Seminar Reviews, by date
Seminar Reviews, by instructor
Training Journals
Summer Camp 2005 Journals
Assorted Essays
Other Writers
Training Topics Index
Book Reviews
Fun Photos
Rogue's Gallery
The Ability to Fight Chart
About the Writer
Usage and Contact Info

Seminar Reviews - by date

Adam and Brendan Zettler Systema Seminar - Thursday - Sunday, November 20-23, 2008
Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Sunday, November 11, 2007
Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Saturday, November 10, 2007
Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Friday, November 9, 2007
Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasilev Seminar - Saturday, October 27, 2007
Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasilev Seminar - Friday, October 26, 2007
Kevin Secours Groundfighting Seminar - Saturday and Sunday, November 18th-19th, 2006
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar - Sunday, June 4th, 2006
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar - Saturday, June 3rd, 2006
Vladimir Vasiliev Seminar - Saturday, March 11th, 2006
Jim King Short Work Seminar - Saturday, March 4th, 2006 coming soon!
Jim King Short Work Seminar - Sunday, March 5th, 2006 coming soon!
Emmanuel Manolakakis Seminar - Sunday, December 4th, 2005
Emmanuel Manolakakis Seminar - Saturday, December 3rd, 2005

Mikhail Ryabko Seminar (with Vladimir Vasiliev) - Sunday, June 5th, 2005
Mikhail Ryabko Seminar (with Vladimir Vasiliev) - Saturday, June 4th, 2005
Vladimir Vasiliev Seminar - Friday, June 3rd, 2005
Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar - Sunday, March 13th, 2005
Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar - Saturday, March 12th, 2005
Martin Wheeler Mass Attacks Seminar - Sunday, December 12th, 2004
Martin Wheeler Strikes Seminar - Saturday, December 11th, 2004
Jim King Fundamental Principles and Leg Work Seminar - Sunday, October 3rd, 2004
Jim King Fundamental Principles and Leg Work Seminar - Saturday, October 2nd, 2004
Vladimir Vasiliev Stick and Gun Seminar - Sunday, June 6th, 2004
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar - Saturday, June 5th, 2004
Martin Wheeler Chokes Mini-Seminar - Friday, June 4th, 2004
Jim King Crowd Work Mini-Seminar - Friday, June 4th, 2004
Jim King Fundamental Principles Seminar - April 2004
Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar - Saturday, February 14th, 2004

Seminar Reviews - by instructor
Jim King | Konstantin Komarov
Emmanuel Manolakakis | Mikhail Ryabko | Vladimir Vasiliev
Kevin Secours | Martin Wheeler | Adam and Brendan Zettler


Jim King:

Jim King Short Work Seminar - Saturday, March 4th, 2006 coming soon!
Jim King Short Work Seminar - Sunday, March 5th, 2006 coming soon!
Jim King Fundamental Principles and Leg Work Seminar - Sunday, October 3rd, 2004
Jim King Fundamental Principles and Leg Work Seminar - Saturday, October 2nd, 2004
Jim King Crowd Work Mini-Seminar - Friday, June 4th, 2004
Jim King Fundamental Principles Seminar - April 2004

Konstantin Komarov:

Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Sunday, November 11, 2007
Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Saturday, November 10, 2007
Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Friday, November 9, 2007

Emmanuel Manolakakis:

Emmanuel Manolakakis Seminar - Sunday, December 4th, 2005
Emmanuel Manolakakis Seminar - Saturday, December 3rd, 2005

Mikhail Ryabko:

Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasilev Seminar - Saturday, October 27, 2007
Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasilev Seminar - Friday, October 26, 2007
Mikhail Ryabko Seminar (with Vladimir Vasiliev) - Sunday, June 5th, 2005
Mikhail Ryabko Seminar (with Vladimir Vasiliev) - Saturday, June 4th, 2005

Kevin Secours:

Kevin Secours Groundfighting Seminar - Saturday and Sunday, November 18th-19th, 2006

Vladimir Vasiliev:

Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasilev Seminar - Saturday, October 27, 2007
Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasilev Seminar - Friday, October 26, 2007
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar - Sunday, June 4th, 2006
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar - Saturday, June 3rd, 2006
Vladimir Vasiliev Seminar - Saturday, March 11th, 2006
Vladimir Vasiliev Stick and Gun Seminar - Sunday, June 6th, 2004
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar - Saturday, June 5th, 2004
Vladimir Vasiliev Seminar - Friday, June 3rd, 2005

Martin Wheeler:

Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar - Sunday, March 13th, 2005
Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar - Saturday, March 12th, 2005
Martin Wheeler Mass Attacks Seminar - Sunday, December 12th, 2004
Martin Wheeler Strikes Seminar - Saturday, December 11th, 2004
Martin Wheeler Chokes Mini-Seminar - Friday, June 4th, 2004
Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar - Saturday, February 14th, 2004

Adam and Brendan Zettler:

Adam and Brendan Zettler Systema Seminar - Thursday - Sunday, November 20-23, 2008

Training Journals

Gaps in the numbered sequence indicated handwritten logs that I never typed up. All classes taught by Edgar Tsakouls unless otherwise noted.

