During two days, the Swiss Blades will offer about fifteen workshops relating to various weapons, historical periods, approches, and different skills level. The goal is to give a large choice to participants, so that everybody, beginner as well as advanced, can enjoy it.
The schedule will also allow people taking part in the tournament to participate in workshops. Furthermore, we will organise conferences on Friday and Saturday evening.
The sickle of Paulus Hector Mair
By Franziska Müller
Assistant: Michael Moritz
In the workshop we will have a look at the sickle plays of Paulus Hector Mair from his 16th century manuscript Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica (yes, the name is that long). I want to focus on the peasant weapon in a competitive context.
Furthermore my intention is to get closer to a possible interpretation of the movement patterns and principles of the peasant weapon in a playful and experimental way. Due to the distance at which the sickle is fought, we will also engage in friendly embraces and wrestling.
The Defeat of the Hooligan – A Lesson in the art of womanly self-defense by Miss Sanderson, 1906
Between 1901 and 1924, in the very closed and very masculine world of military instructors, fencing and combat halls (savate, fencing and boxing) in London and France, a strange name emerged: Miss Sanderson. In this workshop, we will see how, at the dawn of WW1 in Europe, Marguerite Vigny, aka Miss Sanderson, a Frenchwoman born in Switzerland and practising in London, conquered the Western world with her female self-defence techniques, which would go on to be known around the world.
We will discuss her most famous marketing coup: parasol fighting against hoodlums, which made headlines around the world for nearly 20 years, from the United States to Europe and even Russia. We will begin by warming up like aristocratic ladies, according to a source from 1902, before equipping ourselves with curved-handled umbrellas to rediscover the unusual journey of a woman and a couple who practically created a movement in Europe.
Level: all technical levels.
Equipment: curved-handled umbrellas (curved-handled canes will also do), 1 for every 2 participants.
Assistant: Martin Boudry-Aubry.
Lignitzer’s Sword and Buckler
Andre Lignitzer apparently thought it was enough to learn only six plays for fencing with the sword and buckler. In this workshop, we will have a look at this collection of plays that contain a formidable range of technical sequences and drill them all as solo forms first, before having a more detailed look at them with a partner.
Necessary equipment: Arming Sword and Buckler, Light Gloves
Optional Equipment: Mask, Knee- & Legprotectors
Recommended level of experience: Intermediate and beyond
Terms and techniques you should be familiar with: thrusts from high and low, horizontal, diagonal and vertical cuts (ascending and descending and with either edge), twerhau and winding.
Body Workshop for HEMA Training
In this workshop, we will explore a wide range of mobility, stability, and strength exercises. The goal is to fill gaps in HEMA training and introduce you to exercises you may not be familiar with. In traditional HEMA classes, these elements are often overlooked, even though they are essential for maintaining mobility and flexibility in the long term.
Through my experience with various sports and different coaches, I have put together a collection of exercises that I believe are highly beneficial. Although I am not a physiotherapist and do not have formal training in sports science, I would still like to share this knowledge with you.
The workshop is for everyone, from beginner to intermediate level.