For Reasons That Surprise You

Yesterday’s seminar with Systema Master, Vladimir Vasiliev was an unmitigated success. With about 100 participants on zoom and in person, it was a well-attended zoom/in-person seminar. It was also one of the best things I have done in my 35+ years in martial arts.

The reasons may surprise you.

They certainly did me.

For starters, senior CFL Systema practitioners Carlos Alvarado and Chris Harrington were scheduled to fly out to begin their Thanksgiving holiday on Friday night with their families. Instead, they rescheduled to be at this seminar. It is acts of kindness, thoughtfulness, and going out of their way that are examples for us to follow. It is a glowing example of how Systema impacts lives.

I will certainly remember this and forever be grateful to these 2 honorable gentlemen.

Secondly, the rest of the students from Central Florida Systema school undoubtedly had things to do that day. Instead, they made coming to the session to support me and to support this art, a priority. Once again, this was a very humbling, touching gesture that I am and will always be most grateful for to all members – Sadaris, Dmitriy, Vasily, Jason, and Jim.

The seminar itself went very well. We covered a number of acupuncture points, how it affects and can dramatically improve health and how it can be used for martial arts. Valerie and Vlad had very kind things to say afterward. This morning, I woke up to a number of emails thanking me and requesting more information. It is a topic of great interest to many.

It is kind of funny. I thought I would be the one giving – giving unique information to fellow Systema practitioners. Giving my guys the opportunity to see Vladimir move and to see what a master truly looks like in action. Giving help to those who may be suffering. Bringing some health and humor into people’s lives for 45 minutes.

Truth be told, I ended up receiving 1000 times more – the willingness of my students to go out of their way. The respect and kind words from Vladimir. The opportunity from Vlad and Valerie to present this information on a global scale. I would say Christmas came early but you cannot buy gifts such as these.

To all of you who watched and participated from all around the world, thank you very much. To my students and friends, I am deeply appreciative of this in a way you will never know. To Vladimir and Valerie, I am very thankful for this opportunity.

Systema is the greatest art on the planet, often for reasons that surprise you.