As a SwordFit coach one of the concepts that I try to drill into my students is that their body is the most important weapon they use in their study, training and application of Western Martial Arts. We oil our swords, but what about basic body maintenance? Our bodies are the most crucial part of our…
Read More... from Conditioning and Foundational Movement Skills: Essentials for Every Swordfighter
Each summer, Fight Directors Canada, the national certification body for stage combat, holds an intensive workshop at which students can earn their next level of certification. It is attended by as many Fight Masters as possible, including international guests. For those living in places other than the big theatre centres in Canada, it may be…
Hitting things is usually satisfying. Watching a villain get away is stressful because we want to see the hero fight him into submission, and if he’s a murderer, we’ll root for the hero to kill him in revenge. Violent video games are best-sellers. Let’s not deny that if you practice swordplay or stage combat, you…
By popular demand, here is a list of books on Bartitsu: The Bartitsu Compendium I & II edited by Tony Wolf Sherlock Holmes School of Self-Defence by Ivy Press Related Period Material: The Secrets of Jujitsu by Re-Nie Jiu Jitsu and Other Methods of Self Defense by Percy Longhurst Boxing by R.G. Allanson-Winn Scientific Boxing…
This summer's schedule is a tad scattered due to various events, such as plans to re-do the arena footing, and the fact I'll be away teaching Mounted Combat in Zwiebrucken for part of July. So I thought I'd take a break from instructional blogs to give you what scheduling I can. Intro to Mounted Combat…
‘Will you please pick that up Hagar! I swear, someday you’re going to forget where you put it down and somebody is going to trip over it and hurt themselves!’ As interesting as swords found in archaeological excavations are, we’re near always left wondering … “Just how did that sword come to be left there”?…
I was conflicted about posting this video, so click the link below with the understanding that: I do not condone the behaviour of any person depicted or involved in the video I am posting this in order to discuss the historical precedent (below) and not for mere entertainment This video and portions reposted are already…
Riddle me this: what would you say is your primary weapon? If you said longsword, rapier, sidesword... sorry, but in swordplay, your body is actually the most crucial part of your martial practice! It's what makes it possible to then train with or without other weapons. We oil our swords, but what about basic body…
Read More... from Coming Up: Conditioning and Foundational Movement Skills Seminar!
Hello Academie Duello friends and family, Have you received a message from Nicky Dexter titled, Document? Don't open that file! The message reads, Please kindly review the important document I uploaded for you on google secured drive. Click Here for immediate access Thank You Be advised that this was sent by a virus, and not by your…
We all know that HEMA/WMA is flourishing … and for the greater part is dominated by Italian rapier play or German long sword – with significant amounts of English and Viking sword and shield work added when available. But what is just as impressive is the reappearance of ‘niche’ swordplay forms … Spanish dagger/scissors combat;…
Mother's Day may have happened but last week, but this week's blog post is going to be looking at some of history's most hardcore Mum's from around the world. As though birthing children into the world wasn't an exceptional feat of strength, fortitude, and endurance these women not only raised their kids, but often raised…
Read More... from You're One Badass Mother! Tough Mommas from the Pages of History
This month, we are introducing levels within the Bartitsu program at Academie Duello, following the pattern of other programs in the school. In the sword programs, we have coloured cords inspired by heraldry. In the mounted combat program, we have different spurs. In the Bartitsu program, we are designating our levels by sashes, based on…
The first weekend in May was a busy one down at Red Colt. We kicked it off with a great turnout for the first Games Practice of the season on Friday evening. The next day we welcomed back Robert Borsos from Borsos Torzs Horse Archery Club for a full day of mounted archery. We had…
“There is always strength in numbers. The more individuals or organizations that you can rally to your cause, the better”. Mark Shields, PBS NewsHour commentator Today, Our modest offering concentrates on numbers – or rather the growth in numbers of the art. Not only does HEMA/WMA have a international, cross-cultural and cross-gender reach, but from…
Remember the good old days when you would spend hours making that perfect mixed tape? You’d pick all the tracks, find good transitions from the end of one song to go into the start of a new song all while trying to make sure the mix fit perfectly onto both sides of the cassette without…
It's going to be a full weekend down at Red Colt, with Games Practice, Horseback Archery, and Mounted Combat, Friday through Sunday May 2nd - 4th. Mounted Games Practice Our weekly Games Practice starts up again this month, and will run every Friday from 5 - 7pm right up until Carosella in mid-September. This is…
"What to say about Academie Duello? I didn't really know what it meant to belong, until I started taking classes here. The environment is one of acceptance, enthusiasm, and personal growth. I have made many awesome friendships that extend beyond the training floor. If you're even remotely interested, try a free lesson, and immerse yourself…
We seem to have a large number of peers engaged in some Easter-season hunt – be it for a new skill, a new experience, an old blade or even a national ranking! If ever you wondered if HEMA/WMA was just this seasons’ ‘flash in the pan’, We think that this weeks’ offering should demonstrate that…