Beginning in Rural North Carolina

[william_cain_iii]

Hello, my name is William, and I am interested in adopting the ARMA method and becoming a scholar of RMA.

I have a rough idea of where to begin, thanks to the splendid articles on this forum. I'm trying to save up the money to get a membership fee and equipment together, but before I commit I would like some information from experienced hands on how to begin as a solo practitioner.

There really isn't anyone around here interested in these activities at the moment. Most folk here are very practically minded, and spend their effort on their farms and families, and I can't fault them. The few people who have expressed interest in forming a study group with me have quickly divided into various sorts of "katanaphiles" and showboaters.

Fantasy does have a place in the world, as entertainment and enjoyment, but I really would like to have a chance to seriously study a comprehensive martial art that is uniquely western, and free of associated nonsense. As a fantasy author, I would like to inject a degree of realism into my books that I feel only actual practice can provide. As someone tired of being out of shape, I would like to engage in a discipline that is both fun and challenging, for the improvement of mind and body alike. My reasons are complex, but they boil down to a desire to know and a love of history.

So if anyone has any advice for an aspiring solo practitioner, I would be eager to hear it. Specific concerns include which style to begin training with, ways an overweight person (I weigh 220 pounds at 5'7") can properly condition themselves for martial combat, where to secure good beginning equipment, and the like.

I will be asking a great many questions as I refine my search, so I hope you all will bear with me. Let me reiterate that I am a serious student eager to learn and will approach my studies with a sober and rational mind.

[Sal Bertucci]

If you have a training partner, the best thing that each of you can contribute is a positive attitude. You will probably spend a great deal of time by yourself, and while you can do a lot by yourself, even someone to bounce ideas off of is a huge asset.

[Andrew F Ulrich]

Hi William,

That's great to hear you're interested and ready to begin! I would say the best thing to do to get started is to become an ARMA member, as there's a whole mess of material in the members area to work on, especially for solo practitioners.

A well-balanced waster (most recommend New Stirling Arms) or, if you can afford it, an Albion blunt will greatly benefit your training, as it will give you an accurate feel of a real sword, which will help you move properly as you learn.

As for conditioning, solo training can be a great workout if you practice with good intent and energy. Sometimes for conditioning, I'll just florysh the entire practice or drill different combinations of moves, and it's a great way to get into shape. When the workouts are less intense, I usually like to supplement with some plyometrics or sprints. If those are too intense, a good long jog may be a good routine to start with. Really, any type of conditioning will help, as the more athletic you become, the more natural and economical your movements will likely become, so the key is to just get out there and keep at it.

Welcome to Rennaisance Martial Arts, and I wish you a fulfilling journey.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Hello William!

We all started pretty much where you are right now. Do not be discouraged, in actuality these can be the best ways to "begin". learn how to move, learn how to explore, learn how to manipulate yourself in connection with the weapon.

Having this "ground floor" established, or at least on it's way can help "attract" people of similar mind.

Good luck to you, I wish you the best!- AP

[william_cain_iii]

I see there are some great sources for wasters, and I'm leaning toward NSA as my purchase point, but I'm wondering if someone has some advice for picking one of the appropriate size?

Ninety five dollars is a big chunk of my weekly paycheck, so I don't want to get something too long or too short for me.

I will say I weigh in at about 220 pounds (us), I'm 5'7", and as I know footwork is important to martial arts, my legs are rather short for my body proportions (the man who fitted me for a bicycle said I was a few inches from being what he'd call deformed).

I know it does not directly bear on the matter at hand, but just as an example of scale I am comfortable drawing the average practice bokken without straining my arms. I know this because I was in a sketch routine where I had to do just that once. Please don't judge me too harshly for that.

[Andrew F Ulrich]

Here's a previous thread on waster length:
http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic. ... ter+length

You'll also want to consider that someday you might get a real sword, blunt or sharp, and that it might be more comfortable and easier to transition if you have a waster of similar dimensions. Albion's swords all have their measurements listed on their site for comparison.

[william_cain_iii]

For the purposes of completeness yes, I will happily get a steel weapon after I'm much more comfortable, but I see that being years off yet. First there's money, I don't have hundreds to throw around. Second, I know my limitations, it can take me a long time to learn my lessons properly.

Re-phrasing this post to make my thoughts and questions a bit less cluttered.

1 - I've got my eye on both NSA and Raven Studio wasters. I'm leaning toward the RS Hand and a Half currently, but i've seen most people here recommend NSA pretty consistently. Is there any qualitative reason to avoid the RS weapon?

2 - Other than the membership fee, are there costs associated with solo training or early group training? Do I have to pay for course materials to get started?

3 - For the starting uniform, would black sweatpants and a red tshirt do? I think this is how the site reads, but I want to be certain.


Lastly, I spoke to a few friends about ARMA, and they seem a bit more serious than most people I've talked to, so I may well have the beginnings of a study group on my hands as well. I hope it works out, I'd enjoy having partners to train with.

Regards,

William

[Andrew F Ulrich]

1. From what I hear, Raven makes some great wasters, similar in quality to NSA, but of a different style. I just recommend NSA 'cause that's the only one of the two that I've handled, but from what I hear, Raven Studios is just as good, so I think now it's really just a question of aesthetic taste.

2. Nope, just the membership fee will get you all you need to get started, access to the members area, and some members-only training from other members if you ever visit another study group. No extra testing fees, either. Of course if you want to go to an International Gathering or seminar or something like that, those take money to set up, and therefore cost a relatively minimal amount. They're really affordable compared to other stuff that's out there though.

3. Yeah, that's it. And if you train with non-members, then the standard uniform for them is a plain white shirt with black sweatpants, just to distinguish between who's a member and who isn't.

[Randall Pleasant]

From what I hear, Raven makes some great wasters, similar in quality to NSA, but of a different style. I just recommend NSA 'cause that's the only one of the two that I've handled, but from what I hear, Raven Studios is just as good, so I think now it's really just a question of aesthetic taste.

I have used both Raven and NSA and my personal view is that the Raven wasters are very good but not of the same quality (ie. balance) as the NSA wasters.

[william_cain_iii]

Well, it's done.

I've sent in my application for membership. Wish me good fortune, because I don't believe in luck. Luck's an accident, fortunes are made.

This is exciting.

Regards,

William

[william_cain_iii]

Yet another quick question.

What are some conditioning exercises I can perform to strengthen my muscles and get into shape while I'm waiting on my waster? I've purchased a length of wood about the proper weight and length so I can practice in the short term while I'm seeing if ARMA will accept my application.

[Sal Bertucci]

Pick it up and start swinging. I would recommend reading the "Mastercuts" article on the site and then doing multiple sets of 20 for each one, with stepping.

That's a good way to get started. Get a pell too, and beat that up for a bit.

[Thomas Bennett]

Hi William,

If you're looking for someone to train with I just started with Arma and I'm solo right now too. I'm about an hr and a half away in Maysville (just north of Jacksonville and the Marine base).

I'll be gone for all of June but if you want to try and get together after I get back let me know.

[william_cain_iii]

I'm not sure if I'll be accepted or not, but if I am I would be delighted to have a training partner to show me how to begin. By the end of June I should have my waster. I finally settled on a Little Raven long-sword, which I'm looking forward to immensely.