ARMA Provo seminar

[Tony_Indurante]

I just got home from the 1.0 & 1.2 seminars hosted by ARMA Provo, and I must say that both were excellent. The 1.0 seminar, held on Friday, had a good-sized attendance- my guess would be 35-40.. almost to large for the room itself- with fully 75% of the folks from the ARMA. The non-ARMA folks where from a broad selection of other activities, i.e. SCA to EMA to no experience at all. JC covered a large amount of material- such as the basic guards, basic cuts, footwork, the 3 times, 3 ranges, etc- in the 6-hour class. I've taken 1.0 before, and was once again amazed at just how much information is crammed into this seminar. I had a conversation with Jake (the ARMA Provo study group leader) about how this was my second time at this seminar, to which he said that he had taken 1.0 around 4 times. Most of the other senior students had also taken this seminar multiple times. Why? Because the basics are the foundation and it is always a good thing to cover them again.

The 1.2 seminar, held on Saturday, covered more advanced materials. There was around 12-15 of us for this class, with all but 2 from the Provo study group. We spent a lot of time not only covering more advanced techniques but also spending much more time working them against a partner (something that just isn’t as practical, time and skill level wise, with the 1.0 class- there was some drilling together in 1.0, there was just far more of it in 1.2). The seminar spent time on half-swording, sword-taking, using the left hand, some exercises involving dagger vs. long sword and long sword vs. spear, a brief touch on unarmed combat, the 10 cutting drills, etc.

As a matter of fact there was so much info covered in the 2 days that I’m feeling a little overloaded, so I know that the descriptions above only touch on what was covered in the classes.

4 of the ARMA Provo members tested for their general free scholar designation (congrats to you all). The 1.2 class was allowed to sit in and watch the testing process. It was both interesting and helpful to be able to see what will be expected of you when you decide to test. A tip, don’t look at the ground and know your terminology.

I would also like to personally thank the ARMA Provo study group for hosting the seminars and allowing me to train with them. I worked out with a large portion of the 1.2 class and they all, from the newest member to the hoary vet, showed a serious attitude not only to the subject, but also to training and following the ARMA methodology, as attested to high levels of skill shown by the study group as a whole. I would especially like to thank Jake and Stuart for training with me. Both are senior students, and the insights and skills that they brought to the training floor really helped me out. Thanks to you both. I would also like to thank Jake and his wife for allowing me to stay at their home while I was in town. And of course, thanks to John, your classes show me something new every time.

Tony Indurante

[Jake_Norwood]

Well, Tony, you beat me to it.

The seminar was excellent. Every time I see 1.0 (this was my 3rd time, but the 4th hearing the material from John) I shake my head and realize how little any of us really know. This year I realized that I was familiar, if not "fluent" with everything John covered in both seminars. I'm finally getting the the point that I can gauge where I'm at with some accuracy, knowing both my strengths and limits.

Some other activities included steel-on-steel freeplay with John and Derek Wassom Friday morning. Getting to use steel swords (we did C&T and Longswords) at some speed and with control was an eye-opening experience, and one that I can't wait to repeat.

Saturday (after you took off, Tony), we sat around joking and watched a movie, but best of all we began looking at some of John's unpublished materials and research. Holy [censored]! From series and series of images and quotes concerning separate techniques and principles to heretofore untranslated materials that vindicate so much of what the ARMA method does...on hand were 2 speakers of German (ARMA members Eli Coombs and Earta Norwood) and one of Latin (myself) we were able to spot-translate things that poor John has been lugging around, saying, "what's in here, I wonder?" There was some real electricity in the air as we found ourselves discovering new things right there. History in the making!

I can't reccomend John's seminars enough. 1.0 has enough material to make one's head burst (it took me 4 times) and 1.2 has so many excercises for increasing one's ability as a fighter that none are to be missed. We feel really blessed out here to have been able to amass enough membership to host these seminars every year. New study groups--do this now!

Happy Training,

[Derek Wassom]

Thanks to everyone who was involved in this workshop, I realy enjoyed myself, and learned a whole lot.
Don't worry Tony, I feel overloaded too, and it will take a few days untill it all smoothes out. <img src="/forum/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[Scott Anderson]

Well, speaking for myself i had a great time. Fortunatly i didn't find it that much to take in. other than terminology most of it was correcting flaws in form that i hadn't realized were there. guess that's what comes from working most of it out without the benefit of the manuals. but well worth it all the same. and i'll be joining up as soon as i have the money to write a check.

this is of course only on the basics that i was able to see. will be interesting to learn more.

