2011 has a lot of excitement in store for us at La Sala D'Armi!
This year we'll be hosting our promotions, and tournament! To be officiated by members of the Elemental School of Fencing. At the tournament, we'll be hosting a Round Robin competition among the elements, an open fencing competition, as well as a technique demonstration, and a fundamentals demonstration. We are Looking Forward to it!
Also, this year, we'll be performing the famous fight scene from Romeo and Juliet for the 8th Grade!
And the rumors were true...4th and 5th graders will be joining us! Older students will be mentoring and coaching younger students. Th membership of the Sala D'Armi will be increasing.
By the end of 2011, we ought to be in good shape to compete with other schools!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Activity Update for the Elemental School of Fencing at January 12th, 2011
The Elemental School of Fencing embarks on January 9th, 2011 with our first session of 2011!
We were sore after our long holiday break, talkitive, and creative! We reviewed the goals for the year.
1. Complete our Gentiluomo, and Schermista Treatise! #2, and #3 in the series.
2. Officiate our first tournament at La Scuola D'Armi! Establish its rules and guidelines for the Round Robin, Technique Demonstration, and Fundamentals Demonstration. << Rumoured for the May or June timeframe. >>
3. Expand our After School Program at least to one other school.
4. Expand our Girl Scout Workshops in the New York Tri-State Area (possibly including the Boy Scouts, too!)
Over all our objective is to educate as many people as possible in the martial art of fencing!
Then we fenced! And what a glorious session it was. We continue to delve into the grapple. The unavoidable thing that happens when opponents close under their sword points.
But this time, we found that when two fencers (not like-sided) close under point, a fencer may immediately execute a Iaku Gamanate (JuJutsu), while cross-advancing. His opponent has no choice, but to fall, or expose their lower torso to a punshing disembowelment.
During our practice which immediately follows such discoveries, Master Isaac Baird found that he could execute the Dragon Stance from his studies of Hon Gahr to counter the Iaku Gamanate, resulting in his ability to instead, punish his opponent!
Just think! Western Martial Fencers in Renaissance Europe learning the Iaku Gamanate, and the Dragon Stance in order to master their forms.
And so now, we are searching the ancient texts for instructions that may have indicated such a combination in use! BRAVO Team!
We were sore after our long holiday break, talkitive, and creative! We reviewed the goals for the year.
1. Complete our Gentiluomo, and Schermista Treatise! #2, and #3 in the series.
2. Officiate our first tournament at La Scuola D'Armi! Establish its rules and guidelines for the Round Robin, Technique Demonstration, and Fundamentals Demonstration. << Rumoured for the May or June timeframe. >>
3. Expand our After School Program at least to one other school.
4. Expand our Girl Scout Workshops in the New York Tri-State Area (possibly including the Boy Scouts, too!)
Over all our objective is to educate as many people as possible in the martial art of fencing!
Then we fenced! And what a glorious session it was. We continue to delve into the grapple. The unavoidable thing that happens when opponents close under their sword points.
But this time, we found that when two fencers (not like-sided) close under point, a fencer may immediately execute a Iaku Gamanate (JuJutsu), while cross-advancing. His opponent has no choice, but to fall, or expose their lower torso to a punshing disembowelment.
During our practice which immediately follows such discoveries, Master Isaac Baird found that he could execute the Dragon Stance from his studies of Hon Gahr to counter the Iaku Gamanate, resulting in his ability to instead, punish his opponent!
Just think! Western Martial Fencers in Renaissance Europe learning the Iaku Gamanate, and the Dragon Stance in order to master their forms.
And so now, we are searching the ancient texts for instructions that may have indicated such a combination in use! BRAVO Team!
Elemental School of Fencing January 12th, 2011 Newsletter
OKay, this time, I'm getting a little philosophical!
In the martial arts, world over, you'll find practicioners who will use words like "Mind, Body, Spirit" (Soul, if you prefer), as if they are inseparable from each other. They will say things like "Bring balance to all three."
I was thinking about this, when I was asked yet again, what the difference between Atheletic Fencing and Martial Fencing is. But this time it gave me pause. I went to the root of the matter. I answered "Competition."
Then I had to explain.
