brian boyenger wrote:alright ill see if some of the ajacent states are not too far away
im not wanting to drive 4 hours to practice as it will limit how many practices i can get in a month
Tom Reynolds wrote: Sure. Everybody would agree that it's best to have a study group close at hand. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way, and having to travel to practice is still better than nothing at all. Besides, if you choose to pursue this study, you will find it very helpful to have a wide variety of different partners to practice with. The element of surprise is an important and useful aspect of your training.
At any rate, I would recommend that you get in touch with some of the ARMA study groups in your area, including the person you already contacted. There are several in Alabama and Virginia, for example, that should be able to help answer your questions, and possibly give you increased options as far as places to visit. Even if you may not want to practice with them regularly. Anyway, you sound like you are indeed very new to this study, which means that you will need to spend some time getting acquainted and oriented with it. In other words, you will need to spend some time figuring out how to get started in it.
This is why I suggested that you talk to some more people, and read as much as you can. That, plus patience and persistence, will pay off in the long run.
By the way, the ARMA prefers the term "Renaissance Martial Arts" (RMA) to "Western Martial Arts" (WMA). This is because WMA is a very diffuse term that could potentially cover everything from stone axes to cruise missiles. RMA, on the other hand, refers specifically to the combat arts taught in the various fight manuals that were written during the European Renaissance. Those manuals are the focus of ARMA study, so the term RMA more accurately describes what we do.
Thanks for your questions, and again, good luck!
