We’ll not apologize for our absence last week, preoccupied as We were in the home salle in Vancouver. It’s only when you hesitate while moving into what you ‘think’ is a guard - after you’ve been away for a half year -, that you recognize that ‘muscle memory’ isn’t going to cut it (no pun…
We'll start with news items curated by Major WES VON PAPINEÄU. Wes was in town last week, I hope you had a chance to engage him in his always insightful conversation, and read his blog posts about swords and combat pulled from headlines around the world: https://www.academieduello.com//news-blog/author/wesvonpapineau/ Custom Swords for a Play For authentic fight…
From history to modern times the sword is not just a very prolific instrument but also a very versatile tool. Here are some of the strangest, funniest, clever and most utterly bizarre ways a sword can- and has- been used! Sword-Ka-Bob Why not spruce up your next camping trip, or BBQ by roasting your hotdogs…
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As a youth instructor at Academie Duello, I often find my students approaching me this time of year regaling me with their Yule time wish lists. I also have parents asking me what sort of gifts they can get for their kids that are unique as well as educational and connected with their child's passion…
In a preview of a course in Bartitsu taught at the Idler Academy in London, the Kensington & Chelsea Today newspaper summarized: ‘Bartitsu has been devised with a view to impart to peacefully disposed men the science of defending themselves against ruffians or bullies’. The language of the fighting style is enthralling and truly Victorian.…
Our last Cavaliere class for 2013 was held on Sunday: congrats to Lizzie who passed her Horsemanship 1 and Trisha who passed her Riding 2! Classes are on hold now, and will start up again with the Intro to Mounted Combat and Mounted Combat Workshop on February 2nd 2014. However, if you are wanting to…
Read More... from Winter Woollies Lease and other riding opportunities
The Province Newspaper features a half page article today about Archery that mentions a lot of different people with the last name Boorman. Interestingly I do have a distant relation to the Boorman's who run the archery store in New Westminster and certainly some shared passion for traditional martial arts. I'm really glad to see…
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Riding Level 2: Circles and Half - circles If you ride, whether it's dressage, hunter-jumpers, reining, or mounted combat, you will spend a lot of time going in circles. The circle is probably the single most effective training tool a rider has. A horse travelling correctly on a circle develops suppleness, as he curves his…
Notwithstanding the number of snippets We offer up, it’s another quiet week on the HEMA/WMA front. The one item of potential interest is so, not so much for its’ discussion of the science as much as it is for its' nod to swordplay being a potential ‘family event’. Most of us have read something in…
This week, we have three trailers of upcoming films that will hopefully have some great fight scenes. Let's take a look at each of these trailers, and analyze what we can expect. Hercules: The Legend Begins Hercules: The Legend Begins Trailer 2014 Movie - Official [HD]Watch this video on YouTube Progenitors The obvious comparison will…
History has its share of colourful duels between men of all stations but they weren't the only ones hurling down insults, hauling out swords, or trying to make new orifices in their enemies with pistols. Here are five stories featuring some badass dueling ladies. 1. Hyde Park Pistol Duel Seems that women have been cattily…
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As Autumn begins to transition into Winter don't get stuck indoors with a case of the rainy day blues. Take this opportunity to try something new at Duello and push the limits of your practice and perhaps discover a new passion! Here's a look at of few of our upcoming workshops in November: INTRO TO…
Read More... from November Workshop Highlights: from Medieval Swordplay to the Modern Umbrella
Riding Level 2: Progressive Transitions Those who have been in Cavaliere Classes and riding lessons in the last week or so will have noticed we've spent quite a bit of time working on transitions, from halt to walk, walk to trot, trot to walk, etc. Transitions that go from one pace to the next one…