Systema Punch Tips for Power with Menamy Mitanes

The Systema punch is unlike any punch I've ever felt. In this video, Menamy Mitanes shares a few tips on how Systema delivers its unique power.
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Here are some punching tips to remember...
Power is not just the result of speed and power... it contains physical, emotional, and spiritual components. Train ALL aspects of your skills.
For example, anger, fear, and frustration can all add tension into your body, which will slow you down. Learning how to control your feelings in a fight will help you stay relaxed so you can move with more power.
You may also add tension into your body by punching from a boxing style stance. Crouching and dropping your chin may be great when fighting one on one, but against multiple attackers with weapons, a natural stance will give you more options.
That means head straight, back straight, and feet shoulder width.
As for the punch, keep your shoulder relaxed, the wrist straight, and hit with your whole fist, not just the knuckle. Instead of hitting through the target, which is a very common tip, try to put all of your energy INTO the person.
THE PUSH-UP CHALLENGE!
In Systema, you train good punching structure by doing knuckle push ups. For a serious challenge, try doing just ONE push-up... but make it last 2 minutes-- one minute down, one back up!
No cheating! Keep your speed constant... no hurrying up or slowing down.
Take the challenge and let us know if you made it! :)
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Keep fighting for a happy life! :)
WARNING: The advice and movements shown in this video are for informational and educational purposes only. Consult a doctor before engaging in any exercise or martial arts program.

[@citydrums7525]

I'm a drummer. If I get nervous on stage and tense up, it negatively affects my playing and timing. If I'm relaxed, breathing and enjoying myself it's easier to play, improvise and I sound better. My technique employs tension and relaxation of the hands and fingers in unison with the arms & legs. Now, why would throwing coordinated punches be any different than the hand and foot movements of percussion? Both involve striking other objects. Great video, by the way...

[@AndoMierzwa]

I love that comparison. I was a drummer for years as well and you're right. Thanks for the comment!

[@dmsdrumcovers9506]

Seraphic Mike I'm a drummer, and I thought the exact same thing. I have a big show Sat, and tension is affecting my playing. This video may help me play better.

[@GokuInfintysaiyan]

Because two types of striking are percussive striking (hitting an inch past the chin and retracting quickly to rattle the brain) and hard striking (rigid bone stacking meant to crush gaurds and do large amounts of damage to organs by shoving them out of place at high speeds like a battering ram or 50 Calibur bullet) Both have advantages and disadvantages but I generally lean more towards hard striking since it makes it harder to break your hands lol

[@karatecampus]

Akira Hino is another great martial artist who is also a jazz drummer. In his book "Don't think! Listen to the Body" he describes the principles of his martial arts and in one chapter particularly how they influenced his playing the drums.

[@lelandlee5008]

EXACTLY

[@zyriab5797]

Tried the push up... 30 seconds down, 5 seconds up haha, been a long time I haven't trained on my fists, reminds me of the Shaolin lessons I took 7 years ago ! This man says quite interesting things; it would have been nice to be able to discuss with you both; I like your open-mildness and curiosity, when he, for example, talked about healing, and the root of power being physical, emotional and spiritual. Take care and thank you !

[@AndoMierzwa]

Love hearing the positive feedback! Yes, there’s much to explore out there! Happy training!

[@JerryTerrySignfield]

everyone loves bullshit

[@mishaaskar3323]

I studied Systema and had been a systema Study Group Leader for close to 10 years before changing my focus on other things and sadly, the interviewer had interrupted Menamy so much he couldn't clarify what he's really talking about...All Systema Instructors know that the energy he's talking off it not Chi or Ki....It's Kinetic Energy formed by the rotations in the joints travelling through the loose conduit of the limbs to produce what Val Riazanov got to call "Ballistic Strikes"...Strikes that unleash a barrage of kinetic energy on impact the way a Shotgun at close range would spread out it's pellets. Systema does have an Aiki-quality to it the way Tai-chi and Aikido does but it's full explanations have no connections to a mythology or belief system...it's rooted in Biomechanics, Physics and Anatomy. It's a system created to hone a simple everyday guy into ready fighting militia for wartime during Dark Age Russia when knights and other soldiers weren't plentiful in numbers and invaders from every corner of the Russia poured in and forced the many Russian kingdoms to train their civilians to take up arms when they were thinned. I could go on and on in this but I really feel that the video could have been a little more indepth as it was very surface-level Systema where the strikes of Distance 2 (Distance of the hand and foot) was shown first before it's usual gradual levels of Distance 1, 2 and 3.

[@SonsOfDeForest]

'Study Group Leader"... seems legit, not culty at all

[@annoyed707]

@@SonsOfDeForest Better than snark group leader.

[@annoyed707]

@J Thorsson I'd call your comment deep, except that thick seems more apt.

[@jordanburrill883]

But Misha, the "kenetic energy" must first be assembled by the 'Field Energy' (spirit).

[@ihateliberals518]

I think that is what Bruce lee himself was doing, but maybe his students didn't understand what he was saying. because in the Tao of jkd, he talked about staying loose and relaxed. and strike with explosive power from a relaxed position

[@jjones7837]

13:32...notice he keeps talking and maintains his breath. That's relaxation.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Good note!

[@LG-cz6ls]

My Aikido instructor would get use moving around a circle of attackers, simply sweeping left to right, while singing, as an exercise in breathing properly.

[@cosmicdraconian6712]

@@LG-cz6ls that sounds cool

[@UrbanTiger74]

"Emotional content....not anger..." - Bruce Lee.

[@AndoMierzwa]

That’s a big deal. 👍🏼

[@MyLife-og2kr]

Yup! Emotional content, knowing where to focus your emotions and not letting your emotions take you over. Anger is an uncontrolled emotion and when that happens, you already lost mentally.

Now try again!

[@LSMH528Hz]

*slap* don't look at the finger..

[@usermaneste1]

Anger has been a useful catalyst for gaining strength in training but anger doesn't need to be anger as it is the same energy that is grace or love or determination or justification. It is how your heart feels determines how it is eventually executed. Nurture your energy and focus it on integrity. This makes you feel better.

[@EvilSpeculator]

Menamy - still looking good! Greetings from an old student in Spain ;-)

[@simonchristian9663]

Brilliant video, thank you Gentlemen and that one sentence says it all : "... accept that whatever happens is okay... " Fear is generally a more common experience than anger for most ie when one is about to fight. We impair ourselves emotionally and our bodies lock up and/or weaken with anticipation ie But if you accept beforehand, not only for fighting but as an everyday philosophy for any challenge that: 'it is okay to lose'... that if you lose you lose and it is no big deal - then the ego is disempowered and you will still like yourself afterwards, win lose or draw! Because you did your best and 'didn't get in your own way'. Thinking in this way as a fight looms, the fear of a negative result can be discarded and you will be free to be in the moment, unimpeded psychologically, focusing exclusively on the Now and the immediate objective of blocking or attacking or escaping etc. Contemplating how 'unacceptable' a negative result will make you feel in the future should you lose is actually irrational - a subtle form of madness not to mention a waste of time and a soul draining immobiliser ...it's like forcing an inappropriate daydream mask over your physical capacity to respond unencumbered.

