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Injuries & Systema, Part 1

Posted onApril 18, 2019March 13, 2026Leave a comment

Having taught a brutal martial art like Systema for decades I would expect a fair amount of bumps, bruises and breaks.  Surprisingly, in spite of the injurious nature of Systema training, serious injuries during training Systema are far less than you might imagine. I’ve taken a closer look at the students and situations involved in Read More …

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Systema Colorado is OPEN for April Classes

Posted onApril 1, 2019March 13, 2026Leave a comment

We took a week off last week to enjoy some Spring Break rest and recovery time, and now Systema Colorado is once again OPEN for classes for April 2019. See you on the mat. P.S. Not 1, but 2 students from 10 years ago have recently returned and picked up training were they left off. Read More …

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What Can You Really Learn at a Seminar?

Posted onMay 8, 2018March 13, 2026Leave a comment

A few years ago we had a visitor to Systema Colorado who had just returned from Summer Camp. He was pumped up, excited by his week of training, and a little too eager to show my students everything he learned. This is all to be expected, because intensive training sessions engender good vibes for a Read More …

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A Word from Paige Erickson

Posted onApril 10, 2018March 13, 2026Leave a comment

Paige M.J. Erickson When I tell people that I travel alone in Europe eight months a year, the first question is always whether it’s safe for a woman. (The second is: how do you pack only one suitcase for eight months?) While I do feel comfortable as I travel, it’s likely because I’m mindful of Read More …

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Yet Another Powerful Reason Why I Do Systema

Posted onFebruary 25, 2018March 13, 2026Leave a comment

In January 2017 at Arapahoe Basin, a skier was being let off the ski lift when his backpack got caught up in the lift chair. He was yanked past the skier drop off and pulled, along with his backpack, as the chair returned on its way to the base of the lift. As he was Read More …

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What Doesn’t Move, Breaks

Posted onNovember 29, 2017March 13, 2026Leave a comment

Rolling around on the hardwood during a workshop with Vladimir, I had a realization that made doing Systema much easier. As we traded attacks, I felt nothing to apply force to, to break or choke. Vladimir once commented on another martial system as being based all on levers. He then waved his body and said,”where’s Read More …

CategoriesLatest News, Mindset, Philosophy, Training Tips

RA RA Systema!

Posted onSeptember 20, 2017March 13, 2026Leave a comment

It’s been about a year since I developed Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease, and now seems like good time to take stock as to how having such an unpredictable disease has had on my martial arts training and skill. RA, as it’s commonly called, manifests in varying levels of pain, inflammation, stiff joints and fatigue as my Read More …

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Blades, Batons and Bare Hands Weekend Workshop

Posted onOctober 4, 2016March 13, 2026Leave a comment

Our next Systema Colorado Quarterly Weekend Workshop — Blades, Batons and Bare Hands — is set! Join us Saturday and Sunday, November 12th and 13th, 2016 for some wild weapons work and empty-hand defense. Click below to register: I’m In! For Blades, Batons and Bare Hands This EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL ($50 OFF) ends October 15th, so Read More …

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“I’ve been doing Systema too long to do that”

Posted onJune 7, 2016March 13, 2026Leave a comment

We get drop-in students all the time, some who train in other arts, but most who have trained in Systema to one degree or another. All Systema instructors have our own way of presenting the art so variation in approach is expected. In addition, schools tend to gravitate toward drills, scenarios and moves they are Read More …

CategoriesLatest News, Mindset, Philosophy

May 21st, 2016 Quarterly Systema Colorado Seminar

Posted onMay 5, 2016March 13, 2026Leave a comment

It’s that time again! Our next Systema Colorado Quarterly Seminar is Saturday May 21st, 2016. The topic is: 2-for-Flinching, Part 2. I will be covering how to stay poised, composed and relaxed when your attacker withdraws, feints or changes speed. This type of work requires hours of dedicated and focused time and is best training Read More …

CategoriesLatest News, Reviews, Seminars

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Recent Posts

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  • Every Beginner Looks Awkward. Here’s Why That’s Actually the Point.

