Swordplay in Asia: Beijing, Taipei, and Beyond
News from the road: a weekend of teaching in Beijing, our first instructor intensive in Asia, and where I'll be teaching across Taiwan and the Philippines over the coming weeks.
Devon Boorman ·
Musings for Modern Martial Artists
Path of the Sword
Path of the Sword is devoted to helping fellow travellers on their journey of mastery in European martial arts. These resources seek to offer guidance on meeting the barriers and opportunities that come up in this journey, and to help others find their own footing on this rewarding and challenging path.
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Nanjing, China: A Weekend of Fencing, Museums, and Martial Exchange
I’ve just returned from Nanjing, China, where I had the pleasure of teaching a two-part seminar over the weekend. The first day took place at the Nanjing Wall Museum, and the second at Nanjing Axon Martial Arts. What made the experience especially meaningful was not only the quality of the hosting, but the quality of…
Devon Boorman ·
From Taipei to Nanchang: Milestones on the Path of Mastery
After an excellent final week in Taiwan, teaching workshops across Taipei and Taizhong and spending time with the growing Duello community, I returned home just in time to celebrate another major milestone: our very first Scholar (Blue Cord) exam in China. Plus, this week marked the launch of our new live online series on Sword…
Devon Boorman ·
A Weekend of Swordplay and Service
It’s been an inspiring week here in Taiwan from presenting at the Chimei Museum to teaching in Kaohsiung, and now preparing for another full weekend of workshops in Taipei and Taizhong. Meanwhile, back home in Vancouver, our community is getting ready to “Beat the Crap Out of Cancer” in support of the BC Cancer Foundation.…
Devon Boorman ·
Building New Instructors—and Off to Taiwan
I’ve just wrapped a 50-hour Level 1 Instructor Intensive with five outstanding candidates in Vancouver, and I’m about to head to the island of Taiwan for museum lectures, a collection tour, public workshops, and a few private-lesson slots. Read on for details, plus news about VISS 2026. Level 1 Instructor Intensive — Coaching for Control…
Devon Boorman ·
Strategy, Tactics, and the Four Pillars of Fencing
Students often ask: what’s the difference between strategy and tactics in fencing? It’s an excellent question—and one that sits at the heart of martial development. We often use these words interchangeably, but they describe distinct levels of decision-making that influence how we train and fight. Strategy: The Big Picture Strategy is about how you approach…
Devon Boorman ·
Embodying Swordplay at Queen’s: Bolognese, Destreza, & Fabris
Last week I had the pleasure of teaching at Queen’s University’s Training the Heart conference, a rare chance to dive into historical fencing with professors of English, medieval studies, and linguistics with a focus on Shakespeare, his works, and his world. My workshop brought ~30 participants (most brand new to swords) through fencing actions from…
Devon Boorman ·
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