[@traditionalmartialartist950]

Everyone needs to stop getting offended over this video. If you disagree, then make an argument. Don't just insult people. And quit comparing styles.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate that. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@davidmulholland3362]

Traditional Martial Artist His emphasis on relaxing is pretty much what any boxing or kickboxing or MMA coach will tell you. His hand position is worrisome. He doesn’t make a fist before striking which is a good way to hurt your hand; I speak from experience on this. Also hitting with the bottom three knuckles is a good way to break the fourth metatarsal.

[@bigt5268]

its sound like a taoist internal work ... :) the dao way, we don't say yes and we don't say no !

[@bigt5268]

your request is not related to my comment :), .... to win a fight, u must not fight, to improve anything in your life, u already improve it , by thoughts that been hanging in your mind, plus if we dont sense life inside us and harmony, we cannot find a balance outside... and its not been as you are, it's about been the way you must be ;) .... everything in your life must flow, your body, your emotions, then your spirit ! everything must move, and you move with it ! .... in ur case you need to balance between fire and water element ;) ahhh how i know that ! simple, the nature know it, n i'm a part of it ! ... you know how i win i fight, by letting you thinking that u don't need to fight, but you want to .... in that moment, less that 1/10 of a second ! the spinal cord start vibrating, and everything pulsing, brain in rest, eyes relaxed, letting the animal brain do the job, now u know how to win the fight. once emotion rise up, u loose everything, even this convo ;) !

[@bigt5268]

:)

[@jamescoley9268]

Man, a 60 second pushup is brutal. I made like 20 seconds on my first try. So far im up to 35 seconds without failure. Im not giving up lol

[@AndoMierzwa]

Sounds easy, right? Keep up the great work! 💪🏼

[@cienciaj]

where is the video jaaaa Just a thought

[@jinhong5152]

Paused at 15:27 and did 2 push ups in a minute. And yes, s-l-o-w push ups... lasting a minute. Feels awesome somehow _(Thanks Sensei Ando, for believing in us)_

[@jinhong5152]

oh i could make a video, there's a challenge.... hmmmm

[@AndoMierzwa]

HA! I'll make sure Menamy sees that! :D Keep pushing!

[@chrisbrunskill6525]

I hope you had the air conditioning off all summer as well : )

[@henny01]

i pause it for 20 sec aha

[@danieljohnsaycon5504]

so ando teached saitama

[@JohnSmith-hs5br]

Reducing unnecessary tension doing pull-ups This reminds me when I was 24 years old and reached 29 straight legged pull-ups . As I began pull-ups I was relaxing in motion and feeling what made the movement easier. I found to bounce at the bottom of the movement and arc at the bottom instead of straight up and down. As the body arked up I pulled up and relaxed on the way down. A continuous arcing at top and bottom,like a circle.also imagining I was light as a feather. I weighed 145 pounds. Art and science! Your teaching just helped me understand what I was doing, refining movement,less energy for maximum movement. Thank you Jm

[@AndoMierzwa]

Art and science... you need both to be your best for sure. Thank you for the comment, sir!

[@ThePushkar101]

That's an awesome lesson.. keep energy flowing and accept the situation to ease the tension. Would look forward to more tips in next video on how does one actually do that( been easy in threat). Thanks Ando

[@Flashahol]

I have to agree... having been in very different types of martial arts classes, I have done my most efficient, destructive and most violent moves, hits and fights when I was having the most fun and not trying to destroy my adversary (partner, really). I was also at my most relaxed state and with no worries going through my mind. Energy flow is definitely key as my first Sensei tried to convey, but this guy has a much more complete explanation of the principle!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Makes sense to me! Happy training!👍🏼

[@samashtibadoni1791]

Hey Ando i subscribed to you channel in 2013 , watched all of your videos and liked them.. Keep it up your work really helps ..

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! If you keep watching, I'll keep making them! :D

[@sleepdealer8284]

That is Life Lesson there, I’m Happy Relaxed and Thankful. 🙏 😊

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome. Stay that way! 😁👍🏼

[@jgives11]

Just hearing about the internal and focus on letting go of fear, anger and tension has my interest extremely high in studying this system. Thank you for the content, much appreciated

[@AndoMierzwa]

Very pleased you got something out of this! 🙏🏻

[@pranakhan]

Thank you so much for this. I've been a long time fan of Wheeler's Systema vids, and always had a desire to visit the Academy or take a seminar. It's really great to hear a detailed breakdown of some of the elements which make this style what it is. Great material, well delivered. There's a lot to unpack here. I hope I can get hit by one of these guys some day!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Yes, Menamy is very good at breaking things down. Glad you liked it!

[@rockylosco5596]

When he said jeet kune do he had my attention👍

[@johnny-oh4481]

Rocky Losco mine too

[@ojasyasharma8577]

Me too

[@anthonym9130]

I've done both the problem with JKD is that you're switching between styles in a confrontation and that's not efficient in systema your movement has more continuity and Flow because the principles are the same regardless of the situation

[@janeconners7000]

I really enjoyed this video! LOTS of information and fun to watch! Thanks Sensei Ando!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Hope it helps, ma'am! :)

[@jtmcreative7297]

the best systema explanation I've ever watched

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you very much!

[@MartyMoose1611]

Thank you for the lesson. My Shotokan Sensei use to tell us to relax our shoulders. This is a great shoot!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Yes, relax the shoulders. But not always easy to do! :) Thanks!

[@shellbacksclub]

wish he'd let the guy finish what he's saying without interrupting with how he interprets what he's saying!

[@SirMavundla]

Thank you!!! Like he must just keep quiet and let the guy finish what he's saying.

[@MrBobLob1aw]

That was really annoying me. The amount of "mm hmmm" and then trying to re-re-clarify. I literally scrolled into the comments to see if I was the only one. I am not.

[@lawfullyrudedz4582]

@@MrBobLob1aw He was having trouble finding his words. Ando was just trying to make it a 20 minute video instead of 40. Quit being so butt hurt.

[@swordgai8561]

Dn#t watch it then.

[@JohanneChristensen]

SaintDeadzone DZ I agree. Also Ando wants to add some more words to explain with to make sure more people catch it. No harm done, this was actually helpful. How to become a master if you get bored after 20 minutes?

[@swbarb1]

this is the best video i have seen explaining in clear English the SYSTEMA punch... great job

[@AndoMierzwa]

I thought so, too!

[@tiagodacruz2484]

Simple, clean, highly informative... great video!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@angelusnovus2203]

That one-minute knuckle pushup is really useful. I liked the part about concentration and about how to figure out which muscles are necessary. A fantastic tip in order to preserve energy and improve stamina and endurance.

[@AndoMierzwa]

So glad you tried! Happy training!

