Systema core exercise holds

In Systema we do a number of drills where we hold certain uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time, these can be in any position or range in any exercise or drill.
This method has a number of goals.

- It strengthens you psychologically. During long periods of the push up hold i have found my own strengths and weaknesses become more apparent and i find myself thinking of so many reasons of why the exercise is pointless and why i should give up or do it later. The times when i overcome these weaknesses are when i feel the most alive physically and psychologically.

- It strengthens you physically - After the muscles get very tired the body has no choice but to align itself along the bones correctly and to hold itself up using a higher proportion of connective tissue than muscle. You develop a form in he body.

- It allows you to understand breathing. When you learn to adjust breathing to the effort felt, it is the only tool you will ever need to overcome fear, panic, tension and fatigue.

Things to try
- Try a 10 minute push up hold and see how far you get.
- Try holding any of the core exercise positions at the ending/ starting or halfway positions
- Try holding the squat position up against a wall
- Try holding a one armed push up or one legged squat

The secret is Breathing!

Tom