The main point of any atheletic event is competition. Whether an athelete is competing with an opponent, his own personal best, or a high score someone set in the past, they are still competing. Another way of stating it, is its all about the win.
In the Martial Arts, the concept of winning is tied more closely to survival than it is competition. We are not interested in conflict just to prove who is 'better.' In fact, we are not interested in conflict at all. If possible, we'll avoid it. But when it cannot be avoided, then it is about survival. Hopefully our own.
There is no way to introduce the concept of competition into a martial contest. The concept will only interfere in their ability to focus on the resolution of the concept.
So back to Mind, Body, and Spirit. The atheletic fencer must be of a sound mind and a quick mind, for the tempo of the atheletic contest is quick. They must know the rules, and the guidance, as well as the basic forms used in the sport. Their body is finely honed to leap, lunge, thrust, twist, and move in ways comparable to that of a modern ballet dancer. And their spirit must not be confuse by anything else other than winning.
Not so for the Martial Fencer. There are no rules in a martial contest, the Mind is occupied solely on the task of knowing and retaining the knowledge of practice, and the philosophical concepts associated with a martial way. The Mind helps the martial artist enter, and exit a conflict and survive. The Body must be completely tuned, holistically, and able to execute 360* movement. There are over 64 functional parries, with 1,000's of permutations. The body must be able to accomplish them all.
But finally and probably the most important, the Spirit must guide the fencer to total balance between Mind and Body. If the conflict raises its head, the spirit must allow the fencer to survive it, and if there's a doubt, the spirit must vanqush it. What is at stake is not 'winning', but life itself.
As my friend Master Gallo said "The Sports are born from their Martial Arts, not the other way around."
In the martial arts, world over, you'll find practicioners who will use words like "Mind, Body, Spirit" (Soul, if you prefer), as if they are inseparable from each other. They will say things like "Bring balance to all three."
I was thinking about this, when I was asked yet again, what the difference between Atheletic Fencing and Martial Fencing is. But this time it gave me pause. I went to the root of the matter. I answered "Competition."
Then I had to explain.
The main point of any atheletic event is competition. Whether an athelete is competing with an opponent, his own personal best, or a high score someone set in the past, they are still competing. Another way of stating it, is its all about the win.
In the Martial Arts, the concept of winning is tied more closely to survival than it is competition. We are not interested in conflict just to prove who is 'better.' In fact, we are not interested in conflict at all. If possible, we'll avoid it. But when it cannot be avoided, then it is about survival. Hopefully our own.
There is no way to introduce the concept of competition into a martial contest. The concept will only interfere in their ability to focus on the resolution of the concept.
So back to Mind, Body, and Spirit. The atheletic fencer must be of a sound mind and a quick mind, for the tempo of the atheletic contest is quick. They must know the rules, and the guidance, as well as the basic forms used in the sport. Their body is finely honed to leap, lunge, thrust, twist, and move in ways comparable to that of a modern ballet dancer. And their spirit must not be confuse by anything else other than winning.
Not so for the Martial Fencer. There are no rules in a martial contest, the Mind is occupied solely on the task of knowing and retaining the knowledge of practice, and the philosophical concepts associated with a martial way. The Mind helps the martial artist enter, and exit a conflict and survive. The Body must be completely tuned, holistically, and able to execute 360* movement. There are over 64 functional parries, with 1,000's of permutations. The body must be able to accomplish them all.
But finally and probably the most important, the Spirit must guide the fencer to total balance between Mind and Body. If the conflict raises its head, the spirit must allow the fencer to survive it, and if there's a doubt, the spirit must vanqush it. What is at stake is not 'winning', but life itself.
As my friend Master Gallo said "The Sports are born from their Martial Arts, not the other way around."
Activity Update for La Scuola D'Italia Sala D'Armi at January 4th, 2011
2011 has a lot of excitement in store for us at La Sala D'Armi!
This year we'll be hosting our promotions, and tournament! To be officiated by members of the Elemental School of Fencing. At the tournament, we'll be hosting a Round Robin competition among the elements, an open fencing competition, as well as a technique demonstration, and a fundamentals demonstration. We are Looking Forward to it!
Also, this year, we'll be performing the famous fight scene from Romeo and Juliet for the 8th Grade!