[@billmcpherson706]

I've been doing various MA for nearly 27 years. For the past 13 years, I've trained various Russian MA to include Systema as well as other disciplines. The reality is that Systema via Martin Wheeler and his teachers show a style of striking that is based on relaxation with a proper structure using the weight of the arm or leg. In order to strike heavy you need strong and aligned joints and a strong core or structure in the body. It isn't about a stance so much. It's more about the hips and spine being supportive of the whole and minimizing tension within the rest of the body. Taking a defensive posture with the chin tucked and the hands up won't hurt you as much as having so much tension in your body that you are driving with the brakes on while punching the gas. As for the ideas behind emotion and spirit that is more esoteric and less scientific. One of the basic drills used to learn how to deliver deep but relaxed strikes are to push a partner while being relaxed and remaining upright. Most people initially start by leaning into the push. This provides a poor platform and creates odd angles that cause muscles to contract that should be relaxed. They also try to move people like it's a 500lbs bench press. You really don't need that kind of force and instead need to develop a feeling of heaviness or understand the mass which you can utilize. The idea is in the adage that you cannot shoot a cannon from a canoe. Think of your core engagement and posture in a plank. You want to have that while standing with a relaxed shoulder and arm that acts as a battering ram. That is really the method that Systema strike implements. Try to use a battering ram or sledgehammer with a loose core. Try to muscle either tool and be effective. Instead, if you control your center (core) and maintain just enough tension to hold and guide the tool you will be more effective. Just my two cents to try and demystify what is often made far more mystical. It's really just science and biomechanics guys.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Your explanation is excellent, sir! Thank you for sharing it.

[@rbrb3625]

-This good sharing comment! Thanks!

[@MrByaeger]

One of the best tools i have ever used is a traditional Makiwara . Not the pad on a wall, but the anchored to the ground , tapered board. When you hit it, its sends all that energy back down your arm into your skeleton. It teaches you to relax and disconnect your kinetic chain as you strike or it rattles your whole body . Its the difference between hitting a pool ball with a cue , or just throwing another pool ball at it. Now what that value is to the puncher is certainly open to debate , and can you remain that relaxed under stress is another thing, but I love this topic. And I think it's actually far more common in use ( relaxation and structure) in boxing than most people may think. How else can you go so many rounds with nothing but punches and not gas out?

[@AndoMierzwa]

Good point! Boxers have to learn relaxation and efficiency or fights would be very short! Figuring out how to hit without exhausting yourself is important for every style. Thanks for the comment!

[@namnam2701]

I'd be interested to know a bit more about the sensation the Makiwara creates and how it helps you. What you're saying is that if you don't punch well, you'll feel that it rattles the body, and if you punch well, it just doesn't ? is it as simple as that or maybe a little more complicated ? And what do you mean by "rattles" exactly ? Also, knowing I probably won't find one where I live unless I buy one, which I don't want to do until I'm sure I enjoy martial arts enough to spend that much money on it, what would you recommend me to get the most similar feeling possible ? Is there any creative way to replicate it ?

[@MrByaeger]

NamNam, When you punch it , instead of it just bouncing away like a bag, or absorbing in like a solid pad on wall, It pushes back on your arm , like if you were pushing against another person , palm to palm. the idea is to train to hit it and instantly relax so all the energy goes outward, not back into you. Thats the best I can describe it , hopefully that makes more sense. You can make one easily with just a 5-6 ft. pine 2 x 4 . You start about a foot from the bottom and cutting away the wood until it slowly tapers to about 3/4 of and inch. Then find some way to anchor solid to the ground or floor, like a fence post. you should be able to bend it about 3 inches with one hand. Then either wrap it in hemp to also toughen your knuckles, or just some rags and tape. You can also use 3 boards, each an inch thick, but one is about 2 feet, the next about 4, and the last one 5-6 feet. line them up at the bottom and bind them together. Whichever way you go the pad should be shoulder height. the hard part is anchoring it. I had a custom steel bracket made that I bolted to a plywood platform. But you maybe use cement like a fencepost or try and find some kind of bracket at a hardware store.

[@garyhughes5428]

I understand what you are saying here. I am a believer of using the aggressors energy

[@garyhughes5428]

Try punching a banana tree

[@robomann72]

This was a great video. I’m a 2 Nd degree black belt in Taekwondo. I started training in 1992. Without realizing what I was doing I find myself trying to relax in competition. I even do it when practicing on a punching bag. When I’m tight I’m slower and my strikes are not as powerful. When I compete my heart rate actually goes down several bpm. Once you figure out how to relax and focus you will see how fast and powerful you can be. When I hit the heavy bag at the gym it actually sends a shock through my bones. It actually hurts. If someone is holding the bag they can only hold it for 3 or 4 strikes. Even my knife defense is better when I relax. I know exactly what he is saying.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome. Happy training to you!👍🏼

[@itjuzmanu]

I have doing knuckle push ups all my life. I completely agree, on the idea of training muscle isolation while strengthening the muscles it helps a great deal with balance.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Keep going!

[@systemahouston8555]

Hey Menamy, just re-watched your post. You unleashed quite the hell of comments since I watched it last time. So it was worth it :). Miss your company and your punches, friend. Vladimir

[@perrywalker1604]

Id love to train but it would be the funding yeah yeah im funny make a joke comment few minutes ago but legit seems fun and a great work out

[@slevinlaine]

Super cool video! thank you.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for watching!

[@raygsbrelcik5578]

This guy is good. I have brought up the issue of improper punching, and how it can damage your hands, and even wrists. People on KZbin are always surprised and complimentary. They admit to never having given thought to protecting your fist! This is why I spent many hours strengthening fingers, wrists, and Forearms.

[@Playboigorti8574]

AMAZING VIDEO, really appreciate the sensible questions you asked, I feel like half the systema content on KZbin would have far more impact with this quality dialogue to discuss the ideas, there is so much different thinking involved, takes smart questions like these to explain it properly with the typically further Eastern frame of reference that people have for martial arts

[@AndoMierzwa]

I totally agree! Systema is usually presented without an explanation of what’s really going on. So, it opens itself up for unnecessary criticism. Thanks for the comment!

[@emZee1994]

Awesome! Thank you! EDIT: just finished the video. I've trained in many different martial arts and one of them is systema. Although my teacher is from the Kevin Secours school of combat systema so although it's similar it's also alot different Seeing the same things being taught from a totally different perspective was awesome and intriguing P.S. haha when he punched you in the face I laughed. In systema we hit each other so much I think we can forget it's not a social norm hahaha 😂

[@AndoMierzwa]

It really is helpful to hear the same ideas from different people's perspectives. Especially through free videos! ;) Funny about the face punch... that should not be normal! Or should it? :D

[@fredericdecourt3116]

We all climb the same mountain by different paths ;)

[@samueltate9113]

Being relax taking or giving strikes...breathing plays an important key with this application of principles 😀🖒

[@dennischrysanthopoulos5011]

@@AndoMierzwa training is training. If you're training in a safe controlled environment, then getting hit and hitting is part of training. I've had a punch thrown so hard that landed unexpectedly, and had my friend hide thinking he was going to die from it. I've thrown one of my instructors about 5ft with a groin kick while he was teaching me a new kick. I shit bricks, he laughed and was happy that i got the kick. What i find unacceptable is seniors proving their superiority by crushing juniors. We train in a violent sport. We need to be hit otherwise we may as well be doing Tae-bo.(yes I'm that old) but aggression in training is bad. The only acceptable aggression is to the heavy bag. The more we hit each other, the more we learn to either cope or avoid. I don't see Thai fighters avoid contact in training, yet, I've never seen more respect to their fellow opponent.

