Mark Winkler
Mark Winkler is the head instructor of Celtic Systema.
Mark first got the opportunity to train with Vladimir in 2006, and ended up staying for six months. With no previous experience of Systema, he was amazed at how refreshing each class was. The knowledge, skill and creative body movement on display was fascinating. This along with the friendly atmosphere and energy in each class, made the experience so rewarding. It was a real eye- opener for Mark, and as a result, he chose to concentrate fully on trying to understand the Russian martial art.
Mark has been involved in martial arts for 35 years, as a competitor and as an instructor. Up untill 2006, he was a full time Karate and self defence instructor, having taught in the UK/ Czech Republic/ Canada/ and north America.
Over the last 30 years Mark has also worked in personal protection and as a doorman in various towns and cities across south wales. This has meant that his training and his tuition has had to be honest and realistic.
Since 2006, Mark goes out to Canada to train, as often as he can. He has been out to the Systema HQ in toronto on four seperate occasions. Initially he spent six months out there, a year later he returned for four weeks of training, and has followed that with a further two months.
Early in 2011, Mark went back out to train in Toronto. He has recently returned, after having spent six months with Vladimir and some of the other top Systema instructors at the Systema HQ. Mark's training went really well, experiencing more fantastic Systema work.