22-26th July 2026
Exploring Internal Power - 2026 Systema Summer Camp
At the recent seminar with Ryo Onishi we focused on some ideas fundamental to Systema.
Power that doesn’t come from you: Where you stop forcing and start allowing: unlocking a different source of power altogether.
A shift in state, not just skill: Begin to develop an understanding of how internal alignment transforms every movement and situation without adding complexity.
Authority without aggression: Carry a quiet, undeniable presence into both training and life.
Internal Power is one of the most sought-after and least understood elements in martial arts.
It is what remains when tension, ego and effort begin to dissolve.
People left inspired and intrigued to go deeper in this subject, including me.
At this years camp we will continue that exploration, over 5 days. Camp is always an immersion, a chance to delve deeply. This is a subject that I will relish this opportunity to go deep and share.
People come on the camps for many reasons:
- To step away from the melee of daily life and escape to the peaceful and tranquil Wiltshire Countryside.
- To deepen their skills in Systema Combat.
- To explore the vast range of Systema health and wellbeing practices.
- To practice their skills in a variety of circumstances and terrains: field, woods and water.
- To commune and share the cameraderie of friends, old and new.
To be Clear
I do not claim to be an expert in Internal Power.
Neither is this something completely new. Much of our Systema practice is about this.
What I will endeavour to create is the environment in which we can deeply explore this intriguing topic:
The structure.
The drills.
The pressure.
The stillness.
The environment.
Together we will explore honestly, testing what is real, discarding what is not, and allowing insight to emerge through practice.
Ryo was at pains to explain that Internal Power is not something you “give.”
It is something we uncover.
Click below to watch a Systema Camp Trailer:
Cost & Payment Options:
- Total Cost: £450
- Early full payment discount of £50 = £400 (Early payment discount closes mid June)
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Card or Paypal Payment options available.
- BACS payments also available.
Typical Daily Schedule
07:00: Systema health Session for recovery and preparation. Breathing, stretching, mobilising and healing of the body, mind and spirit.
08:30: Breakfast followed by morning training.
13:00: Lunch followed by afternoon training.
19:00: Dinner followed by Night Training.
22:30: Sleep.
Timings may of course vary on certain days.
None of the activities are mandatory. You may of course choose to rest during certain sessions.
A full day of training may seem like a lot. However, the unique methodology of Systema training will leave you feeling relaxed, whole and invigorated.
Stresses and strains will fall away leaving you with greater levels of physical and emotional health and well-being.
Location, Food & Accomodation
Location
The Camp is located in beautiful, secluded, private woodland in Heytesbury, on the edge of Salisbury Plain.
There is plenty of parking available, close to the training area.
The Environment
The Systema Academy at Montecello Farm provides space that supports this work.
- Woodland.
- Open fields.
- Silence.
- Sauna.
- Breathwork.
- Partner training indoors and outdoors.
Intensity balanced with integration.
This is not a commercial fitness weekend.
It is a deep immersion.
Food
All cooking will be done individually using your own equipment. A full example food list will be provided.
Plenty of time is allocated to eating, sat around a campfire for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Accomodation
Cost & Payment Options:
Relevant and Fun Training for Everyone
- Breath-work: for health, emotional state and self-defence.
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Health: Learn to use the principles of Systema to improve overall health & wellbeing.
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Movement: Enhance and free your movement and responses in any terrain and situation.
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Strikes: Working to find the relaxed heaviness that allows for free, fluid and deep strike work from any body part.
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Tactics: How to use positioning, terrain and obstacles.
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Awareness: The outdoors is the best place to open your senses & improve your level of awareness.
Q&A
Q: What kit do I need to bring?
A: Don't worry a full kit list is provided along with detailed joining instructions.
Q: Will I be fit enough?
A: Again don't worry. Everything can be done at your pace and is designed to be accessible for all participants.
Q: What if there are things that I don't want to or cant do?
A: You don't have to do everything. You are very welcome to sit and watch some activities or rest. Participation in each session is optional.
Q: Do I have to be into Martial Arts to do it? I just want to feel calmer, more energised and move with more ease and freedom.
A: No not at all! All activities on the camp are optional and the Systema approach is different to many Martial Arts. It begins with the checking and improving the health and function of the mind, body and psyche and then progressively moving to martial applications.
Q: What if I have to leave early late?
A: No problem, just let me know beforehand.
Q: What are the arrival and leaving times?
A: Arrival midday on day 1 and you will be finished by 2pm on the final day.
Learn New Skills:
Suitable for Complete Beginners, Systema Students and Instructors alike
Kit Packing
Lean kit packing is a skill. Learn what is essential and non-essential for 5 days in the woods. A full kit list is provided.
Knife Cutting
Learn basic cutting and safety techniques while using a knife and the best way to teach others how to handle and use a knife safely. The knife is perhaps the most important survival tool you will have.
