New in 2018: Systema Health Classes

Posted by Systema Reading

I’m pleased to announce that, from January, we will be offering Systema Health Classes.

The first class will be on the 3rd January at 7:30pm.

Breathing is life. It is the basis of everything. So you have to utilize this resource to the most that you can. Vladimir Vasiliev.

Systema Health classes are similar to our regular Systema classes as we will be working on the same four pillars of Systema: breath, relaxation, movement & structure.

These seemingly simple principles are the foundations of everything we do in Systema…& the benefits readily transfer into – & transform – our daily lives.

The only difference between the health class & the regular class, is that there is no combat element. You won’t be learning how to defend yourself from external enemies in the health class. Instead, you’ll ‘simply’ be working on mastery of yourself.

As I’ve mentioned before, Systema training is like updating your operating system.

The Systema Health classes are suitable for anyone & everyone, regardless of gender, age, size/shape or fitness level. However, this will be an adult class for over 18s.

Join the Systema Health class to…

  • Reduce stress & tension from the body & mind
  • Increase your mobility & develop smooth, natural movement
  • Be more relaxed in the body & calmer in the mind
  • Learn to cope with anxiety & fear
  • Improve your fitness
  • Develop a healthy body
  • Know yourself better

The video below explains a little more about the class & what to expect.

 

Class location

Classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm – 8:30pm. They will be held at the All Saints Church Hall, Downshire Square (between Bath Road and Tilehurst Road).

Systema Health classes will be held in All Saints Hall, Reading

All Saints Church Hall
Downshire Square
Reading
RG1 6NN

As you can see it’s a nice bright hall. It’s centrally located with, good public transport access & also has off-road parking.

Class prices

  • Trial classes cost £10 for two lessons. Use the button below to purchase your 2 lesson trial voucher (via PayPal).
  • Thereafter, the cost for the Health class will be £20 pcm.
  • If you’d like to attend both the health class & the regular class, the cost will be £35 pcm.
£10.00 – Buy a 2 Lesson Trial Voucher

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Time to update your operating system?

Posted by Systema Reading

Apple released the first iPhone in 2007. Since then they have released seven major iOS upgrades that have helped to make the iPhone the stunning success that it is.

iPhone 6

Regular updates to iOS help to make the iPhone such a stunning success

It isn’t just the iPhone – we’re all far too familiar with updating the operating systems of our various phones, tablets & computers.

…but when was the last time you considered your own operating system? The software that you use to operate that computer you carry around in your skull?

The attitudes, habits & responses that you have developed over the years that make you behave & function the way you do. Your myOS, if you will.

When was the last time you updated that? Have you been as conscientious with your self, as you have with your phone?

Systema offers you the tools to perform just such an update.

The complete system of health & combat training will take you to deeper levels of self knowledge, helping you to understand how to get the very best out of yourself.

Regular training will ensure that your mind, body & soul are working together to keep you operating at your optimum level.

  • Discover the power of breath
  • Develop relaxation
  • Release years of accumulated tension & stress
  • Re-learn natural & free movement
  • Become physically & mentally stronger
  • Overcome your fears
  • Build true self-confidence: an ironclad belief in yourself & your ability to cope with any situation

Systema gives you the key to updating your myOS, the operating system for the way you function as a person. The update you deserve. The update that’s long overdue.

Find out more about training at Systema Reading

 

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Systema’s like a box of chocolates

Posted by Systema Reading

Systema's like a box of chocolates

Systema’s like a box of chocolates

Imagine you’re given a box of chocolates as a gift.

The box looks very inviting. It’s luxurious & beautifully designed.

Imagine the sounds as you unwrap it, open the lid & remove the protective top layer.

Imagine the smell of chocolate as your eyes devour the content, your finger taping the box as you decide where to start.

How does that first chocolate feel in your fingers. Smooth as silk? Embossed with an elegant swirl? Covered in nuts?

You take a bite. Maybe there’s the sound of chocolate cracking.

The chocolate begins to melt, as your mouth warms it. The taste fills your senses. Pure chocolate…maybe the flavour of caramel or nuts.

You feel special enjoying the gift you were given. You feel a warm glow inside.

Did you enjoy that?

Was it the same as actually eating the chocolate or did it fall short?

Reading about eating chocolate will have evoked memories of eating chocolate, but that’s a very different thing to actually having some!

…and, of course, you only had those memories because you’ve eaten chocolate before. What if you hadn’t? My description would be even less satisfying.

I’m sure you’ll agree that reading about something is nothing compared to experiencing it for real.

This is the problem we face when trying to describe an experience with words. Words will never be the same as the actual experience – especially when that experience is much richer, more complex & more involving than simply enjoying chocolate.

The only way to know the experience, is to have the experience.

It doesn’t matter how many videos you watch or how many articles, forums, blogs or books you read they will always be a pale imitation of the real thing.

If you’d like to experience Systema for yourself, then come along & give it a go.

Classes are on Monday nights from 8pm to 9:30pm.

Now, where’s that bar of Galaxy…

 

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Systema saved my life

Posted by Systema Reading

Slipping by Maurizio Carpani from the Noun Project

It’s no exaggeration to say that Systema saved my life last night.

We were crossing a road on our way back from watching the football (England knocking Columbia out of the World Cup – on penalties).

We were climbing over a low wall with raised bedding that acts as the central reservation (yes I know, not a safe place to cross but we’d had one or two ales – did I mentioned England won on penalties!)

As I stepped down off the wall, I turned my ankle & started to fall. As I fell I saw a car coming towards me &, while going to the ground, was able to align myself into the kerb – narrowly missing a facefull of car.

Had I simply sprawled into the road, I would have been hit. Had I rolled, I again would have ended up in the road & been hit.

