Systema Wexford

If you fancy trying a martial art with a difference - why not try Systema.
Monthly workshops starting on Thu eve 23rd May
7.30 - 9.00pm at Cleariestown Comunity Centre - Wexford
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cleariestown+Community+Centre,+Cleristown+South,+Cleristown,+Co.+Wexford/@52.276465,-6.5952288,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4842a7442eb4539b:0xc39fdbd1457cab73!8m2!3d52.276465!4d-6.5926539!16s%2Fg%2F119v446hp?entry=ttu

Great seminar today at Systema Wexford
Thanks from me (Chris Wallace - Systema Wexford) to Igor (Systema Ireland - Dublin) and Graham (Systema NW - UK) and everyone who travelled from Dublin, Cork and Waterford to practice with us.
Great to see so many new to Systema, over 50%.
Onwards and upwards for Systema in Ireland.

Great visit as always to Systema Academy Matt Hill last week.
The session focused on stick work - both on Systema health and combat work.
Thanks to Matt, as always, for excellent clear and inspiring instruction.
Recharged my batteries nicely for our Systema Wexford seminar on Sat 13th April.

Massage is an amazing skill that can be used to help relieve tension and maintain good balance. Booking in for a regular massage is an amazing way to maintain your health, wellbeing, mobility and balance, but little and often will help to keep us even more balanced.
If you would like to learn some basic and practical skills to use for friends and family at home then this workshop is for you.
As most folks don't keep a massage table in their homes, this series of workshops will be based on Thai massage techniques, based on the floor or a chair, Thai massage techniques don't require oils or getting undressed which means you can use these skills wherever you need to.
If you are a holistic therapist or bodyworker who would like to get a taste of Thai Massage before investing in a full qualification this workshop is ideal.
No skill level is required for this workshop, just an interest in massage or bodywork.
Workshops will take place in The Healing Room, Carrig-on-Bannow, Wexford, Ireland.
Places are limited, booking is essential, book online -The-Barefoot-Therapist.book.app
or Contact Kerry on 0852618853 to book your place or if you have any questions

Systema Wexford Course - Sat 13th April 2024
No previous experience necessary

Last weeks class saw us make a surprise pivot back to solo, online training from home because NI was shut down from the largest public sector strike action ever here (uppa workers ✊) and sub zero temperatures put a temporary freeze on 'business as usual' 🥶🌬️

In this class we slowed everything right down; we explored nervous system elasticity, recovery, self massage & influencing autonomic response.

We started by looking at square breathing, breath triangles, lots of groundwork including small movements, rolls to either side (leading from the fingers, then from the toes), falling from seated, standing to supine transitions both ways, incremental tension relaxation exercises, finishing up with waves of healing white light visualisation & bodyscan.

Some feedback from the closing circle included :

"that was so relaxing, I think I might have fallen asleep"

"I've been really scared of falling on the ice this last few days and I felt tense in my body, so practicing falling without injury was really great, very comforting"

"with the burst breathing, I was so surprised how quickly I was able to regulate my breath again"

"it's the very first time I've learned about breathing, and I actually found it super interesting - before the session, I didn't realise how nervous and tense I was and then as we started to do the breathing, I relaxed so much!"

We could all benefit from knowing more about breathwork.

When we can apply even a little bit of knowledge and skill, it can shift and alleviate things that we're probably not even aware that we're carrying 🙏

Well done everyone 💜

We scratched the surface of some fundamental principles there. The challenge now is to see if/ where you can deploy those practices in your daily life - firstly developing the skill, then making them habit.

Looking forward to getting back to the mats this week to show how all of this relates to contact and combat training 😘💪👊

Just back from a fabulous training weekend with one of my favourite humans and Systema Instructors from Systema Mallorca HQ

In 3 short days we covered a tonne of miles on foot, lots of breathwork and cultivating a resilient mindset. We ate, we drank, we hung out with the locals. We trained sensitivity drills, mobility, escape from grabs, counters, groundwork, continuous play and massage.

It was an awesome privelage and pleasure to receive dedicated one to one instruction with such a high calibre, intuitive and creative instructor 🤩👌🙏

Looking forward to returning the hospitality, and to my next training opportunities so that I can revisit these lessons!

Final reminder fir Matt Hill Systema course this Saturday.
There are still a few place’s available.

Coming Soon to Aikido Wexford
Aikido is a modern, dynamic, Japanese martial art.
Equally suitable for men and women - all physiques and levels of fitness.
You learn how to neutralise the energy and strength of an aggressor by first blending with the incoming attack then redirecting its force. You also learn moves to control and pin down an attacker.
Aikido will help you build confidence and give you the potential to deal effectively with stressful situations.
It will also help to improve your health, fitness and general physical and mental wellbeing.
Aikido Wexford follows the style of Mimuro Shihan (7th Dan Hombu) – a student of the late Yamaguchi Shihan.
Your instructor here in Wexford is Chris Wallace: Aikido 4th Dan (Hombu).
Contact Chris on 089 473 5910

A small but very enjoyable session at Bannow today.
Thanks to Igor, Ivanna, Alexey for making the journey from Dublin to support us.
It was great for Graham to meet everyone.
And thanks as always to Kerry for the Thai massage, to calm us all down at the end.

Come and join us in Bannow tomorrow, for a day of self improvement

Reminder for this coming Sunday.
If you fancy something different ???

I have loved Traditional Thai Massage since I first studied it in 2006.
I have trained in, practiced and taught a wide range of holistic therapies and this treatment remains my favourite to give, receive and teach.

My training experience was so different to any other training i had up until that point, no stuff uniforms, formalities or course filler, just a lot of hard work and training which focused on practical skills.
I was completely wiped by the end of the training but it was a very rewarding way to train, I felt very confident and was providing quality treatments in a short space of time.

Beyond this, the skill i learned in Thai Massage began to enhance my other treatments and added protection for my hands and thumbs. It helped me learn to work in a smarter, more effective way.

In my work as a therapist in a centre which was also a school, i was asked to teach, something I had never considered before but it turned out I loved this too, sharing my knowledge, experience and skills and watching new therapists becoming inspired is amazing work.

I have experienced a range of teaching styles and school settings and still believe that the best training experience i have had was my Thai massage course. In the move from Manchester, UK to Wexford, Ireland i have had the opportunity to set up my own course. My first step here was to visit my tutor and discuss the idea with her, with her blessing i have created a similar style of course, bringing quality Thai Massage training to holistic therapists in Wexford

We have course dates listed for April and September this year, the course will run over 8 days, followed by case studies to be completed within 6 months.
Course cost is €1200
Course accreditation provided by AIT

Booking is available via my website - www.the-barefoot-therapist.com (for now, barefoot therapist training site will be available soon)

DM or text me on 0852618853 if you have any questions at all.

Barefoot therapist training will grow in the next few years, offering ongoing support for all BTT qualified therapists, Thai massage exchange events and advanced courses/ workshops.

Happy Bew Year from Systema Wexford

Great Session from Igor and the Guys in Dublin