Elemental Fencing

Activity Update for La Scuola D'Italia Sala D'Armi at January 12th, 2011

2011-01-13T00:49:00.000-05:00

2011 has a lot of excitement in store for us at La Sala D'Armi!

This year we'll be hosting our promotions, and tournament! To be officiated by members of the Elemental School of Fencing. At the tournament, we'll be hosting a Round Robin competition among the elements, an open fencing competition, as well as a technique demonstration, and a fundamentals demonstration. We are Looking Forward to it!

Also, this year, we'll be performing the famous fight scene from Romeo and Juliet for the 8th Grade!

And the rumors were true...4th and 5th graders will be joining us! Older students will be mentoring and coaching younger students. Th membership of the Sala D'Armi will be increasing.

By the end of 2011, we ought to be in good shape to compete with other schools!

Activity Update for the Elemental School of Fencing at January 12th, 2011

2011-01-13T00:47:00.002-05:00

The Elemental School of Fencing embarks on January 9th, 2011 with our first session of 2011!

We were sore after our long holiday break, talkitive, and creative! We reviewed the goals for the year.

1. Complete our Gentiluomo, and Schermista Treatise! #2, and #3 in the series.
2. Officiate our first tournament at La Scuola D'Armi! Establish its rules and guidelines for the Round Robin, Technique Demonstration, and Fundamentals Demonstration. << Rumoured for the May or June timeframe. >>
3. Expand our After School Program at least to one other school.
4. Expand our Girl Scout Workshops in the New York Tri-State Area (possibly including the Boy Scouts, too!)

Over all our objective is to educate as many people as possible in the martial art of fencing!

Then we fenced! And what a glorious session it was. We continue to delve into the grapple. The unavoidable thing that happens when opponents close under their sword points.

But this time, we found that when two fencers (not like-sided) close under point, a fencer may immediately execute a Iaku Gamanate (JuJutsu), while cross-advancing. His opponent has no choice, but to fall, or expose their lower torso to a punshing disembowelment.

During our practice which immediately follows such discoveries, Master Isaac Baird found that he could execute the Dragon Stance from his studies of Hon Gahr to counter the Iaku Gamanate, resulting in his ability to instead, punish his opponent!

Just think! Western Martial Fencers in Renaissance Europe learning the Iaku Gamanate, and the Dragon Stance in order to master their forms.

And so now, we are searching the ancient texts for instructions that may have indicated such a combination in use! BRAVO Team!

Elemental School of Fencing January 12th, 2011 Newsletter

2011-01-13T00:46:00.000-05:00

OKay, this time, I'm getting a little philosophical!

In the martial arts, world over, you'll find practicioners who will use words like "Mind, Body, Spirit" (Soul, if you prefer), as if they are inseparable from each other. They will say things like "Bring balance to all three."

I was thinking about this, when I was asked yet again, what the difference between Atheletic Fencing and Martial Fencing is. But this time it gave me pause. I went to the root of the matter. I answered "Competition."

Then I had to explain.

The main point of any atheletic event is competition. Whether an athelete is competing with an opponent, his own personal best, or a high score someone set in the past, they are still competing. Another way of stating it, is its all about the win.

In the Martial Arts, the concept of winning is tied more closely to survival than it is competition. We are not interested in conflict just to prove who is 'better.' In fact, we are not interested in conflict at all. If possible, we'll avoid it. But when it cannot be avoided, then it is about survival. Hopefully our own.

There is no way to introduce the concept of competition into a martial contest. The concept will only interfere in their ability to focus on the resolution of the concept.

So back to Mind, Body, and Spirit. The atheletic fencer must be of a sound mind and a quick mind, for the tempo of the atheletic contest is quick. They must know the rules, and the guidance, as well as the basic forms used in the sport. Their body is finely honed to leap, lunge, thrust, twist, and move in ways comparable to that of a modern ballet dancer. And their spirit must not be confuse by anything else other than winning.

