By Cassandra Larson
Prepare! Attack!
Its members are quite recognizable, but little is known about the ARMA club.
Every Tuesday and Saturday the club refines its skills on the lawn between the Wilkinson Student Center and the Harris Fine Arts Center.
ARMA stands for The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts. It is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to the study and practice of historical fencing and the exploration and promotion of Western martial heritage.
Worldwide there are around 250 members, said Jacob Norwood, the president of the ARMA club.
'It is the largest European martial arts organization in the world, despite its size,' said Norwood, a 24-year-old linguistics senior from Nashville, Tenn.
Norwood said last winter there were 20 members at BYU. During summer term there averages ten members at every practice.
There are differing levels of membership, which make it a good club to join, he said
'If serious you join the international organization and pay the membership due, but you can also just be a sincere student,' Norwood said.
Norwood said they practice German, medieval and renaissance martial arts using knives, wresting, swords and staffs. The art focuses on efficient brutality. It takes a lot of technique, theory and physical discipline, Norwood said.
'The techniques are meant to be fast and efficient,' Norwood said. 'But, it is not a sport. There is no scoring or winning. We are just learning to fight.'
Norwood has achieved national ranking, along with his friend, Stewart Seil, 24, a BYU graduate from Centerville, Davis County, who majored in English.
'I think it is a good club to join if you are just interested in joining a club for fun,' Seil said. 'It is a way to relax, kick back and do something physical.'
Seil said it helps him release aggression so he does not have to harbor any anger.
'It is a great hobby, and a great way to exercise,' Seil said. 'It does a lot for my mood, and helps me relieve stress.'
Seil said he hopes to continue fighting for quite awhile. He would eventually like to do sword choreography in Hollywood, and use his skills to entertain others.
Christianne Salisbury, 21, a senior from Washington, D.C., majoring in communications said she loves to watch the ARMA club.
'I see them all the time because I have a lot of classes in the HFAC,' Salisbury said. 'They seem like they are having a lot of fun.'