Aside from our small training group everyone at the seminar was coming to Systema for the first time. The participants also included a few brave masters of other martial arts who had stepped out to come and join us. It was immediately obvious from their movements who they were and Alex did a wonderful job of putting them at ease and making them truly welcome. It is difficult to explain in a few words the cultural significance in Japan of an established teacher on another martial art coming with an open mind and an empty cup to learn something entirely new as a ‘beginner’. I take my hat off to these individuals and prey that their attitude and kindness prevails amongst us all.

- Andrew Cefai (writing about Systema Tokyo seminar, Sept 2005)