[@AndoMierzwa]

@@dennischrysanthopoulos5011 Thanks for all the wise words, sir! Happy training!👍🏼

[@itay9993]

Wow I can watch videos like this all day! Thank you for the great content sensei!

[@AndoMierzwa]

I truly appreciate that. Thank you!

[@nejcpanic6704]

very vey good video! thank you.

[@joshbedo8291]

Awesome stuff I want to find someone to teach me Systema soon

[@SenseiEli]

1:00 Pure understanding of keyboard warriors! Who like to criticize other peoples work without even actually understanding what they do...

[@MrFacundo7]

Excellent video Sensei Ando!!👏🥊🥋 Very good teaching by Menamy Mitanes👌 I'm definitely gonna add that slow fist push up💪👍

[@AndoMierzwa]

Not so easy! 😄

[@watchingfromtheshadows1338]

Thank you for doing this video

[@spoonman73]

"Emotional content, not anger! It is like a finger pointing to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all the heavenly glory."

[@AndoMierzwa]

spoonman73 Nice! 😁

[@saintg300]

Great reference. I wonder how many know it.

[@SirLeDoux]

Have some tea Mr Braithwaite.

[@nickpickerwi7787]

I've heard this: "Reading books is like a finger pointing toward the moon. Be careful not to mistake the finger for the moon."

[@csl9495]

Great content... In my endeavor to move freely through martial arts as bruce lee expressed... it is to know how to let go. Only then will you understand that, it hits all by itself. Shit is amazing! I use it for boxing and the more I practice it, i can move faster and more swift and more precisely. It is as he says the physical is the "tension".... emotions and spiritual tension is real too. When I focus on letting these things go, I can focus better on reacting better in the current situation, and trust my response that I've spent hours practicing. Even being happy, or the act of a smile helps relieve tension, that's why that helps. Be Zen.

[@brandonbailey3705]

Fascinating thanks for the great vid

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@leoknevel8347]

Very helpfull instruction, thanks!!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for watching! 🙏🏻

[@Almosteasyese]

Mr. Mierzwa, have you ever looked into the polar opposite of this technique? If you look up, " target focused training ", there's a video on striking that shows the method of tense, weighted striking used by them and SCARS. They don't use their body to throw a loose punch. They step in deep to or past the opponent's legs and keep a rigid structure, and they extend the arm inside the person. From trying, it's less of a ballistic impact and more of a battering ram that will break bones and displace them.

[@AndoMierzwa]

You bet! I think there's a time and place for everything… different tools for different problems. Learn it all! Thanks for the comment.

[@hocheungwong6713]

Top 10 boxing equipments

[@mikej2489]

You also lose balance by doing that and shift your center of mas forward somebody seeing the punch coming can step backwards and pull you forwards and you imediatly fall down lol. You might want to learn psychics first cause systema from what i can tell has a lot to do with psychics.

[@Gieszkanne]

TFT and Scars are Kung Fu San Soo applications.

[@ohioman4646]

I think it'd be really interesting to see Systema vs SCARS. Opposites, SEALS vs Spetznaz, both developed during the Cold War.

[@ninjaspam2000]

The idea is about force transfer. You use your tissue to move the bones. Through the opponents tissue to hit their bones. Then you can hit heavy and deep. Thus the impact penetrates the surface tension and hits the deep facia and nerves. So it disrupts the structure of the opponent. Which ultimately disrupts the mind if the opponent. And conflicts are ultimately won or lost in the mind.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Love the breakdown, Julian. Thank you!

[@duckrabbithead]

You lost me there. ...just hit a person really hard on jaw/liver solar plexus to stop them. And yes relax so you punch faster and look around for multiple attackers. Systema people seem to over think it and make it too esoteric, not that the concepts are always wrong

[@ninjaspam2000]

@@duckrabbithead the problem with your statement is this. Just swinging and hitting hard doesn't equate to the force leaving your tissues. That's why boxers have to tape up their hands and even then will sometimes break the small bones in their hand. There is conditioning and understanding required to hit well. And hitting well is a lot different than hitting hard.

[@duckrabbithead]

Julian Davis I agree about hitting well vs hitting hard, I just don't understand the stuff about breaking surface tension to break structure which breaks the mind. is it about targeting the liver or solar plexus? I'm a fan of body shot KOs, especially in a bare knuckle context. thanks,

[@Shinobi1Kenobi]

@@duckrabbithead I'm not a Systema person, but I do have a decades long background in TMA and lived in Asia for years. Let me try to paraphrase...hoping for clarity. In terms of striking a person/animal, surface tension = the elasticity of soft tissue (absorbs force by slowing it down). This includes muscular resistance to applied force. Breaking structure is an English translation of an ancient and basic martial arts principle. Simply put, it is manipulating attacker(s) into body positions against their will. This weakens the will and exposes the mind's vulnerabilities to ITSELF (ie doubt, fear, panic). Combat...of every kind...is about dominating the will of your adversary. Until the WILL to fight is subjugated, the fight will continue. Let me give an example... Even if you kill a gang-banger, there is a good chance other gang members will seek retribution. Maybe tonight, but maybe next year. The WILL is collective and viral. It doesn't end with the dead guy. But if you dominate the gang's collective will to try to do you harm, the fight will end. The best way to accomplish this is to make the adversary continue to do things it doesn't want to do and prevent it from doing the things it wants to do. First, it becomes frustrated, then exhausted, then it loses hope. HOPE is the REAL target of combat. When your adversary loses hope, it will give up the fight. This is all about strategy, not tactics. You use tactics to execute the strategy. Strategy applies to EVERYTHING. A great tactician will always lose to a great strategist, even if he "scored more points" or inflicted more damage than the strategist -- because the strategist is attacking the WILL, not just the means. Tacticians attack only the means. Another quick example... The Nazis were superior tacticians with vastly superior technology to the Jews. But The Reich is history and Israel exists today (70 years later) as a vibrant nation. In spite of the horrors of the Holocaust, who WON?

[@NothingMaster]

Excellent Systema instructor.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the support!

[@carlpowers7291]

I did it! It was definitely different from traditional push ups for obvious reasons but I can see how this will help

[@saltukylmaz8458]

"Our strike is based on make money!" It is traditional chinese systema that works for centuries.

[@69yearsago31]

Systema is Russian not Chinese.

[@joelaubriel1529]

I learned a lot from this video but I wish you could have him back to see how relax he is and I appreciate how you took the hit to show example imma punch Maybe you could do part 2 of this video thank you

[@AndoMierzwa]

I hope we can make another video, too!.Thank you!

[@annoyed707]

@@AndoMierzwa Maybe without the hit?

[@pedropedro3299]

Amazing lesson, thanks for sharing 💯💯

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you, Pedro!

