12 weeks
The full internship
$2,500
Attend regular Systema classes throughout the internship, January 18–April 11, 2027.
$500 deposit after acceptance; $2,000 due at the start, unless other arrangements are made.
How to joinThe 2027 Roots internship
Twelve weeks. Reinvent You - the Martial Way.
Spend twelve weeks training at Roots on Denman Island. Regular morning and evening Systema classes give you time to work on fighting skills, breathing, movement, and how you respond under pressure.
Plan your stay
January 18–April 112027 · 12 weeks
Denman Island, BCFood and accommodation separate
25 students maximumAcross all training options at one time
The Systema Roots Development Program
What we work on.
We train to fight through striking, wrestling, weapons work, and close contact. You practise taking a hit, recovering your breath, and continuing to work when you’re tired, afraid, or outmatched. Working under pressure helps you recognise habits that interfere with your movement and decisions.
- Your starting point
- We begin with your experience, habits, strengths, and limitations. We look at how you move and respond to pressure, and what you need to work on.
- Principles
- We work on breathing, relaxation, movement, and form throughout the training. You practise these principles during physical effort and contact, as well as when recovering between exercises.
- Skills
- Training includes fighting, self-preservation, protecting others, and weapons and knife work. We also work on fitness, recovery, and practical skills in the field.
- Attributes
- As exercises become more demanding, you can observe how fear, frustration, or pride affect your actions. Training gives you opportunities to work on courage, patience, humility, and resilience.
- Recognising progress
- We use your experience in training to identify what is changing and what needs more attention. There is no belt syllabus or fixed weekly list of techniques.
Training stays
Tuition and lengths of stay.
Beginners and experienced practitioners train together. All visiting students apply first. Food, accommodation, and travel are your responsibility.
All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). No tax is currently added.
4 consecutive weeks
4-week training
$1,000
Join the regular Systema classes for four consecutive weeks from your start date during the internship, subject to acceptance and space.
Full payment after acceptance secures your stay.
How to joinWeekly stay
A week at Roots
$400
Join the regular Systema classes for a week. Arrive any day during the internship, subject to acceptance and space.
Full payment after acceptance secures your stay.
How to joinFive-day specialty courses are $800 CAD and include regular Systema sessions during the course. The one-day Great Canadian Self-Defence Course is $200 CAD. Course dates and availability will be announced separately.
Full twelve-week interns may attend specialty courses at no additional charge, subject to space and availability. Weekly and four-week stays cover regular Systema training; specialty courses are booked separately.
Weekly and four-week stays: a full refund with at least 14 days’ notice before your agreed start date. Payments are non-refundable with less notice or after your stay begins. If Roots cancels your stay, you receive a full refund.
Joining Roots
How to apply.
Apply
Tell us about yourself through the Roots application. The same process applies to full, four-week, and weekly stays.
Receive acceptance
We review your application and confirm whether Roots is a good fit and space is available.
Secure your place
Complete your registration forms and disclaimers, then pay the full-program deposit or your shorter stay in full.
For the full internship, registrations and $500 deposits are due by December 3, 2026. We need 8 full-program registrations to proceed and are aiming for 12.
Application informationQuestions about the internship.
Do I need martial arts experience?
No. Beginners and experienced students train together. Your application helps us understand your background and whether the program is a good fit.
Can I come for a shorter stay?
Yes. Weekly and four-week students can arrive any day during the internship, subject to acceptance and available space. You join the same regular Systema classes. Your stay dates are confirmed during acceptance.
What is the regular training schedule?
Monday–Thursday: 8:00–9:30 a.m. and 7:00–8:30 p.m. Friday: 8:00–9:30 a.m. only. All times are local to Denman Island. There are no regular weekend classes. The final regular training day is Friday, April 9. View scheduled classes.
What about special courses?
Each specialist course is planned to run once during the twelve-week internship, subject to enough applicants. Five-day specialty courses are $800 CAD; the one-day Great Canadian Self-Defence Course is $200 CAD. Dates, individual course formats, and minimum enrolment will be announced separately. Full twelve-week interns may attend specialty courses at no additional charge, subject to space and availability. A weekday specialty-course booking includes access to regular Systema sessions during the course; attendance may be required. Weekly and four-week Systema stays do not automatically include specialty courses. Regular Systema training continues unchanged.
When is the program confirmed?
We need at least 8 full-program students registered with deposits paid by December 3, 2026. If we do not reach that minimum, the internship is cancelled and all full-program deposits are refunded in full.
What if I cancel?
The $500 full-program deposit is non-refundable if you cancel. If Roots cancels the program, your deposit is refunded in full.
If you withdraw from the full internship after the program begins, payments are non-refundable. Only in the case of serious injury will Roots consider a refund, assessed individually and not guaranteed.
Weekly and four-week stays: a full refund with at least 14 days’ notice before your agreed start date. Payments are non-refundable with less notice or after your stay begins. If Roots cancels your stay, you receive a full refund.
When is the remaining payment due?
The full-program balance of $2,000 is due on January 18, 2027, unless you have made other arrangements with the Roots Team. Weekly and four-week stays require full payment after acceptance to secure your place.
Where do I stay and eat?
You arrange and pay for your own accommodation, food, and travel. Read about visiting Denman Island and contact Roots before making travel arrangements.