這次的研習會除了4.25和26兩天的課程之外，4.24有一場extra lesson，而這一天是西斯特瑪的創始人Mikhail Ryabko的三週年忌日，是個很特別的日子。值得一提的是，當天練習的最後Daniil帶領我們大家一起追悼Mikhail時，門窗都關閉著的教室飛進來一隻白粉蝶-在我們的頭上翩翩盤旋飛舞，Daniil說那是Mikhail，祂一直在看顧著我們。以前曾經在不同的地方聽說過類似的說法，不過真正見證到時感覺是真的不一樣，內心中充滿了感動的震動。
那隻蝴蝶還停在了我們CEO的手指上。
今天是5月6日，是Mikhail的冥誕，也在這一天我把這次Daniil的研習會心得寫完，這對我來說，如同另一種特別的巧合與連結。
這次研習會的主題是「放鬆、力量以及自然動作」（”relaxation, power and natural movement”），這三個詞彙涵蓋了西斯特瑪（Systema）武術的核心精神與訓練目標。然而，我們必須理解，西斯特瑪研習會所設定的主題，其目的並非要嚴格界定課程的內容，而主要是作為一個輔助性的引導，幫助參與者更深入地理解指導員在實踐中展現的動作與技術。
換句話說，研習會的主題提供了一個思考的框架，而非一條必須遵循的單一路線。這很像在攀登一座山時，雖然山頂的目標是固定不變的，但卻有無數條不同的路徑可以通往頂峰。研習會的主題正是扮演了不同的路徑角色，讓參與者可以從「放鬆」、「力量」或「自然動作」等不同的角度切入，最終都能領會西斯特瑪的整體訓練哲學與高階動作原理。因此，每位參與者即便透過不同的切入點，也能在同一座知識與技能的山上，找到屬於自己的獨特視角，達成對西斯特瑪更深層次的理解。
Daniil在包含extra lesson的三天當中，用各種不同方式幫助參加者找到身體操作的感覺。例如雙手維持在身前、身側、身後以及各種不同位置的正向、後向走路；而後在這個練習之上進行雙人對練，用不同的操作方式找到用極小tension控制人的體感。最後一天則是加上手指：手指的不同動作如何連結身體的所有部位，並用這種體感去進行不和對方對抗而控制對方。中間Daniil有帶領一個有趣的不同情境練習：對方躺在地方另一人去拉對方起來，第一種是躺在地上的人擺爛不起來、第二種是躺在地上的人起來但上面的人不讓他起來，最後是地上的人要起來，上面的人提供最小的力量（或是tension)幫助地上的人起來。
總結這次為期三天的研習會，Daniil透過各種精妙且層次分明的練習，清晰地展示了如何將「放鬆、力量與自然動作」的主題，轉化為身體操作的實際體感。從不同方向的行走、雙人對練到精細的手指應用，幫我們用身體理解到控制與連結並不依賴於蠻力或對抗，而是依賴於極微小的張力（tension）與身體整體的協調性：平衡。這次研習不僅是技術上的精進，更是一次對西斯特瑪核心精神的深刻體會。這份對體感與原理的深化理解，伴隨著創始人Mikhail的精神連結——從研習會當天白蝶的「看顧」，到我在其冥誕日完成這份心得的特別巧合。在Daniil的帶領下，我們不僅找到了通往「山頂」的新路徑，也確實感受到西斯特瑪傳承力量的非凡與溫暖。
期待下次的相遇。
In addition to the two-day seminar on April 25th and 26th, there was an extra lesson on April 24th, which marked the three-year death anniversary of Systema founder Mikhail Ryabko—a very special day. It is worth mentioning that at the end of the training that day, when Daniil led us in a moment of remembrance for Mikhail, a white powder butterfly flew into the closed classroom. It circled and fluttered over our heads, and Daniil said that it was Mikhail, watching over us. I had heard similar stories in different places before, but witnessing it in person was truly different, filling my heart with intense emotion.
The butterfly even landed on our CEO’s finger that day.
Today, May 6th, is Mikhail’s birthday, and it is on this day that I finished writing this review of Daniil’s seminar, which feels like another special coincidence and connection for me.
The theme of this seminar was "relaxation, power and natural movement," three phrases that encompass the core spirit and training objectives of Systema martial art. However, we must understand that the theme set for a Systema seminar is not meant to strictly define the course content, but rather to serve as an auxiliary guide to help participants gain a deeper understanding of the movements and techniques demonstrated by the instructor.
In other words, this theme provides a framework for thinking, rather than a single mandatory route. This is very much like climbing a mountain: while the summit remains the constant goal, there are countless different paths to reach the top. The seminar's theme plays the role of these different paths, allowing participants to approach the training from different angles—such as "relaxation," "power," or "natural movement"—ultimately leading them to grasp the overall training philosophy and advanced movement principles of Systema. Therefore, every participant, even with different starting points, can find their own unique perspective on the same mountain of knowledge and skill, achieving a deeper understanding of Systema.
During the three days, including the extra lesson, Daniil used various methods to help participants find the sensation of body manipulation. For example, walking forwards and backwards with hands held in various positions (in front, to the side, or behind the body); following this, a two-person drill was introduced, using different manipulation methods to find the feeling of controlling a person with minimal tension. The last day focused on the fingers: how different finger movements connect to all parts of the body, and using this sensation to control an opponent without confrontation. In between, Daniil led an interesting scenario-based exercise: one person lying on the ground and the other pulling them up. The first scenario was the person on the ground refusing to get up; the second was the person on the ground trying to get up while the person above prevented them; and finally, the person on the ground wanted to get up, and the person above provided the minimal force (or tension) to assist them in rising.
In summary of this three-day seminar, Daniil clearly demonstrated how to translate the theme of "relaxation, power, and natural movement" into the actual physical sensation of body application, through various subtle and multi-layered exercises. Through walking in different directions, two-person drills, and precise finger application, we realized that control and connection do not rely on brute force or confrontation, but rather on minimal tension and the overall coordination of the body. This seminar was not merely a technical refinement but a profound experience of the core spirit of Systema. This deepened understanding of physical sensation and principle is accompanied by a spiritual connection to the founder Mikhail—from the white butterfly's "watchfulness" on the day of the extra lesson, to the special coincidence of me completing this review on his birthday. Under Daniil's guidance, we not only found new paths to the "summit" but also truly felt the extraordinary and warm power of the Systema lineage.
I looking forward to our next encounter.