SPA

[Jake_Norwood]

It was good working with you, Scott. One of the neat things about the 1.0 seminar was the number of people that came from out of town to train. There were folks from 1.5 hours away to 12 hours away that made it out for the seminar. Too cool.

[John_Clements]

Thanks for all your comments everyone.
I too really enjoyed going out to Provo again. This was my third trip and each time it is refreshing to see the enthusiasm and commitment, as well as the skill level, from the people there, our largest Study Group. Jacob is doing a really commendable job as group leader and his own skills are progressing undeniably and noticeably. The camaraderie and sincerity of the entire Provo gang in their dedication to this subject is something I continue to admire.

I was also impressed by the dedication to study and knowledge displayed by several students, especially Eli, Megan, and Stu.

I was especially pleased to award general Free Scholar ranking to Eli Combs, James Rampton, Mike Vandussen, Megan Feil. Congrats.

I thought the two seminars went very well, although it was crowded, and I was unable to cover core-counters, the floryshe, and flat-parries in the 1.0 to my satisfaction.
The time in 1.2 spent on half-swording and Einlauffen (closing in) was very good.

The real highlight of my weekend however was the hours spent with everyone brainstorming over manuals and artwork, spot translating of some of the more obscure and especially exciting materials, and doing cutting edge research from newly discovered and previously unexamined caches of manuals, which I expect will prove extremely valuable.

Best regards to all and thanks

JC

[John_Clements]

Day 2, the 1.2 NTP workshop attendees from the Provo Study Group.

[John_Clements]

[Guest]

I just wanted to say that I had a great time at the seminars, and I won't hesitate to retake either of these seminars. I corrected and refined alot, and learned alot of new techniques and good training practices in the 1.2. I was honored to test for General Free Scholar, and will continue to study and practice that same material, as it's the foundation I need to continue to fortify. Nothing will let you know where you stand and what you need to work on as getting evaluated by one of the best out there, and I'm thankful to have had that opportunity. As a result, my training will be greatly enhanced.

Thanks to everyone who came out, a big thanks to Jacob Norwood for organizing the entire event, and of course to John Clements for coming out here to Provo.

(PS- whatever happened to the case of the missing rondel? I could have *sworn* that I took two out of the case...)

[Brian Hunt]

I Just wanted to say how impressed I was by the Provo 1.0 Seminar. I was unable to attend the second workshop on Saturday, but was very grateful to have been to the friday session. I went hoping to gain insight into one or two techniques, and instead, as I have said to family and friends, I walked out with the foundation of a martial art. The way that John described the basic guards and strikes was illuminating to me. It has changed how I view all forms of sword practice in general. Having fenced in college, taught basic fencing, and been a member of the SCA, I was deeply impressed by the reality and simplicity of the techniques presented.

I also wish to express my thanks to the open and friendly approach that I recieved from the people of ARMA. I frequently find people who study a particular martial art to be somewhat clickish and elitest in their approach to others. John and Jake were fun and friendly, and everyone else had something to contribute. Thanks for a great time. This is a group I intend to become a member of (in fact the check is going out in the mail tommorow), and I look forward to making many friends, and learning lots of wonderful new things. <img src="/forum/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" />

[John_Clements]

Thanks, man!
That kind of response makes it all worthwhile.
This subject is so vast and we have so far still to go. It is a group effort. Looking forward to having you aboard.

JC

[Jake_Norwood]

Hear that, John? Someone thinks we're friendly!

Seriously, though, a highlight of the 1.0 was meeting so many people that weren't part of our study group and the general camraderie of the event. I look forward to training with all of you.

[Guest]

Well, chalk me up as another guy who thinks you all are friendly. I'm sorry I had to bail out of there so fast, I had that three hour drive in front of me, but I could have stayed and chatted all night. I loved the attitude and atmosphere and spirit of the seminar.

I thought the 1.0 class was informative and it gave me a good base for beginning to understand what the manuals are saying. Thanks for the opportunity.

Lamont

[Casper Bradak]

I'm glad it went well. Why did the government have to send me out of town this month? <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Jake_Norwood]

Because it hates you, Casper...

Seriously, though, you need to come down with your practice partners and spend a few hours training with us. We'd love to see what you've got, and we're happy to share what we've got. When do you get back from duty?