The Roots story.

Vali’s martial practice began early with Judo and Tae Kwon Do, followed by Wushu. While living in Toronto, he found Russian Systema—a practice that would become central to the school’s approach.

His path has also included training with retired French Legionnaire Daniel Videau in ShoDoKai Karate and Viet Vo Dao, alongside exposure to Capoeira and Jeet Kun Do. Today, his teaching is deeply grounded in the principles of Systema mentors Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev: combat skill, strong spirit, and a healthy body.

For more than two decades, Roots has welcomed hundreds of students from around the world. The school is known for Systema and its intensives, but its life has always been wider: multidisciplinary classes, specialty education, outdoor practice, and a place to study movement, breath, relaxation, and form.

We work to make Roots a safe, welcoming place for beginners and experienced practitioners alike—one that offers useful tools for meeting life’s psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges.