Interview with Kevin Secours - Systema Expert

Systema

Kevin Secours B.Ed. is one of North America's foremost specialists in Russian Systema. Kevin was long renown for his concise grasp of Systema and his innovative approach to sharing his knowledge. He has published some of the first and most comprehensive articles on the subject. He has been featured in numerous DVD's including his own best-selling combat series, and taught Systema on 5 continents. In 2010, Kevin formed The International Combat Systema Association to more fully represent his continuing evolution and understanding of the Russian martial arts.

What makes Russian Systema different from Krav Maga?

Systema is often equated to Krav because they are both military hybrids but beyond that they do not have much in common. Krav focuses more on aggressiveness and is about moving forward. They prioritize sweeping 360 degree blocks and direct pressure and a small arsenal of simple high probability techniques. SYSTEMA by comparison advocates a lot of breath work to help keep a high degree of relative relaxation and emphasizes on biomechanical efficiency. It emphasizes yielding rather than pressure and adaptability rather than memorization. Epistemologically, it actually the polar opposite.

What is the difference between what you teach and what a pure Russian Systema school will teach? 

What I teach (combat SYSTEMA) is my interpretation. SYSTEMA is a hybrid that was created in the 1930's but various teachers relay their version as if it has achieved perfection. I believe that no one or one system has all the answers and the definition of a hybrid is that it is constantly evolving. Evolution is a process not an end result. It should never stop shifting and integrating. I have no interest in trying to be Russian. I am a westerner and this necessarily leads to a different interpretation. I have profound previous experience and I will not forsake this either. I would expect no less of any student that trains with me. I advocate cross training and individual realization.

You have expertise in Goshinbudo. Can you tell us about this style and what it's strengths and weaknesses are?

Goshinbudo literally means self defense. It is all about survival and fighting. There are various schools of goshinbudo in the world but they are generally based on jujitsu in some respect. Our approach is all about getting home alive. It is very strong in it's principles, and like everything that we teach. I modify and adapt it so I am always trying to plug up its weaknesses. The key for us is to pressure test and then to observe and accept what we discovered to make the necessary changes.

We are also very interested in your expertise in Five Animal Shaolin Chuanshu. Many people claim animal styles are strictly for Hollywood. What are you thoughts on this? Can they be used successfully in real life combat? Can they be successfully applied in real life combat?

I can't speak to whether or not five animal work is purely Hollywood or not. It certainly weighs heavily in marketing. There was some good material in it. I certainly still favour a lot of gouging which I was first introduced to there, but I was working as a doorman when I used to teach it and literally had one encounter one night wherein I realized I was never using the style in application and was always reverting to my jujitsu; so I came in the next day and told my crew I couldn't teach it any more in good conscience. We haven't really used it very much since that day; save for as a basis of comparison and important life experience. There are strong advocates out there who could speak to it's value far better than I could.

What was the last 3 things you learned with martial arts?

The last three things I learned with martial arts:

First being an observation I made about hip movement with firearms when working with a defensive tactics friend of mine--it was one of those things he was doing without realizing it, just torquing the hip as he moved his eyes. Very subtle but a light bulb went off.

Second, I had to work through a lower back pull recently during one of the most hectic schedules ever, and it taught me a lot about isolating my core and moving on what was essential.

Third, we had a situation with a homeless guy shooting up heroine in the stairwell of the downtown office building where my dojo was and I had to bounce him out. It was late, I was tired and wasn't expecting him naturally and after the fact I was quite ramped up and I used a variation of staggered breathing (inhaling in this case in 6 increments and exhaling in 6) afterwards to calm myself down and realized firsthand just how effective it was for me.

Those have been the big three from the last few weeks.

What inspires you to be better next year than you are today?

I am inspired by everything. My son is a huge factor because he is only four and I want to be alive and healthy as long as possible to share everything that I know firsthand. My students are another huge factor because I want to feed those that are hungry and lately I have been on a real mission to get a lot of info out. There is just so much bad instruction out there. That alone is motivating.

What is your favorite quote? Why does it apply specifically to your life?

My favourite quote is from Rumi--the first obligation of the teacher is to destroy the idol the student would make of them. I try constantly to advocate critical thinking and to get rid of fantasy and worship and wishful thinking in the dojo. Ego is a life waster. I just want honest sharing.

Here's a hypothetical situation. All government has broken down and it's chaos in the world. You are only able to have 3 weapons and no firearms. What would they be and why?

My apocalypse backpack is already packed-- cold steel karambit is the first go-to. It is my favorite for hand to hand. Great leverage and cutting capacity. It fits naturally with my fighting approach. Second would be a good quality Kuhkri. My ka-bar is in my bag right now. It doubles for an axe for bushcraft and can hack a path through anything and even throws well. Third would be my tomahawk. You can hook or smash or hack. I double it up with the karambit for optimal zombie mayhem. It deploys quickly, works well in close combat or at a distance, again can be thrown easily and is super durable and still effective if you forgot to pack a sharpening stone.

What new projects can we expect to see from you in the next 5 years?

The next five years will see a lot of growth in my online learning site www.combatprofessor.com. It will see the launch of a instructional DVD series with a major US provider. It will see continued stunt and choreography work in the entertainment industry as early as this year. It will see a reduction in travel and seminars with focus on home life. It will also see a lot more written material and hopefully a continued growth in my own training and teaching.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Final words would just be to trust your gut and to always choose teachers over styles. If something doesn't feel like the right fit, keep looking. You are the best expert on you. Don't be told otherwise.

Thank you Kevin. We really enjoyed reading about you and your journey.  Your advise is greatly appreciated by a number of our readers and we will continue to follow your progress and your journey.

See more at www.montrealsystema.com
http://www.youtube.com/systemacanada