Want to learn the art of lightsaber dueling? No need to punch it to a galaxy far, far away. You just need to visit Mexico City, Mexico.
Colorful lights ignite in a Mexico City park. Lightsabers slice the air. Someone shouts “Check the defense!” Passersby watch with curiosity.
This sci-fi duel breaks out four times per week. It’s a practice session of the local Jedi Knight Academy. These lightsabers aren’t real, of course. That technology doesn’t exist, and if it did, it would be way too dangerous. Instead, these blades are ballistic-grade polycarbonate. That’s a mouthful to say, but here’s the important part: The plastic is tough enough to take a beating, but it’s also transparent. That allows colored lights inside the blade to shine through and create the classic lightsaber glow.
Daily sessions last three hours, in which the pretend padawans learn actual skills. They practice a mix of martial arts such as kendo, aikido, and tai chi.
“When students arrive, some of them drop the saber. They don’t know how to handle it properly, and with the passing of time you see them grow,” says instructor Ulises Vázquez. He also goes by “Jedi master.”
It all started 15 years ago. Vázquez and his best friend Gabriel Mendoza already had martial arts experience. Vázquez had always wanted to learn how to wield a laser sword like Anakin Skywalker from the Star Wars movies. Together, they asked, “What if others felt the same?”
Turns out, they did. Vázquez and Mendoza opened their academy in 2019.
The same year, the French Fencing Federation (FFF) acknowledged lightsaber dueling as an official competitive sport. Fencing is the sport of sword fighting. In the past, fictional characters like Zorro and Robin Hood drew young people to the sport. Could personalities like Luke Skywalker do the same today?
“Cape and sword movies have always had a big impact on our federation and its growth,” says one Federation official. “Lightsaber films have the same impact. Young people want to give it a try.”
The FFF wants young people to get off the couch and do something active. That’s what Vázquez and Mendoza want too. It’s why they started the Jedi Knight Academy.
“It’s massively satisfying to realize that all the effort we put into the training program has been so successful,” says Vázquez.
The Bible tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30) That includes our bodies! By staying healthy and active, we honor the bodies God gave us. That might look like running, swimming, playing sports—or even lightsaber dueling. What’s your favorite way to stay active?
Why? Creative ideas can make healthy habits fun.
