Each month, we host a Live Q&A session with Vladimir Vasiliev.
Everyone is welcome to register and join the discussion.
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Systema: Misconceptions & Answers
Any Systema practitioner has heard some misguided comments. In this session, let’s discuss the answers.
Systema is often judged by how it looks rather than by what it achieves. Its relaxed movement, calm demeanour, and non-mechanical approach can appear ineffective or even passive to the untrained eye. In reality, Systema develops a high level of awareness, internal strength, emotional control, and skill.
This Q&A explores the most common misconceptions about Systema:
- “It’s not going to work in a real fight”
- Non-aggressive movements perceived as slow and ineffective
- All demonstrations are pre-arranged
- Technique vs principle
Please share your feedback and personal experiences.
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Your questions are welcome! Send them in advance or ask live during the session.
Sign up to Patreon as Instructor or Gold tier member, and your access to this session will be included as well as your access to well over 160 exclusive films to stream all month, every month: https://patreon.com/SystemaVasiliev
How will I join the class: Once your order has been processed, a generated email from the Online Store will inform you that a note has been added to your order. You can see the note in your “Order updates”. The note will contain the Zoom Meeting ID and password.
Class time: Saturday, January 24th at 11am ET
Reception time starts 5–10 minutes before the class.





Melina Vicario –
Vlad’s pure heart, wisdom and robust knowledge are a huge inspiration to so many people.
Daniel Hobbs –
I learn many new things every single time we have these discussions. I got a deeper understanding of how fear blocks intuition, how relaxation is related to power, the importance of tension-free shoulders, the benefits of breath holds, plus there are always many inspiring stories Vladimir shares! Great sessions. Thank you.
Rob Cassels –
Thank you for including me in the Sunday conversation. I always learn something. This time, one of the insights was from Vladimir’s story about Michael driving. It felt like excellent training both physically and mentally.
Taizo Akiyama –
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the recent Q&A session on August 24. It was a truly remarkable and inspiring experience. What impressed me most was the deep emphasis on developing sensitivity — the ability to perceive more clearly, to release tension, and to respond with calmness rather than force. This was such a simple yet profound reminder that even the smallest relaxation can change the way the whole body and mind function. It gave me many realizations that I can reflect on in my practice and daily life. The content of this session was so rich and meaningful that I felt it could almost be transcribed and published as a book. Every explanation carried subtle wisdom and provided invaluable lessons. It was not only educational but also inspiring on a deeper level. Thanks to this session, I was able to begin my day with clarity and strength, and it gave me inspiration and energy at the start of a new week. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and for the timeless wisdom continually shared through Systema HQ Toronto.
Taizo Akiyama –
I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to learn in such a warm, open, and generous environment. Many of the teachings touched me deeply, and I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation. One of the most meaningful points for me was the reminder that deep breathing and slow exercises provide a steady foundation for life-long practice. When Vladimir-sensei spoke about moving without skipping the difficult or sensitive segments, and keeping continuity through each joint, it immediately brought back memories of a webinar I attended with Mikhail-sensei. In that webinar, Mikhail-sensei often spoke about slow exercise practices—such as taking several minutes to complete a single roll, quiet walking, and gentle changes of direction—and explained how the body tends to rush through or skip over the difficult part. Yesterday’s teachings, together with those memories, reminded me how important it is to observe whether my movement stays smooth, connected, and unbroken. I will return to slow exercises with renewed attention and sincerity. There were also many valuable reminders for daily life: the importance of prayer, good posture, movements beginning from the fingertips, and even the simple practice of splashing cold water in the morning. Taken together, these teachings feel like one continuous path toward becoming a more attentive, balanced, and compassionate person. Yesterday’s Q&A also clarified many directions in my own training. When practicing alone, it is easy to lose the way. These sessions serve as a quiet compass, guiding me so that I do not wander off the path. For this guidance, I am truly thankful. Above all, I feel that the most important thing is to live out what has been given—to practice steadily, to remain humble and observant, and to aim to be better in each moment of daily life. Yesterday’s class reminded me of this essential truth, and I am deeply grateful.