[@stevebrindle1724]

Me Again Sensei Ando! I have added a slow knuckle press up to my daily training regime thinking it would be easy. How wrong I was! I could only do a slow press up for 5 seconds up and 5 secs down at my first try. I have been persevering and after 2 weeks I am doing 10 seconds each way, aiming for a full minute, It will take as long as it takes but determination will get me there, I don't care if it takes 6 months, I will do it! I have worked out it is a great exercise to ensure that your punch is in alignment with no bend in the wrist weakening the punch or risking injury! Such a simple idea with such great results! Already, when I hit the bag I can feel the difference. What a great instructor you are sir, open to all arts respecting tradition but open to innovation. Along with my Dojo instruction and my yoga practice I definitely feel you are the third part of my instruction and have helped me greatly Sensei. I recommend all serious martial artist to follow Sensei Ando, he will improve your training, physically and spiritually!

[@AndoMierzwa]

I am deeply honored by your kind words, sir. Thank you! I have no doubt you will nail that 1 minute goal! 👊🏼

[@rmasystemalondonuk]

Respect for your honesty Steve. I would not believe people in first try can hit the 60sec while maintaining those given principles. I trust you already surpassed that level long time ago. Keep growing mister!

[@brandonsellers1076]

Systema = Jackie Chan in "Gorgeous"

[@limalima6037]

This video is so great! This is one of the most important videos in all of martial arts and can really be applied to martial arts and to life itself! The luckiest martial artists will find this one video and with just a bit of wisdom applied will change their entire perspective on martial arts and life itself!

[@navdeepsingh-ux1nv]

OMG you are so right. My perspective changed completely after this :)

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! I agree that even one idea can make a big difference. 🙏🏻

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Thank you for the comment!

[@yasserelmasri2876]

Amazing Spirit Sensei ! Thank you.

[@AndoMierzwa]

He’s a cool guy, yes. Thank you for the comment!

[@mr.coffee7434]

Dope! Cool! Nice! Learned a lot with this. Keep up the good work!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Thanks for the comment!

[@leopoldoastudillo7189]

"There is nothing more dangerous than a fighter who fights with inspiration."....GREAT VIDEO! 👍

[@AndoMierzwa]

Well said, sir! 👍🏼

[@Taylor-wt9zv]

Hi Ando, I was recently offered to take a instructor class to learn to teach taekwondo classes could you do a video on instructing or teaching? You've helped me so much with your videos, thank you!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Hi Taylor! Sounds like a great opportunity. I have a few articles on teaching on my website that might help. www.senseiando.com/?s=teacher&submit=Search

[@johnlyons3607]

Profound interview, loved it thanks!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@therunninglawyer]

This video shows the incredible talent of Menamy. Such clarity. I have studied under him and with him for years. He is one of the best instructors and people I have known.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Yes, sir. He is truly someone worth knowing.

[@InsipidRoustabout]

This might be the best thorough and explanation of Systema I’ve seen!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thanks for saying that! I couldn't find many good descriptions, either. That's why I asked! :)

[@SystemaBJJKD]

Yes I'm glad that you feel that way! And I am grateful Ando asked me!

[@cornstar1253]

I have been training for just over a year. I am still not proficient with this type of strike. I was told by my instructor to imagine that your arm is being pulled forward by an unseen force rather than being forced or pushed forward by your body. That seemed to help Systema strike, when executed properly are the most powerful that I have ever felt. I still haven't been punched to the visceral level. It is almost like an explosion occurs within the body. A terrifying feeling, like getting the wind knocked out of you

[@StephenHampton_DesignDesk]

mick agreed. 15 years of Kung fu, 1 year of system, and I have never felt punches as hard as the systema ones (and they were never trying to hit hard). There is a huge difference between the force of a strike paying through your body and the force remaining in you. I've felt the force change directions internally. A strike to my chest that's felt in my kidneys is the most debilitating pain imaginable. Read and watch tutorials like this all you like, but you can only learn to punch like this through experience and feeling. Systema has a secret to punching very few other disciplines have. It's pure genius.

[@SystemaBJJKD]

Yes, Stephen, you are absolutely right, you have to experience it!

[@karatefightfitnessdrills5430]

Oh you mean just like Pacquiao when he enters the ring he's soo happy smiling and soo relaxed. Oook I get it. 👍🏽👍🏽👊

[@AndoMierzwa]

Good comparison!

[@noeldeynaco8583]

Correct

[@miguelangelpedraglio9320]

Very wise sensey.. really makes sence. Very Good! And useful tip.thank you.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@yoananda9]

Great to see you still learning, very inspiring. Thanks.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Constantly and from everyone! 😁

[@chriswalker7632]

Regarding the internal. I'm not an expert but I have recently been looking into the effect of solitary confinement as well as cases of people who have had their hippocampus removed as well as conditions like depression and schizophrenia. There is apparently an increase of a gene expression that leads to an increase of a hormone/neurotransmitter in the hypothalamus and amygdala caused by solitary confinement. Apparenlty, scientists have been able to isolate this so well that if you just administer it to a regular person they'll start to feel similar effects tothose of long term solitary confinement. Equally, chemically blocking this hormone in those who have experienced solitary confinement will start to feel much more normal. This is an example of the emerging field of Epigenetics (changes in gene expression or even DNA and RNA itself from environemtal effects and so on - like getting a sun tan). Everyone can experience PTSD and an increased flight or fight response and lingering aggression and raised heart rate and blood pressure and so on after a shock to the system.... but they will eventually diminish. But apparently solitary confinement makes these effects last much longer - even chronically lasting the rest of someone's life. So there appears to at least be some social/hierachical component - or however you want to call it involving interactions (or not) with another human being - to how stressed we feel... As in it's probably about confidence in ourselves essentially. Which is something you talk about a lot I notice. For example, and then I'll finish, in more detail. The hypothalamus regulates the internal metabolism of your body (your parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system which regulates whether you are relaxed or at a hieghtened state of alertness ready for action). So when you're ready for action your digestive system shuts down and your heart rate and blood pressure go up and your body converts from burning mainly fats in your internal organs to burning mainly carbohydrates in your muscles (because burning carbs - although less efficient - releases energy faster than burning fats). Carbohydrates increase in your body as a result of increases in the stress hormone cortisol. A switch between being relaxed or aggressive depends on the balance of vasopressin (aggressive) versus serotonin (relaxed) in your hypothalamus. Interestingly vasopressin is also an anti-diuretic (it stops kidney function and also raises blood pressure) - it works oppositely to oxytocin (the "love hormone") which acts as a diuretic. People who contract the rabies virus ("fear of water" as it used to be called) are also given diuretics to control their symptoms. Interestingly dopamine (which is released following rewarding behaviour) is reduced if prolactin levels go up as a result of exercise stress. So maybe there was more to what Bruce Lee referred to when saying "Be Like Water my Friend" and "Empty You Cup" - as in literally empty your bladder first! And well aggression has been shown to increase when electricity activates the hypothalamus also. But the thing is. Oxytocin is required for muscle contractions - for example, nursing mothers build up prolactin and then when they express milk their prolactin levels reduce as their oxytocin levels go up (combined with an increase in dopamine) to force milk out of their milk ducts. As oxytocin levels go up cortisol (stress) goes down. Vasopressin levels also go down and serotinin levels go up. Increasing feelings of relaxation. Oxytocin is required for muscle memory and mental memory (if they are not actually one and the same). Higher levels of oxytocin will reduce blood sugar levels and lessen the risk of diabetes. Conditions such as "Cushing's Syndrome" that chronically raise cortisol (stress) levels leads to muscle atrophy (it has the knock on effect of lowering both testosterone and estrogen levels - so effects fertility as well). Oh. I nearly forgot. Regarding the hippocampus (which it seems was effected in Guy Pearce's character in the Christopher Nolan film "Memento"). It has been shown that exercise increases the size of the hippocampus, but that conditions such as depression and schizophrenia reduce the size of the hippocampus - excercise has been shown to be benefical to people with depression. The hypocampus is involved in "explicit memories" or "expressive/conscious memories" and is also involved in spatial memory. But "explicit" doesn't automatically mean "true" - for example, people can be hypnotized using explicit suggestions or factoids that could be completely false. "Implicit"/"unconscious" memories on the other hand don't require the hippocampus - instead using parts of the brain like the motor cortex. People who have had their hippocampus removed can still train their body to learn physical skills - they just won't consciously remember having learned them. It is a bit like Bruce Lee when he said "it hits all by itself". But it also relates to PTSD symptoms and post-hypnotic suggestions that disengage conscious memory - in that the body can remember it but you consciously cannot rememebr it unless you have done the work in your frontal cortex to reconstruct the context of what caused to the implicit memory/response, either by having the blanking of the memory of the post hypnotic suggestion removed in the case of hypnosis or reconstructed the context of a traumatic event (for example "talk therapy"). Stress raises glutamate levels in the brain - increasing alertness but destroying brain cells if stress is maintained for long enough. The hippocampus is particularly vulnerable due to the plentiful amount of cortisol (stress) receptors it has. Which is probaly why stress has a relationship to condtions like depression and schizophrenia, which both of these condtions show an atrophy of the hippocampus (and widepread brain damage inthe case of schizophrenia). Yeh. Wow. I went on for ages there. Sorry if you were aware of a lot of that. Thanks anyway.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Wow, Chris. I’m going to need another cup of coffee truly appreciate all of that. Thank you for the comment!

