Waiting to be Discovered Sword News

Rapier-thin HEMA/WMA pickings from the press on this pass, it’s much akin to getting a Christmas stocking, but no presents under the tree! Thankfully, there are other things happening around the world to prove that the interest in swords, medieval or modern, is not on the wane.   If It’s not Scottish, It’s Crap! CHRONICLE…

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The Power of a "What's Right" Coaching Session

At the end of every evening class that I teach, I offer 10 minute private coaching sessions. These spots allow me an opportunity to work with people one on one and help them with struggles from class, tweaks to their form, and guidance for their overall development. Recently I had an interesting experience with one…

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Performance News

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…

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Is Bartitsu Practical?

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.…

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Winter Woollies Lease and other riding opportunities

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…

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Archery Continues to be Big News in Vancouver

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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Squaring the Circle

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…

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Dueling Dudettes - Five Stories of Badass Women from History

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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November Workshop Highlights: from Medieval Swordplay to the Modern Umbrella

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…

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On the Mark: making accurate transitions

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…

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