Frequently Asked Questions
What are English Martial Arts?
English Martial Arts, or EMA for short, is a term used to describe the combined martial arts of England. Some of these arts date back as far as the medieval period and cover a variety of weapons as well as unarmed combat. These arts are similar to the more familiar oriental martial arts but they originated in England hundreds of years ago. This isn't re-enactment, and it isn't stage fighting. It is an effective, enjoyable martial art.
Who are the English Martial Arts Academy?
We are a group of clubs in South East UK who primarily study the system of George Silver, a Tudor martial artist.
Do you fight with swords?
Yes we do, though not as you might think. We train with a variety of different weapons as well as punching, kicking and grappling. Our training consists of solo drills, paired drills and sparring as well as a series of exercises designed to improve our ability to weild our swords. With us you will learn to fight, get fit and also improve your ability to defend yourself on the street.
Do I have to be fit?
No, whilst we do place a strong emphasis on fitness we are all at different levels of fitness. We know that the best way to improve is to be honest about where you are and improve at your own pace. The only thing we ask is that you want to get fitter than you are.
Do women train with you?
Absolutely, some of our most skilled martial artists are women, what they can lack in brute strength they more than make up for in finesse and technical ability.
Can I come?
Of course you can, though for insurance purposes we can only accept members of 16 years of age or older. It's also probably better if you go on one of our introductory courses first, not only is it cheaper for you, but it is a nice easy way to get a good grasp of the basics of swordwork.
When do you train?
We train at the Spectrum Leisure Complex in Guildford on Monday evenings from 7pm, The Edge Sports Centre in Haslemere on Tuesday evenings from 7pm. We also run a number of specialist days across the country.
How do I book onto one of your specialist days?
It's easy, just follow this link and fill in the form.
Is it any good for self defence?
English Martial Arts are fantastic for self defence. Not only will they increase your confidence, they will give you the practical skills you need to be able to deal with a potentially violent encounter. Our Chief Instructor also regularly teaches Self Protection Seminars and courses and can't help but pass this knowledge on.
Can I have private lessons?
Of course, private lessons allow you to tailor your training to your own specific needs. whether you want to get fit, lose weight, focus on slef defence or simply want to improve faster than you can in a big group private lessons are an excellent way to do it. If you want to find out more about personal training then take a look HERE