Training Log #50: Solo Drills for Mobility - December 2008
Training Log #49: Knife Disarms and Confidence - May 2008
Training Log #47: A Class at Fighthouse: Line Drills, Calf Massage, Strikes, and Defense from Chairs - June 2007
Training Log #46: Wrestling with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler - Friday, June 2nd, 2006
Training Log #45: Leg Work with Guest Teacher Jim King - Thursday, March 2nd, 2006
Training Log #44: Short Work with Guest Teacher Jim King - Wednesday, March 1st, 2006
Training Log #43: Several kinds of fear encountered in training - July 2005
Training Log #42: Knife class with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler - March 2005
Training Log #41: Stick class with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler - March 2005
Training Log #40: Brief notes on improvised weapons and knife disarms - January 2005
Training Logs #39a, 39b, 39c, 39d: Gun and knife disarms, sticks, rolls, with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler - December 2004
Training Log #39: Christmas at Fighthouse Sword Class- December 2004
Training log #38: Knives - not just for stabbing - December 2004
Training Log #37: Practice with hold, grabs, and chokes - September 2004
Training Log #36: Fundamentals - September 2004
Training Log #35: Gun disarming with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler - September 2004
Training Log #34: "Friendly" exercises and manipulating the head - April 2004
Training Log #33: Developing sensitivity, maintaining contact, holds and releases - April 2004
Training Log #32: Guest Teachers Denis Dmitriev and Frank Fileti - May 2004
Training Log #31: Guest Teacher Rob Green - April 2004
Training Log #30: Ground-to-standing work - April 2004
Training Log #27: Doubt - March 2004
Training Log #26: Grabs, punches, and kicks II - March 2004
Training Log #25: Grabs, punches, and kicks I - March 2004
Training Log #24: Groundwork and defense against the knife II - March 2004
Training Log #24: Groundwork and defense against the knife I - March 2004
Training Log #18: Six levels and rolling with Guest Teacher Denis Dmitriev - February 2004
Training Log #17: Multiple attackers and pain compliance - January 2004
Training Log #16: Rolling with proper distance, direction, and timing - January 2004
Training Log #15: Knife work and maintaining contact - January 2004
Training Log #14: Fun with tennis balls - January 2004
Training Log #13: Rolls, kicks, and legwork - January 2004
Training Log #12: Pain compliance and knife work - December 2003
Training Log #11: A typical Systema class - December 2003
Training Log #10: Partnered stretching and knife disarms - December 2003
Training Log #9: Breathing and sensitivity work - December 2003
Training Log #8: Knife defenses, leg work, holds and releases - December 2003
Training Log #7: Leg work and wave-like movement - December 2003
Training Log #6: Knife defenses - December 2003
Training Log #5: "Folding" and the six levels - November 2003
Training Log #4: Evasion and deflection - November 2003
Training Log #2: Undated Training Log - Doubts
Training Log #2: Undated Training Log - Partners
Training Log #1: Undated Training Log - Stick Work


Summer Camp 2005 Journals

Systema International Training Camp 2005
     Introduction: A Fox in the Woods
     Fields: A Glimpse of Youth
     The Woods are Full of Surprises
     The City: There's No Place Like Home
     Water and Freedom from Fear
     Conclusion: Brief and Shining Moments

Assorted Essays by Rachel

10 Reason Systema Is Perfect For Women (originally published in Systema International)
A Few Thoughts on Systema Strikes
Systema Demonstration at the United Nations, October 24, 2007
Chinese New Year Systema Demo at Fighthouse
Tips for Beginners
Falling and Rolling
Several Kinds of Fear Encountered in Training
Systema and Krav Maga
Teaching Bullwhip Handling to Martial Artists
Knives: Not Just For Stabbing
A Class With Sword Work
Nutrition and Lifestyle Information From Summer Training Camp 2005
Recreational Lockpicking
A Visit to the International Spy Museum, and poznai sebia

Other Writers

Systema: Principles of the Russian System
by James Williams
From the Master: Excerpts from conversations and teachings of Mikhail Ryabko
Compiled by John Giduck
Beginning Systema as a Female Martial Artist
by Mary Hamilton
How To Fall and Roll
by Robert Poyton
Roll to it!
by Emmanuel Manolakakis
Training Without a Partner
by Vladimir Vasiliev
Slow Sparring Game Of Russian Martial Arts
by Arthur Sennott
Free Sparring: Overcoming The Kickboxing Trap
by Arthur Sennott
Why Do We Train Slow When Fights Are Fast?
by Paul Genge
Working Without Contact
by Paul Genge
Working Against Kicks From the Floor
by Paul Genge
Training Topics Index

