Systema For Life Podcast - Episode 37: Josafath Herrera

What is scary to you?  You are affected by your fear of pain, or your fear of the situation...So when you say 'violence', I say 'no - you have fear of the emotional state of the other guy'."

Empassioned and uncompromising conversation with Josafath Herrera - veteran Systema Instructor, trainer to elite military and police teams, and founder of Systema Mexico.

Here, we discuss the concept of congruence in a martial art; the body-mind feedback loop; attitudes toward violence; the fallacy of "pressure testing" with protective equipment; the critical importance of finding the right instructor; and the (questionable) value of experience.

A lengthy discussion, but one rich with hard-earned truths. I hope you'll agree.

Follow Systema Mexico on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SystemaMexico/

Find out more about training with Josafath at https://www.facebook.com/inkoga/

View a free video lesson on control and restraint here:

Systema For Life Podcast - Episode 36: Michael Jad Azkoul

"Look - I'm not teaching you to be a badass. I'm  teaching you skills that can help you to be a badass... What I'm really sharing is my own personal development, and tools that have helped me...let's see if those tools can help you..."

Conversation with Michael Jad Azkoul (aka Dr Koul) - musician, MC, social activist, and Systema instructor-in-Training.

Mike has only been training Systema since 2012, but found it so transformative that he was compelled to make a short film about Systema For Personal Development, which caught the eye of many practioners worldwide, including myself. He is also the co-founder of Systema Brighton (UK),  and the founder of World Wide Connects - an organization dedicated to improving the world & combatting inequality through peace, unity, creativity, and other core values of Hip Hop Culture.

Here, we talk about his motivation for making the film, comparisons between Systema and musical improvisation, and the many ways Systema has affected his life (including tolerance of cold, discomfort, and unfamiliar foods!)

Watch Mike's short film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCFNBSxS274

Visit Systema Brighton at http://systemabrighton.co.uk/

Learn about World Wide Connects at http://worldwideconnects.org

Systema For Life Podcast - Episode 35: On Balance

"Natural movement is the emergent property of getting out of your own way...if you just keep yourself open, relaxed, and balanced as a default state, then your body will answer those questions naturally..."

Glenn Murphy joins resident health and wellness guru Howard Jacobson as they explore concepts, notions, and principles of balance. Here, we cover:

    why people are pendulums (pendula?)
    bags and weights vs animate training partners
    physical, physiological, and psychological balance
    the necessity of finding, monitoring and restoring your balance, in all things.

Balance will be one of the themes explored in this month's Lessons From HQ workshop at NC SYSTEMA, on Saturday June 9th. Locals, sign up at: www.ncsystema.com/events

Follow Howie's healthy exploits online at www.plantyourself.com