這兩天研習會的主題是「自由度與控制」，但就如同以往大師的研習會一般，如果認為這只是一個關於學習技術或招式的研習會的話，那會很可惜。西斯特瑪大師研習會一個很大的特點是：大師的教學是全方位的，他會給你全部的東西，而參加者的工作則是看到並且思考如何達到。
VV在研習會第一天的一開始先說明了各種不同的自由度，接下來則是說明怎樣是控制。如果單純用tension來理解的話，自由度的意思是沒有tension，而控制的意思則是有tension；當被人推時身體可以沒有多餘緊張的對應，這個是freedom；被推時以不同的身體操作方式來反過來影響對方，這是控制。
簡單的來說是這樣子。接下來VV用呼吸幫助參加者了解freedom，並且提示了一些需要注意的地方，例如：吸氣時去找到身體內部有緊張的地方，吐氣時將這個緊張隨著吐氣一起拿掉；躺在地上將四肢舉起及放下，先由呼吸帶領動作，接下來做到肢體動作和身體互相沒有影響，最後做到肢體的動作和呼吸可以分離。
類似的練習第二天也有，不過第二天的內容主要是在於控制這一塊。練習的開始是躺在地上進行呼吸以及配合呼吸的滾動、四肢伸展，接下來是用手的延伸去碰觸周圍的人，再來是用腳的延伸，接下來進入身體滾動並控制四肢碰到的所有人。這算是地面練習前的暖身。接下來開始做一些兩人地面上的sparring，VV在這邊提醒這並不是做摔角或是比力氣，而是做控制的練習。
VV還做了「continue」、「re-direction」、「fullness」、「lightness」的一些說明並讓我們練習。「continue」這部份他是用：手朝前俯身趴於地面→伏地挺身→手朝前趴於地面→翻身→舉腿→翻身→手朝前趴於地面→伏地挺身，這個流程幫助我們理解「連續」是怎麼一回事情。連續並不是速度快，而是動作的連續不間斷。這是控制時很重要的一個操作元素。
The theme of the two-day seminar was "Freedom and Control", but as with all past seminars by masters, it would be a pity to think of it as merely a workshop on techniques or moves. One of the key features of a Systema master seminar is that the master’s teaching is holistic—he gives you everything, and the participant’s task is to see it and contemplate how to attain it.
At the beginning of day one, VV explained various kinds of freedom, followed by an explanation of what control means. If we understand it simply through the lens of tension, then freedom means absence of tension, while control implies presence of tension. When being pushed, the body can respond without excess tension—this is freedom; and when being pushed, using body mechanics to influence the other person in return—this is control.
Simply put, that’s the gist. VV then used breathing to help participants understand freedom and offered some key points to pay attention to. For example:
-
Inhale to locate areas of internal tension;
-
Exhale to release that tension with the breath;
-
Lying on the ground, raise and lower the limbs, starting by letting breath lead the movement;
-
Then progress to movements where limbs and body do not affect each other;
-
Finally, achieve a separation between limb movement and breath.
A similar exercise was done on the second day, but the focus then shifted more toward control. The day began with breathing while lying on the ground, accompanied by rolling and limb extension coordinated with the breath. Then came exercises where participants used hand extensions to reach out and touch others, followed by foot extensions, eventually transitioning into whole-body rolling while controlling which parts of the limbs made contact with others. This was a warm-up before ground-based training.
Next came partnered ground sparring, during which VV reminded us that the goal wasn’t wrestling or exerting strength, but rather training control.
VV also elaborated and had us practice the concepts of "continue," "re-direction," "fullness," and "lightness."
For "continue", he used a flowing movement sequence:
Reach forward and lie prone → push-up → lie down with arms forward → roll over → raise legs → roll back → lie prone with arms forward → push-up
This helped us understand what continuity truly means. Continuity is not about speed, but about uninterrupted movement. It is a crucial component in the practice of control.
"Re-direction" was another key concept. VV used the metaphor of placing a flower into a vase to guide our movement. The practical drill was:
-
A partner walks toward you, and your task is to redirect their movement, preventing them from colliding into you.
-
Imagine that there is a vase inside their body, but the mouth of the vase is not always facing you.
-
Your task is to insert the flower into the vase, which requires the hand performing the insertion to have the quality of "fullness."
-
The fingers play a very important role in this.
-
VV also emphasized that the movement must be three-dimensional, not flat, and demonstrated this through various examples.
These drills were performed from different body positions—standing, squatting, lying—to help students experience the concepts from multiple dimensions.
"Lightness", in fact, runs through all movement. VV demonstrated how to perceive the ground without relying on its support force. Every time he explains this, new insights arise. This is also a hallmark of Systema learning and teaching—even if the explanation is exactly the same, the location, training partner, and one’s own inner state will always lead to new realizations.
This time, Martin Wheeler also attended the seminar. Compared to our last meeting in Toronto, his movements were even sharper. I got hit by him quite a few times during practice, but I also took the opportunity to ask about his willingness to teach in Taiwan. I hope to bring good news to fellow practitioners soon—please stay tuned.
There were around 200 participants at this seminar, with attendees not only from Japan but also from Singapore and Australia. Many thanks to the organizer Systema Japan for inviting VV, and to all the fellow practitioners who trained together. Five members from Systema Taipei also participated. At the post-seminar yakiniku kai, hearing each member share their experiences and insights made me, as an instructor, truly happy.
The content from VV's seminar will be shared in future small-scale Systema Taipei workshops. We look forward to your participation.