[@mjt11860]

fascinating to know the how & y.

[@tokinabo]

Thx for sharing this valuable info!

[@chriswalker7632]

Thanks for the responses people. Just to add. I forgot to start my original comment with "TLDR: yeh, basically, like the guy in the video said" :P

[@Sam-ef3fg]

wow. all i can say is wow. So much work was put into this and so much information was give im impressed

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

isn't systema that killer martial art that's used by the Russian Military ?

[@AndoMierzwa]

Some say....

[@sebastianjakobsen4836]

And the SS

[@Krack2805]

spetsnaz. they used to. now its more other things mixed in, i believe.

[@Walden-jx4mi]

Military systema and comercial systema are very different, if you want military systema you should just go with combat sambo instead.

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

@@Walden-jx4mi where do they teach that ?

[@45cab]

thank you very interesting stuff

[@stormytrails]

Ando, you are one of the most precious humans I know...you make my day, your teaching is reaching so very many people. Major huggs!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Hugs to you!

[@stormytrails]

@@AndoMierzwa and a big virtual hugg back to you!

[@thejoojoo9999]

I just have one question. According to Mitanes I should have the least tension possible to transmit energy. But when I punch I have to make my fist really tight so that it's hard and solid and I don't break my hand. But that creates a lot of tension, so how can I reconcile the two ?

[@pranakhan]

You roll the joints of the fingers together to make a solid fist. If theres excess tension in the hand, the fingers fold together incorrectly. I think the issue is when & how do you generate tension in the hand on impact.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Two thoughts from me... One, just because your fist is tight doesn't mean the rest of you has to be. Two, you don't always have to make a tight fist. It takes some experimenting!

[@chavale2]

Right; your hand relaxed only tight fist the second you throw out the punch then retract quickly so to avoid being grasped by the opponent

[@Ermanariks_til_Aujm]

As he mentioned, breathing is actually the biggest part of systema, as it's linked with tension. If you get tired or tensed doing an exercise, it's heavily linked with bad or untrained breathing. For the fist; you just have to roll your finger in a structured fist, like you're holding a butterfly, and when you throw the punch, breathing should never stop. You can even try to relax and release your fingers a second after you've made contact, so that there is no excess tension. Try to breath in, or breath out while throwing the punch, during the throw, and after the throw. Your breathing should not be linked with any form of muscle memory. It should continuously flow, whatever happens around or within you. Source: I've been training in Systema for 3 years

[@ninjaspam2000]

Try this idea make a loose fist hold just enough energy in the fist to align the bones behind it. Then do a pushup on that structure. The receptors in the muscles and tendons will adjust the tension automatically to protect you. You just have to learn to trust them. Once you get that then try the punch. Just think heavy and deep, and not fast and hard. Add the speed later.

[@deadrisingplayer]

Leon Kenedy from Resident Evil 4 uses Systema actually.

[@bestbuildpc]

thanks for sharing guys. both of u were incredible! nice explanation

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate the positive feedback!

[@MarkS-gn5wl]

very good interview with a good perspective on this style.........and the challenge is a good idea

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@MarkS-gn5wl]

@@AndoMierzwa i am a videographer and have interviewed say 3000 people i n the last 10 years at health shows and so i know a good interviewer when i hear one and you are one as you broke it down to make it heard

[@AndoMierzwa]

@@MarkS-gn5wl Whew! I got a lot of comments on this video yelling at me to shut up... which I get! :) But that's exactly what I was trying to do-- underline what Menamy was saying to help process the points. Thanks for the support on that!

[@perrywalker1604]

As Goku "do it gohon relax the power is inside you release your anger it makes you stronger" lolz

[@otosonet6693]

When it comes on Systema, I only see performance. Never saw in real fight.

[@hiverhythm]

Do you disagree with anything in the video? Everything he says about striking is true and applicable to street fighting or MMA.

[@hiverhythm]

Do you disagree with anything in the video? Everything he says about striking is true and applicable to street fighting or MMA.

[@agungprastiyo4040]

@@hiverhythm Disagree????????

[@corthofler6749]

NOOOOOO !!!! NOT ANOTHER MMA GUY THINKING EVERYTHING ELSE IS BS !!! WHO KNEW ???

[@blackeye5988]

It dosent work in real life. The fact you are having a fight, means you are already emotional about something. Who has a street fight without emotion? Why would you be fighting? Only people with mental problems act without emotion. Stay relaxed, get knocked out!

[@sifuclarenceanwar6162]

Thank you and may this be a great New year for you also! 😊👍🍰🍵

[@AndoMierzwa]

Yes, sir. For you and yours! 🙏🏻✨

[@aluandjalal1324]

I learned much more from menamy than all the other KZbinrs

[@leonardodalongisland]

Needs more "complete" explanations. He never really got beyond "surface" statements.

[@usermaneste1]

Do you recognise the energy he refers to?

[@dragonbornegamer4151]

@@usermaneste1 he is referring to kinetic energy

[@xalian17]

"Our strike is based on healing." 7:55 --- OMG

[@tiagodacruz2484]

The purpose is still destructive... the principle behind the technique is where the difference is. Don't get confused. :) He is not saying the purpose is to heal. It the way of thinking about the acting and where it comes from that is different. :) Nothing wrong with it as long as it works.

