Asheville Systema
Systema: The Russian Martial Art and Health System
“Systema is really a
health system disguised
as a martial art.”
~ Bill Parravano
What is Systema…
Systema is a Russian martial art that focuses on fluidity, adaptability, and natural movement, rather than rigid techniques.
I love this description from Systema HQ: “As the roots of the Russian Systema are in the Russian Orthodox Christian faith, the belief is that everything that happens to us, good or bad, has only one ultimate purpose. That is to create the best possible conditions for each person to understand himself. Proper training in the Russian Systema carries the same objective – to put every participant into the best possible setting for him to realize as much about himself as he is able to handle at any given moment.
One of Mikhail Ryabko’s words to the beginners is “Be a good person and everything else will come to you.” In a simple, yet comprehensive way Systema helps you choose and follow the right path. “
Systema Overview
Bill Parravano
Certified Systema Instructor
by Vladimir Vasiliev
Welcome to ashevillesystema.com
TRAINING SCHEDULE
JOIN US:
SATURDAYS 11AM-2PM
Train with us every Saturday in Weaverville.
Systema training is followed by Russian Health Practices,
including Pravilo!
About Training…
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During Training…
Study the mechanics of the physical body
Observe psychological effects of entrainment that takes place with those you interact with every day
Disconnect from that entrainment and become more clear thinking, focused and grounded.
Breathing is a huge component of Systema training
Learn to keep the body in a relaxed state as long as possible while under stress or in conflict
During practice, you’ll be challenged physically, mentally and emotionally. No two practices are ever the same. The result of a great Systema practice is to feel more relaxed and alert AFTERWARDS than you did when you arrived.
Benefits…
By dissipating your own fear, anger, excitement and other emotions, you can spot those emotions in others
The practice of Systema intuitively leads you to touch, strike or kick the tension in your opponent, collapsing their structure
With practice, careful observation and an honest intention to “Know Thyself,” the practitioner will begin to recognize and become intimately connected with the same patterns and how they move through your daily life
About Your Instructor Bill Parravano…
I began my 15-year Judo journey in 1990 at the University of Toledo, competing nationally and internationally for several years. A severe knee injury in 1998 shifted my focus toward the healing arts, leading me to Systema in 1999. I immersed myself in training, traveling frequently to Toronto, and earned my Certification as an Instructor in 2004. Over the years, I ran Systema schools in Louisville, KY, Charleston, SC, and Asheville, NC.
Through my recovery, I found that Systema helped me reconnect with and feel “normal” in my body again. Alongside my study of an Osteopathically-based Bodywork approach (also beginning in 1999), I developed a deeper understanding of how to use these two practices together to support physical healing.
TRAINING SCHEDULE
JOIN US:
SATURDAYS 11AM-2PM
Train with us every Saturday in Weaverville.
Systema training is followed by Russian Health Practices,
including Pravilo!
SYSTEMA:
PRACTICAL, REAL LIFE MARTIAL ARTS SKILLS
More About Systema…
Through regular practice:
- Feel more comfortable, relaxed in your own body
- Walk taller and easier
- Feel confident you can address a conflict before it escalates to physical violence
- If it DOES escalate to physical violence, you know you can handle to the situation with minimal damage to you and your opponent
- Become more flexible and stronger…handle conflict easier…understand how to avoid conflicts…
- Train how not to fight
- Slow is smooth and smooth is fast
Systema has:
- NO BELTS
- NO RANKS
- NO UNIFORMS
- NO EQUIPMENT TO BUY
- Learn to adapt
- Got injuries? Bring ‘em. Practice can help you rehabilitate
- Build a stronger local community
- Move more naturally…build stronger, tendons, ligaments and fascia
Systema Photos
Systema Videos