Not so for the Martial Fencer. There are no rules in a martial contest, the Mind is occupied solely on the task of knowing and retaining the knowledge of practice, and the philosophical concepts associated with a martial way. The Mind helps the martial artist enter, and exit a conflict and survive. The Body must be completely tuned, holistically, and able to execute 360* movement. There are over 64 functional parries, with 1,000's of permutations. The body must be able to accomplish them all.

But finally and probably the most important, the Spirit must guide the fencer to total balance between Mind and Body. If the conflict raises its head, the spirit must allow the fencer to survive it, and if there's a doubt, the spirit must vanqush it. What is at stake is not 'winning', but life itself.

As my friend Master Gallo said "The Sports are born from their Martial Arts, not the other way around."

Activity Update for La Scuola D'Italia Sala D'Armi at January 4th, 2011

2011-01-13T00:43:00.002-05:00

Activity Update for the Elemental School of Fencing at January 4th, 2011

2011-01-13T00:41:00.000-05:00

The Elemental School of Fencing embarks on January 9th, 2011 with our first session of 2011!

We are sure to be sore after our long holiday break, but there's lots to do this year!

1. Complete our Gentiluomo, and Schermista Treatise! #2, and #3 in the series.
2. Officiate our first tournament at La Scuola D'Armi! Establish its rules and guidelines for the Round Robin, Technique Demonstration, and Fundamentals Demonstration.
3. Expand our After School Program
4. Expand our Girl Scout Workshops

Over all our objective is to educate as many people as possible in the martial art of fencing!

Elemental School of Fencing January 4th, 2011 Newsletter

2011-01-13T00:40:00.000-05:00

The New Year went out with a flourish! Our last event of the year was our first Girl Scout Workshop!

In the midst of the worst blizzard of 2010, the young ladies and their intrepid moms met their troop leader, Master Foley, Signorino Hin Gasco, and myself for a full day of Fencing Activity!

A shout out to the junior scouts of Troop 1838, for their terrific yells, their questions, and rapt attention as we plowed through the history of fencing, exercised and warmedup, and ended up with a tournament that left most of us breathless!

Another shout out no less vigorously to the cadettes of Troop 1846, for their constant interactivity, their involvement, interest and participation. They seemed not to get enough of bouting with each other!

A-Lei! Ladies! You've earned your badges! Pictures of the event are forthcoming! Look for them on our website.

Check out the new Girl Scout Fencing Badge workshops we now offer.

Girl Scout Fencing Badges Update

2010-12-22T22:47:00.002-05:00

Girl Scout Troops 1838 (juniors), and 1846 (cadets) will be earning their fencing merit badges on December 28th, 2010 at a full day fencing sessions! A-Lei!

We have a three hour minimum requirements course, and a two/three day workshop for full immersion that can be provided to any Girl Scout Troop that is interested!

Just call Lou Gasco @ 917-834-2402, or send us an email at LGASCO@MSN.COM to inquire the particulars.

Activity Update for La Sala D'Armi De La Scuola D'Italia on December 21st, 2010

2010-12-22T22:45:00.002-05:00

On December 16th, La Sala D'Armi was asked by La Scuola's Professoressa Giaimo if we could put on a demonstration of the fight that took place between Mercurio, Tybaldo, and Romeo, in Shakespeare's classic, Romeo and Juliet!

Needless to say, the ANSWER was a resounding yes! When the 8th grade studies Romeo and Juliet in the spring, La Sala D'Armi will be putting on an improvised rendition of the conflict that took place in that nondescript piazetta in Verona between the Capulets and the Montagues.

In preparation, the students were introduced to some of the initial chaos of multiple person combat. Oh what fun!

Rumor Mill: there's talk that the 4th and 5th Graders will be invited to attend La Sala in the next semester!

Activity Update for the Elemental School of Fencing at December 21st, 2010

2010-12-22T22:42:00.002-05:00

The Critical Hit guidance during our Round Robins has taken hold. More than one gut wrenching thrust, our head, shoulder and collarbone strike has left its toll.

Again, the theory of the guidance is simple. Hard touches to the torso and head are likely to mortally disable an opponent. Where as hard touches to the limbs will only disable that limb. Soft touches continue to amount to incrementally diminishing the opponent's ability to fight.