Breathing
Chairs, defense from
Chokes
Crowd Work
Deflection
Evasion
"Folding"
"Friendly" exercises
Fundamentals
Grabs
Groundwork
Ground-to-standing work
Gun disarms and combative shooting
Head manipulation
Holds and releases
Improvised weapons
Knives, use of and defense from
Leg work
Line drills
Maintaining contact
Massage
Mass attacks
Multiple attackers
Pain compliance
Stretching
Rolls
Sensitivity work
Six levels
Sticks
Strikes
Sword Work
Tennis balls
Wave-like movement

Breathing
Let Every Breath book review
Training Log #9: Breathing and sensitivity work
Training Log #43: Several kinds of fear encountered in training (fear of oxygen deprivation)
Jim King Fundamental Principles Seminar (fundamental breathing)
Emmanuel Manolakakis Seminar (controlling your partner's breathing)

return to index

Chairs, defense from
A Class at Fighthouse: Line Drills, Calf Massage, Strikes, and Defense from Chairs - June 2007
Chinese New Year Systema Demo at Fighthouse

return to index

Chokes
Martin Wheeler Chokes Mini-Seminar
Training Log #37: Practice with hold, grabs, and chokes

return to index

Crowd Work
Jim King Crowd Work Mini-Seminar
Summer Camp 2005 Crowd Work Drills
Developing the Ability to Work in Crowds by Paul Genge

return to index

Deflection
Training Log #4: Evasion and deflection
Training Log #33: Developing sensitivity, maintaining contact, holds and releases

return to index

Evasion
Training Log #4: Evasion and deflection
Training Log #33: Developing sensitivity, maintaining contact, holds and releases

return to index

"Folding"
Training Log #5: "Folding" and the six levels

return to index

"Friendly" exercises
Training Log #34: "Friendly" exercises and manipulating the head

return to index

Fundamentals
Jim King Fundamental Principles and Leg Work Seminar II
Jim King Fundamental Principles and Leg Work Seminar I
Jim King Fundamental Principles Seminar
Training Log #36: Fundamentals
Training Log #11: A typical Systema class
Training Log #4: Evasion and deflection
Tips for Beginners by Rachel Klingberg
Systema: Principles of the Russian System by James Williams

return to index

Grabs
Training Log #37: Practice with hold, grabs, and chokes
Training Log #26: Grabs, punches, and kicks II
Training Log #25: Grabs, punches, and kicks I
Training Log #8: Knife defenses, leg work, holds and releases

Gun disarms and combative shooting
Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Sunday, November 11, 2007
Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Saturday, November 10, 2007
Konstantin Komarov Gunpoint Supremacy Seminar - Friday, November 9, 2007
Vladimir Vasiliev Stick and Gun Seminar
Training Log #39a: Gun and knife disarms with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler
Training Log #35: Gun disarming with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler

return to index

Groundwork
Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar III
Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar II
Martin Wheeler Groundwork Seminar I
Training Log #46: Wrestling with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler
Training Log #30: Ground-to-standing work
Training Log #24: Groundwork and defense against the knife II
Training Log #24: Groundwork and defense against the knife I

return to index

Ground-to-standing work
Training Log #30: Ground-to-standing work

return to index

Head manipulation
Training Log #34: "Friendly" exercises and manipulating the head

return to index

Holds and releases
Training Log #37: Practice with hold, grabs, and chokes
Training Log #33: Developing sensitivity, maintaining contact, holds and releases
Training Log #8: Knife defenses, leg work, holds and releases

return to index

Improvised weapons
Training Log #40: Brief notes on improvised weapons and knife disarms

return to index

Knives, use of and defense from
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar III
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar II
Vladimir Vasiliev Knife Seminar I
Training Log #42: Knife class with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler
Training Log #40: Brief notes on improvised weapons and knife disarms
Training Log #39a: Gun and knife disarms with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler
Knives: Not Just For Stabbing by Rachel Klingberg
Training Log #24: Groundwork and defense against the knife II
Training Log #23: Groundwork and defense against the knife I
Training Log #15: Knife work and maintaining contact
Training Log #12: Pain compliance and knife work
Training Log #10: Partnered stretching and knife disarms
Training Log #8: Knife defenses, leg work, holds and releases
Training Log #6: Knife defenses

return to index

Leg work
Jim King Fundamental Principles and Leg Work Seminar II
Jim King Fundamental Principles and Leg Work Seminar I
Training Log #45: Leg Work with Guest Teacher Jim King
Training Log #13: Rolls, kicks, and legwork
Training Log #8: Knife defenses, leg work, holds and releases
Training Log #7: Leg work and wave-like movement