Testimonials

I have been a student at Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy for over a year.  I have been impressed with the quality of the instruction and the insight that Mr. Scornavacco provides to the real-world applications of the techniques.  As a physician, I am keenly aware of the CDC guidelines.  Mr. Scornavacco has implemented social distancing policies in compliance with federal and state guidelines. These policies have allowed the students to practice skills in a “no contact” manner.  F… Read more
Real-World Applications, Not Sport
I had trained at Brad’s Systema school for 10 years and learned principles that have been very beneficial since moving away. I have attended seminars for various martial arts including Systema and have been able participate at a comfortable level with whomever I am working with. I always am asked as to where I learned to move so well. My thanks to Brad and all the training partners over the years. I look forward to coming back to Colorado for one of Brad’s seminars.
Mike Wurm
“I visited Brad Scornavacco’s school In August. As usual Brad treated me like family. His classes were extremely informative, rigorous and fun. Brad breaks thing down without shattering the Systema wholeness of the art.  He is an excellent teacher, a consummate professional. I look forward to training with him again.“  
Matt McCormickDayton, Ohio
Thank you for the confidence you have given me from the heart that I spent in your school; the go-with-the-flow attitude that I learned at Systema has helped me avoid conflicts and stay level-headed while dealing with the less than ideal personality of the people who surround me.  The relaxation techniques that you thought me as allowed me to succeed during tests which then allowed to get into the Colorado School of Mines.  I am sure these things will allow me to keep succeeding in life.  I h… Read more
     “I’ve done Systema for a number of years and I’m already sold on the value. It’s very practical, it’s easy to learn, it works off of your natural sort of inclinations, and it makes me happy. And I’m also learning a ton, so I’m really happy to be here. Brad’s an amazing teacher. He just has this really amazing way of explaining things, and he’s a really engaged teacher and we also do new things all the time. So he’s always pushing us, he’s always challenging us, and he always keeps it intere… Read more
Brad's an amazing teacher
“Do not choose a studio according to the style taught there.  Choose the very best teacher you can find, and learn what that person teaches. A great teacher is the most important element for students. Mr. Scornavacco is a wonderful man, a talented practitioner, and a caring and gifted teacher.”
Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow
“I found my way to Brad’s class from Canada when I was in Denver for a conference. I’m sorry to say that up to this point my experience with Systema has been limited and wanting, compared to what I see in Vladimir’s DVDs. I don’t think anyone who’s met Brad needs to be convinced, but judging from the hour and a half I was there, I saw the Systema that I had hoped was out there. I left feeling bruised but buoyant. This class focused on kick defense. We began with some pushups, squats, and stre… Read more
James Underwood
Any concern of how Systema class would be degraded during these physically-distant times was put to rest since classes started back up. Those that study Systema know that the more you study, the more ever-expanding amount of things you can do (up close) presents itself- it never ends and is why we keep coming to perfect our craft. And so it seems that there is also an unending amount of drills, exercises, and practical self defense movements that can be done while maintaining a reasonable distan… Read more
An Unending Amount of Skills
“I’ve been taking Systema classes for four years at SMAA.  When friends ask me what Systema is, I find myself sometimes at a loss for explaining the art in a way that is meaningful to them. Mostly, I tell them that Systema is the reverse of other martial arts that teach you an arsenal of techniques so that when you are in a situation where you need to act defensively, you have the tools in place to respond accordingly. On the other end of that spectrum, Systema teaches you strength, relax… Read more
Strength, Relaxation and Presence of Mind
“It’s not a regular martial arts, it’s not memorized movements or anything like that; it’s bio-mechanics. You have to have an understanding how to move the body and with your center of gravity,  and to adapt to what’s going on, versus something like karate or kung fu where there’s patterned movements and things of that nature. Here it’s simply moving the body as one System, as one unit to adapt to situations.”  
Jovan HillFlorida
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    • History