Randy gives us all a good look at how our ego can interfere with our practice. Just read it.
Tag: link
Join us for a Hallowe'en Cabaret Saturday October 27th!
Greetings, Duellists! It's that time of year again--time to dust off your costumes, gorge yourself on sweet stuff and then work it off swordfighting and rocking out with your friends! Details This coming Saturday, October 27th, join us at Academie Duello from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. for a Hallowe'en Cabaret featuring: a Pumpkin Carving…
Read More... from Join us for a Hallowe'en Cabaret Saturday October 27th!
Cracked.com perhaps not the best authority on historical swordplay
Cracked.com this week has thrown up an article entitled: The 5 Weapon Myths you Probably Believe Thanks to the Movies. Myth #4 is that the sword's edge was used to parry incoming blows. In the most masterful of internet-based research, the writer has cited a misguided article by John Clements and two -- as far…
Read More... from Cracked.com perhaps not the best authority on historical swordplay
Two of my favourite things
I really enjoyed this particular post of Randy's. And not just because he's writing about cats; there are a few gold nuggets to talk about. The first is practicing what you're not good at. Ignoring techniques that that you find challenging mean certain defeat when an opponent tries it on you (whether they're aware that…
Sometimes there's only one way to practice
Randy's at it again. The take home message in his post, or, the one that I want to point out, is that there are some lessons of fencing that can only be learned by fencing. Call it what you will: being under pressure, no thinking time, art vs. practice they all lead to the same…
Read More... from Sometimes there's only one way to practice
More from Forteza Fitness
So as I commented on in my last blog post, after we finished up at the Armizare Academy last weekend we visited Forteza Fitness, the home of the Chicago Swordplay Guild. They had a great space that was working its way toward becoming even cooler. Well, after we left they launched an Indiegogo campaign to…
Event and School Review: Armizare Academy and Forteza Fitness
I have just returned home from Armizare Academy in Racine, Wisconsin and must report that it was an excellent event all the way around with great classes, opportunities for collaboration, and sparring. For those who are unfamiliar with the event, this is it's second occurrence - the first time being in 2009 under the name…
Read More... from Event and School Review: Armizare Academy and Forteza Fitness
Competition Stage Combat
Taking inspiration from Major Wes' post on this very blog called Staged Sword Press, let's talk about competitive stage combat. Art Contests In sporting competition, there is obvious scoring with the ball kicked across a line, or touches with a sword tip. Artistic expression has its own competitions, but they must be scored by a…
Randy on.... sparring
Randy's at it again. This time some really good notes on why sparring is important to the development of the Art. There certainly is a difference between the theory of the art and its practice (Capoferro talks about it thus too). The lesson that I want to point out is that putting your theory into…
A model way of practicing
I'm blogging at your from beyond the internet....... oooOOOoooOOOooo! heh heh. Today I was going to write about the differences inherent in each of us (I thought I wrote about this but I couldn't find it). Take a look at this article. It's wisdom though needs to be somewhat massaged for fencing. Basically the message…
Bartitsu Fitness
Training the fighting skills of Bartitsu can help with your fitness goals, but skill development should be your main focus in class. We set aside some time in class for strength and conditioning, and you should continue this work outside of class for the best results. Warm Up Always begin your physical activity regimen with…
Being internal
Another link to Randy's blog today. I know that I start thinking internally a lot during my practice. Personally I do it more when playing with sideswords and longswords due to the many methods of moving a sword on an arc (cutting). I find that being attentive to how my body feels when practicing greatly…
Edith Garrud and Jujitsuffragettes
Tony Wolf, the author of the two volumes of the Bartitsu Compendium, has also written a related book called Edith Garrud: the Suffragette who knew jujutsu. He is currently developing a work of multimedia fiction inspired by the Suffragette Bodyguard stories. Suffragette Bodyguards This week, Tony's article on the Bartitsu.org website focuses on The Amazons…
Bonzuko Stage Combat Book
Jenn Zuko Boughn Her book, Stage Combat: Fisticuffs, Stunts and Swordplay for Theatre and Film is the required textbook for Metro State and other stage combat programs in colleges across the country. She has been practicing and teaching the arts of stage combat since 1997, and Japanese martial arts since 1998. I visit her website:…
Is Goal Setting De-Motivating?
Our very own Rosie Jones came across an interesting article from a website called the the99percent (unrelated to occupy wall street) that contrasted the idea of focusing on goals vs focusing on experience or process. The findings suggest that focusing on the process or the feeling in the experience (ex. enjoying a good workout) was…
Now Taking Requests!
Devon's asked me to put together some videos and posts for drills and exercises that we can all use as references and inspiration. I've got an idea of where I'm going to start (see my WIP wmawiki glossary, or the post on my Terminal City Duellist blog), but I'm interested in where you want it…
Plateaux in training
An excellent post from David Packer Pn1, on when we reach flat-levels in our training and how important they are in our mastery of things. Here's the link. I can attest to how true it's been for me. Enjoy!
@VancouverSun covers Academie Duello's Fitness Programs
Vancouver Sun columnist Tom Hill wrote an article about Academie Duello's fitness programs that appeared on their website yesterday (Thursday). It gives a good summary of some of the health benefits you can reap through swordplay and captures the excitement of the art. Check it out on their website here! If you're interested in getting…
Read More... from @VancouverSun covers Academie Duello's Fitness Programs