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Over the month of January Academie Duello and Duello.TV hosted a 30-day swordplay training challenge. Along with weekly groups of practical exercises we posted daily training advice on topics as broad as physical training, recuperation, discipline, psychology, and mastery. I thought it would be useful to compile them here for reference.
Devon Boorman ·
In the path of mastery I see tournaments as a tool to help challenge, inspire, and expand one's practice. They're not for everyone, and they're a poor end in and of themselves if your goals are long-term and martial. To fit tournaments into the mastery journey it helps to step outside of their inherent structure and make them work for you.
Devon Boorman ·
Cultivating the competitive spirit is often used to drive one to harder training and to overcoming one's opponents in a game or tournament. Yet, if it's based in making negative comparisons to others, I think competition is something you should let go of for your long-term growth and health.
Devon Boorman ·
I am often asked why people practice martial arts or why I practice swordplay specifically – considering it’s unlikely that I’ll be in a life-and-death sword fight anytime soon. The fulfillment I get from martial arts is both richer and deeper than a simple practical outcome.
Devon Boorman ·
Our capacity to stay on the long road to mastery and move through its various stages is highly connected to our relationship with ignorance. There is a lot more "not knowing" than there is "knowing" on this path.
Devon Boorman ·
Starting today (January 2nd) and for the next 30 days, we are challenging every sword fighter (new or experienced) to commit to at least 30 minutes per day of practice (solo or partnered). DTV is here to help with loads of training advice and practice videos!
Devon Boorman ·
Martial arts done well can improve your strength, endurance, and physical comfort. But done poorly, they can have the exact opposite effect, leading to strain, pain and injury.
Devon Boorman ·
Relaxed muscles are quicker to respond, easier to adapt and change, and more capable of feeling connections through your weapon. Yet so many of us have a difficult time being relaxed, or even being aware of our current state of tension.
Devon Boorman ·
Let us explore how our desire to help one another can often get in the way of allowing others to both help themselves and connect with a vital part of learning: failure.
Devon Boorman ·
Greg here. Two years ago my partner and I set out on an epic adventure to sword fight across Western Canada. It went so well we repeated the loop again this fall. I'd love to share a few highlights from the 13-day, 8-city journey.
Greg Reimer ·
