SLF Episode 60: On Habits (Part II)

Another spirited conversation with health and wellness guru Howard Jacobson (WellStartHealth.com) on the subject of habits and positive behaviour change - a continuing theme we are both fond of, in our respective fields. Here, the discussion ranges through:

  • how your environment influences - even dictates - your mindset

  • how small, targeted, habit interventions can have powerful, lasting effects

  • setting the scene for focus and 'deep work'

  • why relaxing isn't as easy as it sounds

  • how Systema training highlights our bad habits, and show us the folly of trying to 'out-think' them

Find out more about Howie's healthy habit-change exploits at www.wellstarthealth.com

SFL Episode 59: On Internal Power (with Gene Smithson)

A rare, frank, and wide-ranging discussion on the subject of internal power - a topic that creates a great deal of confusion, controversy, skepticism, and even ridicule in the global martial arts community.

Some seem to regard internal power as a mystical, magical force that only appears in white-bearded masters after decades of study. Others believe it to be an emergent property of perfect biomechanics, or simply do not believe in it at all.

Texas-based Systema Instructor Gene Smithson has studied and taught chigung, taiji, and other "internal" martial arts alongside Systema for many years, and is uniquely qualified to help us untangle and demystify the concept. Along the way, we cover:

  • the real meaning of chi, ki, or internal power

  • differing viewpoints on power

  • psychological and spritual aspects of power

  • the relationship between tension, power, and natural human behaviour

  • the physical prerequsities for the expression of internal power

 This may well be my favourite discussion to date.


Find out more about training with Gene at Austin Systema and Tai Chi Chuan, here: http://www.austinsystema.com/

SFL Episode 58: Adrienne Harvey


This week, a spirited conversation with Adrienne Harvey - Systema student, fitness guru, and master trainer in Russian kettlebells, hardstyle kettlebells, and progressive calisthenics for strength and conditioning. Adrienne has been a serious student of strength and conditioning for many years, has a hefty online following, and regularly writes articles on fitness, nutrition, and conditioning for DragonDoor.com. She counts among her friends and mentors such legends of strength and conditioning like Dan John, Jon Bruney, Al and Danny Kavadlo.

Here we talk about:

  • how she discovered Systema (with the formidable Alex Popescu in Florida)

  • how Systema can enhance the practice of kettlebells and calisthenics - and vice versa

  • the value of breathing and efficiency in conditioning

  • how balancing tension and relaxation is essential to mastery of any physical pursuit

Follow Adrienne online at giryagirl.com, and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe3CJwiCAu4aOI-0fHT7loQ