Ryabko-Vasiliev Systema
Information gathered and adapted by Pierre Berçot, instructor.
From official information available on
russianmartialart.com
Origin
The Ryabko-Vasiliev Systema is currently one of the most popular and most widely represented Systema schools in the world, with over 250 affiliated clubs and instructors. It was created by Mikhail Ryabko and developed worldwide thanks to his student Vladimir Vassiliev, who opened the first official Systema school outside of Russia in 1993 in Toronto, Canada.
Philosophy
For Mikhail Ryabko, Systema is the synergy of the three elements that make a true warrior: combat skill, a strong spirit, and a healthy body.
Systema, whose Russian name Cистема means the system, is a complete body of knowledge and training methodologies that enhance one's existence and can be embodied at every moment of daily life. In this way, acquiring martial skills is a means of improving the physiological functions of the body and the physical, psychological, and spiritual capacities of the human being.
The Practice
Through this practice, the body frees itself from tension, becoming resilient and flexible, gaining ease of movement and improving explosiveness. The mind must be calm, free from anger, irritation, fear, self-pity, illusion, or pride. Combat skill requires powerful and precise movements that are spontaneous and efficient, subtle and varied. All these elements are the hallmark of a true professional.
"Poznai Sebia"
First, do no harm is the essential key of Systema. Every practitioner ensures that their training and attitude do not physically or mentally damage any fellow practitioner. The goal is to build oneself up and grow stronger without destroying oneself. Mikhail Ryabko places particular importance on every experienced practitioner taking responsibility for training their family, their community, and on a larger scale, their country.
The Ryabko-Vasiliev Systema is also known as "Poznai Sebia," which means know thyself in Russian. This does not merely imply having an approximate idea of our strengths and weaknesses. It is above all a methodology that allows one to take the full measure of our limitations, by realizing how weak and proud we are. Systema enables one to free oneself from illusions, to develop a true strength of spirit born from humility, in accordance with each person's chosen purpose.
Christianity
Just as Kung Fu is linked to Buddhism, Tai Chi to Taoism, Pencak Silat to Islam, and so on, Mikhail Ryabko claims the origins of Systema as stemming from the Russian Orthodox Christian faith — although most of its practitioners worldwide are not Orthodox. The knowledge of the Russian warriors, the bogatyrs, was indeed transmitted around the 10th century when they retired to monasteries to be healed or to withdraw from the world. The Cossacks also nurtured this tradition; they are still recognized today as fervent defenders of the Orthodox faith. Orthodox Christianity teaches us that everything that happens in life, good or bad, tends toward a single purpose where each person has the possibility and the conditions to understand who they are, where they come from, and where they are going. The analogy with Systema in practice consists of placing participants in the best conditions so that each person becomes aware of their potential (physical, psychological, and spiritual), in order to make use of the resources available to them in any situation.
Be good people and everything else will follow (Mikhail Ryabko). Systema helps us to build ourselves, to make choices, and to follow our path.