Matt Hill is:
– Systema instructor under Vladimir Vasiliev, training since 2007.
– 30 years of Martial Arts experience including 2 years live-in study in Japan
– Ex Captain in the Parachute Regiment (British Army).
– Teaching Systema breathing and combat classes, workshops, 1-1 sessions and on-line training.
Matt Hill offers 3 instructional books (paperback edition):
Systema Health
The book covers 25 easy to understand and apply practises for a lifetime of health, mobility, fitness and wellbeing. You will learn to improve your breathing, relaxation, overall movement and posture. You do not need to practise Systema to benefit from the practises in the book.
For teachers there are 25 easy to understand practises that you can deliver, develop and adapt to your classes. Tips are provided to show how they can be easily developed, to give birth to many more drills, creating an endless source of inspiration and variety.
114 pages.
Systema Combat
The book covers 25 easy to understand and apply drills that can be used to improve your fundamental skill set, regardless of which Martial Art you practise.
For teachers there are 25 easy to understand drills that you can deliver, develop and adapt to your classes. Tips are provided to show how they can be easily developed, to give birth to many more drills, creating an endless source of inspiration and variety.
114 pages.
Living Systema
A guide to getting out of the chair, out of the gym and back to a natural level of health, skill, fitness and wellbeing.
Do you ever get bored with the same routines? Hate gyms? Struggle to find time to train? Live with constant pain or niggling injuries? Then this book is for you.
- Unlock and release tension and stress.
- Improve balance, strength, coordination and skill.
- Improve awareness and observational skills.
- Increase resilience to injury.
The book covers 30 easy to understand and apply practises that can be used to improve your fundamental skill set, regardless of which Martial Art you practise.
135 pages.
These books are also available from Matt Hill directly: https://www.matthill.co.uk/
Gwion Trefgarne –
Systema Health: I really enjoy this book and find it different and useful I enjoy doing the exercises outside too, the best place to exercise. The breathing I use as to tool to help me concentrate in my studying to be a hypnotherapist; it’s working well.
A. Murdoch –
Systema Health: Unfortunately, I don’t live in Wiltshire or I would be training with Matt. However, Systema intrigues me and this book is a great pointer towards the health side of the art. I have only scratched the surface of the content but there is much in here I can incorporate into my training and indeed life so this is a keeper. Very good book and extra kudos for bringing it in at a sensible price-point as many books which centre around a martial art or similar can be very expensive due to their niche appeal.
S. Davies –
Systema Health: A really helpful book which for me was a clear and practical introduction to the health strategies and benefits connected to Systema. Having a long-time yoga practice and an interest in Chinese internal martial arts, it was great to engage in approach that makes a similar creative use of the body and conscious relaxation. Matt has filled this book with a great range of practical exercises aimed at promoting health and flexibility for the martial artist or indeed anyone seeking to maximise their life experience!
Clark Ray –
Living Systema: I would preface this review by asking ‘What are you doing as you read this?’ – are you hunched over your desk, or slouched down in your chair? Is there tension in your shoulders right now? Are you chewing your lip, or biting your fingernails? This book addresses these, and many more, seemingly normal aspects of our lives that we are all prone to, yet are slowly, inexorably nudging us toward an old age marked more by limitations than possibility. Matt Hill cares about your health. That fact shines through the pages of this book. I found myself nodding and smiling as I read the clear, concise suggestions on how to bring natural, vibrant movement back in to our lives. This is a book for those who have come to recognise Systema as a blueprint for a healthy life. It is also for anyone who doesn’t want to sit cross-legged on the floor chanting in an effort to get healthy. So, let your shoulders relax; take a long, deep breath through your nose and, as you let the breath gently out through your mouth, go and get this book. You can thank me later.
Claire Forgacs –
Living Systema: This is a great book for everyday life, it gives you achievable exercises for everyone. It’s relaxing and quite liberating to get on the floor to sit and lie down like you did as a child, I have had some great results already with a combination of exercises I can work in to my busy working and family life.
Chris Wallace –
Living Systema: This book hits at two levels. For someone who has not encountered Systema before it is a great introduction into the true principles which lie at the heart of this great Martial Art. For the Systema practitioner there is nothing really new in the book, at least at the surface level. As you leaf through the pages you become aware of what you really already know, or be it sometimes subconsciously. So, if I already know it, why aren’t I doing it? Sometimes we need someone to inspire us to dig deep inside ourselves. To trigger and revive the thought process. Matt has a proven track record as a Martial Arts practitioner with a military background. He is an inspirational coach and excellent communicator. Now proven in the written word as well as in the training hall. Having studied Martial Arts for over 40 years, the key message that I am left with after reading Matts book, is that a true Martial Artist doesn’t train 2, 3 or 4 times per week. He/she trains all the time.
N. Davies –
25 Combat Drills: If you are interested in Systema and/or are new to the style – and want to find out more – then this introductory guide is definitely for you. The 25 drills which Matt Hill, a very experienced trainer in Systema, demonstrates are a great primer to which articulate elements of the four pillars approach to Systema (relaxation, breathing, movement and posture) in a very accessible and straight-forward manner. As a practitioner of 15+ years (and an instructor myself), I have found it incredibly useful – especially as there are some great ideas for drills which can be introduced into training sessions and which can be used to assist the understanding of those starting off very effectively. Highly recommended, especially if you want to know more about what its all about.
Miami Will –
25 Combat Drills: These easy to follow combat drills are a brilliant way of removing tension and fear from your body. And helps you to breath and relax instead of not breathing and your body freezing up under some uncomfortable and potentially hostile situations. It literally could save your life one day.
Toby J Murrey –
25 Combat Drills: What a great book! I have recently started researching Systema , looking for information on the subject and found this gem. Written very clearly by one of the best practitioners in the UK. I have been so impressed , I have bought Matt Hill’s other book on the subject, which is equally brilliant.