The Maxim Franz Sydney Systema Seminar

7 hours Saturday 23^rd and 7 hours Sunday 24^th February, 2008

Introduction

My name is Peter Aftanas, and this is the first time that I have posted on this Forum.

I have been training in Systema with a small group of people in Sydney since early 2005. In the beginning we did not know much about what we were doing but tried as best as we could.

As various instructors came to town from time to time, I went and trained with them and each brought their own flavour of Systema. As time went on I gradually began to understand the enormity of Systema. I began to learn that Systema was not JUST a good way to win a confrontation it was much, much, much more.

In the beginning through my almost constant trawling for Systema information I discovered that there was an Australian Systema Instructor, David Quaile. David lives about 2,000km north of Sydney. I called David and over the next few months slowly got to know him. Eventually after about nine months I bought him a plane ticket and flew him down to Sydney for a seminar with the boys (10 of us). That seminar was definitely a turning point for me and solidified my passion for Systema.

After a further year or so David started to push me to start a “proper” training group in a “proper” facility. Well the training group has grown since then. We now meet four times a week and we move forward the best way that we can. I am not an Instructor but I am definitely heading in that direction.

Since that first seminar I have trained with various instructors and have put on 8 major seminars in Sydney the last one being our first International Systema Seminar conducted by Vladimir's Head Instructor Maxim Franz.

How It All Began

I have a good friend in Australia, a friend that has a passion for Systema much like myself, Chris Misek. Chris also knows David Quaile. One day last year Chris called me to let me know that he had contacted Vlad about who we should bring to Sydney for a seminar. Vlad recommended Maxim Franz his Head Instructor.

That is how Max's trip was born. After a few interesting discussions with Chris and David about how “simple” it would be to organise an international seminar I started e-mailing Vladimir, Valerie and Max and began organising the seminar and Max's trip.

The Seminar

The Seminar was organised as a two day event 7 hour per day. We had 22 people attend and it was great training. Everyone at the seminar had had some Systema training so it was a great opportunity for Max to take us up to the next level.

The First Day - Saturday 23^rd February

Max started the first day by having us hold in a static push-up held for approximately 5 or 6 minutes then incorporating various stretches and body movements then finally straight into 20 slow push ups, situps, squats etc. The emphasis was of course on performing the exercises slowly with correct form and breathing.

We then moved to rolls both forward and backward and various types of ways to fall to the ground and their combat applications etc.

Then on to take downs where Max demonstrated ways of controlling your partner's body, head and neck, etc. Max constantly emphasise that we should “take care of our partner” and “don't destroy you partner” and “remember your partner is helping you, don't break each other”.

As the hours rolled on we moved from drill to drill. Many variations and types of take downs, dealing with attacks to the head, how to attack the throat, how to move the body to avoid injury from strikes, how to attack the arms and hands, how to escape from holds of various types, how to escape / evade and attack at the same time, how to kick, how to control kicks and strikes, short work, long work, wave work, then more exercises, how to use the knees, how to break form, how to keep form, how to be softer, how to be soft and hard at the same time, etc, etc, etc.

This was the first day and I don't think there was not a dry shirt in the room.

The Second Day – Sunday 24^th February

The second day started much like the first. Stretching, push ups, situps, etc. Lots of concentration on breathing and relaxation. Lots of demonstrations.

The drills consisted of more movement and striking drills, drills for controlling the opponent's hands, arm, legs, etc., defence against front kick, groin kick, round house kick, defence against body strikes, striking drills for the head and neck, some pain compliance work, knife work, knife movement drills, knife attack drills, stabbing drills, knife escape drills, ground work, one on one walk evasion work, one on one walk evasion with strike work, two on one walk evasion and strike work.

There were drills where you were knocked down, you rolled, then you got up. These were executed both from forward and backwards rolls. There were attack movement / evade counter attack drills of various types, attack knock down and finish them on the ground drills, as well as strikes taking and delivering, etc, etc, etc.

This brought us to the end of the second day. Two day 14 hour of training, a great seminar. The next two days were spent showing Max Sydney. There was surfing, site seeing, eating and much too much drinking.

Max had constant help and advice for me with the training, teaching, marketing etc. He was greatly encouraging about the growth of Systema in Sydney as well as Australia. He has enormous enthusiasm and passion for Systema it was great to see. Max is a wonderfully and genuine ambassador for Systema.

I had advertised this seminar as:

The Russian Sydney Systema Seminar
1st Time In Australia - The Russians Teaching Systema The Russian Way

Well the Russian Way is certainly more intense than our way. We have already changed our training style.

Final Note and Thanks

Firstly, I would like to thank Vladimir Vasiliev for his wisdom and foresight in sending Maxim Franz to Australia for this great action packed seminar. I would also like to thank, Valerie for all of her help, advice and the support material.

Secondly, I have to thank Max for a truly great seminar and for being such a nice guy (when he is not hitting you). Thank you for all of the constant advice, encouragement and all of the stories.

And lastly, I would also like to thank David Quaile and Chris Misek for their help and support with the seminar and all things Systema.

Systema is in its infancy here in Australia, this seminar by Maxim Franz has, I believe, started the ball rolling with some momentum. Thank you to all that came to the seminar and thank you, Vladimir, Valerie and of course Max.

Kind regards,

Peter Aftanas.

Please visit our Sydney - Australian website: www.RussianMartialArt.com.au