A few years ago I was in a very high pressure rapier tournament. It was the largest and hardest fought tournament in the Northwest with a list of 50 fencers who were arguably some of the best fencers around competing. On my way down my travel companion asked me “So how do you think you’re going to do in the Read More …
What is your motivation for excelling and improving? Note this is not the question of “why you do this”. There are tons of good reason for that (fun, connection, fitness, etc) but why get better at it? Once you get to a certain level, why pursue greater mastery? One of the most compelling and long lasting reasons I have continued Read More …
I study martial arts in order to get better at life. I get better at life to be a better martial artist. How I carry myself when I fence is an expression of how I physically carry myself as a human being. This comes both through the physical strength I practice to carry myself with poise and confidence and the Read More …
Receiving criticism can be useful for one’s development. Someone else can often see flaws in your execution from a better perspective and offer insights into how to overcome your most important challenges. However many live their life in a constant state of self-criticism. They see everything they do for its flaws; adding your points on top of them, as insightful Read More …
When I look at my pursuit of mastery and proficiency in the various arts of my life I see more clearly now that truly a very small percentage of what is between me and mastery (meaning a high level of proficiency) is technical ability. Obviously technical ability is essential to mastery but the barriers that it presents are often most Read More …
(A version of this post was originally posted on the Duello.TV blog) In swordplay: Your sword is getting set aside while you attack. Your parry is not succeeding in closing the line. In dance: You’re failing at a lift. Your follow is misreading your lead. You’re unable to complete a smooth turn or spin. Poor results with a finish or Read More …
I had a terrible night dancing just recently. A night where I felt completely disconnected from dancing – something that I truly am passionate about. I felt awkward, bored, frustrated, and completely in my head; disconnected from my whole. This is not a new feeling. I have experienced this before with swordplay. It’s something that I talk with my students Read More …
Everyone knows if you want to get better at something you have to practice. However making time in a busy schedule can be super-challenging. It’s easy to have the intention to practice but then not actually get around to it. The next thing you know you’re back at your swordplay/dance/yoga class and you haven’t done anything you’d hoped to since Read More …
(Warning, this is a very sword fighting training oriented post) So myself and a group of my senior students at Academie Duello are preparing for a rapier fencing tournament at the end of January hosted by the Society for Creative Anachronism called Ursulmas. This event typically attracts between 45 and 60 participants in the tournament including high quality competitors and Read More …
As a martial artist and a dancer I have become intimately aware of the condition of my body. I want it to last for a long time and I want it to be able to perform for me to the best of its capacity throughout that time. I realize for a long time I took this for granted. I would Read More …