Lexington Systema

Is Systema training realistic?

• No training is realistic.  If it were realistic, it would be functionally real, and we would all be spending a lot of time at the hospital.  What we strive to do in Systema training is to introduce sufficient elements of realism to allow ourselves to prepare for real situations.  So no, Systema training is not realistic, but it does include a vast amount of realism.

Why are so many of the drills in Systema practiced slowly?

• Much of Systema is taught by a progressive sequence of drills that emphasize proper movement, breathing, posture, and relaxation.  These are all things that need to be learned, initially, in slower drills.  You may have heard the quote before that slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.  To be fast, you must be smooth, and to become smooth, you must practice slowly.  Your speed, and the speed of the drills, will increase as you improve. 

How do I know what I’m learning in Systema will work when I need it to?

• Systema has been combat tested by Russian special forces units for decades.  In addition, Systema training is sought out by current and former military and law enforcement personnel around the world, and they have found these skills to be effective in their work.  The real-life success of these individuals over many decades is great evidence of the effectiveness of Systema.

How long does it take to become proficient at Systema?

• Proficiency is difficult to define.  There is always more to learn and room to improve.  However, most people find that they can make significant gains in their ability to defend themselves in just a few months of training.  Like any skill though, different people will progress at different rates, and continued practice is always recommended.

More FAQ to follow!  If you have a question you would like answered, put it in the comments and we will address it in a later post.

This entry was posted on April 12, 2013 at 2:42 am and is filed under Uncategorized with tags FAQ. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.