Sword Academy

In 2011, my sister encouraged me to take an introductory course here to see if I’d like it, since it focused on Historical European styles of fighting, and I had studied ancient and medieval history in University.
Nearly five years later, I do not regret that sunshine filled day in the park where I learned that what Hollywood sells us about sword fights is wrong, and that it’s a fantastic way to enhance fitness and stimulate the mind. I’ve been a student ever since, and it is a great place to learn something that will challenge your perceptions as well as your muscles.
There are no push-​ups, no one yells, but there are warm-​up sports, historical techniques, German, Latin, French and Italian terminology, and a blend of working your mind and your body to execute a surprisingly quick and effective sword attack that will shock how easy it was once you learned it.
Sword Academy is based on research and preservation, so the lessons we learn are based on historical fight manuals from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The lead instructor, Milan Petricevic, is a former sport fencer and Alberta champion, and he has a very strong background in the forms of Historical European Martial Arts, or HEMA as they are called most often. He welcomes anyone to take an intro course and as long as people prove they can be respectful and controlled when handling a steel sword, then the person can move to the weekly classes which can cover a dozen types of medieval and renaissance weaponry from swords and rapiers to staves and pollaxes.
It’s Calgary’s original Western Martial Arts group, and it’s still growing and thriving after 16 years. I’m excited to keep going back as so many of my fellow students are every week, and once you learn the basics, you’ll be eager to keep going back as well.

Did you know that there’s an honest to goodness classic European sword combat school in Calgary? I’m not talking about fencing, and definately nothing to do with Japanese or Chinese style, but the classic Longsword and combat skills used that was the standard for European combat for centuries in the days of knights and armour. And I DEFINATELY do not mean the style that is flashy, looks exciting but still safe as practiced by the Society of Creative Anachronism (the international organization that re-​enacts a weird modern idealized version of the middle ages, minus the rats, the plague and lack of toilets).
Sword Academy is a different kind of animal where martial arts schools are concerned. Taught by Sword Master and former Serbian Olympic champion, Milan Petrovic, Sword Academy teaches the European martial arts as taught to the knights using classic manuals and methods dating back to the 12^th century.
Broadsword, Longsword, Open Hand, Rapier and other classic arms, the style taught is effective, and very much respected. Members are taught to respect the traditions of the old, and the history and techniques. In fact, on top of the martial skills, members are also given the opportunity to learn how the weapons were actually forged and to make them themselves as well.
Master Petrovic takes care to teach with various levels of safety based on skill, with beginner training in wooden swords before progressing to higher levels of difficulties (eventually progressing to training with actual steel). Practice combats are done with safety in mind at all times,
Classes are taught in a way to take into account ages (from children to adults) as well as proficiency, and it’s a great way to work out as well. Sunday classes are at Cederbrae, but also taught in other areas in town during the week.
#51 of Unilocal’s 30-​Day Review Challenge