FAQs

Currently, only adult classes are offered at Systema North County.  To be in an adult class, a student should be at least 16 - but the decision ultimately resides with the instructor.

It is suggested to contact Michael prior to your first class, but also feel free to drop by one of the scheduled classes.  The reason to contact Michael first is to be sure there will be class on the day you may want to get started.  Cost of training is $25.00 per class - cash, please. Discounts and other payment options available for bulk purchases of pre-paid classes.

Absolutely. The only requirements for training in Systema are a relative level of conditioning, a willingness to learn and leaving your ego at the door. In fact, beginners often learn Systema faster than experienced martial artists, because experienced martial artists may have a lot of "un-learning" to do before Systema starts to truly sink in (this was the case for me, anyhow :)).  Since beginners start from a clean slate, they won't have this potential obstacle to confront.

Systema MUST be experienced first-hand to begin to understand what is going on. Watching Systema clips on the Internet or even watching a class in person is not the same and is often very misleading.  As previously stated - Systema is extremely subtle - what you think you may see is not what is actually happening.  But - and this is also important - there are also no "secret techniques" or anything like that.  It is real.  It is effective.  It is powerful.  But you must do it to "get it".

Many current practitioners and instructors of Systema - myself included - have a broad base of experience in other martial arts. Systema offers the promise of true freedom of movement, time-tested effectiveness in combat applications, health, healing and conditioning, and the opportunity to explore human nature from a unique perspective. Many who now study Systema exclusively speak of "this is what I have been searching for" or "I can't go back to xxxxxx now that I have found Systema" or other similar statements. I am not trying to make Systema sound like some silver bullet, nor am I disparaging any other martial art - I have the utmost respect for all martial systems - I am just sharing what I have experienced since I discovered Systema. If you have an interest in Systema, check it out and see if it is for you.

Since Systema is used by the highest level Russian Special Operations Units - I would say this speaks for itself.  These operators have no margin for error if they need to call upon these skills.

From a personal perspective - as a long time martial artist and professional bodyguard - I can say that Systema is completely effective. One reason for this effectiveness is how Systema teaches you to be a problem solver.  Every scenario has at least one solution, and training in Systema helps you to creatively discover those solutions using more efficient methods over time. And even a minor amount of training allows these problem-solving skills to become apparent.

No. Systema in unlike any other martial art I have encountered. There are multiple reasons for this.  First, Systema is not really a martial art - it is a system of survival that extends all the way to the most extreme levels of combat. Because of this, Systema has no excess baggage. Systema is not sport, nor does it train for competitions. Systema has no belts or uniforms.  It does not teach techniques, as techniques are ultimately limiting in application. Systema does cover all ranges of combat, including groundwork, as well as weapons, multiple attackers and unique breathing and conditioning exercises.  As you may have seen on this site elsewhere, Systema teaches one to survive by constantly challenging, removing the comfort zone, learning to confront fear and operate at a high level in the most demanding situations.

Systema focuses on developing your psyche as much as your body. Ultimately, those who survive extreme scenarios are those whose psyche has been well conditioned. By forging the psyche with combatives, Systema provides the foundation for modern practitioners to survive in a crazy world - even if you never have a combat encounter, the skills learned in Systema can impact each moment of every day in a positive and freeing manner.

You will notice a lot of references to Orthodox Christianity within Systema.  There are no religious requirements to practice Systema, and neither religion nor religious topics will be preached to you. However, a goal of Systema (and most other martial arts I have trained in) is to evolve as a human being and to more fully understand yourself.  This is possible for anyone, regardless of religious or spiritual beliefs.  Systema training is open to everyone.

Loose fitting clothing, comfortable shoes - that you don't mind getting dirty - to get started. Training knife and other weapons are recommended as you progress. A positive attitude and an open mind are also suggested.

Systema is the devastatingly effective combatives system of the modern Russian Spetsnaz elite units, primarily those tasked with covert operations, intelligence/counterintelligence, direct action, and close personal protection of Russian political and military leaders. Its roots are found in ancient Orthodox Christian practices dating to the 10th century.

Systema has no belts, formalities, rituals or uniforms. As you might have guessed "Systema" (CИCTEMA in Russian) translates to "The System".  And that says it all: it is a system that teaches survival by learning to confront your fears, work within and around them, and to discover as much as possible about your own uniqueness as a human being as part of an ongoing learning process.

 

Until relatively recent times (mid 1990s) Systema was a closely guarded secret of the Russian special forces under the former Soviet regime. With the downfall of the Soviet Union and the efforts of a handful of Russian special operators who have decided to share Systema with the world, we are just now beginning to reach a moderate level of awareness about Systema and what it is.