Malcolm Gladwell in his book Blink states that it takes approximately 10,000 hours at an activity to master it. So if you commit one hour a day to practicing an activity, it's going to take you 10,000 days to find mastery, or about 27 years. Woah, that's a lot of years. Fortunately we can probably…
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I'm often asked why we use English saddles in our Cavaliere program. After all, doesn't the western saddle, with it's high pommel and cantle, better mimic the shape of the medieval jousting saddle? Isn't it easier for beginners to stay secure in the embrace of all that extra leather? The short answer to both these…
You've all heard it (well, those of you attending class).Homework abounds at Academie Duello. Every rank in the Mastery program was assigned homework for the month of January. The homework we've assigned has two specific qualities simple: it can be explained easily in a sentence or two quick: it doesn't take long to do; about…
Happy New Year, Bartitsuka, This week, we'll be looking at: 1. Review of cane from before the holidays: Lang's techniques 2. Savate lesson: combinations and slow work 3. Integration: Staying at long range, creating distance See you at 3pm!
So here's a hodgepodge of news and links to things that are new for this ultimate year 2012. New Certification Dates First up, and most important, we will be running a Fight Directors Canada certification test at Academie Duello at the end of March. To qualify for Basic Actor-Combatant Certification, you must complete 60…
"Well Devon's not around and look at the empty space I've found, this one's mine!!" (Apologies to Chris de Burgh, Spanish Train) Given Devon’s absence on other commitments, I thought I’d sneak into his usual space for some non-press related, sword-resource time. With all due respect to some truly excellent writers and researchers out there…
Read More... from Book Notes: The Small-Sword in England (Aylward)
What's up in the next few months in the Mounted Combat Program? Riding & Horsemanship Our next series of Riding & Horsemanship classes begin Sunday January 15th. These classes are for all levels and cover the information needed to progress through our Horsemanship levels, followed by a minimum 30 minute Riding session to help you…
Want to work off all that Christmas Turkey? Academie Duello is starting up another round of our awesome SwordFit Bootcamp starting January 9th to help you do just that. If you want a fitness experience that will entertain you and challenge you, SwordFit Bootcamp is the right camp for you. SwordFit Students: Lose…
Meh; I'll leave it for another day. Happy New Year!
Over the winter holiday I have been reading a book on the subject of personal mastery called The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. It is a good and relevant read for those interested in mastering fencing (and not just because of the title!) or really any type of new year's resolution or goal you might…
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In Spain they celebrate the new year by riding their horses through a bonfire. Here's our version (Matt M, this one's for you): (Photo and design K. Landels)
Merry Christmas!Where ever you happen to be, grab something sword-y. A pencil will do, or a stick, or a toothbrush, just about anything will do. Point it down to the ground and then cut a montante. What did you think about? Some possible answers moving to guardia alta moving the sword up cutting a montante…
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the school, not a sword blade was stirring to practice or duel. I'll stop there. I hope everyone is enjoying their first day off. I know that I'm already hankering to do a little duelling, so Santa better be prepared! In the spirit of the season I…
Read More... from The Twelve Days of Christmas with a Swordplay Flare