This week, we studied the references to the use of two swords against a single sword. Unfortunately we found that these studies do us no good when facing an opponent who ALSO has two swords. We found this out after our initial romps into the fantastic this weekend.

The main thing we came out of from the lesson was, if you ever find yourself in the renaissance facing a fencer who has two weapons, think twice about the contest, no pun intended.

Elemental School of Fencing December 21st, 2010 Newsletter

2010-12-22T22:40:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

As we look forward to a New Year, we enjoy the festivities with our loved ones, and look back at this year's trials, tribulations and successes!

I'll leave the trials and tribulations to each of our memories but wanted to take a moment to celebrate the successes we have had at the Elemental School of Fencing!

- Our first treatise on the martial art of fencing was introduced to the world!
- We welcomed a New Elemental School, the Sala D'Armi at La Scuola D'Italia!
- We fenced strongly developing our artform through discovery of the ancient texts at our central Sala D'Armi more than 40 times this year, for over 300+ fencer hours! (hours per fencer...;)
- Elemental School fencers have each achieved their own special successes either through fencing as a metaphor (ie: Musashi in Management) or in actual competition (ie: The PSAL Atheletic Fencing competitions.)
- We are on Social Networks! FACEBOOK, TWITTER and a BLOG, and more, thanks to our special friend, Cindian Works!
- AND before the year is out, we will be welcoming 17 Girl Scouts from troops 1838, and 1846, as we train them for their Fencing Merit Badges on December 28th!

Our BLOG has been updated! Newsletters abound, feel free to join, and comment away!

Our thanks to all of you for your help, and encouragement throughout the year. And here's looking to a GREAT 2011!

A-Lei!
Lou Gasco

Activity Update for La Sala D'Armi De La Scuola D'Italia on December 8th 2010

2010-12-22T22:36:00.001-05:00

On December 3rd, personal equipment started to arrive! Remember safety first. Protective gear is terrifically important; as can be attested to by any who have ever been hit without it!

L'Elmo was used again to select Elemental Teams for our remaining fencers who have not yet chosen. Another member for the Air Team, and another for the Water Team were selected.

Today the fencers were introduced to The Question, as well as some simple guidance on proper sword etiquette.

1. The sword never pointa at anyone, unless they are an opponent.
2. The sword never touches the ground.

There's probably more! We'd love to hear from you!

Activity Update for the Elemental School of Fencing on December 8th, 2010

2010-12-22T22:34:00.001-05:00

Incorporating the Critical Hit guidance during our Round Robins seems to be taking hold. Ultimately, the theory of the guidance is simple. Hard touches to the torso and head are likely to mortally disable an opponent. Where as hard touches to the limbs will only disable that limb. Soft touches continue to amount to incrementally diminishing the opponent's ability to fight.

During our discussions this week, we pondered the art of timing, and guiding an opponent to make a move. We focused on Fencing's foundation in the arts of defence, and realized the metaphor this represents for human interaction during perceived conflict.

Remember THE QUESTION, but more importantly, ITS ANSWER. ;0

The placement of our sword, and self, can guide an opponent to an action...

Once again, here is the critical hit, guidance.

"Know when you are hit." As always.
If a strike feels significant enough, it is critical. (Ie: if you are stunned by the force/placement of the strike, it must be critical.)
A critical hit to an arm prevents the further use of that arm.
A critical hit to a leg forces the stricken fencer into a kneeling position.
A critical hit to Torso or Head results in the fencer's losing the bout.
Otherwise the three touch rule holds.
In a round robin, a fencer may not call for help upon receiving a critical hit that results in his immediate loss.

Help refine the list! Comment away on the blog,

Elemental School of Fencing December 8th 2010 Newsletter

2010-12-22T22:31:00.002-05:00

Hope all the shoppings been done, if not get going! There's only 17 day's till X-mas, and Hanukkah's already underway. 2011's just about three weeks away, and promises to have great load of opportunities!

