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MOVE. SURVIVE. THRIVE.

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Move. Survive. Thrive. Get the MoST out of your Training.

MOVE well... So that you can SURVIVE... and then THRIVE.
MOVE Strength, power, endurance, mobility skills and attributes
SURVIVE Russian Martial Art Palmetto Systema
THRIVE Health and Wellness

Get my book The BREATH is the WORK. This book can change your life. This book is for you if you: - are a Martial Artist - are an Athlete - train for Strength & Conditioning - want to enhance your Health & Wellness

You can get the book at our Store (or use the buttons at the top and bottom of this page). Or you can get it at Amazon. Enter your email address below to get upcoming companion videos for exercises in the book, as well as staying informed about updates on the book and breathwork training.
Articles & Blog
Check out the collection of articles and blog posts, going back to 2006.
Blog

MOVE

Own Your Movement

Develop skills and attributes that will enable you to survive and thrive. Build strength, power, mobility and endurance upon a foundation of finely-tuned motor skills, rock-solid balance and a deep body-mind connection.
Claim the freedom to move how you want, when you want. Or when you need to. Fluid, controlled and powerful movement unlocks all other physical capabilities - in order to survive and thrive - you must develop these skills.
IMMA places a premium on building your movement foundation via an array of methods and programming that will empower you to discover and explore your own movement potential.
Visit the Movement page to learn more.
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Classes

Sign up Today for a 25% Discount !

Enroll now in a montly program, and you will receive a 25% discount off the first 3 months. *Offers cannot be combined. Restrictions apply.

SURVIVE

Systema - Russian Martial Art

Systema (CИCTEMA in Russian) is a phenomenal full-spectrum martial system, rooted in ancient Russian Orthodox monasteries and the Rus, Slavik and Cossack warrior traditions. It is survived today by elite Russian special operations units who have curated this amazing martial art for the world. A devastatingly effective combat system, relying on natural body movements, universal principles and adapting one’s inherent qualities to any combat situation – “the System” is truly that. Strength. Courage. Humility. Systema has a motto: “poznai sebia” or “Know Thyself”. What does it really mean to know yourself? It is not just to know what your strengths and weaknesses are, that is good but fairly superficial. Training in Russian Martial Art is one of the sure ways to see the full extent of our limitations – to see how proud and weak we really are. Systema allows us to gain the true strength of spirit that comes from humility and clarity in seeing the purpose of our life. Go here for Systema class schedule. Go here for more information about Systema.
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Classes

I Want to Learn More !

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THRIVE

T'ai Chi Ch'uan & Breathwork

Build Robust Health that allows you to Thrive T'ai Chi Ch'uan or Taijuquan is one of the oldest traditional forms of movement and exercise still being regularly practiced. Originating in ancient China as a martial art, it is primarily practiced today as a health and wellness exercise. T'ai Chi builds robust health in multiple areas, including balance, motor skills and relaxed strength. Chi Kung or Qigong is a related practice of T'ai Chi, and is included within the T'ai Chi program. IMMA Breathwork classes are unique in the world of "breathwork" training. Our breathwork sessions blend movement, tension and relaxation, and challenging exercises coupled with many differenet breathing techniques. This breathwork is focused on direct physiological and neural pathway changes, so that the practitioner will "replace their operating system". Go here for T'ai Chi, Chi Kung and Breathwork class infor.
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Classes

