Learn how to kick ass and take down bad guys! An INTRO to Systema.

Learn ways to literally kick ass though the practice of a Russian martial art called Systema, which I have trained for 5 years with the Masters credited for its creation. The CAP is 20 people, because of the space required to effectively learn and have enough room to practice drills.

Systema (Система, literally meaning The System) is a Russian martial art. Training includes, but is not limited to: hand-to-hand combat, grappling, knife fighting, and firearms training. (NOTE: we will be focused on the basics, and this will NOT include grappling, knife fighting or firearms, though it is really fun! ;) This is an INTRO class to the basics of Systema to give you skills to be more safe in the world.

Typical training involves drills and sparring without set kata (that most traditional martial arts have). In Systema, the goal is to free the body of tension, fill it with breath and enhance endurance, flexibility, and effortless movement. It is a very practical martial art.

Key to the philosophy of Systema, the "spirit" or psychological state aims to be calm, free of anger, irritation, fear, self-pity, delusion, ego and pride.

Systema has four pillars - Breathing, Relaxation, Body Position, and Movement, as well as utilizing an attacker's momentum against him and controlling the six body levers (elbows, neck, knees, waist, ankles, and shoulders) through pressure point application, striking, and weapon applications (this last part will NOT be demonstrated in this class).

As a discipline, it is becoming more and more popular among police and security forces and it is taught by several practitioners inside and outside Russia. There are multiple schools of Systema - Systema Kadochnikova, Systema Ryabko, Systema Vasiliev. I have been lucky to train with these Masters and in other schools, and would love to share the best of what I've learned!

We will go over the basics, pair up, and do group demonstrations while having a lot of fun without actually hurting anyone. (But please take this class at your own risk!) Hopefully, you will leave with a basic knowledge of Systema and some skills to use when needed.