Destreza Pacifica School of Arms

08/06/2023

"Fencing is not a sport. It is an art. The four outstanding qualities which it will develop are co-ordination, accuracy, alertness and poise...

Unfortunately there are two types of fencing in this country (or in the world)--the right and the wrong.

If fencing is done the wrong way, there are awkward positions, many jerky, excited, non coordinated movements. Here the opponents care only for the points. There is much clashing of steel due to the great force which is used. This kind of fencing is harmful even to a healthy person; a woman's arm becomes disharmoniously developed, and the whole bout is ugly. This wrong fencing is practiced throughout the country in most of the colleges...

Regardless of what one's occupation or position in life, health is a prime requisite. If we have health it is up to us to keep it. If we have it not, then we must do all we can to better our impaired state. One of the many things which help is a hobby. Everyone wishes to remain young. Would it not be wise to choose a hobby? One that will give physical and mental health and at the same time keep you young? Correct fencing will do this. One need not stop at 40 or 50 on account of overtaxing the heart...That is why, no matter if you be 60, if the right kind of fencing is done, you may go on, and not with harmful but beneficial effects.

Correct fencing will not only develop the physical and mental qualities but will also develop personality and leadership. When you must face a situation--and think it out for yourself it is you who become stronger. The more you do it, the more courage you have. Thus, gaining courage, and mastering situations, increases your personality and leadership. And also by helping others we ourselves become strong.

With correct fencing, if an experienced fencer is placed with a beginner, each can derive great benefit from it. The older fencer will try to direct the movements of the younger or less experienced one, will avoid a double touch by retreating some at the proper time or otherwise, and at the same time will develop or improve restraint and co-ordination, a parry and a more complete power of extension. The younger or less experienced fencer will profit more rapidly because of such superior kind of study of the opponent, and will improve his or her point of view and ways to meet attacks and defenses in life. It is not the point that counts but the way in which it is attained. This is done in the right kind of fencing, but not in the wrong kind.

Is it not a delightful feeling, when one has control of every muscle, even down to the toes, and when it is alertness, accuracy and mental power that has been at work? Here is grace, poise, art--it is beauty. And it is this that gains and retains health."

- Florence E. Ahlfeldt, "Fencing and Its Relation to Health", 1932.

03/21/2022

Fencing, "one of the activities of the modern girl", 1908.

03/08/2022

From the Wilkes-Barre Sunday Morning Leader, February 15, 1896

Vautier’s Exclusive Class

It Embraces the Blue-bloods of New York, the Crème de la Crème of Society.

“…...The class of Professor Vautier of the “Fencers” is the most exclusive class of feminine fencers in the country. A new member has to be proposed by a member of the club and seconded by another member: then her name is placed on the bulletin board, where it remains for seven days during which time her social position and possible eligibility to membership are being considered. If she passed muster she appears in the salle d’armes at 10 o’clock on Monday morning, done her costume and her flat-soled sandals, straps on her shield and mask, grasps her foil with gloved hand and begins her lesson.

Fencing is French, and so it is ceremonious. Pupil and professor salute, then with toes out and foils down, take the first position. “Deue,” says the active person clad in snowy white, and the foils meet in a horizontal position on a level with the fencers’ eyes. “Trois!” and the silvery blades are lowered to the waist and held crosswise: “Quarte!” and the foils are pointed to the ceiling. When the fair pupil is flushed and looks a bit weary (usually in about fifteen minutes) the professor stamps his foot, they salute and the bout is over. Then she flies to the big divan and reclines among the pillows until she feels rested enough to have an “assault at arms” with another maid.

Some Well Known Fencers

Among the well-known feminine fencers are the three Misses Hammond, age 12, 14, and 16. These young ladies are the daughter of Dr. G. M. Hammond, and they are marvels of grace and symmetry for growing girls-splendid advertisement for fencing. Mrs. Duncan Elliott, Mrs. Havemeyer, Miss Beatrix Jones, Mrs. Almeric Paget, Miss Mary Turnure, Mrs. John Jacob Astor, Miss Emily Hoffman, Mrs. Alexander Cox, Miss Pomeroy and Mrs. J. B. Harriman are all very good fencers and a few of them can handle the foils as well as any man who has taken the same number of lessons."

03/05/2022

In honor of Women's History Month:

By Bertha Po***ck
Amateur Fencing Champion

“I did not want a single concession when I met Mr. Austin. I wanted to win on my merits or I wanted to lose so signally as to admit of no dispute. I just love to fence with a person who can give me a real contest. The more severe the struggle the more delightful the victory. It is a pity that more women do not take up the sport. Fencing is not a fad: it is health and strength and confidence. I am not afraid. I do not want to say anything that would savor of boasting, but I do want to say that fencing has given me confidence in myself.
You may call it “courage” or “bravery” or “confidence,” or what you will, but I repeat I am not afraid. Give me a cane, a long sharp stick or an umbrella, and I will not run from any man. I know what I can do and fencing has given me the courage to try. Of course, I shall not go hunting for trouble, but I most sincerely advocate fencing as a cure for “nerves” and for that panicky feeling.
A skillful fencer must have quickness and strength. A weakling will soon acquire both with the foils. A good eye for distance, a sense of proportion and speed will then come. With these will come precision and decision, and I consider decision half the battle in anything. A fraction of second marks the difference between success and failure in fencing. To decide is to act. The brain, the eyes, the arm, wrist and hand, the feet and all the muscles of the body act instantly and together, and a point is scored. To hesitate is to fail.

……. As an exercise for women fencing has no equal. I have tried all sort of exercises, and ought to be able to name the best for women. Fencing brings every muscle of the body into play without straining any one. I t is entirely void of violence, and yet it is strenuous enough to produce a muscular frame and good lungs. It requires continued deep breathing and a chest motion that is especially desirable for those possessed of weak lungs. “

04/01/2021

"We cannot duplicate real life and death situations in the training gym. We try to make training as realistic as possible, but training, no matter how intense, will never replicate an actual encounter where an assailant wants to kill you. The intent while training should be to do the most damage possible so you can survive a confrontation, but you must accomplish this without actually doing any damage to your training partner. Training is a give-and-take with your partner in a productive situation where you can both learn and help each other develop skills, while avoiding injuries at the same time. This balancing act is achievable through a system of controlled and progressive training methods."

Don't miss out on Sifu Carina Cirrincione's article from the upcoming Issue 59. On sale April 9 as PRINT and DOWNLOAD.

11/08/2020