Path of the Sword

Training Blog

Page 29 of 33

Where's the Fire: A Refreshing Message from Coach Sommer

The successful people we see in the world can often seem super-human. They start every day with a run, positive affirmations, a great workout, a fulfilling breakfast with their family (that’s right, this is all before 7:00 am), then sit right down to their projects and kick butt in a super-organized fashion, eat a healthy lunch, pursue three hobbies they love, and finally sleep for only four hours. This is an intimidating image of success to hold ourselves up to. And a completely false one.

Devon Boorman ·

My TEDx Talk: Mastery, Movement, and Vitality

Much of what I have had to learn is how to keep my passion and joy alive (which they both absolutely are!) throughout what has become a lifelong pursuit. This path and all its challenges and rewards has helped me discover a deeper sense of myself, true self-confidence, happiness, and a heartbeat that has gotten me through some of my darkest times.

Devon Boorman ·

Restarting from Zero

There is a way that walking a familiar path can be pleasing—like returning home. There is an internal journey that is always advancing, and following a road you know well on the outside can free up your mind to go further on the inside. When I struggle my way through those first push-ups, or the humbling experience of having my butt handed to me in a fencing match, a part of me says: “Hello, old friend. I’m looking forward to walking this road again.”

Devon Boorman ·

Taking Charge of Your Learning Environment

It takes time to build up the confidence, and the skills, to play an active and useful role in shaping your learning environment. Get feedback and help, and experiment. The more you can see yourself as your teacher, instead of offloading the responsibility onto someone else, the deeper and more satisfying your training can be.

Devon Boorman ·

Martial Challenges and Sparring Gatherings

From June 3–5, Academie Duello will be hosting their first Vancouver Martial Challenge. This event is part of an alternative type of event I want to promote within the Historical European Martial Arts community: events that focus on combat within the realm of the martial art rather than the martial sport.

Devon Boorman ·

Practice, Improvement, Hours & Greatness

As Michael Syed cites very thoroughly in his book Bounce, the number of hours you invest is important, but the quality of those hours is what actually matters when it comes to achieving mastery. To effectively push forward, you must spend the bulk of your hours working in the most challenging places, putting yourself into a space where you make mistakes and fail frequently.

Devon Boorman ·

June Instructor Intensive, and Some More Thoughts on Mastery

Earlier I challenged people to step onto the path of mastery. I think the idea of a master, as described here, is inspiring. But if your desire is only for what you feel the title might give you, it will be difficult to keep the energy and love of the art alive long enough to realize such a shallow goal.

Devon Boorman ·

Our Arts Need New Masters

The arts that fit under the umbrella of Historical European Martial Arts or Western Martial Arts are still young in their return to the world. It has really only been about 20 years that there has been earnest pursuit, and only in the last decade has there been a serious increase in practitioners. There is a growing energy behind them now.

Devon Boorman ·

A New Video on Bracing & Squatting

Last week I wrote a post about the secrets to looking after you knees and back. The essence of which was "move correctly!" Now to give a bit more guidance in this area I've put together a new video that gives instruction on creating proper alignment. In this video I cover the following: The bracing…

Devon Boorman ·

The Secret Moves for Fixing Your Knees

Whenever I teach dance, or martial arts, body mechanics are a big part of the foundation that I try to build with my students. There are many similarities to the mechanics required in partner dancing to those required in swordplay. When you get into lifting and dipping your partner, the crossover starts to even more…

Devon Boorman ·