Most importantly "for family and friends" lets be sure to share the warmth of the holidays, to counter the frigidness of the weather.

As for fencing, we are pleased to announce that the Elemental School of Fencing has been asked to help two Girl Scout troops in New Rochelle on 12/28/2010 earn their Fencing Badges! More to come on that next week.

A little from the rumor mill, there's talk that the folks at Pyri Sword Fitness are bringing the Gladius back to Rome! We'll keep you up to date with that as well.

- Our BLOG has been updated! Newsletters abound, feel free to join, and comment away!

More to come!

Lou Gasco

Activity Update for The Elemental School of Fencing on November 30th, 2010

2010-11-30T13:38:00.002-05:00

After we discussed Kyu's perfrormance at the PSAL Individual Championships, we did a bit of bouting.

We saw the awakening of Fire in Dante, and the Fire under control while Isaac's Hon Ghar influence became a form in and of itsself. We watched the way of Water as Max's point continued to impale his opponents, and we experienced the effect of Will's mixture of Earth, and the other elements!

We tried a three on three bout, with Spadinos, and a Fioretta on each side. Believe it! Our own Dante, won the combat, but not before he accidently impaled his team mate. Ugh, the perils of melee and blood lust.

We attempted critical hit rules. They seem to work, but still require some finesse.

"Know when you are hit." As always.
If a strike feels significant enough, it is critical. (Ie: if you are stunned by the force/placement of the strike, it must be critical.)
A critical hit to an arm prevents the further use of that arm.
A critical hit to a leg forces the stricken fencer into a kneeling position.
A critical hit anywhere else, is an immediate out.
Otherwise the three hit rule holds.
In a round robin, a fencer may not call for help upon receiving a critical hit that is an immediate out.

Help refine the list! Comment away on the blog,

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter for November 30th, 2010

2010-11-30T13:37:00.002-05:00

Greetings!

After multiple portions of rather large poultry, succulent gravy, mashed potatoes, greens of various types, pastas, and stuffing that would delight the gods, we worked it off in a Fencing session at the Elemental School of Fencing.

Happy Thanksgiving all, hope it was fun!

A shout out to KYU NAKAMA, who place 8th in the PSAL's Individual Competition held on November 21st, 2010.

We saw videos of the event and are hoping to get a copy to post to our site. You can actively see Kyu using the width of the piste to the annoyance of his opponents. You can also see the effect of the closeness of distance Kyu noted previously. His opponents are tentative wondering at his closeness. They strike only to find him not where they thought he was!

In fact in one clip, you can actually see the opponent striking TWICE in the air, at where Kyu WAS, while Kyu spins and strikes the opponent deftly in the side! Kyu's allegiance to Air is evident.

But by far, the most interesting story of the day was Kyu's use of the VOID. In a semi final round, Kyu faced the final contender from Stuyvesant to make the ranks. (FYI, Stuyvesant ALWAYS places, so this was odd.)

Kyu was down many touches, at the first minute break. As soon as the fencers re-entered the piste, he called for a time-out! The judge granted it, and Kyu unitied...then retied his shoe. Taking his time about it.

As Kyu says it, he invoked the Void. The reason he did this was because his opponent was in a groove, and he needed to break it. AND BREAK IT HE DID! When the bout resumed, KYU proceeded to rack up the Touches, and you can visibly see his opponent gradually giving up as each touch lands. Many to his gut, and many with foil bending martial force. Until the final touch, in which Kyu wins with what looks like his opponent walking into his blade!

BRAVO KYU!

- Our BLOG has been updated! Newsletters abound, feel free to join, and comment away!

More to come!

Lou Gasco

Activity Update from La Sala D'Armi Della Scuola D'Armi On November 21st, 2010

2010-11-21T12:16:00.000-05:00

First, lets welcome TWO new students! Davide, and Este! A-Lei!

