Maryland Systema Announces Plans for New Training Locations in Baltimore, Columbia, and Rockville

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rockville, MD — July 29, 2026 — Maryland Systema announced plans to expand its adult self-defense training with new locations in Baltimore, Columbia, and Rockville, Maryland.

Maryland Systema currently offers regular group classes in Rockville and Takoma Park. The planned expansion is intended to make practical, beginner-friendly self-defense training available to more adults throughout Central Maryland and the Washington, DC–Baltimore region.

Specific facilities, class schedules, and opening dates are still being evaluated. Maryland Systema will announce additional details as agreements are completed.

Expanding Access to Practical Adult Self-Defense

The proposed locations will follow the same training approach used in current Maryland Systema classes. Students will learn through breathing, movement, balance, awareness, controlled contact, and progressive partner work.

Training may include:

• Recognizing changes in behavior, posture, and distance
• Establishing boundaries and maintaining access to exits
• Managing breathing during effort, fatigue, and contact
• Protecting and recovering balance
• Responding to strikes, grabs, pushing, pulling, and restraint
• Moving safely on the ground and returning to the feet
• Understanding the risks associated with weapons and multiple people
• Protecting another person
• Using physical force responsibly and proportionately

Rather than memorizing one response for every possible threat, students learn principles that help them adjust when timing, resistance, direction, and surroundings change.

“Our goal is to make practical self-defense training available to more adults without requiring previous martial arts experience, expensive equipment, or a long-term contract,” said Jim Eglin, founder and Chief Instructor of Maryland Systema. “The planned locations in Baltimore, Columbia, and Rockville will allow us to serve additional communities while maintaining the same careful, progressive approach to instruction.”

Training Designed for Adult Beginners

Maryland Systema classes are designed for adults with different levels of fitness, mobility, and martial arts experience. Beginners start with manageable exercises and are not expected to keep pace with experienced students.

Training begins with fundamental skills such as breathing, posture, walking, turning, falling, rising, and safe partner contact. Resistance, speed, uncertainty, and physical pressure increase gradually as students develop better awareness and control.

Exercises can be adjusted by changing their speed, range, resistance, and contact level. Students are encouraged to communicate injuries, physical limitations, and concerns before training.

No uniform or specialized equipment is required.

More Opportunities to Train

Maryland Systema currently holds Tuesday evening classes at Woodley Gardens Park in Rockville. Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon classes are held at Dance Exchange in Takoma Park.

The additional Rockville location is intended to provide another scheduling and geographic option for Montgomery County students. The planned Columbia location would expand access within Howard County, while the proposed Baltimore location would serve adults in Baltimore and nearby communities.

Students will continue to have the option of attending classes at more than one Maryland Systema location when schedules and space permit. Training with varied partners and in different environments helps students avoid becoming dependent on one familiar type of movement or resistance.

Flexible Participation Without a Long-Term Contract

Maryland Systema offers drop-in training without a long-term membership commitment. This allows adults to participate around work, family responsibilities, travel, and other scheduling demands.

Private lessons are also available for students who want individual attention, have particular training goals, or need an alternative schedule. Lessons may be arranged at a Maryland Systema location, the client’s location, or another suitable place in the Washington, DC–Baltimore region.

The first group class is free.

Expansion Plans and Updates

Maryland Systema is currently evaluating facilities and scheduling options for the planned Baltimore, Columbia, and additional Rockville locations.

Opening dates have not yet been finalized. Prospective students and community organizations can visit the Maryland Systema website for announcements as new locations and class schedules are confirmed.

Maryland Systema is also open to speaking with appropriate fitness facilities, movement studios, recreation centers, and community organizations interested in hosting adult self-defense classes.

About Maryland Systema

Maryland Systema provides practical adult self-defense training based on awareness, breathing, movement, balance, controlled contact, and responsible decision-making.

Founder and Chief Instructor Jim Eglin began training in Systema in 2013 and earned his Full Systema Instructor Certification in 2019 under Vladimir Vasiliev, Head Instructor at Systema Headquarters in Toronto. He renewed his certification in 2022 and 2024.

His broader training includes more than five years of Krav Maga through Krav Maga Worldwide, Krav Maga Global, and Krav OZ. He has also trained in Judo, Knight Jiu-Jitsu®, and Boxing with three-time WBA middleweight champion William Joppy.

For current classes and expansion updates, visit marylandsystema.com.

Press Contact

Jim Eglin
Founder and Chief Instructor
Maryland Systema
301-326-9146
jim@marylandsystema.com