What to Expect at Asheville Systema
A Different Kind of Martial Arts Training — One That Changes You From the Inside Out
Come As You Are. Leave Transformed.
When you walk into your first Systema class, you’re not just learning to defend yourself — you’re learning to face yourself.
Systema invites you to confront your fears, release years of tension, and train your body and mind to meet life’s challenges with clarity and ease. This is not about domination or competition. It’s about liberation — from stress, from bad habits, from the belief that pain is your only option.
What Happens in Class?
Each class is a blend of:
- Breathwork to build internal calm and stress resilience
- Movement drills that develop structure, freedom, and natural reflexes
- Partner work to reveal hidden tension and teach real-world adaptability
- Relaxation exercises to cultivate awareness, mobility, and power
No katas. No belts. Just principle-based, adaptive movement training for life.
What to Expect as a New Student
1. You’ll Face Yourself Before You Face Others
You may come in expecting to spar an opponent — but your first battle will be with your own tension, fear, and limitations. That’s where the real work (and growth) begins.
2. You’ll Be Challenged, Not Overwhelmed
Every drill can be scaled to your level. You won’t be thrown into the deep end. Instead, you’ll be guided through a process that builds real, embodied confidence.
3. You’ll Feel Strange… Then Strong
Our movements may feel unfamiliar at first — softer, slower, less rigid than what most people associate with martial arts. That’s the point. You’re learning to move with efficiency, not force.
4. You’ll Learn to Breathe Through the Fire
Stress is inevitable. The real skill is learning to stay relaxed under pressure. We’ll help you rewire your nervous system to respond with calm, not panic.
5. You’ll Discover a New Kind of Power
The more relaxed you are, the more powerful and effective you become. That’s a paradox most people don’t understand until they feel it in their own body.
How You’ll Feel After Class
Many students describe walking out of class feeling:
- Lighter — like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders
- More clear-headed — with a calm, focused mind
- More mobile — with a body that moves more freely and effortlessly
- Unburdened — with less mental and emotional baggage
- Empowered — like possibilities are opening again
- Renewed — physically, emotionally, spiritually
Why Train Systema?
Because most of life’s problems — stress, fear, tension, chronic pain — don’t get solved by getting stronger or tougher.
They resolve when we become more aware, more relaxed, and more connected to how we move through life.
Systema is a vehicle for that transformation.
Practical Details for Class
- Wear comfortable, modest clothing (no uniform required)
- Bring water, a towel, and an open mind
- Please trim your nails and avoid strong scents
- Classes are held Tuesdays 6:30–8:30 PM and Fridays 6:30–9:30 PM at Sovereignty Lab 4 Locust Grove Road Weaverville, NC 28787 in Weaverville, NC
- Spring water and ATLAS bars available on site
Who’s in the Room?
Our students include:
- Professionals recovering from burnout or chronic tension
- Martial artists seeking deeper internal mastery
- Beginners exploring body awareness and natural movement
- First responders, veterans, caregivers, and healers
- Curious people seeking to move through life with less fear and more presence
You’ll be welcomed by our greeters Patti the hen, Sheldon the friendly rooster or the cats August and Pete — and maybe even our unofficial mascot, a curious white rabbit.