“Since it is so likely that our children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” Clive Staples Lewis
An important part of Nauka is the Tradition, which is based on the European Martial Arts. Each region of Europe has its own variations and styles, but they all have something in common: they have been successfully used by our ancestors for thousands of years for survival and on the battlefields. Today, the sports versions of European martial arts are known worldwide – boxing, wrestling and fencing. At that time, however, there were no rules and all sorts of weapons were used to protect the family, the property and to survive in times of war.
From the Antique, through the Middle Ages, to the Modern Age: Europe produced countless warriors, gladiators, conquerors, mercenaries, knights, soldiers, princes, kings, and emperors. Nauka is deeply rooted in the warrior culture of our ancestors. Values such as honor, justice, courage and respect are very important for a good character and a fulfilling life.
To strengthen oneself physically and mentally, one practiced with special training methods and organized competitions. Many of them even became popular games and still traditionally take place on certain occasions. The fighting methods were passed on from the older generations to the younger ones. The style of Nauka is based on ancient Slavic fighting traditions, which are still practiced today by this culture during leisure time and on special holidays.
These arts of survival have been practiced for centuries by the people of the Slavs, ranging from Russia to Serbia, where resistance fighters have fought with various invaders and defended their homeland for thousands of years. Through their hiding places in forests and mountains, the training is very close to nature.
Styles of different European cultures influenced each other, which complemented and enriched the training. Nauka teaches traditional European Martial Arts separately in order to preserve and promote them.
Traditional Nauka Training
Home Safety • Fighting on a log or big rock • Wrestling with belts or jackets • Throwing knives, axes, stones and spears • Tossing heavy stones • Cutting and stabbing targets in the air • Archery • Duels • Battle weapons (sword, axe, shield, spear, mace, saber) • Hidden weapons (knife, razor, stick, jacket, comb, bag, axe, chain, bone, etc.) • Fighting and moving in natural terrain (field, forest, water, swamp) • Small team and battle tactics • Folk games and competitions • Rituals and culture • Natural strengthening and healing methods • Survival methods in the wild
The history of Nauka is based in Europe and in the Slavic culture, but there are no borders or limits for Nauka in this world. This is the base and every culture and positive warrior tradition is welcome to join. If we forget the past, we are cutting ourselves off from our ancestors, without whom we would not be here. Their living methods are the base for our lives today. Keeping a tradition alive can install a proper mindset in us. For example, soldiers can follow a tradition and profit from inner motivation, instead just doing their job. Similar things are valid for everyone of us. It provides a moral compass and honor code for our life. It gives our children positive role models from whom they can draw strength and hope.