This week we reviewed our footwork (Air), we practiced distance (Void), and went to the piste to witness some fantastic progress! Evident in the bouts, as the signorini are no longer just 'bull-rushing' each other, but rather waiting for the moment to strike. There's still alot of work to do. But reaching this milestone so early (THIRD WEEK!) is fantastic. :)

On another note, the signorini selected their elements from the fabled "Elmo" (That's helmet in Italian; not the fuzzy red puppet.) L'Elmo does not lie, and true to form, three more members of the Earth team were greeted, and two more members of the Fire team.

"Yup, that's me." said Dario as he pulled the Fire Stone from L'Elmo.

As a reminder, the team a fencer belongs to is not the same as their natural element. Only four teams have stones in L'Elmo; Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. So, lets welcome our new team mates!

A - Lei!

Lou Gasco

Activity Update from the Elemental School of Fencing on November 21st, 2010

2010-11-21T12:14:00.001-05:00

Last week we discussed the Forms Demonstration system we are exploring for the Signorini, and all the other ranks. This week, we are laying out the Technique Demonstration system.

Forms Demonstration is intended for a fencer to show a panel of judges the perfection in their forms. The Technique Demonstration is intended instead for two fencers to show a panel of judges how well they perform their techniques when faced with a combat stance. This is typical in many of the martial arts systems, and usually involves an 'attacker', and a 'defender'. The purpose of the demonstration is for the defender to show mastery over their technique in response to the attacker's threat. For the Signorini, this is limited to the content of the Treatise on the Fioretta, and will involve parry/attack combinations, and foot movement to maintain distance.

Some rules for the Technique Demonstration may be as follows;

1. Attacker must attack;

- At Lunge, Thrust, and Close distance

- At High and Medium perspective

- Along Inside, and Outside lines of attack.

2. Defender must Parry;

- With 3,4,5,6 parries

- Using disengages

- Using foot movement to maintain distance

- And respond with a thrust after each parry.

More to come!

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter on November 21st, 2010

2010-11-21T12:12:00.001-05:00

First a little story. I was in Toys R Us today, escorting my son around, when we had to visit the men's room. However, store policy does not allow customers to enter the bathroom with large bags. So, we were asked by a very polite young store employee to leave a bag with him. So we did. As we were, my son asked me if we were just going to leave the bag in the bin next to the guard.

To which the guard responded, "Never fear, young sir. I will guard this bag with my Mind, Body and Soul." I smiled as I tied the bag up, looked at my son, and said. "Spoken like a true martial artist, right son?"

To which the guard said "Yes I am brother." We chatted. He was raised in Tae-Kwon Do, from the age of 4, and was now 22. I found the conversation with him great. We exchanged emails, and I invited him to come visit the Elemental School of Fencing, or our associates at Seibukai JuJutsu. To which he said, he would (since he was seeking a "solid, conservative JuJutsu/Judo school.")

You never know, where you'll meet a Martial Artist!

On another front, our colleagues at PYRI Sword Fitness have started their Blog! Soon we'll be able to join up and Blog away! Its greatly encouraged.

As a reminder, our own blog is here.

Enjoy! Here's looking forward to your continued inspiration and support.

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco

Activity Update from La Sala D'Armi Della Scuola D'Italia On November 15th, 2010

2010-11-15T12:11:00.000-05:00

Yet another good session last friday. Fencer's picked up some 'history' as we reviewed Miyamoto Musashi, and his nine precepts applied to our art form (VOID). Then we explored the parries, sticking to the four high frontal parries we will be focusing on this semester (WATER).

During the parry discussion, we saw the necessity to keep the presentation of heat. Master Foley continued his rigorous exercise routine, and the fencers enjoyed yet another series of bouts!

The Forms are improving throughout. Bad habits are being lost, the all important balance is present, and hits are being self-declared.

This week, we held the session in the cafeteria, to make room for La Scuola's tribute to Dr. Montessori, famed educator, and founder of the Montessori schools.

A-Lei!
Lou Gasco

Activity Update from the Elemental School of Fencing on November 15th, 2010

2010-11-15T12:09:00.000-05:00

Our typical discussions, exercise and rousing round robins galore. Stay tuned for pics...Master Foleys photographic skills are being taxed, as he tries to capture the blinding speed of the moves in the gym.

