Press from near and far – and a lesson as to just how portable WMAHEMA knowledge is these days. And on a minor note; Yes, when you update to Windows 9 - all your previous documentation formatting goes out the window. Your patience is appreciated. Swords in Training LA NOUVELLE REPUBLIQUE (Tours, France) 24…
Year: 2012
Some thoughts on setting goals, fencing and otherwise
It's been a while since I've written about goals. Goals are something that are always on my mind in one form another. I revisit them frequently, set out plans to achieve them, and often completely overhaul them. Sometimes I forget them for a time, get lost into the activities themselves, or just find myself drifting…
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Safety in numbers
Or rather, safety with numbers, is this week's topic. In other words, how do you 14. Identify and maintain safe distance in group while riding and halted It's not enough to simply maintain the pace and direction of your own mount in relation to the fixed objects in the ring; you also need to be…
Desperately Seeking Susan Sword Press
Or at least her newspaper provider. Slim, rapier-like pickings this week We fear. German Longsword – by Germans for Germans.. DER WESTEN (Essen, Germany) 04 November 12 Fechten wie im Mittelalter (Anna Hückelheim) Christian Bott continues his WMA/HEMA work in Germany with his latest long sword workshop. Seven students – one a lady…
Video Lessons: Longsword Fendente Precision; Rapier Finding & Gaining, Offline Movement, Mezzo Tempo
Welcome to the first full week of November. This week we are including the first of our new longsword series that follows our technical focus classes. In these classes we run on a 6 month cycle of themes: 1. Precision, 2. Crossing, 3. Giocco Stretto, 4. Tempo and Provocation, 5. Guards, 6. Defeating Guards. Last…
Victorian Shaving for Movember
The month of November is here, and the ritual of growing a mustache to raise funds for testicular cancer and other men's health issues has been dubbed Movember. Deliberate and sometimes elaborate facial hair was common in Victorian era, so I'm sure Bartitsu enthusiasts are keen to learn more. Mustache Goals If you're participating in…
Class Videos: Rapier Mechanics, The True Fight, Using & Defeating Prima Tempo Strikes, Spadone Cutting
It's a new month of curriculum at Academie Duello. Our focus this month is on Fundamentals pretty much all the way around. Mastery program classes at all three levels are working on single rapier foundations; longsword class is focusing on precision and posture in all the attacks; and Sidesword focus is working on the fundamentals…
Time to Stirrup Things!
Sorry, it's a dreadful pun, but I couldn't resist. The stirrup is arguably one of the most important inventions in the history of mounted warfare, and of riding in general. The advent of the stirrup allowed a rider to mount more easily (making it feasible to wear heavier armour into battle), to rise out of…
Beer-battered Sword Press
“Walter came with seventeen companions to the brewhouse with stones in their hoods, swords, knives and other weapons. They drank four gallons of beer … the brewer’s wife realized that there would be trouble and, together with the brewer, “prayed” Walter and his companions would leave. They refused, saying that they would stay and spend…
Where's the error?
I was doing some drills with a fellow student last week and noticed an interesting phenomenon. The drill was as follows: Agente controls Patiente's weapon Patiente disengages to strike Agente strikes in contratempo I was the Patiente for the drill. I gave my partner a few tries to get warmed up in the drill and…
Prepare to Die!
Stanislavski's primary book on Method Acting is called "An Actor Prepares," which points to the central question: How to be an actor? In one sense, what he's saying is: "Don't neglect rehearsal. You can't control what happens on stage and you can't rely on your raw talent in the moment to save every show. A…
Victorian-Themed Halloween
October is the month of death and candy in North America, so let's talk about a steampunk-Holmes-Victorian Halloween. Besides your best clockwork sky pirate garb, I don't have costume ideas, just some inspiration and factoids. Jack the Ripper Synonymous with the words "serial killer", Jack the Ripper murdered female prostitutes in the Whitechapel district of…
3-Month Marketing Internship at Academie Duello
Academie Duello, Vancouver's exciting centre for European Swordplay and Martial Arts, is looking for a Marketing Intern who is interested to build their skills and experience in marketing writing, social media, and marketing logistics. This is an ideal opportunity for an excellent written communicator to receive mentorship and build their resume while working at…
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I'm Teaching Workshops in Eugene and Chicago
If you live in Eugene, Oregon or Chicago, Illinois I'll be in your area in the next few weeks teaching workshops on Italian Knife, Longsword, Sidesword, and Rapier. This weekend on Saturday the 27th I'll be visiting Northwest Fencing Academy in Eugene Oregon to teach two workshops, one on Italian Knife and the second on…
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Using the sword hand
Last week I talked about freeing the sword hand by using the reins in one hand. This week we'll deal with what to do with that free hand as we 12. Safely carry and move a long object (dressage or buggy whip, flag, sword etc) at the walk and trot The purpose of this part…
Video Lessons: Defeating the Offhand, Rapier-Dagger in all tempos, Dagger Strikes Pt. 2, Sidesword Cutting
We're into the last week of our rapier focused month at Academie Duello. Green cords are countering offhand parries, blue cords are exploring the diversity of rapier and dagger plays that can be found in each tempo, and red cords are concluding their unit on striking with the dagger. Also to keep your sidesword work…
Sword …We mean Arrow; oops, sorry – Sword Press
Swords, bows and lances all compete for column-inch in today’s offering. Whatever your preference in WMA/HEMA interests, it appears (in the press at least) that you’re not alone out there. Not Your Padres’ Destreza MSN (New Delhi, India) 15 October 12 Medieval fight club This is not so much a press report as…
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Randy on getting over disappointment
Randy gives us all a good look at how our ego can interfere with our practice. Just read it.