Maryland Systema

Meet The Team

Jim Eglin

Founder - Chief Instructor

Jim Eglin, the Founder and Chief Instructor at Maryland Systema, promotes self-defense, wellness, and physical fitness through a wide range of group classes, workshops, and personalized private lessons.

Jim began his Systema journey in 2013, earning his Full Systema Instructor Certification in 2019 under the mentorship of Vladimir Vasiliev, the Head Instructor at Systema HQ in Toronto, Canada. He successfully maintained his certification in 2022, adhering to the HQ Systema’s Instructor renewal requirements.

With over five years of experience in Krav Maga, Jim has trained with Krav Maga Worldwide, Krav Maga Global, and Krav OZ. To further refine his abilities, Jim has also pursued training in Judo, Knight Jiu-Jitsu®, and Boxing under the guidance of William Joppy, a renowned three-time WBA middleweight champion.

Mike Dorsey

Instructor In Training

Approximately four years ago, Mike embarked on his Systema journey, driven by a desire for self-defense, health improvement, and personal growth. He is a proud father to an amazing daughter. Having grown up in the Rockville\Bethesda region, he now resides in Silver Spring.

Professionally, he is engaged in law enforcement and deeply appreciates the principles of de-escalation and natural movement, inherent to Systema. Systema has been instrumental in helping him overcome numerous challenges in his life, fortifying him both physically and spiritually.

He is part of the Systema community, which he describes as exceedingly welcoming. His interests span humor and cultural exploration, aiming to broaden his understanding of the world. He remains open-minded towards fresh perspectives and values engaging in intellectual debates. A discussion about cars or intriguing facts is sure to capture his interest.

Amir Arya

Fitness & Health Coach

Amir, a seasoned fitness coach with over 30 years of experience, has helped countless individuals achieve their health and fitness goals. His expertise spans various areas, including weight loss, muscle gain, mobility and flexibility, martial arts fighting methods, and nutrition. Through personalized training programs, Amir has assisted clients in losing significant amounts of weight and reaching their desired physique.

Amir, having studied Systema for 5 years, also holds a 4th Dan Degree belt in Taekwondo and was a member of the Iranian national team. He incorporates elements of martial arts into his workouts to enhance clients’ coordination, reaction time, and overall fitness level.

Overall, Amir’s goal as a fitness coach is not only to help clients achieve their fitness goals but also to foster a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle for them.

Bratzo Barrena

Instructor

Bratzo commenced his Systema training in 2005 and became a Fully Certified Systema Instructor under the guidance of Vladimir Vasiliev, the Head Instructor at Systema HQ in Toronto, Canada. In 2010, he started teaching Systema in Peru, and later, in 2013, he established Russian Systema Functional Combat, an affiliate school of Systema HQ in Canada.

In addition to his Systema expertise, Bratzo holds a black belt in Aikido, awarded by Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, the Head Instructor at New York Aikikai.

Bratzo not only teaches regularly scheduled classes but is also available for private and small group sessions as well as seminars.

Val Sevostyanov

Instructor in Training

Valery Sevostyanov received his Instructor-in-Training Certification in 2024 and was first exposed to Systema in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia, around 2010.

He is fascinated by its fluid and improvisational nature.

Bratzo Barrena

Instructor

In addition to his Systema expertise, Bratzo holds a black belt in Aikido, awarded by Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, the Head Instructor at New York Aikikai.

Bratzo not only teaches regularly scheduled classes but is also available for private and small group sessions as well as seminars.

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