SFL Episode 72: On Play

This week, more musings on life, work, and Systema with our resident health and wellness guru Howard Jacobson. Inspired by our recent seminar (and podcast) with Emmanuel Manolakakis, Howie and I discuss the value, the benefits, and the necessity of play in all aspects of our lives. Inclduing:

- what consitutes play (versus pure work or performance)

- why play is critical for kids

- why play is arguably even more important for adults

- how to approach your life and training with a more playful mindset

Mentioned in this episode:
Finite and Infinite Games - A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility, by James P. Carse

Find out more about Howard's healthy exploits, or transform your own health habits, at www.wellstarthealth.com


SFL Episode 71: Emmanuel Manolakakis on the Training Process

This week, a special episode with Fight Club Toronto founder, and regular SFL contributor, Emmanuel Manolakakis - recorded at the close of his recent 2-day seminar here in Durham, NC. This was a game-changing seminar in which we explored the very process of training itself, and looked at ways to optimize development, training time, and results. Here, we discuss the seminar and associated themes, including:

the paramount importance of working on yourself, prior to group training

the necessity of play, trust, and rapport in partner training

how training correctly means making room for intuition and "body knowledge"

the natural progression from play to control and pre-emptive influence in combat

Find out more about training Fight Club Toronto at http://www.fight-club.ca/

SFL Episode 70: Peter Annazone

Fittingly for our 70th episode, this week we chat with Peter Annazone - US Marine, martial artist, and T'ai Ch'i / Systema Instructor - still teaching and practicing well into his 70s. Peter has been practicing martial arts for over 50 years, and Systema for the last 20. His quests for martial knowledge have taken him all over the world, and he has had the privilege of working with several genuine masters of T'ai Ch'i, Kungfu, and Systema.  Here, we talk about:

  • his experiences training T'ai Ch'i and Chigung in China

  • meeting Vladimir, Mikhail, and the Merrell brothers

  • the necessity of a relaxed approach - not just a relaxed body - in training

  • how adherence to Systema basics confers health and healing for life

    Find out more about training with Peter at https://www.facebook.com/SystemaFortMyers/