Maryland Systema Offers Workshops on Breathing, Movement, and Managing Tension

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Takoma Park, MD — July 29, 2026 — Maryland Systema announced a series of workshops introducing adults to breathing, movement, and tension-management practices used during Systema training.

The workshops are designed to help participants recognize how physical effort and pressure affect their breathing, posture, movement, and attention. Through guided exercises and controlled partner work, participants learn practical ways to remain mobile, manage unnecessary tension, and recover more efficiently after demanding activity.

A Practical Approach to Pressure and Physical Stress

People commonly hold their breath, raise their shoulders, tighten their hands, or become rigid when they feel rushed, fatigued, uncomfortable, or physically pressured. These reactions can interfere with movement and make an already difficult task harder.

Systema training uses breathing and movement to make those reactions easier to recognize. Participants practice maintaining their breathing while walking, changing levels, moving from the ground, completing physical exercises, and working with a partner.

“Breathing is not presented as a cure or a way to make pressure disappear,” said Jim Eglin, founder and Chief Instructor of Maryland Systema. “It gives participants a way to notice when tension is interfering with their movement and to begin restoring control of their body.”

Workshop Activities

Workshop activities may include:

• Breathing during walking and changing levels
• Coordinating breathing with physical effort
• Recognizing tension in the shoulders, jaw, hands, and posture
• Moving without holding the breath
• Ground movement and returning to the feet
• Pacing effort during bodyweight exercises
• Responding to controlled partner pressure
• Recovering breathing after fatigue or physical contact
• Communicating clearly with a training partner

The exercises are introduced at a manageable pace. Participants can reduce their speed, range of movement, resistance, or level of contact based on their current ability.

Partner exercises are controlled and cooperative. Their purpose is to provide realistic feedback about breathing, balance, movement, and tension—not to create competition or test toughness.

What Useful Relaxation Means

Relaxation in Systema does not mean becoming passive, weak, or physically unsupported. It means releasing muscular tension that does not help the immediate task.

A participant may need tension in the legs to remain balanced or in the hands to maintain a necessary grip. The rest of the body does not need to become rigid at the same time.

Learning to distinguish useful effort from unnecessary tension can support better coordination, mobility, and physical efficiency. It can also help participants recognize when they are rushing, bracing, or using more force than a task requires.

Designed for Adults With Different Abilities

The workshops are intended for adults with different levels of fitness and martial arts experience. No previous Systema or self-defense training is required.

Participants should inform the instructor about injuries, movement restrictions, or concerns before beginning. Anyone experiencing sharp pain, dizziness, or other concerning symptoms should stop the activity.

Maryland Systema does not present these workshops as medical care, psychotherapy, or treatment for anxiety, trauma, or another health condition. Participants seeking help with a physical or mental-health concern should consult an appropriately qualified professional.

About Maryland Systema

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

Training includes personal safety, positioning, distance, strikes, grabs, restraint, ground movement, weapons awareness, multiple-person situations, and protecting others. Exercises progress gradually so students can develop skill without being forced beyond their current level of control.

Maryland Systema offers adult group classes in Rockville and Takoma Park, Maryland. Private lessons, workshops, and specialized training are also available throughout the Washington, DC area.

For information about workshops or other training opportunities, visit marylandsystema.com or contact:

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