About Michael...
I'd like to explain a little about myself as the owner and chief instructor of Integral Movement & Martial Arts Academy - so that potential and existing clients and students will feel confident with my skills and experience, and understand my motivations and approach.
YOUR SUCCESS is my priority!! I will work with you to help you achieve your goals - it is a passion of mine to work with like-minded and like-hearted people to share what I have been blessed to learn... and to learn from you. I am a perpetual student as well as an instructor and coach.
MOVE. SURVIVE. THRIVE. isn't just a catchy phrase to me. It's what I believe in. It's what we need to become healthy and happy human beings. Let's get there together.
So what I share here about my background and experience is for these purposes.
Always feel free to contact me directly: michael@integralmovementmartialarts.com.
As a potentially interesting data point... I am half Russian on my father's side. My great-grandfather was a high-ranking officer in the Tsar's army prior to the revolution (the very old picture below is of my GGF and family, obviously including my GF.) I've always felt a connection with Russian culture - even growing up in the cold war era, I knew there was much more about my Russian heritage beyond the Soviet regime - and when I discovered Systema and then kettlebells, it all just "felt right" - like I had come home. No surprise I guess... After a lot of digging, I discovered my surname in Russian would be "Myshkin" (Romanized), or "Мы́шкин" (Cyrillic). So "Muckin" is a badly transliterated version of our original surname, likely bastardized when my great-grandfather and his family immigrated to America just before the revolution
Certifications
In addition to his martial arts instructor/rank certifications, Michael has held the following certifications:
-- ACE (American Council on Exercise) Personal Trainer
-- Brookbush Institute Human Movement Specialist
-- Executive Security International Certified Protection Specialist
-- Flexible Steel Instructor
-- Flexible Steel Indian Club Specialist Instructor
-- Systema Breathwork Specialist Instructor
Timeline of Experience
Testimonials
“In this outstanding opus, Michael Muckin 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 AdlerAttorney
Former US Navy SEAL
“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 Cohen40+ year martial artist, Attorney