Map Reading
Navigation is a dying art. Learn the basics of navigation and map reading by map and compass.
Tarp Set up
Ever spent a night under the stars? This is the ideal time to try sleeping in a hammock or bivvi-bag under a tarp with the forest as your walls and the stars as your roof. Of course you can stick to a tent!
Fire Lighting
Probably the key survival skill. Feel the deep sense of satisfaction of being able to get a fire going without matches.
Take your Systema Journey to the next level:
It is backed by a 100% money back guarantee.
If you are unhappy after day 1 you can leave and I will refund you the fee no questions asked.
Energising and Invigorating
Spaces are limited - Secure your spot now!
Pay by card
Pay by Paypal
Cancellation Policy
As soon as the payment has been received, the registration is considered valid and binding.
You can cancel up to 2 months before the date of the camp.
Participants who are absent from the camp after this date forfeit the entire amount of payment. There is no right to a refund of the camp cost in this instance, but another person can take your place.
Recording Policy
All or parts of the seminar will be recorded and may be used in future for promotional or sales purposes.
But don't just take my word for it...
Here's what previous attendees have had to say:
Testimonials:
I was going to the Spring camp with a vague idea to decompress after a stressful COVID year.
I had a couple of main focus points: to increase mobility of my movements and learn to relax when moving, but I did not held my hopes too high - after all, I thought, the camp is only 2 days long, how much can one achieve?
Having provided a great variety of training and activities aimed at mobility and relaxation, breathing and reconnecting to oneself, the camp was transformational for me on so many levels. Starting from the arrival to the camp, when we toasted proper Russian style to "know thyself", I was amazed how much I've achieved.
Firstly, the location and the setting of the camp: in the forest, away from civilisation, where I was not tethered to your electronic devices or chairs, and was free to move in any way I like, provided a unique chance to re-connect with myself and listen to my body. Straight away, I've noticed several mental tension points and was able to work on understanding and relaxing these.
Then came more exercises to relax one's psyche and work on one's fears, from cold water dousing to moving on breath holds, that pushed and challenged me in an unimaginable ways. But once I've overcome my initial fear and hesitation, the results were more than rewarding: pouring a bucket on cold water on myself after a chilly night in the tent left me strangely warm and empowered, and the breath holds let me understand fear and tension management in new ways.
My mobility issue has been that I never could touch the feet on the ground doing leg raises. Under Matt's attentive guidance I managed to do that at the first attempt.
And, although my posture has never been an issue for me, after the camp I walk straighter, lighter and inhabit my body with greater comfort and ease, without even noticing how that happened or having to consciously work on that.
The camping and bushcraft tips and training were also very rewarding and the moment when a spark from the fire rod grows to become your very own fire is hard to forget.
I've met many great, likely-minded people and heard many a great stories and experiences by the camp fire - such a rare treat these busy days!
And, importantly, for someone attending the camp from COVID-ridden London, I did not have to wash my hands for nearly 3 days! I definitely recommend the Systema camp to everyone and will certainly come again.
- Nestor Milyaev.
The Systema Camp Wiltshire was an invigorating, fun-filled experience of self-discovery for me. This camp helped me to search and discover more deeply myself, my abilities and capabilities. Matt’s camp has the right balance of health exercises and training drills, as well as bush craft skills and relaxing times built in. As a result I learnt lots, had loads of fun, and felt rejuvenated.
Rebecca Szetto.
I can't believe i spent 4 days outside with so much exercise, no comfy chairs and slept in a hammock; yet I'm so relaxed, refreshed and energised! I can't wait for the next one!
Andrea.
Matt’s camp was a great experience. Having been away from Systema for a few years it was a great chance to dust off the cobwebs and get back into it. Regardless of whether you are a seasoned veteran or a complete beginner this camp has something to offer everyone. Despite the days being long the activities were planned and organised in such a way that it wasn’t overwhelming. Great time, great people, I’ll be back for more.
Andy Zelaya.
Time to relax, absorb and assimilate the information.
You will get a lot of information during the course of the week. You need time to process and absorb it. It is also hugely beneficial to have the time to just sit and reflect, taking the time out for yourself.
A deep reset for the Mind, Body and Spirit...
Spending time in nature will help you relax and reset. There is something elemental in sitting around a camp fire in the evening with friends. It is a timeless way to share the training, experience and let the day sink in.
Secure your space
Pay by card
Pay by Paypal
Cancellation Policy
As soon as the payment has been received, the registration is considered valid and binding.
You can cancel up to 2 months before the date of the camp.
Participants who are absent from the camp after this date forfeit the entire amount of payment. There is no right to a refund of the camp cost in this instance, but another person can take your place.
Recording Policy
All or parts of the seminar will be recorded and may be used in future for promotional or sales purposes.
Event Sponsors:
In these hard times some people feel able to sponsor others part or full course fees. If you feel able to do this please email me for details.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” – Henry David Thoreau
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