This week's highlights were some stupendous twirls to the inside with backhanded attacks by Master Nakama. Master Isaaac Baird's stylistically Hon-Gahr influenced stance and rapid fire defence/attack combos. Master Max Baird's terrifically quick viper like precision attacks. Master Foley's own stylistic emergence from the Earth he so dearly loves! And finally, a well performed reverse roll, recovery and disarm by our very own Master Hin Gasco. (BTW, Happy B'Day D.)

As a highlight, the Elemental School Masters are formulating their Form's Demonstration. Tentative rules for the Signorini Demonstrations are as follows;

The entire demonstration will be paced at a distance of 10 advances. The Fencer must accomplish their demonstration within this space.
The demonstration MUST include at least;

(3) Retreats
(1) Far Retreat
(2) Lunges
(1) Ballestra

The fencer must perform every one of the following attacks;

High Thrust
Medium Thrust
Low Thrust
Close Quarters (any height)

At least one attack must be to the OUTSIDE.
Every attack must be preceded by a Parry.
Each of the following must be used at least ONCE.

Parry 3
Parry 4
Parry 5
Parry 6

The demonstration MAY include;
- Any number of advances
- Any number of retreats
Presentation of HEAT must be visible at all times.
Balance must be present at all times.

Based on the above, Signorini will be expected to perform their FORM DEMONSTRATION in our 2011 Tourney! We are coming up with an aide that will help both the judges and the participants prepare, and score the demonstration.

More to come!

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter of November 15th, 2010

2010-11-15T12:07:00.001-05:00

Lets start with a Shout Out!

Kyu Nakama had his play off's for PSAL this past weekend. The Brooklyn Tech Knights made it into the 2nd Round! Not a weak achievement...beating out some heavies. But in the meantime, Kyu Nakama won 2 and lost one, scoring a crazy 18 touches. That's an average of 6 touches per match compared to his average of 3.3 during the season! When asked how this happened, he commented "Well, they kept doing the same thing, so I exposed their weakness, over and over and over again. As for the last match, the guy was good."

A pearl of wisdom from our own Kyu in retrospect of the season. "Our martial distance is much closer than the atheletic one." Hmmm. Food for thought. In the Atheletics, a whipping attack from a distance outside to inside might score a touch (light a light, an depress that little button on the tip of the blade) but in the martial application the same move would only serve to perhaps pin prick the opponent. To do damage, we must be closer, and so, we must learn how to defend at a closer distance.

This hearkens to Master Gallo, Magi's Beth, and Sarah and all the ladies of Pyri. The distance of the heavy sword they practice with is even CLOSER than the Fioretta! BY AT LEAST three feet/arm's length. Think about it for only a few seconds, before you cringe.

This week, we've added two new sections to this newletter to explore the activities in our extant Sala D'Armi's. The Elemental School (Where we outline the Forms Demonstration work we are doing), and the Sala D'Armi at La Scuola d'Italia!

Enjoy! Here's looking forward to your continued inspiration and support.

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco

Our First Treatise!

2010-11-08T12:06:00.001-05:00

Our first treatise!

The Elemental School of Fencing Treatise on the Use of the Fioretta

You can find it on AMAZON. Its a full treatise on the basics of the martial use of the Fioretta while exploring all five schools, Fire, Earth, Air, Water, and Void. It is intended for younger students in preparation for their tudies with the Spadino. Students mastering the contents of this treatise can proceed along Atheletic, and Martial lines of training. More Treatise to come!

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter for November 8th, 2010

2010-11-08T12:04:00.000-05:00

Lets start with a Shout Out!

Our very own Kyu Nakama formerly of the Fencer's Hall at Nest (a nonextant Elemental School) and now a practicing member in good standing of the Elemental School of Fencing will be participating with Brooklyn Tech Knights at the PSAL Fencing playoffs for the season! Kyu's had a wonderful season going from an average of 5.9 touches per bout in 2009 to 10.1! in 2010. He's also developed a wicked sense of AIR, as his Fioretta (foil) licks in and out at opponents powered by the springs he calls legs. Good Luck Kyu! A-Lei!

