Star Wars fans who dream of receiving their own Jedi training and history buffs who wish that they could have been Knights of the Round Table can both finally live their fantasies, thanks to the European Medieval Arts of Arms, or EMAA.
EMAA is the first academy of medieval fighting styles in the United States and is a completely volunteer-run organization. EMAA offers three medieval-style classes: Stage Combat, Medieval Combat Training and Fencing. They also offer one class dedicated to the Light Blade, a lightsaber-like sword. Students therefore have the opportunity to receive instruction on a wide variety of weaponry and styles, both historic and futuristic.
“European Medieval Arts of Arms is an organization dedicated to the revival and teaching of medieval and renaissance fighting techniques,” Cowl Smith, the owner and operator of EMAA posted on their website.
The school teaches combat techniques that were derived from historical sources and archeological research. They also incorporate their knowledge of martial arts and human movement and anatomy to improve their students’ sparring abilities.
“Outside of the martial arts aspect, I like to incorporate life values into the curriculum,” Smith said. The culture of these martial arts harbors two very important aspects: honor and chivalry.
Smith founded the EMAA because of his interest in medieval fighting styles. However, in the past year Smith has also opened a lightsaber portion of the curriculum.
“To build the light blade curriculum, I had to pull from my Japanese and Korean style of fighting,” Smith said. “It’s a mixture of Ken-do, Tia-chi, Korean and European all combined into one form.”
The light blade introductory course consists of basic strikes and blocks. After students have practiced these basic maneuvers, they test their striking and blocking abilities against each other. More advanced students perform stage combat with the light blades, following a very intricate choreography.
Instructor Josh Albert has been with EMAA for almost seven years. Albert studied for his first three years and has been an instructor for EMAA for four years, teaching in both light blade and medieval styles. While Star Wars fans will be drawn to the light blade, Albert also recommended the medieval style. Albert’s first experience in EMAA was with medieval style combat, and it’s still a personal favorite for him.
“The greatest part of working with EMAA is the students, they’re my priority,” Albert said. He described the EMAA as a close community that has become a second family for him.
Nate Smith, 9, has progressed through the EMAA’s light blade curriculum in the past year, and has recently joined the stage combat group. Nate said he thoroughly enjoys the course, and became a fan of the light blade when he saw Star Wars Episode IV.
“Nate was interested in martial arts, and I didn’t want to put him in a class that was too dangerous or that he would get tired of,” Adam Smith, Nate Smith’s father, said. “The light blade curriculum was not only a safer option for Nate, but has been a lot fun for him. It was really encouraging to see the way the welcomed him into their group.”
As it is a volunteer organization, EMAA offers an introductory course at no cost for anyone who is interested.
EMAA has recently opened a new location in Holly Springs, NC. This new addition has expanded their operation to three cities, with others in Cary and Greensboro. Smith said that within the next five years, he hopes to move into larger facilities and be able to pay instructors to teach classes. There are approximately 50 students enrolled in the EMAA, and they are hoping to see that number grow over the next few years.
Cowl Smith, 42, displays proper lightblade use Feb. 2, 2013 at European Medieval Arts of Arms in Cary. Smith, one of the owners of EMAA has been teaching swordfighting and martial arts for 15 years.