And the rumors were true...4th and 5th graders will be joining us! Older students will be mentoring and coaching younger students. Th membership of the Sala D'Armi will be increasing.
By the end of 2011, we ought to be in good shape to compete with other schools!
This year we'll be hosting our promotions, and tournament! To be officiated by members of the Elemental School of Fencing. At the tournament, we'll be hosting a Round Robin competition among the elements, an open fencing competition, as well as a technique demonstration, and a fundamentals demonstration. We are Looking Forward to it!
Also, this year, we'll be performing the famous fight scene from Romeo and Juliet for the 8th Grade!
And the rumors were true...4th and 5th graders will be joining us! Older students will be mentoring and coaching younger students. Th membership of the Sala D'Armi will be increasing.
By the end of 2011, we ought to be in good shape to compete with other schools!
Activity Update for the Elemental School of Fencing at January 4th, 2011
The Elemental School of Fencing embarks on January 9th, 2011 with our first session of 2011!
We are sure to be sore after our long holiday break, but there's lots to do this year!
1. Complete our Gentiluomo, and Schermista Treatise! #2, and #3 in the series.
2. Officiate our first tournament at La Scuola D'Armi! Establish its rules and guidelines for the Round Robin, Technique Demonstration, and Fundamentals Demonstration.
3. Expand our After School Program
4. Expand our Girl Scout Workshops
Over all our objective is to educate as many people as possible in the martial art of fencing!
We are sure to be sore after our long holiday break, but there's lots to do this year!
1. Complete our Gentiluomo, and Schermista Treatise! #2, and #3 in the series.
2. Officiate our first tournament at La Scuola D'Armi! Establish its rules and guidelines for the Round Robin, Technique Demonstration, and Fundamentals Demonstration.
3. Expand our After School Program
4. Expand our Girl Scout Workshops
Over all our objective is to educate as many people as possible in the martial art of fencing!
Elemental School of Fencing January 4th, 2011 Newsletter
The New Year went out with a flourish! Our last event of the year was our first Girl Scout Workshop!
In the midst of the worst blizzard of 2010, the young ladies and their intrepid moms met their troop leader, Master Foley, Signorino Hin Gasco, and myself for a full day of Fencing Activity!
A shout out to the junior scouts of Troop 1838, for their terrific yells, their questions, and rapt attention as we plowed through the history of fencing, exercised and warmedup, and ended up with a tournament that left most of us breathless!
Another shout out no less vigorously to the cadettes of Troop 1846, for their constant interactivity, their involvement, interest and participation. They seemed not to get enough of bouting with each other!
A-Lei! Ladies! You've earned your badges! Pictures of the event are forthcoming! Look for them on our website.
Check out the new Girl Scout Fencing Badge workshops we now offer.
In the midst of the worst blizzard of 2010, the young ladies and their intrepid moms met their troop leader, Master Foley, Signorino Hin Gasco, and myself for a full day of Fencing Activity!
A shout out to the junior scouts of Troop 1838, for their terrific yells, their questions, and rapt attention as we plowed through the history of fencing, exercised and warmedup, and ended up with a tournament that left most of us breathless!
Another shout out no less vigorously to the cadettes of Troop 1846, for their constant interactivity, their involvement, interest and participation. They seemed not to get enough of bouting with each other!
A-Lei! Ladies! You've earned your badges! Pictures of the event are forthcoming! Look for them on our website.
Check out the new Girl Scout Fencing Badge workshops we now offer.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Girl Scout Fencing Badges Update
Girl Scout Troops 1838 (juniors), and 1846 (cadets) will be earning their fencing merit badges on December 28th, 2010 at a full day fencing sessions! A-Lei!
We have a three hour minimum requirements course, and a two/three day workshop for full immersion that can be provided to any Girl Scout Troop that is interested!
Just call Lou Gasco @ 917-834-2402, or send us an email at LGASCO@MSN.COM to inquire the particulars.
We have a three hour minimum requirements course, and a two/three day workshop for full immersion that can be provided to any Girl Scout Troop that is interested!
Just call Lou Gasco @ 917-834-2402, or send us an email at LGASCO@MSN.COM to inquire the particulars.
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