SFL Episode 83: Sarah Allain

This week, Glenn chats with Vermont-based Systema practioner and child-adolescent behavioural analyst Sarah Allain. 

Sarah began training around 6 years ago, introduced by a friend extolling the benefits for health and stress management. In that time, she has learned to use Systema to manage chronic pain and illness, and found joy and community in the practice. She comes to training with a slightly different tack, and sees fascinating parallels between our methodology and her work with kids and adolescents. Topics include:

  • her experiences as a beginner in Systema

  • breaking the discomfort barrier

  • embracing the concept of antifragility

  • Systema as applied to self-regulation and co-regulation in kids

 For those interested in joinging Sarah's informal training group in VT - please contact us offline and we'll pass on your details.

Stick Work: Starting Simple

We're back into weapon work again at NC SYSTEMA in Durham, NC and enjoying a variety of themes over two weeks - including defense against sticks, chains, and firearms. Even had a bit of stick-on-blade action at the Friday night class, which pleased the Filipino Martial Art adepts within the group. It's always fun to explore subtle movements with weapons - to see how they limit the wielder in specific ways, and how you can find the unique leverage points - both physical and psychological - that each type of weapon produces.

That said, it's important to understand - and to practice - the basics. For example, when faced with the range advantage of a stick, finding the proper distance and timing are critical. This clip explores a couple of tactics for doing this. Namely: 1) drifting beyond range to find safety, and 2) moving inside range to find power. Enjoy.