Curriculum & Programs

A phenomenal, full-spectrum combat, conditioning and health-building system. Systema classes natively cover "move, survive, thrive" in every class. Learn effective self-defense skills with striking, weapons, groundwork and multiple opponents.
  • Develop strength and power, build endurance, and increase mobility.
  • Learn the precise techniques of the basic lifts:
  • The Goblet Squat
  • The Swing
  • The Getup
  • Progress to higher level skills and increased performance as you learn the following:
  • Single Hand and Double Bell Swings
  • Single and Double Cleans + Presses
  • The Snatch
  • Front Squats Single and Double
Using a variety of bodyweight methods to enhance your movement, strength, mobility, motor control, balance, and endurance. These classes develop skills that are transferrable to a myriad of other domains. Not exclusive to these classes - but here you will learn why "strength is a skill"
The Cheng Man-Ch'ing Yang style, and several versions of Chi Kung are offered. For advanced or private classes, the Chen style Cannon Fist (Pao Chui) form is offered. T'ai Chi develops slow strength, excellent balance, deep relaxation and is a form of moving meditaiton.
Unique breathwork and breathing techniques to enhance your health, performance and power. This work is largely based on Systema breathwork, but includes other methods as well.
Experience one of the oldest continuously practiced forms of exercise in the world. Developed by ancient Indian and Persian warriors and wrestlers, this rotational strength practice develops grip and core strength, shoulder mobility, and exceptional neural skills.

14-Day Free Trial

Enter your email to begin your 14-Day free trial at IMMA. Begin your Journey ! *Offers cannot be combined. Restrictions apply.
  • About Michael
  • Michael is a lifelong martial artist and a dedicated adherent to physical culture. He possesses advanced rankings in multiple martial systems and certifications in personal training, strength, mobility and breathwork specializations. With an experience-base spanning four decades, Michael has been blessed to learn from some of the most renowned instructors and teachers in the martial arts and strength/conditioning domains. His hard-won experience spans various contexts, including military operations, executive protection, working as a bouncer in some of Philadelphia's toughest clubs, and numerous "street" encounters. This broad and deep experience base allows Michael to work with a diverse set of clients seeking various objectives - and fine-tuning programs for each and every individual. Michael wants people to MOVE with freedom and power, SURVIVE in dangerous and high-stress situations, so that they can THRIVE and get the MoST out of life. To learn more about Michael's background and experience, you can go here.

Testimonials

"In this outstanding opus, Michael takes the reader through a careful explanation and examination of what makes breathwork such an immensely powerful tool and how to harness that potential. From taking biological processes and making them accessible to the non-scientifically educated person, to connecting dots between natural patterns and complex human physiology, to illustrating the depths to which the ancients esteemed breath with quotes from classical texts, and finally breaking down the progressions and purpose behind Systema breathwork practices, The Breath is the Work is one of those books that a serious student of health, high performance, healing, and humanity will read over and over and over again, discovering something new & valuable with each & every encounter."
Dr. Mark Chengformer Black Belt Magazine Contributing Editor, StrongFirst Master SFG Instructor https://www.drmarkcheng.com/
“Michael has trained privately with me in Systema for over ten years and has a broad background in other martial arts. His experience in military operations and executive protection allowed him to immediately see the value of Systema. As a bodyguard, he directly applies Systema as part of his job, which gives him a unique perspective on the practical applications of Systema. I highly recommend training with Michael.”
Martin WheelerMaster Systema Instructor https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/
“I have trained with Michael for over a year now and have found that his knowledge of Systema is well grounded in the practical realities of violence and what is required to maintain effectiveness in high stress/high threat environments. His curriculum reinforces development of the skills and attributes needed to be both effective and to survive when confronted with risk of harm or loss. This stands in contrast to conventional martial arts or military training which only addresses these issues implicitly, if at all.”
Miles AdlerAttorneyFormer US Navy SEAL
“Mr. Muckin has a unique combination of knowledge and skills that encompass advanced protective strategies and highly effective self-defense skills. Many folks know how to fight and fight well - but the real goal is not needing to fight when you are providing protection. Michael's deep understanding of the adversary's mindset and motives are evident and have proven effective time and time again."
CSC Executive Protection Client
“Michael is a highly skilled martial arts instructor. He has a wide background, having trained in among other arts, Kali (Filipino martial arts) with Dan Inosanto, and Systema, under Martin Wheeler and Vladimir Vasiliev. He has trained under the absolute best in their fields, and it is reflected in Michael’s skill and knowledge. Michael is an excellent teacher as well as practitioner”
Lester Cohen 40+ year martial artist, Attorney
“Michael is the best Tai Chi instructor I have ever met."
Ben S. 30 year Tai Chi player, tradtional Chinese martial artist and teacher

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