Fencing

Fencing Traditional Fencing is the ancient European art of defense. Its primary tool is the sword although techniques learned include both empty hand and the use of other weapons. Classical Fencing is Traditional fencing as it was during what is known as the golden age of fencing. To be a classically trained fencer is much the same as being a classically trained musician or dancer. It requires discipline and dedication. It is not a quick path, yet one learns much more about oneself than just how one uses a sword. The training facility for fencing is commonly known as a ’salle” — short for the French “Salle d’Armes” (room of weapons). Traditional classical training begins with the foil through which the body is trained and the basic lessons of fencing theory are imparted.

The Classical Fencing Society is the largest traditional fencing body in the Midwest, with instructors and member salles in Milwaukee, St. Louis and the Twin Cities areas. Alexis La Joie (pronounced ‘La Jwa’) is a head instructor and founder of the Classical Fencing Society. He recently moved from Milwaukee to Minnesota and now teaches in Northfield and in Minneapolis. He has trained in and taught both traditional and sport fencing and has been an instructor for over 10 years.

Classes usually begin with half an hour of stretching, strengthening and balance work. Mr. La Joie incorporates ballet center work into this warm up as many classical ballet positions were derived from fencing and ballet is an excellent means of learning how to control one’s body. After warming up the body, the students work on defensive blade work and then progress to offensive drills. Further lessons help fuse the concepts of time, distance and proportion into the students technique. Once the students have sufficient control of the basics, a bouting period will enter the training time, either near the beginning or end or sometimes both of the lesson. More advanced students are encouraged to enhance their training in various traditional tournaments and fencing exchanges. From time to time, the Classical Fencing Society hosts workshops for its members with the Masters of its instructors. Most recently, they were pleased to bring Mr. La Joie’s Master, M. Ramon Martinez, to Northfield for an intensive weekend of training. Last year they brought M. Sean Hayes to Minneapolis.

Attire for the class is similar to a classical ballet class: White t-shirt, black or dark blue sweat pants and low profile shoes (jazz/character shoes are good as are Converse All Stars) Beginning students do not require weapons for the first few weeks, there after, they may use the instructors extra equipment (as available) or purchase equipment of their own. The instructor can advise where to purchase appropriate equipment at a reasonable price. A basic training kit for a beginner (Mask, French foil, glove and plastron) costs less than or about the same as the average tennis raquet.

For further information, please contact Mr. La Joie at 651-528-1822 or lajoie@cfssda.org.