Our aim
To cultivate confidence, capability and self-protection through intelligent martial arts training, in an environment founded on safety, respect, consideration and personal responsibility.
We teach Systema, a Russian martial art built on breathing, relaxation, posture and movement. Its purpose is self-preservation, self-protection and self-understanding rather than winning or dominating. There are no belts or gradings; each person’s progress is measured against themselves.
We endeavour to take a trauma-informed approach wherever possible.
Your instructor
Madeleine
Madeleine went to her first Systema class in 2010 and went on to become a regular member of Systema United in Melbourne, and later an instructor-in-training. She has attended seminars with top-level international Systema instructors the Zettler Twins, Martin Wheeler, Sonny Puzikas, Kwan Lee and Ryo Onishi, and has trained at Systema HQ in Toronto under Vladimir Vasiliev.
She supplements her Systema practice with dance, meditation and energy work.
Madeleine is also a lifelong student of metaphysics, and sees martial arts as a practice of translating metaphysical concepts into physical form.
How we train together
Safety
Every reasonable precaution is taken, and every participant is asked to train with awareness and stop whenever something feels unsafe.
Respect
A space where people of all backgrounds, identities and experience levels are treated with dignity.
Consideration
Partner work built on trust rather than competition, with techniques applied under control.
Personal responsibility
Each person makes informed decisions about their own participation and communicates openly.