在西斯特瑪的訓練中，我們不以外顯的力量或速度作為核心指標。無論是在武術、運動或任何形式的身體操作裡，單純追求「更大的力量」或「更快」，基本上是一種線性的思維方式，無法真正得到人在壓力與不穩定狀態下的身體運作。我們關注的，是人在壓力中如何呼吸、如何組織身體結構，以及神經系統是否能在瞬間維持清楚、連續且可調節的狀態。真正的動作品質，並不來自肌肉的堆疊，而是來自神經驅動的效率。
許多傳統訓練體系會以「氣」來描述某些身體現象，在西斯特瑪中，我們不使用這個詞。這並非否認那些現象的存在，而是因為當身體的運作可以被清楚理解時，它不需要被神祕化。所謂的「氣感」或「內勁」，本質上只是身體在正確放鬆、沒有多餘恐懼與張力干擾時，自然呈現的一種狀態。它不是多出來的能量，而是身體終於停止浪費原本就具備的能力。
西斯特瑪反覆回到一個極為實際的問題：身體是否因恐懼而產生不必要的僵硬？呼吸是否在壓力中被中斷？力量是否在傳導過程中被局部對抗所截斷？當這些阻礙被逐一移除，力量會變得連續，動作會更穩定，而人在接觸、碰撞與失衡邊緣反而更有餘裕。外人看起來像是「不用力氣」，但實際上只是沒有產生多餘的對抗。
對於傳統武術的「丹田」，西斯特瑪同樣採取務實的理解方式。它並不是一個神祕的能量點，而是一種身體如何感知重力、如何組織骨盆、脊椎與呼吸的整體模式，以今天的流行術語來說，可以說是「核心」。當骨盆和胸腔對正，使用全呼吸，身體就會自然形成一個連貫的整體。這不是用力的技巧，而是身體達成整體連續性後的自然結果。
西斯特瑪的訓練要求覺知但不追求特定感覺，也不要求練習者去「相信」任何抽象概念。我們重視的是，在壓力中是否仍能維持呼吸，在動作中是否能覺察並釋放多餘張力，以及神經系統是否具備即時調節的能力。當恐懼不再主導反應，身體自然會變得穩定、有彈性且難以被干擾。這正是西斯特瑪所理解的internal work，可直翻為「內功」——這不是神祕能力，而是一種可重複、可訓練、也可被驗證的身體狀態。
西斯特瑪相信，真正長久且有效的訓練，來自於對身體真實運作方式的尊重與理解。當呼吸到位、結構到位、恐懼不再牽制動作，力量與穩定性便會自然出現。到了那個階段，人們也就不再需要任何詞彙來解釋，因為身體本身，已經給出了答案。
In Systema training, we do not focus on external strength or speed as core metrics. Whether in martial arts, sports, or any form of body operation, the mere pursuit of "greater strength" or "faster speed" is fundamentally a linear way of thinking and cannot truly capture how the body functions under pressure and instability. What we focus on is how a person breathes under pressure, how they organize their body structure, and whether the nervous system can instantly maintain a clear, continuous, and adjustable state. True movement quality does not come from muscle mass, but from the efficiency of nervous system drive.
Many traditional training systems use the term "Qi" (氣) to describe certain physical phenomena. In Systema, we do not use this term. This is not to deny the existence of those phenomena, but because when the body's operation can be clearly understood, it does not need to be mystified. The so-called "Qi sensation" or "Internal Force/Jing" (內勁) is essentially a natural state that the body exhibits when it is correctly relaxed, without the interference of unnecessary fear and tension. It is not extra energy, but the body finally stopping the waste of its inherent capacity.
Systema repeatedly returns to an extremely practical question: Does the body become unnecessarily stiff due to fear? Is the breath interrupted under pressure? Is force cut off during transmission by local antagonism? When these obstacles are removed one by one, the force becomes continuous, the movement becomes more stable, and a person has more capacity at the edge of contact, collision, and imbalance. To outsiders, it looks like "no effort is used," but in reality, it is simply the absence of unnecessary opposition.
Regarding the traditional martial arts concept of "Dantian" (丹田), Systema adopts an equally pragmatic understanding. It is not a mysterious energy point, but an overall pattern of how the body senses gravity, organizes the pelvis, spine, and breath—in today's popular terminology, it can be called the "core." When the pelvis and ribcage are aligned and full breathing is used, the body naturally forms a coherent whole. This is not a technique of exerting force, but the natural result of the body achieving overall continuity.
Systema training requires awareness but does not pursue specific sensations, nor does it require practitioners to "believe" in any abstract concepts. What we value is whether one can still maintain breath under pressure, whether one can perceive and release unnecessary tension during movement, and whether the nervous system possesses the capacity for immediate adjustment. When fear no longer dominates the reaction, the body naturally becomes stable, flexible, and difficult to interfere with. This is what Systema understands as "internal work" (「內功」)—it is not a mysterious ability, but a verifiable, repeatable, and trainable physical state.
Systema believes that truly long-lasting and effective training comes from respecting and understanding the body's true mode of operation. When breath is correct, structure is correct, and fear no longer restrains movement, strength and stability will naturally emerge. At that stage, people no longer need any vocabulary to explain, because the body itself has provided the answer.
