Weekly Classes

Most people who find Systema have already trained in something else. They’ve done Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Kung Fu — and they’ve gotten good at it. But somewhere along the way they’ve noticed something: the techniques that work in practice fall apart under real pressure. The movements that feel natural in drills feel rigid when it actually matters.

Systema addresses that gap directly. Not by adding more techniques, but by going underneath them — to the principles of natural movement, breath, and structure that determine whether anything works at all.

If you’ve never trained before, you’re starting in exactly the right place. There’s nothing to unlearn.

What Makes Systema Different

There are no belts, no uniforms, no forms, and no memorized techniques. That’s not a marketing angle — it’s a reflection of how the art actually works. Systema is built on principles, not procedures. Once you understand how to move naturally, breathe under pressure, and remain relaxed in contact, those principles apply to every situation you encounter. There is nothing to remember in the moment because your body has learned to respond.

This is why experienced martial artists from other systems consistently find Systema to be unlike anything they’ve trained before — and why complete beginners often progress faster than they expect. Neither group has an advantage. Both are learning the same thing: how to work with the body’s natural capabilities instead of against them.

What You’ll Develop

Breath control. Breathing is the foundation of everything in Systema — movement, relaxation, recovery, and psychological composure under stress. You will develop a relationship with your breath that transfers directly into every area of your life, not just training.

Natural movement and structure. You’ll learn how the body moves most efficiently, how to generate force without muscular tension, and how to maintain structural integrity under pressure. The work is grounded in biomechanics, not tradition.

Deep relaxation. The ability to remain calm and relaxed under physical and psychological pressure is trainable. Systema develops it systematically — through breathing work, contact drills, and progressive exposure to stress in a safe environment.

Practical self-defense. Systema addresses the full range of real self-defense situations: grabs, strikes, chokes, weapons, ground, multiple attackers, confined spaces, and more. The training is adaptive by design — you are never working from a script.

Health and longevity. The physical work in Systema — joint mobility, breath work, relaxation drills, and bodyweight conditioning — is specifically designed to strengthen without breaking down. Students train into their 60s and beyond, improving rather than accumulating damage.

What to Expect in Class

Every class is different. Because Systema is based on principles rather than a fixed curriculum, each session explores something new. There is no sequence to fall behind on. Come when you can and keep moving forward.

Classes are cooperative, not competitive. There is no pecking order, no “fresh meat” mentality, no pressure to perform for rank. More experienced students work alongside newer ones. The training environment is serious but not harsh — Brad teaches with humor, precision, and genuine attention to each person in the room.

You will be challenged. You will also leave feeling better than when you arrived.

What Students Say

“Most martial arts are a branch of the whole tree. Systema is not just a derivative — it’s the tree.”

— Hadi Ali

“I’ve trained in Kung Fu, Kenpo, Kali, Thai Boxing, Hsing-I, and Tai Chi. Systema, of all the arts I’ve done, is the most unique. I love the mental characteristics it cultivates — a relaxed mind especially, that keeps you in the flow state.”

— Thornton Chamberlain

“I have worked with a number of Vladimir’s certified instructors. Brad is equal in teaching ability, knowledge, and skill as any, if not more. There is a sense of flow that accompanies a good Systema class — it is simultaneously organized and spontaneous.”

— Officer Alan Walker

“As a physician, I recommend Systema without any reservations. It is without question the most effective self-defense system I have ever seen — and the most complete.”

— Michael Shell, DO

Class Schedule

Classes are held at Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy, 1830 Boston Ave Suite F, Longmont, CO.

Tuesday — 6:00 PM
Thursday — 6:00 PM
Saturday — 11:00 AM

New students are welcome at any class. Your first class is free.