Instinctively applying the Systema principles allowed me fall in a calm & relaxed way, into the safest place that kept me from being seriously injured or worse.

Funnily enough we’d been studying falling at the club the night before & we’d been saying what an important life skill falling is. I’m now utterly convinced of that – thank you Systema.

FREE trial lessons for Men’s Health Week

Posted by Systema Reading

Here’s something to put a smile on your face, FREE trial lessons to celebrate Men’s Health Week.

We all know that keeping active is important & that moving more has massive benefits on your overall health. That’s why we’re happy to be offering free classes for Men’s Health Week (11th – 17th June).

The classes will focus on those most basic of human activities: movement & breathing.

Of course, this offer isn’t only available to men, women are more than welcome too.

So why not make the first move & get your butt down to one (or both) of our classes to try Systema for yourself.

You’ve nothing to lose & a whole lot to gain!

We offer:

Free to be your natural best

Posted by Systema Reading

Systema – The System

Systema is Russian for the system. Yes, it refers to the set of principles that we use in our practice. The methodology we follow when training, but it also relates to you as a system – a complex set of parts working together as an interconnected whole.

Systema frees you

The system that is Systema, liberates the system that is you.

The aim in Systema is to return you to your natural state. One that is calm, relaxed & free.

Rediscovering the freedom of movement you felt as a child: uninhibited, spontaneous, energetic, healthy & fun.

You aren’t asked to replicate the movements of anyone else (no katas or techniques to mimic here). Instead a rediscovery of your own unique way of moving.

Along the way you’ll discover a versatility that helps you become powerful, capable & in control.

Come along & experience it for yourself. New Health classes start Wednesday 3rd January.

Life changing gift for £10!

Posted by Systema Reading

It’s no exaggeration to say that one Systema class could change your life…it did mine.

From 3rd of January, I’ll be running Systema Health classes in addition to the regular classes. A 2 lesson trail cost just £10 and makes a great gift!

I’d been training martial arts for a number of years when I took my first Systema class and I thought I moved pretty well.

However, after that first lesson, I found a new freedom in my movement. That one class revealed the tension that I’d previously been oblivious to and I knew I had to continue with this training.

Now, Systema Reading is 3 years old & during that time I’ve been helping other people make positive changes to their lives. To take this further, I’ll be offering a second weekly class in 2018. A health class to make the benefits of Systema accessible to more people.

All thanks to that one class. The pebble that caused the ripples that lead me here. That lead you here.

…who knows where TWO lessons could take someone?

£10.00 – Buy a 2 Lesson Trial Voucher

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Self-massage with balls (video)

Posted by Systema Reading

A short video showing the use of balls for self-massage, an effective way to release tension from the body.

In the video, I introduce the simple principles involved & demonstrate some of the ways you can use the balls to massage the upper body while working against a wall.

Free classes for Women: April ’17

Posted by Systema Reading

Systema isn’t only for the guys so, to encourage some of you ladies to give it a try, women train for FREE this April at Systema Reading.

  • Would you like to be healthier & fitter?
  • Are you looking to make a change in your life?
  • Would you like to learn how to cope with stress & fear?
  • Do you like a challenge?
  • Would you like to be better equipped to defend yourself?
  • Are looking for something with a bit more substance than a spin class?

If your answer to any of the above is “yes” then Systema could be the thing for you. It’s a fascinating art that has the capacity to help people flourish & realise their full potential…& is actually quite a lot of fun too!

However, it’s hard to express the true power of Systema in words. It really is something you have to come & experience for yourself. As I say Systema’s like a box of chocolates.

Systema Instructor: Jason

Systema Instructor: Jason

We’re a friendly club. There’s no macho BS, only genuine people endeavouring to improve themselves through the study of a unique martial art.

Training is progressive & presented in ways to suit the individual. You will be challenged & you will be stretched but it will be done in a safe environment of trust & collaboration.

We train on Monday* evenings from 8:00pm to 9:30pm at Coley Park Community Centre. You can find out more about the club & what’s involved on the Club & Class Info page.

No need to book. Simply come along & join in. However, if you do have any questions or would like to introduce yourself in advance then please feel free to contact me using the form at the bottom of this page.

* We’re closed on Easter Monday (17th April)

One last thing

Here are a couple of videos by Systema Eire which I hope you enjoy.

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An Introduction to Systema Breathing (video)

Posted by Systema Reading

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust are running an initiative aimed at improving staff wellbeing. I produced this video, which introduces some Systema breathing as part of this initiative.

It introduces some of the key principles of Systema & Systema breathing, guiding you through a series of breathing patterns that you can practice to help you relax & reduce tension in your body & mind.

Enjoy!

Free trial classes this January

Posted by Systema Reading

Come along & redefine yourself for free this January.

Beginner’s can take advantage of two free trial lessons throughout January.

Learn to be…

  • Free of stress & fear
  • Free of tension
  • Free of limitations

See how you can work with stress & fear to free yourself from tensions that these create in your body, reducing the toll that these take and helping you to move with greater freedom.

Get your New Year off to a great start, simply come along to one of our Monday evening classes & begin training in the fascinating art of Systema.

Halloween Treat – Free Trial Class!

Posted by Systema Reading

Halloween Offer - Free ClassThis year, as Halloween falls on a class night, I thought I’d offer up a little Halloween treat…a free trial class!

If you’re interested in trying Systema then this is your perfect chance. We’ll look at some simple drills that will get you moving better & feeling more relaxed…nothing too scary.

No need to book, simply come along this All Hallows’ Eve & enjoy a class for free.

Hope to see you scare – sorry, I mean there. 😉

BONUS £5 Memberhip

Also, as there will no longer be a membership fee in 2017, pay just £5 for the remainder of this year.