The romance of swordplay has been a part of human history for centuries, particularly in the legends surrounding knights and samurai.
For those who have ever imagined themselves in a thrilling duel, or who simply crave a novel way to better health, the sword fighting disciplines of East and West are practiced for fun and fitness in downtown Santa Cruz every Thursday evening.
Each has its own style and history, attracting devotees in search of varied rewards. Both engage the mind and body, while the social aspect of group classes adds another dimension to the experience, building camaraderie and community.
And despite the outward gracefulness of swordplay, the constant movement and focus required during practice elevates the heart rate, for cardio exercise. And as the lessons progress, drills become more complex, demanding greater endurance.
At the Santa Cruz Todokai dojo, which hosts classes at the London Nelson Center, wooden bokken swords arc and swirl in meditative choreography, suggesting samurai of long ago. Atop the three-story River Front Parking Garage, members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) face each other with cold steel, like Old World duelists.
Wielding a sword requires precise coordination between eyes, hands and feet. Duelists practice balance and dexterity, learning to move with fluidity and precision.
Tim Converse, 56—aka Juan Santiago when in character—is an SCA sword instructor.
“Many sword fighting styles we learn are Spanish,” he says. “The steps are very fluid and dance-like, and harken to flamenco in a sense.”
He explains that rapier fencing utilizes lunges and footwork as well, with the added weight of the sword serving to strengthen arms, shoulders and legs. In the SCA, the more rough-and-tumble fighters advance to melee combat with heavy armor and heavier swords, building even more muscle and endurance.
Iaido (ee-eye-do) is “The Way of Drawing the Sword,” taught by Merek Dorf at Santa Cruz Todokai. Its kata drills engage core muscles for stability as students perform powerful strikes and blocks.
The local teachers and adherents of each style are enthusiastic and welcoming toward beginners, and equipment is usually available for first-timers who are unsure about going all in. Instruction is slow and methodical, to maximize safety and progress.
Sensei Merek, 49, calls it “laying the foundation for being you within your body—feeling and understanding your body movements.”
Sword fighting classes welcome all genders, youth and seniors.
M. Latta (they/them) is an SCA novice with a rapier, experienced in mixed martial arts. They compare their experience as a newbie to “scaffolding” in preschool teaching—a way of learning basics toward progressively attainable goals.
Cindy Liang, 27, is currently the youngest and newest student at Santa Cruz Todokai. She loved how Sensei Merek explains the story behind the different movements.
“It’s not just exercise,” she says. “Each of the different forms has a different scenario behind it that gives a deeper meaning and beauty to what we do.”
Wielding a sword requires precise coordination between eyes, hands, and feet. Duelists learn to control their movements with fluidity and precision, improving overall balance and dexterity. This translates to better posture, injury prevention and increased confidence in physical abilities.
The added benefit to sword fighting is that it’s more than just physical. Iaido involves quieting the mind. A duel with the rapier is a mental game as well—anticipating your opponent’s moves, reacting quickly, and developing strategic thinking. Drills and sparring sessions demand laser focus and discipline, improving concentration and reaction time that can translate to other areas of life.
Practicing the breathing and body movements of the samurai or learning to move like a European duelist will challenge both body and mind, leaving participants stronger, sharper and more connected to history.
Santa Cruz Todokai, Thursdays, 5:45-7:45pm, at the London Nelson Center, Room 5, 301 Center St, Santa Cruz.
SCA sword practice, Thursdays, 7-10pm, at River Front Parking Garage, top level, 74 River St, Santa Cruz.