return to index

Line drills
A Class at Fighthouse: Line Drills, Calf Massage, Strikes, and Defense from Chairs - June 2007

return to index

Maintaining contact
Training Log #33: Developing sensitivity, maintaining contact, holds and releases
Training Log #15: Knife work and maintaining contact

return to index

Massage
A Class at Fighthouse: Line Drills, Calf Massage, Strikes, and Defense from Chairs - June 2007

return to index

Mass attacks
Martin Wheeler Mass Attacks Seminar
Jim King Crowd Work Mini-Seminar
Developing the Ability to Work in Crowds by Paul Genge

return to index

Multiple attackers
Martin Wheeler Mass Attacks Seminar
Jim King Crowd Work Mini-Seminar
Training Log #17: Multiple attackers and pain compliance
Summer Camp 2005 Crowd Work Drills
Developing the Ability to Work in Crowds by Paul Genge

return to index

Pain compliance
Training Log #17: Multiple attackers and pain compliance
Training Log #12: Pain compliance and knife work

return to index

Rolls
Roll to it! by Emmanuel Manolakakis
Training Log 39c: Rolls, with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler
Training Log #18: Six levels and rolling with Guest Teacher Denis Dmitriev
Training Log #16: Rolling with proper distance, direction, and timing
Training Log #13: Rolls, kicks, and legwork
Falling and Rolling by Rachel Klingberg
How To Fall and Roll by Robert Poyton

return to index

Sensitivity work
Training Log #9: Breathing and sensitivity work
Training Log #33: Developing sensitivity, maintaining contact, holds and releases

return to index

Six levels
Training Log #18: Six levels and rolling with Guest Teacher Denis Dmitriev
Training Log #5: "Folding" and the six levels
Training Log #36: Fundamentals

return to index

Sticks
Vladimir Vasiliev Stick and Gun Seminar
Training Log #41: Stick class with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler
Training Log #39c: Sticks with Guest Teacher Martin Wheeler

return to index

Stretching
Training Log #10: Partnered stretching and knife disarms - December 2003

return to index

Strikes
A Few Thoughts on Systema Strikes
A Class at Fighthouse: Line Drills, Calf Massage, Strikes, and Defense from Chairs - June 2007
Mikhail Ryabko Seminar (with Vladimir Vasiliev)
Martin Wheeler Strikes Seminar

return to index

Sword Work
A Class With Sword Work by Rachel Klingberg

return to index

Tennis balls
Training Log #14: Fun with tennis balls

return to index

Wave-like movement
Training Log #7: Leg work and wave-like movement

return to index

Book Reviews

Let Every Breath
by Vladimir Vasiliev with Scott Meredith, Ph.D.
based on the teachings of Mikhail Ryabko
Journeys of Socrates
by Dan Millman
Spetsnaz - The Inside Story of the Soviet Special Forces
by "Viktor Suvorov" (pseudonym of Vladimir Rezun)
The Cavalry Maiden: Journals of a Russian Officer in the Napoleonic Wars
by Nadezhda Durova
The Spirit-Wrestlers and Other Survivors of the Russian Century
by Philip Marsden
Rapists Beware: a Practical Guide to Self-Defense for Women
by Captain James A. Smith
Other Recommended Books
(capsule reviews)
About the Writer

Left: Rachel with Fighthouse instructors Edgar Tsakouls and Frank Fileti
Right: Rachel with Vladimir Vasiliev and Konstantin Komarov

Rachel has been training in Systema with certified instructor Edgar Tsakouls of Fighthouse NYC since October of 2003. She has also trained extensively with senior Systema instructors Martin Wheeler and Jim King, as well as many other veteran Systema instructors and seasoned military professionals. In 2005, Rachel spent six days training intensively with Konstantin Komarov, Major in the GRU and Ph.D. in Psychology, and Vladimir Vasiliev, Chief Instructor at Systema Headquarters and a 10-year veteran of the Russian Special Forces. Rachel leads the Pace University Systema Study Group with the approval and permission of Vladimir Vasiliev, International Director of Systema.

Professionally, Rachel is a Webmaster employed by Pace University She has a masters degree in English Literature and is pursuing a second master degree in Computer Science. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, helping homeless animals, cooking, and bicycling. Her hobbies include the Middle Ages, the American frontier, military and espionage history, Sherlock Holmes, and computer programming.

Usage and Contact Info

You are welcome to reproduce my writings in written or electronic format for the study and promotion of Systema. Permission is not required, but an e-mail to rklingberg@pace.edu describing the usage details would be appreciated. Please do not reproduce my writings for anything but the study and promotion of Systema, and do not copy the photographs without my express permission.