Munich, near Theresienwiese
Russian martial art built on four principles: breath, relaxation, awareness, calm. No competitions, no belt exams, no fixed techniques. Instead: breath work, realistic self-defence, and a system that adapts to you. Thursdays, small group, taught by 3 officially certified Vasiliev instructors. English speakers welcome.
Systema is a traditional Russian martial art in modern form, shaped by Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev. For Christian it is the perfect application of the principles of Inner Kung Fu: natural movement, breath control and the ability to act under pressure.
The school in its current form was opened to civilians in the 1990s by Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Ryabko and his senior student Vladimir Vasiliev. Vasiliev founded the international Systema headquarters in Toronto in 1993; today more than 600 certified instructors teach this curriculum in over 40 countries. Mikhail Ryabko passed away in April 2023; the lineage is carried forward by Vasiliev and a close circle of directly certified instructors. For students who want to go deeper, the book “Let Every Breath…” — co-authored by Ryabko and Vasiliev — documents the core breathing methods.
Since October 2025 we offer official Vasiliev Systema in Munich – with three directly certified instructors in the lineage Ryabko → Vasiliev → Weidl. More on the international organisation at russianmartialart.com.
Systema answers the question: how do I move naturally, breathe calmly and stay capable – even under real pressure?
Unlike technique-driven martial arts, Systema builds on four universal principles that apply in any situation:
Breathing is the most important tool in Systema. Through conscious breath control you learn to regulate stress, pain and exhaustion. A calm breath means a clear mind – even when the situation is chaotic.
Systema does not use muscle strength but softness and natural movement. Your body flows around resistance rather than fighting it – protecting joints and making you more effective than any strength athlete.
Systema trains an open, relaxed awareness. You perceive more, react faster and make better decisions – without the mental tension that slows reactions.
Perhaps the most important skill: remaining calm when others panic. In Systema training you cultivate this calm under increasing pressure – until it becomes second nature.
Systema has no fixed technique catalogue – but every session covers concrete skills you work on. Here's what's on the syllabus:
Tip: Inner Kung Fu & Wuzu Quan pairs well with Systema – many principles overlap and reinforce each other.
Which martial art fits you? Each style has a different focus. A rough orientation – not a full comparison:
| Systema | Krav Maga | BJJ | Wing Chun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Russia (military → civilian) | Israel (military) | Brazil (from jujutsu) | Southern China |
| Focus | Breath, natural movement, principles | Fast, direct defence | Groundwork, locks, chokes | Close range, strike chains |
| Competition | None | None (seminar format) | Extensive (IBJJF) | Rare |
| Belts/grades | None | Levels (P1–P5) | Strict (white → black) | Varies |
| Intensity | Flexible, adaptive | High, scenario-based | Physically demanding | Moderate |
| Strongest at | Stress, breath, long-term growth | Quick results | Grappling, fitness | Close combat |
Rule of thumb: Krav Maga is the fast self-defence crash course, BJJ the groundwork specialist, Wing Chun the close-range school, Systema the holistic path. For many of our students Systema isn't a replacement for what they train – it's the complement to it.
If you search for “Systema” on YouTube, you will inevitably find videos where students appear to fall without being touched, or where instructors produce “magical” effects. Skepticism is fair – and we address it openly.
The truth is more ordinary: in principles training, students work softly and cooperatively so the nervous system can learn movement before speed and resistance are added. What looks out of context like a “no-touch knockout” is didactic slow motion – not a stage show. Anyone who has trained against real resistance sees those clips with different eyes.
Systema is neither esoteric nor religious. The historical roots lie in Orthodox Russia; modern practice is secular. There is no creed in our class, no master cult, no mystical rituals – only biomechanics, breathing and honest partner work. If something doesn't function, we say so. If you want to test it, we test it together.
Every session (2 hours) begins with breathing exercises to calm the mind and prepare the body. Flowing movement exercises, partner work and realistic scenarios follow. No rigid warm-up routine – everything develops naturally from the principles.
Thursdays 7:15pm–9:15pm
Grimmstraße 1, 80336 Munich, 3rd floor · Ludwigsvorstadt
At Theresienwiese · 2 min walk from U-Bahn Poccistraße (U6)
€59 / month · cancel monthly, no registration fee
Drop-in €20 · Free trial class
Respectful, focused, genuine community. No special equipment needed – comfortable sportswear, bare feet or socks.
Free live support between sessions
All students can send questions or practice videos for correction at any time. Christian replies personally.
Systema is a Russian martial art with military roots built on four core principles: breathing, natural movement, awareness and inner calm. Unlike classical combat sports, there are no fixed techniques, no forms and no competition.
The goal is not to defeat an opponent but to develop body awareness, composure under pressure and genuine capability — in self-defence as much as in everyday life.
Systema is not a combat sport — it is a martial art. The distinction matters: combat sports have rules, tournaments and winners. Systema has none of those.
Its origins lie in Russian military tradition and were developed into a civilian system by Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev. Today Systema is practised worldwide — not for the ring, but for life.
