Tonight, and the second Friday of every month from now on, will be a Bartitsu focus night. As with all weapon-specific Open Floors, everyone is welcome to spar with their usual weapons: rapier, longsword, etc. The difference is that I will be there to referee bouts of cane fighting and unarmed techniques. Those who are…
Summer of Swordplay!
"When I reached the end I stood at bay. He drew no weapon, but he rushed at me and threw his long arms around me. He knew that his own game was up, and was only anxious to revenge himself upon me. We tottered together upon the brink of the fall. I have some knowledge,…
Grandmas wield swords too!
My grandma visited Academie Duello last week while she was in town for my birthday. This is the first time she’s ever been to Academie Duello and as you can see from the photo she took to it right away! My grandma's visit and her excitement at being able to put on gauntlets and wield…
[Gallery] New photos from the bow making workshop
8 new photos from the bow making workshop have been added to our Flickr gallery. Including a view of our students posing with their raw yew staves at the beginning of the workshop. Check it out.
Read More... from [Gallery] New photos from the bow making workshop
The Riding Curriculum
Over the past dozen weeks or so I've written posts detailing the requirements for our Horsemanship Level 1. If you read through those posts, look at the relevant chapters of the Manual of Horsemanship, and attend at least three Horsemanship classes in which you have the opportunity to practice handling, grooming and tacking up, you…
Mongoliad Canes & some Found Sword Press
In Our modest social circles, WMA enthusiasts are seen to be a somewhat ... umm, eclectic group of characters at the best of times. So, what happens when you mix WMA with another socially-“interesting” group – say science-fiction authors? Speaking of mixing, We also offer an item on a ‘mix’ of combatant’s that has yet…
[Photo] Another successful mounted combat workshop
The crew from today's intro to mounted combat and intermediate mounted combat workshops pose with swords and horses on June 2nd, 2012. Sent from my iPhone
Read More... from [Photo] Another successful mounted combat workshop
Every moment in class is available for practice
I was standing firm in Longsword focus the other day, with my sword in posta longa. My partner was doing rising cuts to me through my sword. I realized after a few moments that I had a good opportunity to get some practice in. So while my partner reset I performed cuts to the air,…
Read More... from Every moment in class is available for practice
This month at Academie Duello and on Duello.TV
Rank examinations have just finished up today for the Mastery Program with two new Blue Cords entering the ranks. They have a whole new set of topics to look forward to as we roll over into the next month of curriculum at Academie Duello. Green Cord - Rapier and Offhand This month in Green Cord…
Read More... from This month at Academie Duello and on Duello.TV
My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience - Day 12
All right! Today being the last day of this round of bootcamp, Academie Duello director Devon Boorman instructed our class. As always, it was super fun and inspiring learning from the Maestro d'Armi. For one, Devon let us indulge without restraint in our Medieval breakfast of wine and bread - the results of which you can…
June Workshops
"Sisu is a Finnish term loosely translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. However, the word is widely considered to lack a proper translation into any other language. Sisu has been described as being integral to understanding Finnish. The literal meaning is equivalent in English…
Concussions R Bad
Discussion of concussions often centres around contact sports. Here in Canada, news is made when hockey players must miss games, and the same is true of American football, and the most relevant for this Bartitsu blog: boxing. All you really need to know is hitting your head is bad. What is a concussion? “Concussion” means…
Summer at the Stables
Summer is just around the corner, and boy is it busy! So rather than start the series on Riding 1 this week, I thought I'd give an overview of what's happening in the coming months. June 2 June: This Saturday during the rank exams at Academie Duello we'll be presenting a number of Green Spurs…