Walking Stick in Bartitsu

The most recognizable element in Bartitsu is walking stick self defense. It is both a differentiator from other martial arts, and unique in shape compared to other stick fighting arts. However interesting the uses are in Victorian and Edwardian settings such as Sherlock Holmes productions or fantasy settings such as steampunk, it seems to be…

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Rank Examination Report - November 2014

Congratulations to everyone who examined in our November 28th rank examination at Academie Duello. This was a very special event as it not only had examinees within the Mastery program (our core adult martial arts program), but also had two members of our Youth Program who were the first ever to test for the Blue…

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Jogo do Pau Course Review

A little more than a week ago, Academie Duello hosted its very first Jogo do Pau intensive course with Luis Preto (originally from Portugal, currently from Slovenia.) This course delivered 25 hours of content over 5 days with an optional Assistant Instructor Certification add-on which added approximately 5 more hours of class focused on coaching…

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Healthy as a Horse part II

Horsemanship Level 3: Maintaining Good Health This is a continuation of last week's post on 9. Signs of good health, TPR, maintenance of health, signs of colic. Last week we looked at signs of health, including vital signs (temperature, respiration and pulse).  This week's post focusses on keeping your horse healthy, which falls into two…

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Film Riot Violence

Film Riot is a YouTube channel (as the host Ryan Connolly puts it, speaking very fast) that takes the mystery out of the effects and techniques that go into your favourite Hollywood films. While this does mean that most of their combat is dependent on visual effects and editing, it also means that they can keep their…

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The Crucible of Full Speed Training

I love slow fencing and I think it is an essential part of training. It will help you develop strategic and tactical awareness, develop flow, and overcome your reactionary qualities and replace them with more effective responses. However, slow work on its own does not fully prepare you for combat. True martial combat exists without an…

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The Halberd & The Poleaxe: learn the uses of this versatile battlefield weapon

  The halberd, a combination of spear, hook, and axe, is one of the most deadly weapons of the battlefield.  It also provides one of the best full-body workouts of any weapon of war from history to modern times.  It is also one of my personal favourite weapons. After Jason Smith from Les Maitres d'Armes came…

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Healthy as a Horse

Horsemanship Level 3: Signs of Good Health Item 9 on the Horsemanship Level 3 checklist is: 9. Signs of good health, TPR, maintenance of health, signs of colic. This is a fairly large topic, so I'm breaking it into two posts.  Today, we'll look at signs of health.  There are many, but you'll only have…

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Savate in Bartitsu

You have two hands to punch and grab, and two legs to kick with. Kicking is common in many martial arts from the Eastern Hemisphere, but most are unaware of the foot-centric Western Martial Art that is still practiced today called savate. The third week of our introduction to Bartitsu adds kicking to our arsenal.…

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Badass Babes with Bows -- Woman Archers from Mythology to the Silver Screen

Over the last few years we have seen an upswing of archery featured in film and fiction.  We have the zombie-killing archer Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead--and of course, who can forget Oliver Queen from the hit show Arrow--but men haven't been the only ones hitting bull's-eyes with bows and arrows. The Hunger Games:…

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Are your hips holding you back?

Working at the front desk of the world’s largest western swordfighting school for half a year has led me to observe something. When it comes to most weapons and styles, people have preferences that are based on a number of different factors, ranging from their training background to their childhood fantasies. Generally speaking no one seems to particularly dislike one…

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Special One-Day Workshop with Luis Preto!

This week, we are thrilled to have Academie Duello play host to internationally acclaimed, award-winning martial artist and author Luis Preto.  Luis will be teaching a 25-hour, week-long intensive on the Portuguese stick fighting martial art Jogo do Pau.     Many people were unable to find the time to convince their employers to give them a…

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Breaking Swords and Other Catastrophes

Panic! Something went horribly wrong in your stage fight. First off, assess the situation. "Horribly" is a matter of perspective: serious injuries can happen, which is truly the worst-case scenario. Problems with a fight scene might derail a performance, which can seem catastrophic, but should be handled calmly. Let's take a look at broken swords and…

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Taking on a Ridiculous Challenge May be Easier Than a Small One

Sometimes a lot of failure can be easier to deal with than a little. Failing at something that you feel you "should" be able to do can have some sting to it. Failing at something that is downright "impossible" to do is expected and can thus seem less risky from a psychological or social perspective.…

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Cool Down

Horsemanship Level 3: Coolout Procedures Just like you, your horse needs to cool down gradually after strenuous exercise to avoid stiffness.  Unlike you, your horse, with his larger mass to surface area ratio, is especially prone to overheating.  A very hot horse that isn't allowed to cool down properly could go into shock, colic, or…

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