Research and Discussion Forums

[Karl Akkerman]

Hello, My name is Karl Akkerman I am a 28 year old grad student from Port Sanilac, Michigan and I have had an amateur interest in swords for a number of years. My actual experience is extremely limited to one Aikido class and one sport fencing class taken my senor year at Wayne State University. However this past six months or so since I have gone on I new ADHD medication and in conjunction with that I have decided that I should be more active in pursuing my interest and doing so in a more focused manner.

So I was wondering if there are any groups studying historic European martial arts in Michigan? From my own looking around all I have see was a group out of Kalamazoo, which is to far away in any case, and their website does not appear to have been updated in the last four years.

Beyond that do you have any advice on how to go about locating a good place to learn practical martial arts and self defense skills? And what can I do on my own if I can't find anyone to work with?

Thank you.

[Andrew F Ulrich]

Hi Karl,

Welcome to the ARMA forum. It's good to hear you're wanting to get started. I think fellow ARMA Member Francisco Uribe is in Lansing, MI if I'm not mistaken. I'll see if I can try to get a hold of him, and pm you his info.

As far as what you can do on your own to get started, I'd say one of the best ways is to become a member of ARMA, as there are lots of instructional articles and videos in the Member's area of the site that will help to get you started. Also, you'll need to get a sword or sword simulator such as a waster so you can practice by yourself.

And here's an article on some of the basic stances:
http://www.thearma.org/essays/StancesIntro.htm

[Karl Akkerman]

Hello Andrew,

Thank you for the welcome. I do have a couple of the recommended books, The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe by Sydney Anglo and Medieval Swordsmanship by John Clements and I have a waster produced by New Stirling Arms that I recently purchased.

I think that holding a properly balanced waster was one of the things that finally pushed my into taking active steps to further my interest. The physical aspect of holding and moving it has quit a different emotional effect than just reading words and looking at pictures and videos.

If you can help get me contact with others in the Michigan area who I can converse with then please do. I will look into the ARMA membership as well. Also thanks for the link. it reminded me that I need to go back and reread and catch up on the articles I read a few years back so as to refresh my memory.

[Jaron Bernstein]

[Karl Akkerman]

[James Strebeck]

Another newbie from MI here. I'm in the south west of the state but often head over to the east side of the state.

I also am looking for any information for beginners. I have been introduced to the very basics of both modern competitive fencing and also stage combat but I am much more interested in this more practical of studies.

I'd love to take one of ARMA's classes. I am particularly interested in the Longsword aspects of the combat arms as befitting my Germanic/Scandinavian heritage.

[Karl Akkerman]

James,

It is good to hear from another Michigan resident who is interested in historic European fighting art and the Longsword. Although it seems like everyone is on the other side of the state from me.

When you say you get over to the east side of the state where about are you referring to?

[James Strebeck]

I am in Canton quite often in the summers.

[Karl Akkerman]

That is about 120 miles from me but as I go into Detroit for my university classes it is not that much further away.

You know it might be interesting to see if we can find some more people around the state who are interested in the study of this topic so as to form a study group.

[James Strebeck]

Well, for the lower peninsula Lansing really does make for a rather central location.

A study group would be awesome, especially if we could find somebody who actually knows what they're doing to get us started in person.

[Karl Akkerman]

Well Lansing is about two hours and 45 minutes give or take 10 depending on the route. Still it is closer for me than all the other places study groups are located at.

I also agree that the ability to work directly with experienced individuals is a definitive advantage when learning.

[James Strebeck]

Yeah, lansing's about 2 hours for me.

I dont know how often study groups get together but I dont think 2 hours or so is too much to ask for a semi-regular drive.

[Jaron Bernstein]

[James Strebeck]

I do have to say, after reading some of the articles on here dealing with the core, brutal nature of what you do, going back to the clean choreography of stage combat leaves much to be desired.

I hope I can make it to a study session very soon.