a Certified Instructor.
There is more to the story, but here's the point:
Al will be in Colorado on Saturday November 8th to teach a One-Day Only Workshop on knife and stick work taking the best training methods from both Russian and Filipino backgrounds. Now you Systema people, don't get hung up on labels either--Filipino warrior culture has tons of practical and deadly work that fits right into Systema!
See you there.
That first seminar rocked. Everyone loved what Al taught, but I knew something was different. It wasn't until we went out to eat later that Al gave me his confession. I still remember how nervous he was when he was about to tell me.
Here it was: What he taught that day wasn't Filipino, it was (gasp!) Russian.
Most people get hung up on labels--it is Kenpo or Silat or Jiu-Jitsu--I don't care, as long as it works.
And the knife-work Al taught worked like gangbusters!
See, Al had lost some long-time students because what he started teaching them was Russian and not Filipino.
Get this, Even Though They Loved The Work And Saw How Effective It Was?!
Labels. Imagine being stabbed to death when you could have used a move to save your life, But You Didn't, just because it came from another country...
What the heck kind of thinking is that?
I was so pumped by the prospect of a whole new, expanded world of martial arts skill that I went "whole hog" began training in Systema, teaching it to all my students, hopped on a plane to Russia instead of buying a Condo, and becoming a Certified Instructor.
There is more to the story, but here's the point:
Al will be in Colorado on Saturday November 8th to teach a One-Day Only Workshop on knife and stick work taking the best training methods from both Russian and Filipino backgrounds. Now you Systema people, don't get hung up on labels either--Filipino warrior culture has tons of practical and deadly work that fits right into Systema!
See you there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)