May 29th - May 31st, 2015
Workshop Seminar
- Rapier Session
- Navaja Session
- Equipment and Weapons Required
- Instructors
- Location
- Schedule
- Cost and Deadlines
- Housing & Travel
*THE LOCATION FOR SUNDAY HAS CHANGED, SEE LOCATION SECTION BELOW FOR NEW ADDRESS
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 trailsTandem weapons
Strong hand leading – keep opponent awayOff hand leading – draw opponent in
Opponent's Threat Level
If opponent is armed: lead w/ the assault handIf opponent is unarmed: lead w/ the parry hand
Changing hands / Changing mindset
Special Unarmed Session
Unarmed application of Spanish School theoryEquipment 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: Battery Dance - 5th Floor 380 Broadway New York, NY 10013-3518
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
After May 1st no refunds will be made under any circumstances. Once registered you will receive a confirmation email. Participants must be 18 years old and over. All inquiries should be directed to Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez: contact@martinez-destreza.com.
Housing
For your convenience below are some useful websites. We also recommend checking with friends and 'friends of friends' in the area to arrange for housing. Another option is to team up with other participants to share the cost of a hotel room.Cheapest: Using Hostel will give you a great list of available hostels in and around the city. Please be careful with the area you stay in and feel free to contact us before booking to verify that it is a safe area. Booking thru Hostels.com may give you a cheaper price! Many include breakfast and have links to Airport shuttle services.
AirBnB has worked out well for people staying a week. Here is how it works: sign up, build a short profile and contact the host of the place you want to stay with the dates of your travel. Payment is made to AirBnB (they charge a 6 to 12 percent booking fee) so you don't need to hand over cash or credit card numbers to your hosts.
There are also many great hotels in the city. If you can spend a little more, here are great places to start looking: Top Cheap HotelsHotels.com