Lumeneers, students who study at SaberCraft, at a certain point, may want to test their skills and take upon a whole new challenge and embark on the road to Saber Mastery. Saber Mastery is not easy as many may expect as gaining the ability to do saber choreography from memory and improvise combinations on the fly requires dedicated training and commitment. Saber Mastery is to make saber play second nature while being mindful of your moves and safety.
Being a Knight is about contributing to the future of SaberCraft and its students. The Knights Program is to empower individuals interested in learning saber choreography adopting principles of wellness into their lives. Through the Knights Program, members develop skills in Saber Mastery and Leadership while adopting a positive wellness and fitness routine.
Knight Sashes
Based on established martial arts programs, the Knights program provides an established curriculum using a rank-system built on on merit and personal accomplishments. SaberCraft uses sashes to designate ranks using the same sashes available for these other martial arts.
Testing your skills
Those enrolled in the program will have access to exams that will test their skills and provide them an opportunity where they can partake in a leadership role in classes and community events including workshops and conventions (Cons). It's guaranteed that with your first complimentary ticket you earn to a Con or with the discount on your class passes, your membership will have paid itself off. Even if you don’t attend our classes in person, you can enroll in this program and spread the word of the LUMINA Saber System.
Rather than practicing with others occasionally or when partners can make time, the Knights Program guarantees that there are like-minded individuals who are setting aside their time to practice their saber craft to its fullest. You dedicate yourself to the art and your practice. It means that you're willing to get to class a little earlier just to help out or taking on the new student and helping them with a particular form. For some it is about community events, while for others it’s a sense of accomplishment.
THE RANKS
Honorary Knight
The White Sash is for honorary Knights that have been involved with SaberCraft and provided help in a meaningful way to the organization as a whole. These are contributors who have provided their time and efforts to help SaberCraft become what it is today without the need to demonstrate knowledge in the CMs.
Initiate Knight (1)
The Yellow Sash is for Initiate Knights that have been involved with SaberCraft for a minimum of 6 months/sessions or they have shown proficiency with 5 CMs. This is the first sash granted to students wishing to excel in the ranks.
Scribe Knight (2)
The Orange Sash is presented to Scribe Knights that have been involved with SaberCraft for a minimum of 12 months/sessions or they have shown proficiency with 10 CMs or more. They also provide additional contributions to class including coordinating class and assisting in setup/takedown and have participated in at least 1 external Event.
Keeper Knight (3)
The Indigo sash is presented to Keeper Knights that have been involved with SaberCraft for a minimum of 24 months/sessions and have shown proficiency with 15 CMs or more and are conducting Group Instruction and/or Event participation. These members have also participated in LUMINA testing their skills to the limit.
Master Knight (4)
The Green sash is presented to Master Knights that have been involved with SaberCraft for a minimum of 36 months/sessions and have shown proficiency with 20 CMs or more and are conducting Group Instruction and/or Event participation. These members have also completed and judged in several LUMINA games/seasons testing their skills to the limit.
Instructor Knight (5)
The Red Sash is presented to Instructors that have done the following: involved with SaberCraft for a minimum of 36 months/sessions, shown proficiency with a minimum of 15+ CMs, competed in 1 season of Lumina, provided a minimum of teaching 5 group sessions and completed a fitness certification. They are regular participants, judges and coordinators of LUMINA.
Luminary (6)
The Violet Sash is presented to Knights that have opened a chapter and are actively instructing. This sash can only be worn at their appropriate chapter. This is an honorary sash provided to instructors who are currently running a chapter that contain more two or more instructors. Only 1 Violet sash may be worn at a time at a chapter.
Time Requirements
Time is defined by a minimum number of sessions. As classes are monthly, if 6 months are required, then that accounts for 6 months of attendance or across however many months until they achieve 6 sessions. Sessions are cumulative and are linked to the rank. In other words, a Knight that is Yellow and attended 6 months only needs an addition 6 months of attendance in order to qualify for Orange.
Age Requirements & Disqualifications
This is for anyone, aged 16 and above, who has an interest for sabers, yoga, choreographies and performing. Considering that saber combat is a delicate dance; safety is of highest priority. SaberCraft Knights gain rank and are recognized in any LUMINA / SaberCraft-based school or club.
There are certain conditions that can lead to disqualification from the program. Learn more about Disqualifications from becoming a Knight. Unfortunately, not everyone gets in and that should not dissuade you from coming to class and participating in LUMINA. Candidates with a previous record in our Incident Report are disqualified by default but may gain admission on a case-by-case basis.
Become a Knight
SaberCraft Knights start by showing up to class regularly and simply ask to join. In order to join, a candidate must do the following:
- The Preliminary Steps:
- Register on our website - this way you have access to all the CMs for free
- Like our Facebook page & join our Facebook Lumeneers groupso you're in the group conversations and aware of announcents.
- Have read and understood the Fundamental Rules of the Restraints and the Observances and follow them at our meets
- Complete 6 months of classes (or 6 sessions)
- Ask to Join: Simply talk to one of our Knights, mention to them that you’re interested. After the brief interview with several Knights, they will discuss with the other Knights and your membership is put to a vote with those that interviewed you. With a simple majority, you are welcomed in.
- Pay your Annual Dues. Once you do this step, the classes you show up to are counted toward the requirements of the next rank.
- Test & Pass Rank 1: This is the final step before you are welcomed into our Knights program. This will be to demonstrate that you understand the minimum amount of CMs needed to be recognized in a rank.
- Continue to pay your Knights Annual Dues. Every year you wish to count your class participation toward your rank advancement.
Knight Yearly Dues
Annual Dues - Yellow - Indigo: $24/year
Annual Dues - Green - Red: $10/year
For Knights in ranks Yellow - Indigo, it's $2 each month to hold the Knight recognition and to retain Knight Benefits and continue advancement. You may pay on our online store. For Knights that are Green - Red, consider donating $10 a year and receive a free in-person class. Your contribution helps keep the program and your rank active. If you are not planning on ranking in SaberCraft then you do not have to pay the Knight Yearly Dues. You will learn the same thing either way.
2 Guest Passes
Get 2 guest passes a year to share with friends and family. Guest passes are mainly for Fundamentals Class. We do have the option where your guest may attend the Advanced Class but they must practice mainly with you. Guest passes are granted after 3 months of attendance. Guest passes do NOT accumulate and are limited to a maximum of 2.
Value: $20
Instruction
Your Knight fee gives you the right to instruct others in class. Everyone thinks they’re a teacher. Understand that students coming in come from different backgrounds. Some young, some old. Some challenged, some gifted. We’ve introduced over 1000 people to the basic fundamentals of saber choreography. By paying your dues and properly ranking, we outfit you with special classes and meetings to help you develop your teaching & presentation skills.
Website Material
Need to remember a particular move or choreography? No need to go googling. Just go to sabercraft.org, login, and there you have it. Updated and in an easy to download format. You help us build a budget in notating fights, breaking them into CMs and building a curriculum whereby our classes stay interesting. Our curriculum is continually tested and improved. Evolving and changing.