[@xalian17]

@@tiagodacruz2484 lol

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate that clarification. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@caseyoliver2127]

Tiago da Cruz they are striking like monks, not concerned with the fact that they are turning a stone pillar into dust, but with the spiritual release of stress, evil, and objectiveness

[@dawei108]

the first systema punch i got actually healed me, and is not a joke... it has been some sort of epiphany. it's not just the punch healing, it is mostly the way you learn to deal with absorbing the strike by ventilating and relaxing that "shows your body" that you can quickly recover from mostly anything; this also makes you more and more relaxed as you learn how to do this, since you will have less and less fear of taking blows. As a practitioner, yes it is definetely an actual healing process

[@odinliamwright]

I really enjoyed this vid. Really appreciate you taking all the shots. “Go slow let go”

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate the comment, sir. Thank you!

[@danielgyllenbreider]

Early basic lesson in Systema: "Consider multiple attackers and weapons". BADASS!

[@AndoMierzwa]

It’s a must. 👍🏼

[@PelegoRecords]

I like Systema!!! 😇

[@AndoMierzwa]

The ideas are definitely worth a listen! Thanks!

[@HeraldoftheMEME]

Yes it's very nice beautiful graceful ballet style

[@annoyed707]

Ah, another keyboard tough guy.

[@HeraldoftheMEME]

@@annoyed707 you referring to me? Because if you are I'll be more than willing to provide you with a live demonstration if you're interested to know if I can dance LOL

[@anoncanon1100]

systema just sounds like trying to get the most efficiency out of every movement.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Aren’t we all? 😄

[@anoncanon1100]

@@AndoMierzwa lol yeah but usually everyone else just slowly works on the movement. You guys legit have a system(a) im about to try it. lol

[@AndoMierzwa]

Anon Canon Definitely worth a try!

[@angelamikrot1905]

That's exactly what it is. Not using muscles that are not needed to focus strength into the ones that are! I've practiced Systema for 2 years after 10 years of Judo and my punching power increased times 3!

[@dantegataka426]

@@angelamikrot1905 excuse me, i wanted to learn systema for self defense, im using it for protecting my little brother and my mother. (Including myself). But i don't know where to start. Do you have any clue?

[@anthonyvasquez5036]

Very Educational Gents. Thank you

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@1taxsettlement]

Not only was this a good video on systema, that whole tension thing can be applied to other areas of life as well.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Absolutely right, Rachell! Thank you for the comment!

[@kirilpopov7888]

Would like to see the master in cage with Khabib Nurmagomedov

[@CZOV]

Habibi will be dead in 10 seconds.

[@Vinsbp]

@@CZOV by a spirit bomb, or what? Its funny how theese "magic people" dont want the show their.mastery in a real.fight

[@xsewer2406]

Take average guy who is learning Brasilian ju jitsu in the cage with khabib and he would get killed does it mean that ju jutsu is useless?

[@geroutathat]

Why the cage? I been watching UFC since it began. Back in the day people used to get disqualified all the time for breaking rules. Stamping someone on the ground got you disqualified and one guy did it in a match. The guy on the ground could do nothing to defend himself. Nearly got killed. You want this guy to throw out how he fights, to point at khabib a trained cage fighter, to point at parts of khabibs body and say "You cant hit him here, here, here or here", then tell him "if he gets you in an arm lock you have to let him break your arm, you cant strike him in the adams apple, or use small limb manipulation or strike him in the groin". Then when he follows all these rules and he lays down and lets Khabib get him in an army lock you will declar Khabib the best. But let me break it to you gently, there are martial arts out there that spend half the day focusing on moves that get you kicked out of UFC, even Kempo has groin strikes. In real life Khabib would get his nuts crushed.

[@Win94ae]

Boxing is not as he thinks. Sure some people are like he suggests, but not all, not most. I've always punched as he displayed, with a relaxed motion. That is how I can spar or fight all day. He talks mainly semantics. Punching through, and punching into is the same way to say the punch doesn't stop at the surface.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I think the main idea was to recognize that taking any stance has pros and cons. Do whatever fits the situation best!

[@ninjaspam2000]

There are some subtle but significant differences. When you are diving a punch with any tension in the arm and driving with the force of the body behind it. The attacks will tend to be fast and hard. The damage that results is more like the tissue being poked and stretched. The damage is mitigated by the facial layers. A Systema style punch is different. The punch is more like throwing the bone into the tissue. Using the weight of the tissue and some times small turns of the body. The speed at first seems to be slower and the force feels weaker from the perspective of the person delivering the punch, but the person receiving the blow the force goes way deeper thus feels way harder. Best described by 2 different people 2 different times. 1 A Marine and the other an accomplished martial artist who trained in multiple styles. "When you punch me I question wether I should continue the fight."

[@SystemaBJJKD]

Sure, if you are good boxer and I trust that you are, you should be relaxed. But I am not just talking about relaxation, it is also about your focus, awareness and structure. When you have one opponent your body and structure adapt to that. It is and has to be different when you face multiple opponents.

[@Win94ae]

That is another thing. I am aware of everything when I fight my opponent, the ref the ropes my corner, his corner, individuals in the crowd, it is like you don't know anything about boxing, and make broad critisizems about it to pump up your systems... And yes, I have fought multiple opponents also, there was no extra awareness, or difference in my "structure." I'm just saying you don't need to try to weaken one discipline in an effort to strengthen your own. Either your systems have merit on it's own or it doesn't.

[@mikegeyen3520]

Oh please.

[@vtrestrail]

excellent video. Thank you.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for your support! Happy training!

[@ehvway]

Great video and philosophy behind the systema system!

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate that. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@mattnobrega6621]

Sounds like one punch man (saitama )

[@Bansheexero]

Huh, actually reminds me of something I discovered when I was in, I want to say 5th or 6th grade (which was before I started training in fencing), which may have been a precursor to my ZIP. How can I describe this? My dad owned and ran a pool hall. While I dislike pool, there was a phrase that gets a few snickers from people, but it is important to understand. "It's not the stick, it's the strike." Anyway, I found that I could do an extremely slow, relaxed palm strike. I was at summer sports camp and was able to have appreciable effect. It would knock the wind out of them. I was able to do this off and on, sometimes not being able to center myself for a few years and then figuring it out again and so on back and forth. When I was in Taekwondo, I was in WTF, which while the targeting is very limited, but you can hit as hard as you wish. I actually would accidentally TKO people during training, as I would strike slow and relaxed, but it knocked the wind right out of them, which they spent a few minutes trying to recatch their breath. The strike was slow, calm, and smooth, like breath. In pool, it is similar, you can have a fast stroke, but it will lose control and waste kinetic energy, but a slow, smooth stroke can be deceptively potent. Interestingly, because of this, a lot of people like to use heavier cues, which is sort of a crutch. If you are familiar with the kinetic energy formula, increasing the weight of an object increases the force linearly, but increasing the speed increases the force exponentially. You don't need to have a fast or strong stroke, you just have to ensure you don't waste too much energy (which is lost through tension). Interestingly, we trained doing all pushups on our fists unless they were specialized (like diamond pushups). While we did not have slow pushups, we did have this thing where we would lower 50% and hold for a about 20 seconds, down all the way and hold, up 50% and hold, then up all the way up and hold. We'd do about 10 or 15 of these. Does not have quite the same effect, but your video reminded me of that. As I mentioned in prior posts, I have a talent for taking on multiple opponents, and more often than not, I actually do use a relaxed stance, and even remain mostly immobile until I am not. A lot of people think they need to move to control position. Your opponent wants to hit you, but the onus is on them to come to you, you don't need to go to them. Let them, let them get to where they think they want to be, allow them to target the single position where you are, and then when they attack, move. All attacks at that point become misses, because you aren't there anymore.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thanks for another chapter of your future book! 😁

[@donron1030]

Very nice, guys - Thank you!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the comment!

