How do you perform high kicks to prove you’re a “real martial artist”? Even educated and experienced stunt coordinators look for leg flexibility when choosing who will perform well in fight scenes. Why? Mostly because the public demands it. So, you have to increase your flexibility to give the people what they want. The Best…
A surprise guest instructor at Academie Duello - Marco Quarta
This morning we had the distinct pleasure of hosting Marco Quarta an instructor from Nova Scrimia for an impromptu instructor workshop. Marco showed up spontaneously in our doorway last week while in town meeting with the Italian Consulate and we roped him into showing us some of how his organization approaches the Italian martial arts.…
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My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience - Day 7
Hi All, Back again from another three day weekend, including a visit to Hell's Gate with Mom. (How wicked was your weekend?) On a less nefarious note- or more, depending on your take on swords- today's cutting was a drill used for last month's feature in Breakfast TV. Mané demonstrates it here: We also experimented with a…
[photo] Bow making workshop day 2 - tillering
[Photos] Bow making workshop day 1
The bows are being shaped from the yew staves with hatchets and files. It sounds like a workshop in here.
Horse Sense
The final item on Horsemanship 1 checklist is: 11. Demonstrate safety and common sense when working around horses This is something our examiners make note of during the whole of the horsemanship assessment. We want to see that you are calm, confident, and sensible while handling your horse. Most candidates are very good at staying…
Maintaining Law and Order - Sword Press
Rats – We’re apparently recycling titles as well as press items now!While Canada has a day of rest and recreation for the ‘(Queen) Victoria Day” federal holiday, WMA enthusiasts might be more au fey with respecting the 102nd anniversary of the passing of Captain Alfred Hutton – late of the King Dragoon Guards and possibly…
Deliberate Practice
Check out this article from Time. It's a pretty short read. Think on its meaning and how it can best aide your practice. Thanks to Heather for sharing it.
Workshops In May
"A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally." - Oscar Wilde Intro to Bartitsu Saturday, May 26, 2012 1pm-5pm Learn the mixed martial art of the Victorian English Gentleman. In this four-hour workshop, you'll acquire the essential Bartitsu skills of Boxing, Jujitsu, Savate and Cane fighting: - the basic punches of scientific boxing…
Be Prepared
Why do we study self-defence? To be prepared for a situation that may never happen: a personal attack. Let’s take a look at other problems we normally prepare for, and situations we often ignore. Don’t Panic Take the advice of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. When reading over these negative scenarios and thinking about…
My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience - Day 5
Hello all, After an eventful weekend with Mom (archery at Academie Duello, t-rexes at Science World, and a bumpy boat ride on Howe Sound) I'm back for more bootcamp news! Perhaps it was my weekend break, my pre- 11pm bedtime, or my newly confirmed desire for self-awareness and bodily presence that gave me…
The Mastery Program, this week, at Academie Duello
This is an intense week in Mastery class with some of the most detail oriented yet prolific topics at hand at the various levels. For Green Cords we are working on gaining control of the opponent's weapon as they move toward us. This is one of my favourite months and weeks for its beautiful efficiency.…
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World Sword and Acting Press
We have lots of WMA/HEMA press this week – but all the reported activity is apparently overseas!We are consistently amazed at the amount of publically popular and civic-supported WMA/HEMA/Re-Creation activity taking place throughout Slavic Europe – very little of which gets any coverage by our Western communities. Wes A little place to call your own…