The Most Complete Martial Art You’ve Never Tried.
Systema — the Russian martial art — starts where most arts end. No belts, no forms, no memorized techniques. Just real training that changes how you move, breathe, and live.
If you’ve trained in other martial arts, you already know what’s missing. The rigid techniques that fall apart under pressure. The hierarchy. The gap between what you practice and what would actually work.
Systema is different at its foundation — not just in what it teaches, but in how it teaches. It’s an adaptive, principle-based system developed for real situations, taught in a relaxed environment where every student trains to the best of their individual ability.
If you’ve only seen it in videos online, you owe it to yourself to feel it in person. Nothing compares.
What makes Systema unlike anything else.
No belts, no uniforms, no hierarchy.
You are treated with the respect you’re due as a person — not based on rank. No prejudging, no pecking order, no “hierarchy horror stories” that plague other schools. Everyone trains together regardless of experience level, and everyone is included.
No forms or kata — all training is hands-on.
You can’t learn to swim by going through the motions without getting in the water. All Systema training involves a partner, because you need a tactile understanding of how to handle a real attacker. Training time is never wasted on solo pattern repetition.
No techniques to memorize.
Systema is based on natural movement and instinctive response — not a library of memorized counters for specific attacks. Your body learns to protect itself without conscious thought. And because every class is different, missing a class never puts you behind.
Effective in any situation.
Grabs, locks, chokes, weapons, ground fighting, multiple attackers, confined spaces, seated positions — Systema is designed to work in all of them. You will be challenged with new and different situations constantly. You will be ready for anything.
A complete system of health and fitness.
Proper breathing, deep relaxation, joint mobility, flexibility, structural alignment — Systema treats the body as an integrated system. The health work improves your self-defense. The self-defense training improves your health. Everything reinforces everything else.
Addresses the physical, mental, and emotional.
Most arts only train the physical. But what you do physically is determined by your thoughts and emotions. Systema trains all three — which is why its practitioners develop a level of awareness and calm that most martial artists never reach.
A strong moral foundation.
To get better at Systema, you become a better person. Compassion and respect for human life are core to the system. Systema students are notably humble — the “toughest guy in the room” mentality has no place here.
Leaves you energized, not drained.
No yelling, no intimidation, no collapsing at the end of class. The breathing work and conditioning drills are specifically designed to charge your body with energy. You’ll finish class feeling better than when you walked in — and be able to continue with your day.
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
“Systema is without question the most effective self-defense system I have ever seen. I recommend it without any reservations.”
— Michael Shell, DO
“Brad is one of the best instructors you’ll find. This style allows everybody to train together regardless of abilities or experience. This is by far the best hands-on training I’ve experienced.”
— Dale Goertz
“I haven’t found anything that even approaches Systema when it comes to helping me breathe and move right. There hasn’t been a day since my first class that what I’ve learned hasn’t affected how I move, breathe — live.”
— Travis Cutbirth
Ready to experience it for yourself?
Systema is so complete that it takes a good 8 weeks to get a clear picture of everything you’ll learn. The only way to really understand it is to feel it. Come try a free class — no pressure, no commitment.
Class schedule: T, Th. 6PM-7PM, S. 11AM-NOON
Location: Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy, 1830 Boston Ave Ste F, Longmont, CO
Questions first? Call or text us at (303) 485-5425. We’re happy to talk.
Five real testimonials on this one — strong page. Paste it in when ready.