Yes — even though it looks soft and flowing at first glance. Effectiveness comes not from libraries of techniques but from internalised principles: someone who breathes, stays relaxed and moves adaptively reacts faster and more clearly than someone recalling memorised sequences.
Systema has been and continues to be used in Russian special operations forces. In civilian training the focus is on realistic scenarios, stress regulation and natural self-defence — no show, no choreography.
That is the wrong question — both systems follow different philosophies. Krav Maga relies on simple, direct techniques that can be learned quickly. Systema works deeper: instead of memorising techniques you develop principles that function in any situation.
Who suits Systema better? People who want not just to react but to understand — who aim to build body awareness, breath control and inner strength over the long term. Systema is not an 8-week course; it is a path.
Yes. Our instructors speak both German and English fluently. Most sessions run in German, but explanations, corrections and questions in English are always welcome. Our students include German speakers, long-term expats, exchange students and international professionals — nobody gets left behind. If you're unsure, just email us.
Comfortable long sportswear — jogging trousers and a T-shirt you can move freely in. Bare feet or socks; no shoes needed. No uniform, no gi, no special gear. Bring a water bottle; otherwise, come as you are.
No — Systema has no belt ranks, no exams and no tournaments. Progress is measured internally: how calmly you breathe, how loose you stay under pressure, how clearly you decide. For some students that's liberating; for others it's an adjustment. If you need a visible ranking system, classical combat sports are a better fit.
You decide how deep you go. Systema often trains deliberately slowly — your nervous system learns movement before speed or resistance are added. No competitive sparring, no weight classes, no win-at-all-costs mindset. If you want intensity, you'll find it in partner work under real pressure — always with respect, never with unnecessary injury risk.
The principles — breath, relaxation, awareness — work from the first session. You respond more calmly to stress, move less conspicuously, learn to fall without hurting yourself. For genuine self-defence integration, expect 6–12 months of regular training. No 8-week promises, but also no years of waiting for the next belt.
Yes — Systema is built for that. Movements are joint-friendly, breath work suits every body, and because there are no strength contests, size and gender are not disadvantages. Our students range from their early twenties to well over 60. We discuss any pre-existing conditions beforehand and adapt the training to you, not the other way around.
The roots lie in Russian military tradition, and Systema elements are trained in some special operations units. In our class that plays no direct role — we teach no military content, wear no uniforms and keep no hierarchies. What you learn is civilian Vasiliev Systema: developed for daily life, not the battlefield.
No. Systema suits everyone – from complete beginners to experienced martial artists. The principles are universally applicable and adjust to your current level. Many participants with backgrounds in other arts discover an entirely new dimension of training through Systema.
Systema places special emphasis on natural movement and breath control. Training strengthens body awareness, releases tension, improves coordination and teaches you to manage stress. Many participants report deeper relaxation and greater composure in everyday life.
There are several Systema lineages (e.g. Kadochnikov, Combat Systema). Here you train official Vasiliev Systema – the line from Mikhail Ryabko through Vladimir Vasiliev to Christian Weidl. This lineage is known for its deep integration of breath work, natural movement and realistic self-defence. Our instructors are directly certified.
Absolutely – and it is recommended. Systema complements Inner Kung Fu and Qi Gong ideally: breathing work and natural movement deepen your understanding of both disciplines. With a combo you only pay +€10 per extra course – so just €69 for Systema plus one other course.
Every session begins with breathing exercises to settle the mind and prepare the body. Flowing movement exercises, partner work and realistic scenarios follow. No rigid warm-up routine – everything develops naturally from the principles. Duration: 2 hours (7:15–9:15 pm).
What our students say
Genuine reviews from students who trained in person in Munich.
Ingo Buchner
November 2025
I can wholeheartedly recommend this Kung Fu and martial arts school. Christian brings not only decades of experience, but also a calm and enthusiasm that is rarely found today. He takes his time, explains techniques clearly, and gives individual attention to each student. The atmosphere is both motivating and respectful – you simply feel welcome, whether you're training for the first time or have been attending for years. Anyone who wants to experience Kung Fu and holistic martial arts will find a wonderful place here.
Andreas Kutschera
November 2025
Great Qi Gong classes! Teacher with a lot of experience — highly recommended! I trained with him 25 years ago, and now he's even softer, more fluid, more precise, more powerful.
Franz Deffner
November 2025
Sehr erfahrener Lehrer, mit breitem Wissen in allen möglichen Kampfkunst Arten. Sehr gutes Training, in entspannter Atmosphäre.
Dr. Marcus Gadau
November 2025
Super Qi Gong und Gong Fu Training. Ein Trainer mit viel Erfahrung in Kampfkunst und Chinesischer Medizin. Hier geht es wirklich um 'internal power' und das Innere der Chinesischen Kampfkunst.
Bernd
November 2025
I experience Christian Weidl as a clear, competent, ego-free trainer for Systema Vasiliev. The training is very well structured, practice-oriented, and highly informative in a pleasant atmosphere. Constant aha-moments – the classes are fun and make real progress! Highly recommended!
Write to us – we'll find a suitable time.