BareBones Combatives is returning to Helsinki
On 3–4 October 2026, I will return to Helsinki for a two-day BareBones Internal & External seminar.
This weekend connects the person behind the skill with the skill itself.
It is about understanding what happens inside you when pressure rises—and then applying that understanding through simple, functional self-protection.
Day 1 — BareBones Internal
The Internal system gives you the map.
We will explore the Five Pillars of Balance, Structure, Breath, Intent and Connection, together with the maps, models and principles that sit beneath the physical work.
We will examine how you manage yourself physically, mentally and emotionally when things become uncomfortable.
How do you stay present rather than becoming overwhelmed?
How do you organise yourself before trying to organise somebody else?
How do you create better choices instead of being controlled by fear, anger, tension or habit?
This is not abstract theory.
It is the foundation that makes your physical skills more reliable, adaptable and genuinely yours.
Day 2 — BareBones External
The External system gives you the tools.
We will take the principles from Day 1 and apply them through:
Movement
Striking
Defence
Manhandling
Progressive pressure drills
This is where understanding becomes action.
The emphasis is on simple, functional skills that can adapt to different people, different environments and different levels of pressure.
No unnecessary complexity.
No endless technique collecting.
Just practical self-protection built around how people actually move, react and behave when things get messy.
The whole system
Day 1 gives you the internal map.
Day 2 gives you the external tools.
Together, they connect the whole thing.
This seminar is for martial artists, self-defence instructors, coaches and anyone interested in practical self-protection and personal development.
BareBones is not about becoming more aggressive.
It is about becoming more capable, more aware and more adaptable.
Dates: 3–4 October 2026
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Instructor: Jim Armstrong