[@markseal6685]

From the physical standpoint of striking, this was what we were taught in Shorinji-Ryu Tode. We used the knuckle pushup, albeit at a faster pace, but the main tool was the makiwara. If one strikes a makiwara with tension, the makiwara will strike back. We did strikes from standard stances, but also from different angles and from one foot, both front and rear. Standing on one foot was instant feed back to see if there was any tension in the strike. "Without the makiwara, there is no Tode" was a mantra I heard often. So while I do not have the expertise to say if Systema is a good art or not, this video was right on the money.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I love how you tied in your experience from another art, sir! Thank you for sharing!

[@annoyed707]

You mean boards CAN hit back? :) About the one-leg stance: I did that very thing today. It is a great check for tension and correct posture.

[@keithkiebach8192]

Wow. I never heard of this before but it seems to be pretty legit

[@lionsden4563]

Nope.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Alignment, relaxation, and controlling your emotions are definitely worthy goals in any art. Happy training!

[@cornstar1253]

@@lionsden4563 yup. If you have never experienced this strike, you wouldn't know

[@lionsden4563]

@@cornstar1253, I have. 2 of my students are ex Systema's practitioner. That particular punch is nonsense.

[@annoyed707]

"I have. 2 of my students are an ex Systema's practitioner." Attempting to decipher that garbled attempt at a coherent sentence, you are claiming that two unnamed students of yours claim to have studied Systema to some unspecified level, and that is proof that this type of punch is 'nonsense'. That's not much of an argument.

[@duanechurch6003]

What doesn't make any sense is people judging this systema arts but yet you guys never experienced it before. Don't just underestimate and assume what art is not gonna work if you never trained it before.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Right! It doesn't hurt to try it once. Well, it might hurt a little, but still... :)

[@epictetus9221]

iFukToasters - It's beautiful how you completely ignored not only this video but also the exact comment you chose to respond to :D

[@HolyKonchu]

iFukToasters have you ever tried it? If not suggest you either A, sit down and be quiet or B. Go n Try it then give a professional opinion on it. Rather than sitting here calling it bs.

[@epictetus9221]

@@HolyKonchu - Sounds like common sense to me.

[@HolyKonchu]

iFukToasters see the thing is that it's not "a more modern Aikido" if it were then it would literally be Aikido and Not Systema. It's not validating anything simply stating that if you're going to call something bullshit, you better had gone there and done it yourself. Because while their's people like you who call things "Bs at its finest" their are also people who support and have had their lives changed by it.

[@troypierce9517]

That was great and super awesome.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you very much!

[@wilfredv1930]

excellent video Ando, and great instructor u got there

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you, sir! Yes, he has been very patient with me!

[@gatti493]

i am from a boxing kickboxing background and am a boxing coach for last 15 years ! i really dont want to knock this guys martial art but i have to say it irritates me greatly when i hear these gentlemen talking about what it is and what it entails to be a boxer when he clearly has no idea beyond that of a spectator or raw novice, this chap is not the only person doing this sort of thing and im all for positive opinions but not a fabrication of this mans view of what it is or takes to be a boxer ! firstly boxing has been done with advancements made for a very long time and any failures are met with a very severe penalty unlike a lot of these SO CALLED fighting sports ! second he mentions that a boxer is tense lol, this is one of the first things a coach will strive to get out of a young novice, mainly through sparring plus good psychological coaching , as being tense also burns oxygen fast, third he say the boxers stance is no good for multiple opponents and exaggerates a boxer in a tucked position ?? seriously does he think the boxer it glued in that position that he is not able to stand any way he wants and may well fight in several different boxing styles through out a bout !! fouth he mentions that a boxers power comes from his arms ! utter rubbish, young boxers are coached how to generate their power from the GROUND ! and some punches will be whipped in from the GROUND and others will carry the boxers weight behind, others will be step off punches and other may well be feints ( dont even get me started on feints ) please learn the sport properly before you hurt my ears with cheap , shallow and valueless comments such as in this video. no offence meant

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thanks for the comment! For sure, I don't think it's fair to say that "boxers do this", when there are so many different approaches and techniques in boxing. I believe the main point was to reduce as much muscle tension as possible in your stance and execution as possible. Even just crouching down or bobbing and weaving adds tension, so make sure it's USEFUL tension and not wasted. That's what I got out of it at least. Thanks again!

[@gatti493]

@@AndoMierzwa You see a bob or weave can carry a heavy and unexpected attack as boxing is NOT about so much hitting but making your opponent throw and making him miss ! So a bob and slip to the boxers right as he steps into fight range , The boxer will turn at the waist slightly which loads his right hand as he steps in , the opponent sees his adversary on the attack throws his jab or 1-2 combo at the target he sees moving into range , This is where the bob and slip co.e I to play as we step into range, There can be no stiffness as this would limit the effectiveness of the action but in boxing there is nothing that is guaranteed to work 100% of the time as there are too many variables, Like timing , speed, miss judging a situation, attack or defence and on and on !

[@AndoMierzwa]

@@gatti493 Great breakdown! Thanks for sharing the extra analysis, sir!

[@Shinobi1Kenobi]

@@gatti493 Great defense of boxing, and I appreciate it. I've heard these simplistic "examples" used all of my life as a straw man to knock down with, "but here's how we do it..." If your stuff is solid, you don't need to set up straw men as negative examples and then prove your argument against your imagination.

[@gatti493]

@@Shinobi1Kenobi This master Wong is at this all the time, and when the boxer does this you do this ??? How much boxing experience do these people have?? How many bouts have they had ??? How do they know how a boxer will fight when they have NO depth of understanding of the techniques of boxing . My advice to anybody who wants to learn how to beat a boxer is to take up BOXING , this is THE BEST WAY to beat a boxer. The simple fact is an awful lot of martial arts practitioners don't box because THEY KNOW HOW REAL IT IS AND "WILL" BE REQUIRED TO FIGHT ALL OUT !! But remember boxing is about NOT GETTING HIT not hitting, ! Hitting comes second , Any decent club will not have you fighting until your able to make your opponent miss !!

[@nyclee9133]

This is external reminds you of kung fu huhhhhh?👀 soft movement's with a hard attack!

[@gregoryhill7960]

Thanks for your informative video it's a awesome to tool to learn from.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate that. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@RedMastering]

amazing!