Martinez Academy of Arms and its guest Raven Arts Institute are pleased to host our biennial 3-day Spanish Martial Arts Weekend. The focus this year will be on dexterity/ambidexterity with the rapier & dagger, and navaja. Spanish bladed martial arts are unique cultural artifacts that incorporate social, philosophical, and aesthetic values of Spanish culture. Maestro Martinez will delve into an in-depth examination of rapier & dagger fencing. In the Spanish School of rapier the dagger is considered a weapon that can be utilized as a primary or secondary weapon. During this intensive seminar the participants will follow a progression that emphasizes ambidexterity.
NEW SESSION THIS YEAR
For the first time, we are offering a special session open to those with no prior experience, and to martial artists of other disciplines, as this section requires no equipment on the part of the participant. We often receive e-mails from martial artists of various disciplines with numerous questions about the Spanish School in particular. Therefore, we are dedicating a session of this year's Spanish Martial Arts Weekend to explore how Spanish fencing, as a complete martial art system designed for personal defense, can also be applied to other weapons, and specifically to unarmed combat. We are going to look at the key principles of the Spanish School. We will break down the theory into its simplest elements, introduce it with the single sword, demonstrate it with the sword and dagger, and then with unarmed hands. This should be of interest to members of the general public who do not own equipment, and may be of equal interest to any and all martial artists, such as practitioners of various systems of Kung Fu, including Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, Hung Gar, Tai Chi, as well as Eskrima / Kali, Jiu Jitsu, BJJ, Karate, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Kenjutsu, Kendo, Ninjitsu, Pencak Silat, and others. Many high-level practitioners of the aforementioned martial arts train at Martinez Academy specifically in Spanish rapier, and have found value in European fencing. This is a grand opportunity for anyone interested, to delve into this unique aspect of Spanish martial culture. This special three hour section may be taken independently from the rest of the workshop.
WORKSHOP/SEMINAR
Rapier Session
Three distinct levels of instruction are offered. In addition, students of all three levels at determined intervals will receive one-on-one instruction with a Master or Instructor for correction of form and technique.
Level I: Novice
Students in this level are beginners or those with limited experience in Spanish rapier. These individuals will be introduced to Spanish theory, techniques and methods based on understanding the movements of the weapon, arm and body with the single rapier.
Level II: Intermediate
This level is for more experienced students who have trained in the use of the single rapier. These individuals will be introduced into the use of the rapier and dagger, how it affects the use of time, distance and proportion. The instruction will follow a progression from basic techniques to some more demanding combinations both in defense and offense.
Level III: Advanced
This level is for the most experienced students who have received more extensive training in La Verdadera Destreza. Here the instruction will delve into more sophisticated techniques found within this weapons combination. The progression will follow the more complex use of time, distance and proportion and how they affect the expansion and contraction of the combat circle.
Navaja Session
Dexterity / Ambidexterity
In armed arts, the strong hand leads In unarmed arts, the strong hand trails
Tandem weapons
Strong hand leading – keep opponent away
Off hand leading – draw opponent in
Opponent's Threat Level
If opponent is armed: lead w/ the assault hand
If opponent is unarmed: lead w/ the parry hand
Changing hands / Changing mindset
Special Unarmed Session
Unarmed application of Spanish School theory
Equipment and Weapons Required for Workshop
To participate in the whole workshop: Students must bring their own equipment and come prepared with jackets, 3-weapon fencing masks, gorgets, groin protectors for men, breast protection for women, gloves for both hands, rapiers, daggers, and navaja trainers.
To participate in the navaja session only: Students must bring navaja trainers.
To participate in the special unarmed session: no equipment is required.
Instructors
Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez
Maestro Ramon Martinez
Maestro James Loriega
Location
Friday:
100 Grand Dance 100 Grand Street New York, NY 10013
Saturday:
Community Educational & Recreational Center (CERC) 180 9th Street Jersey City, NJ 07302
Sunday:
Jan Hus Presbyterian Church – Gymnasium 351 East 74th Street New York, NY 10021
Schedule
Friday: Navaja 6 pm – 9 pm
Saturday: Rapier 2:30 pm - 10 pm (dinner break)
Sunday: Special Unarmed Session 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost and Deadlines
Workshop/Seminar Registration - $275
Navaja Session Only - $75
Rapier Session Only - $200
Special Unarmed Session Only - $75
