My reply comes in late - but is not from a student - nor, a teacher anymore- it comes from a person who has 4 decades of study in martial stuff.
You mentioned ranks. I have 3 B.Belts...and a number of 'ranking scales' expressed in a system - gloves, levels....hells bells, just the standing in a line up before class has been, often - the indicator of 'rank and proper place in a class'.
It really, I feel - is all about WTF you are seeking in life- to find a form of congruency - all about what the student - the seeker, hopes to find.
Many here know I am a 22 year veteran of NYC Corrections - 19 years of that spent in very 'active' venues of contact with the 'hot spots' and the nastiest of the nasty that are coming through the system...My last 3 years, by grace of the old school wardens and chiefs of the department - has seen me in more of a go between between the younger officers, and the superior officers....though I am permitted to respond to emergency situations.
The fistful of gold gilded trophies I won in competitive martial contests - were given to my - now - long dead original teacher of being both a person of very modest means, that sought a better life by studying martial arts...but he was the one who taught me, initially - that a real student of martial study MUST seek - always, seek - never become complacent. Never settle for the human desire for a stasis.
As a child - I broke my spine. I was not to ever walk again. I did so, by the grace of love and fine doctors. The break actually provided me with an unusual form of movement.
I studied many methods - the list floats around here somewhere - but covers east and west and many in between.
Hells bells - I learned alot from working with inspired to be violent and nasty individuals in jail - it was a weird and direct testing ground for considering and expressing self protection. Other employment's gave verification to the effectiveness of the teachers I was lucky enough to train under.
In other words - I have a little bit of both contest and much more real time - no contest but only survival - type of experience....tucked under the belts I have not worn in over 20+ years.
You do not know me - never worked out with my 53 year old ***- BUT:
take the following for what is useful.
*****
NEVER stop looking into what works for YOU.
As far as Systema is concerned....for this one?
Studying under The Big Dogs and the fine exponents that are validated to teach?
Even the students who are just into 'this' to be 'in too' all of this?
I can walk into any class - practically anywhere - and learn something - or refresh my passion for study. I can walk and study alone and gain also.
Systema is a very personal and fluid study - there are no belts...no rules....but there is definetly certain principles that are as form fitting as one's very skin.
I am comfortable in my skin - as a martial student - thanks to the lost puzzle pieces that were small but lacking...in all my previous martial study.
So said - I end with cautions:
Go to Vlad's site and look up the schools and affiliates.
Find a local exponent...and give them just 3 months of study - open to a re-set of what you knew in the past. Be truthful of body limitations, be open - be your self.
And know that results vary - widely.
Mostly...because in studying systema - it is not the challenge to grow that might block your way forward - it might just be past fears and chosen limitations...that could hold you back.
Just let go...for just 3 months - with a well chosen guide.
And if Systema does not feel right to you?
Please just move on and find what you need.
Leave the class and try to find what you need to learn....lol - then come on back!
Systema is NOT for everyone...but those that need and fill in the blanks from previous study - ya'all are always welcome to come and stay...visit and go and come back, if you choose - again.
Systema is not leaving - and though a recent member of general martial study...it simply will not go away.
The Community/Systema - on the web, often get called out as useless m.a. and a useless art.
Ya know?
In my experience - I remember the 'in the know folks' say the same thing about the backfist...judo...Muay Thai....Boxing...Wrestling...even when the early form of MMA/BJJ - et all - too many to mention...I heard exactly the same damn thing from closed minds who were too devoted to whatever half decent rank they earned - to just trry another way.
Some rank on TMA - and the TMA on progressive - and to this day - one of the most amasing and effective exponents of martial study I ever saw move freely -was from FMA root with a never ending desire to move well - a guy named Professor Visitation..and his student Arthur Perazzo. THAT would be adjudged as useless and crappy -but those 2 guys could protect another - they did so in real time - and defend themselves - or, just scare the hell out of an aggressor - and then just walk away.
I saw that - now - ovewr 30 years ago...both, are passed over by history. BOTH were as fine as those as the ones who had more degrees than a thermometer...both were exactly like how I hoped to be - safe in challenge - and retaining the open mind.
You might find something - a piece of the puzzle in Systema..
I invite you...as a member of The Crew - to roll the dice and find out for yourself.
*****
THAT is exactly all any real world - unconcerned with trophies and accolades and belts - a person who seeks whatever the martial arts is really about.........NEEDS to do.
Over and over - until they find the home they seek.
*****
I did so - and found a home in Systema - and am fully allowed to continue to renovate where I am.
Systema folks are like that.