Great Second Session at the Sala D'Armi Della Scuola D'Italia. We are progressing through the Void and coming to grips with the Earth and Air schools. Next week, we'll be learning the grip of a Fioretta, and entering into the school of Fire and Water, along with the high parries, the attacks, along with perfecting. Most importantly (and fun) students will be randomly selecting their Elements. More to come on that.

The sessions are divided into three sections, during which we stretch/exercise, learn techniques from the The Elemental School of Fencing Treatise on the Use of the Fioretta and cross swords!

At present we have seven signorini learning the fioretta, with more to come (as soon as Soccer season is over!) The more the merrier.

For Earth, signorini have so far learned balance, the beginnings of finesse of stance and weight, and the all important "Third Point" (A Zarian exclusive ;0 )

For Air, signorini are beginning with the basic linear advance and retreat.

For Fire, we've tried the lunge. Most interesting to see how this develops as time goes by (and it will, both in speed of execution, from 1.5secs to <1 sec, preferably.)

On the Void, they have picked up the meanings of the Elements as they play out in the martial use of fencing, and the values of the School. "For family and self, with clarity of spirit, and infinite energy."

Signorini have decided what this means to them; embracing other students in a spirit of comradeship, helping new students understand concepts, and older ones correct form; fully undestanding why they are doing a technique, and asking when they do not understand; putting their complete focus into the lessons, and practice at every session.

At the Elemental School of Fencing, (or advanced Sunday program) we continue the romp of the Round Robin. We are seeing extremely interesting and more complex movements as fencers execute backrolls, binds, disarms and reversals with blinding speed! We are also starting to finalize the process for the Forms, Technique and Demonstrations to be utilized in our upcoming 2011 tourney!

Here's looking forward to your continued inspiration and support.

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco

Advanced Session Details - October 31st, 2010

2010-10-31T12:02:00.002-04:00

We welcome anyone to join us during our during our Sunday morning study sessions.

Observers are welcome as well, but we request that you call in advance (917)-834-2402 or email LGASCO@MSN.COM if you wish observe. This way we can make appropriate accomodations.

Members of an existing Elemental School of Fencing Sala D'Armi pay $35 per session, and non-members pay $50 per session.

We fence at 8:00am through to about 10:00am. Sometimes longer, depending on attendence, and stamina.

The existing Elemental School of Fencing Sala D'Armi's are;

The Elemental School of Fencing
The Nonextant Fencer's Hall at NEST
La Sala D'Armi Della Scuola D'Italia

Students are required only to bring their own dry (Non-electrical) equipment, and protective gear. Spare weapons are available for in-class replacement.

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter of October 31st, 2010

2010-10-31T12:02:00.000-04:00

Its been about a year since our last newsletter, and WHAT A YEAR ITS BEEN!

Some highlights;

- We published our first treatise! The Elemental School of Fencing Treatise on the Use of the Fioretta

- We opened the doors on our third Sala D'Armi! La Sala D'Armi Della Scuola D'Italia

What better place to open a Sala D'Armi for an Italian martial art thank in a school devoted to all things Italian! By mid'2011 La Sala D'ARmi will be training students from Fourth to 12th Grades in the Martial Use of the Fioretta, and Spadino, and perhaps even more. Give a cheer for our new brothers and sisters of the sword at La Sala D'ARmi Della Scuola D'Italia!

- Our brothers and sisters of PYRI have taken the world by storm!

With demonstrations in NYC, and Charlotte (this past weekend!) and their new demo space mid-town NY, the wielders of the heavy gladius are going strong! Cheer them on! They plan on being in Rome by Mid-2011!

Our studies continued, more videos are on their way, more learning, more binding, more grappling, and much more interest in learning the use of the larger Spada in addition to perfecting the Spadino, and the Fioretta.

2011 promises to be an exciting year as we host our first tournament, hold our first Round Robin Clash of the Elements, and promote a new group of Signorini!

Here's looking forward to your continued inspiration and support.

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco