Balanced Path

I have been training martial arts back in China for 3 years, and I have never seen something like Systema. The expression of it is very fluid and subtle, meaning that every movement is covered within the sphere of breath but never out of that circle. This kind of balance and ‘flow’ is what every martial artist is looking for.
Kwan, our instructor, is just amazing. His demonstration with other instructors is always interesting to observe and very instructive. When watching they demonstrate, you can quickly tell that Kwan’s movements based on intuition– a second nature. His teaching style is one of a kind unique, the class is serious yet contains a bit sense of humor. After every class, we gather around and share our questions or comments on every motion that we have covered. Kwan always patiently explain how things work out and sometimes illustrate with beautiful analogies.
In both practice and tutoring, Kwan has reached a perfect balance. He is definitely one of the best instructors I have seen so far.
Truly, ‘Balanced Path’ is the right name for the studio. It leads you a path to where you become a more all-​rounded martial artist or simply a better person. I think that martial arts ultimately should bring you a better self, and that is what ‘Balanced Path’ can give you.

All my life I’ve been into sports, martial arts and fitness. I was always torn between the weight room (to increase my strength) and martial arts studio (to improve my technique). As I was getting busier with family and work, I realized that one of these two had to be given up due to the time constraints. However, every athlete will tell you that technique without body conditioning has very limited practical application. So my goal was to bind the two together in one place. Wishful thinking? Not anymore! Finally, after many years of search, we have this unique blend of your traditional strength training gym and functional self-​defense school — Balanced Path. Balanced Path training allowed me to improve on all 4 fronts: (1) conditioning my body, (2) improving my technique, (3) understanding recovery and (4) perfecting my diet!
1. I tried out their 30 minute long High Intensity Interval Training (the «HIIT») programs — Pathfinder I and II for two weeks. Results were astonishing! I finally was able to break my 200 lbs. goal. In 2 weeks I went down from 210 lbs. to 198 lbs. I’ve been at it for over 2 years to no avail, while Balanced Path HIIT training shredded those stubborn pounds in 2 weeks! Ta-​ta!
2. I was taking HIIT classes back to back right before the Systema martial arts training (self-​defense module of Balanced Path). This has yielded very noticeable results as well. Often I compensate lack of technique with raw muscle power and then just push through the exercise with tension and strength. In Systema however, we train to work with minimal tension to achieve maximum results. After HIIT classes, I was so exhausted that I simply had no choice but to work smart, not hard. The result — smoother, more relaxed work and deeper understanding of my own limitations.
3. What sets Balanced Path apart from every other gym is that there is wholesome approach to recovery before, during and after the exercise. This concept was introduced to HIIT training by one of the top Systema instructors in the world — Kwan Lee and reinforced by HIIT and Systema instructors Art and Baron. Once you get «gassed» and out of breath, all your muscles and all your tricks are useless — you simply can’t think, even less — move. What their Breathwerx class teaches you is how to prepare yourself for upcoming exertion, to maintain yourself during the exercise and to recover immediately after your work is done.
4. Finally, the forth cornerstone of Balanced Path is DIET! This is the most challenging aspect of training for me. I don’t have time to count my calories and cook well-​balanced meals. So what do I do? I eat out and totally destroy my budget. Well, Balanced Path takes care of that as well. They will figure out an ultimate meal plan suited for your lifestyle and fitness goals (yes, yes of course it’s organic, non-​GMO, minimally processed foods). Moreover, Balanced Path proprietary phone app will evaluate your nutrient intake, will tell you where you may be deficient and how to remedy it. But why stop there? It will even generate a grocery shopping list tied to your detailed meal plan! Oh boy, where was it during my college years???
Indeed, Balanced Path is the first of its kind sustainable and intuitive fitness and self-​defense studio in the Pacific Northwest. It stands strong on 4 whales of athletic greatness — (1) physical strength, (2) intuitive and rational technique, (3) sustainable and replenishing breath, and (4) well balanced, easy to follow diet.

If you’re looking for martial arts, fitness and/​or self-​defense training, look no further. Kwan Lee is the real deal. He’s a true master of Systema. You will be blown away by his skill and the quality of training you’ll receive.
Art and the other instructors Kwan has assembled at Balanced Path have all also achieved a high level of skill and knowledge that gets shared selflessly and effectively in every class.
I’ve searched dozens of schools looking for something like this and I can tell you that finding this level of commitment to and instruction of an art form is extremely rare. You owe it to yourself to come check out Balanced Path.