| Martial arts. Just the name brings all sorts of near | | | | arts of the Far East. Russian martial arts are fluid |
| mystical thoughts to our minds. Thoughts about | | | | -- the goal being able to fight without |
| the wonderful Korean art of tae kwon do, the | | | | consciousness. |
| Japanese art of jujutsu and the Chinese art of | | | | Like the many forms of Eastern arts of karate, |
| kung fu. | | | | Russian ones started with one "ideal" and evolved |
| All these arts of karate have very humble | | | | into many different styles of that form across |
| beginnings. Each one came from a time when the | | | | Russia, each one geared towards that locale's |
| local authorities were tyrannical and outlawed the | | | | specific needs. The basic principals remained |
| commoners from having weapons. The farmers, | | | | consistent and provided the common thread of |
| however, insisted on having ways to protect | | | | the Russian martial arts. |
| themselves, regardless of weaponry. Thus, the | | | | In time, the loose teachings solidified. The various |
| such arts were born. | | | | towns and villages would show off their skills with |
| Russia is no exception. Russia has a long history | | | | friendly competitions amongst themselves. It |
| of internal conflict and invasion. It is a massive | | | | wasn't until 1917 -- when the Communists had |
| country with borders that span over 11 time | | | | taken power -- that all traditions, including Russian |
| zones. The Russians came to expect the | | | | art of karate, were banned. |
| unexpected when in battle and no two enemies | | | | The system went underground, rather than face |
| would fight the same. | | | | severe persecution for outwardly continuing to |
| From these encounters, the Russian warriors | | | | practice. As in the Far East, some monasteries |
| developed into the type of fighter that reacted | | | | survived and were left alone by the government |
| on instinct. They had to face the enemy as an | | | | and the monks would continue to keep the "old |
| individual and adapt to whatever the enemy | | | | ways" alive. Fathers would also teach their sons, |
| threw at them. The Russian martial arts had to | | | | handing down the traditions from generation to |
| be as versatile as the men who practiced it. | | | | generation, hoping that it would survive. |
| Russia is so huge that, in the beginning, a standard | | | | When the new Soviet government had to focus |
| army was not possible. There were too many | | | | on arming their soldiers, they sent agents to find |
| tiny villages and towns scattered across the land, | | | | the best fighting systems in the world. They didn't |
| as well as too many lords and territories, that | | | | have to search too far, the answer was right |
| made this type of organization nearly impossible. | | | | under their nose. From that point on, the Russian |
| During times of war, men were recruited from | | | | army began instruction in an age-old technique |
| the towns and villages to fight and, when the | | | | pulled right from the roots of their own heritage. |
| battle was over, they went home. During | | | | The arts of karate have continued to grow in |
| peacetime, these men would continue to train on | | | | popularity in recent years, and the Russian martial |
| their own. This Russian martial arts were | | | | art systema is no different. While it's mostly used |
| tailor-made to fit the common man. | | | | by the Russian Special Operation Units, the form |
| Systema has no prearranged kumite | | | | spread to the Western world when several |
| (choreographed two man fighting) like the martial | | | | soldiers left Russia after the Cold War ended. |