Maryland Systema Plans to Expand Practical Adult Self-Defense Training Across Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rockville, MD — July 29, 2026 — Maryland Systema announced plans to make practical adult self-defense training available to more communities across Maryland through additional class locations, workshops, private lessons, and programs hosted by local organizations.

Maryland Systema currently offers regular group classes in Rockville and Takoma Park. The organization is also evaluating new training locations in Baltimore, Columbia, and an additional area of Rockville.

Specific facilities and opening dates are still being finalized. Updates will be announced as locations and schedules are confirmed.

Expanding Access to Practical Self-Defense

Many adults are interested in personal-safety training but may be unable or unwilling to commit to a traditional martial arts membership, several weekly classes, specialized uniforms, or expensive equipment.

Maryland Systema’s expansion plans are intended to provide more flexible opportunities for adults to explore self-defense through:

• Regular group classes
• Introductory workshops
• Community-hosted training
• Workplace and organizational programs
• Small-group instruction
• Private lessons
• Specialized training for adult populations

Training is available to adults with little or no prior martial arts experience.

“Our goal is to give more adults access to practical self-defense training without requiring a long-term contract or a large financial commitment,” said Jim Eglin, founder and Chief Instructor of Maryland Systema. “The planned locations in Baltimore, Columbia, and Rockville will allow us to serve more communities while maintaining a careful, progressive approach to instruction.”

Self-Defense Begins With Awareness

Maryland Systema teaches that personal safety begins before physical contact.

A person may move too close, ignore a clear boundary, block a path, conceal their hands, follow someone, or continue escalating after being asked to stop. Recognizing these changes earlier may provide more time to reposition, create distance, seek assistance, or leave.

Training helps students pay attention to:

• Posture and movement
• Distance and positioning
• Hand placement
• Changes in tone or behavior
• Nearby people
• Obstacles and confined areas
• Available exits
• Their own breathing, tension, and attention

The objective is not to make students suspicious of everyone around them. It is to help them recognize when a situation is changing and act while they still have useful options.

Practical Training for Changing Conditions

Real self-defense situations rarely follow a predictable sequence. People resist, footing changes, distance closes quickly, and additional individuals may enter the situation.

Maryland Systema teaches principles rather than one fixed response for every possible threat. Students learn to protect their balance, manage distance, continue breathing, and adjust their movement when circumstances change.

Training may include:

• Boundary-setting and direct communication
• Managing distance and maintaining access to exits
• Breathing during effort, fatigue, and contact
• Movement against pushing, pulling, and crowding
• Responses to grabs and physical restraint
• Controlled striking and managing impact
• Ground movement and returning to the feet
• Awareness involving weapons
• Multiple-person situations
• Protecting another person
• Responsible and proportional use of force

The goal is not to dominate every encounter. It is to protect people, preserve mobility, create safer options, and leave when possible.

Controlled Partner Work

Self-defense cannot be learned entirely through explanation or solo movement. A training partner provides timing, weight, resistance, and changing direction.

Maryland Systema introduces partner contact gradually. Beginners first learn the purpose of the exercise, the movement being explored, and the safety limits.

Resistance, speed, uncertainty, and physical pressure increase only as students demonstrate better communication and control.

Partner training may reveal common reactions such as:

• Holding the breath
• Raising the shoulders
• Becoming rigid
• Leaning too far
• Reaching without moving the feet
• Fixating on one hand or one person
• Using strength before understanding the direction of pressure
• Stopping after the first contact

Recognizing these habits gives students an opportunity to improve their breathing, balance, movement, and decisions.

Training for Adult Beginners

Maryland Systema currently provides training for adults aged 18 and older.

Students do not need to be highly athletic or have previous self-defense experience. Exercises can be adjusted by changing speed, range, resistance, duration, and contact.

Participants should tell the instructor about injuries, mobility restrictions, or other concerns before training begins. Anyone may ask for less resistance or stop an exercise.

No uniform or specialized equipment is required. Comfortable clothing that allows unrestricted movement is recommended.

Current and Planned Locations

Maryland Systema currently holds:

• Tuesday evening classes at Woodley Gardens Park in Rockville
• Thursday evening classes at Dance Exchange in Takoma Park
• Sunday afternoon classes at Dance Exchange in Takoma Park

Planned expansion areas include:

• Baltimore
• Columbia
• An additional Rockville location

The new locations are intended to provide adults with more scheduling and geographic options throughout Central Maryland and the Washington, DC–Baltimore region.

Opening dates have not yet been finalized.

Community and Organizational Workshops

Maryland Systema is also available to speak with community centers, fitness facilities, colleges, workplaces, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and other groups interested in hosting adult personal-safety training.

Workshops can be adjusted according to:

• Available space
• Group size
• Time available
• Participant experience
• Physical limitations
• Desired level of contact
• Organizational needs and policies
• Specific personal-safety concerns

Maryland Systema does not claim that a single workshop can guarantee safety or prepare participants for every possible threat. The purpose is to introduce practical principles and provide supervised opportunities to practice them.

Flexible Participation

Maryland Systema offers drop-in training without a long-term contract. Students may attend classes at more than one location when schedules and space permit.

Private lessons are also available for adults who want individual attention, have particular training goals, or need another scheduling option.

Lessons may be arranged at a Maryland Systema training location, the client’s location, or another suitable place in the Washington, DC–Baltimore region.

The first group class is free.

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 class information, planned-location updates, workshops, or private lessons, visit marylandsystema.com.

Press Contact

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