The more you learn of different fighting styles from around the world and through history, the more similarities become obvious. Bartitsu and other mixed martial arts function not only because one style will fill a gap that the other leaves, but because many of the core concepts are shared. Today, we’re looking at the important…
Our next round of Beginner's Courses are just around the corner! Celebrate the start of Fall by swinging swords and pulling punches. We offer three different courses which cover different avenues of Western Martial Arts: Fight Like Sherlock Holmes Bartitsu is a complex martial art with many interlocking skills. Our four-week Fight Like Sherlock Holmes course…
It can be tempting in your school or practice group to hide your martial weaknesses and keep a book of the holes in your partners’ defences. The more secrets under your belt, the easier it is to stay on top. But this is a limited view that keeps you from truly expanding your ability as…
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Quick question: what's your primary weapon? If you said longsword, rapier, sidesword... sorry, but in swordplay, your body is actually the most crucial part of your martial practice! It's what makes it possible to then train with or without other weapons. We oil our swords, but what about basic body maintenance? More effective training sessions…
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What a weekend! The weather gods, by means of abject apology for last year, granted us three days of perfect sunshine for Carosella 2014! Friday began to the strains of classical music as Erin Ensor of Danceability let us through Rider Conditioning (aka Ballet in the Barn) under the watchful eyes and peaceful breath of…
"Arte, Ardore, Onore" is the motto of Academie Duello, which simply means: skill, passion, honour. These are the three guiding principles of our school. To practice the art as authentically as possible; to pursue and feed our passions for a happier, more fulfilling life; and to honour our teachers, training partners, and opponents. Arte, Ardore,…
With Carosella 2014 less than two weeks away, it's time to answer some of those frequently asked questions. Q: How can I sign up for Carosella? A: You can register online here for full and one-day passes. To register for individual workshops contact the front desk at 604 568 9907. Regular entries close Monday September…
Hey everyone, it’s one week away from our performance at "Bard on the Beach: Fight Night”, Monday Sept 8, 7:30pm! It will be an amazing night of swords and words: readings and stories from Christopher Gaze and C. C. Humphreys, famous sword fights re-enacted from Shakespeare's plays, and behind the scenes explanations of the choreographic process.…
Martial Arts have meant many things to me over time. Here are some of the excellent outcomes I feel are found within the Western disciplines we practice at Academie Duello: Personal Growth Martial arts help us test our capabilities, push our limits, build our confidence in our physical and mental selves, and face challenges of…
Unless you plan to do all your equine activities within a few miles of your stable, you will eventually have to deal with trailering horses. For level 3 we don't expect you to demonstrate hauling, but we do want you to: Describe how to lead in and out of a trailer There are many videos…
This post is part of a series on the Segno of Fiore that displays 4 animals each representing a different martial trait the lynx, tiger, elephant, and lion. “I am the lion: nobody carries a more courageous heart. I offer everyone battle.” Tom Leoni translation - Fior di Battaglia, Getty Museum To stand across from…
It's that time of year again, and we are taking registration for Carosella 2014! This three-day Mounted Combat Symposium has something for everyone, from absolute beginners to accomplished knights. Friday and Saturday consist of workshops on foot, on falsemount, and on the ground, and Sunday is our annual tournament where you will have a chance…
At the Fight Directors Canada annual National Workshop, we are always honoured by the presence of our Maitre d’Armes J.P. Fournier. This year, the Basic Actor-Combatant class were privileged to learn single sword from our living legend. Honour to Him The Nationals this year coincided with the gala to honour J.P. with a Sterling Lifetime…
“I’m the elephant, who carries a castle as freight. I never kneel or lose my stride.” Tom Leoni translation - Fior di Battaglia, Getty Museum To harness the ideals of the elephant in your martial form you must consider: Structural Alignment Placing your body in optimal positions to apply and resist force. Finding the ground…
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This week, we take a short look at successful people and activities within the HEMA/WMA community. But what is “success” for a HEMA/WMA ‘guild’ or swordplay salle? Is it represented by numbers …. the number of students that show up consistently for class? The number that are ‘on the books’? The number of students that…
Horsemanship 3 - Stall & Pasture The first thing you will be asked on the Level 3 practical test is to Describe good and bad features of a horse’s pasture & stall. You can read chapters 14 and 15 of the Manual of Horsemanship for an in depth look at desirable aspects of stables and…
One of the fears among city-dwellers in 1890’s London was being strangled by an unseen attacker from behind. And why not? That’s a pretty dangerous situation, and one that seems difficult to escape. That particular fear drove the development of Bartitsu. The neck feels particularly vulnerable, and for good reason. There are 3 types of…
Here at Academie Duello you will often hear us talk about the True Fight and the Adaptive Fight. Both are important to learn so one can transition and flow between the two of them using both to paint a full combative picture. In the True Fight the attacker and defender are in a dance of…