Let Every Breath

Let every breath praise the Lord. Psalms CXXXV., CXXXVI Systema Headquarters also offers: Vladimir Vasiliev's Award-Winning Instructional Film Collection, Training at International Seminars, Training at Russian Martial Art School in Toronto and with world-wide Affiliates. For more information or to receive your Complimentary Newsletter visit: www.LetEveryBreath.com © 2006 V. Vasiliev ® Toronto, Canada All Rights Reserved. Dear Friends, I would like to start by expressing my deepest gratitude to my outstanding teacher, colleague and friend - Mikhail Ryabko an inexhaustible source of knowledge and mastery, as well as wisdom, kindness and love. I also wish to state my vast appreciation to our writer - Scott Meredith - for his exceptional work. Having become by far one of the most knowledgeable Systema instructors, Scott amazed us with his analytical and literary gift, his insight, his persistence as well as his unprecedented patience and modesty. It is due to Scott's talent and selfless work that what Mikhail and I teach our students is now uncovered on the pages of this book. I sincerely hope that you find the information useful, that you apply it to your life and that you learn to Let Every Breath... enhance your body and your soul. Vladimir Vasiliev About the writer: Scott Meredith is a certified instructor of SYSTEMA under Vladimir Vasiliev. He is intimately familiar with the languages and cultures of Japan and China and is a lifelong student of martial arts. Scott is a professional technologist who holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has worked for 20 years as a senior researcher in human-machine interface technologies for IBM, Apple Computer, and Microsoft. The exercises, ideas, and suggestions in this book are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or health care professional before beginning any new exercise technique or exercise program particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you are elderly, or if you have any chronic or recurring medical or psychological conditions. Any application of the exercises, ideas, and suggestions in this book is at the reader's sole discretion and risk. The author and publisher of this book and their employers and employees make no warranty of any kind in regard to the content of this book including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The author and publisher of this book and their employers and employees are not liable or responsible to any person or entity for any errors contained in this document, or for any special, incidental, or consequential damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. Table of Contents Chapter One A Search in Secret Russia 17 Chapter Two The Teachers Appear 27 Chapter Three The Seven Principles 39 Chapter Four The Fundamental Practice of Relaxed Breathing 51 Chapter Five The Core Work: Part 1 59 Chapter Six The Core Work: Part 2 77 Chapter Seven Hit the Road! 85 Chapter Eight Relaxation and Tension Methods 93 Chapter Nine Conclusion 103 Interviews Kwan Lee Vladimir Vasiliev 107 115 Mikhail Ryabko 121 11