As many items are closing for the class, I thought I’d follow Steve Frey’s lead and post a little something.

I began this course with little or no longsword or Fiore knowledge, and an unexpected health issue took me out the first 3 weeks, so I was out of sync and working at my own pace. Thus, I was more of a lurker and never got past my…

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BTW: sorry for being a lurker on this page.

Reading all of the training logs here is a great motivator for me. Just seeing what you all are doing.

lost some energy and focus in April as local groups fighter practice started up again and I got sucked into doing a lot of instruction (mostly rapier but some longsword) and not working on my “stuff” Oh well reviewing the basics is never bad.

So for May, 12 of us in the Boise area are participating in an SCA wide 100 day challenge. 100…

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I have definitely seen my training energy change this month.

1.I have been slowly studying the week four materials this month and will spend April focusing on the week five material.
2. I have picked up two training partners, so I’m getting two three hour longsword workouts each week with them. We have been working on Gioco Largo, 4…

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Books that have shaped my journey.

1. Unfettered Mind by Takuan Soho (1573-1645)
2. Venetian Rapier by Nicoletto Giganti (1606)
3. The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate by Gichin Funakoshi
4, Nichomachean Ethics Aristotle. I taught Aristotle twice a year for 20 years and he just seeped into my soul.

Currently reading “Mind Gym: An Athletes…

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This month is going much better than January.

I think my brain and body are getting used to moving in these strange ways and it is becoming normal.

I’ve gotten used to getting up early to have some reflective time, plan the day, pick up a sword, and have a protein hit.

I finally feel like I have wrapped my brain around the week two material and…

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Thanks all.

I’ll try to use that to help me see what is going on in the videos, and then mirror it in my own practice.

I am having problems discerning the difference between a mezza volta of the sword and a tutta volta of the sword.

Any good memory devices to help me remember them and what makes them distinct from one another?

I found some surplus laboratory clamps locally for $3.00 each. I found that I could clamp it to the center column under the Tripod head or to the pan-handle. <b style=”background-color: transparent; font-size: inherit;”>The one I found is not super strong but it holds a plastic/nylon longsword just fine. The Steel longsword is a bit heavy,…

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I really like that idea. That totally struck that chord of truth with me.

Can I say All of it…I’ve been incredibly sedentary for the last 9 mo so getting my body moving is one of my victory conditions. This week I have mostly focused on leg work..

The Pistol squats are beyond me at the moment. I can do the top part, into a sitting position on a chair or lifting out of the chair. The bottom of the pistol I have…

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What helps you stay motivated in your training?

Having a plan, and a structure keeps me motivated. Having a goal, even if it is simply having something new to figure out. Having some training buddies to work with is always a powerful motivator for me.

What do you most enjoy in practice?

There is a certain meditative mindfulness that I enjoy…

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Hi Thomas,

When I’m trying the double cut from the “iron-butterfly” form I’ve been thinking one of two possibilities.

1. I’m envisioning the initial false edge strike to be a beat clearing the line and then the true strike following immediately in the zone that has just been cleared.

or

2. The other think I envision with the double cut is…

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To help this I am using google to set up a calendar of repeating alarms to my work computer and phone reminding me it is time for “X”.

I think I am similar to everyone else.

General Changes:

1. Regular sleep cycle, getting up hour earlier to accomplish my goals this month.

2. Diet: Focusing on removing refined sugars and drinking water.

3. Developing the routine/habit to work on sword play every day.

Morning Routine: In general getting up 60 min earlier, so I can try some of…

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Kevin that would be fantastic.

I look forward to meeting you in person.

Hello everyone.

What to say…. I’m a southern Idaho (USA) mink ranch kid, who escaped the rural farm and ran as far away as possible. This entailed disappearing into the University and academic life. In 1991 I was hired as a adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho and taught part time for the History and Philosophy departments this…

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Hello all.

The General goal for me is to be a big fat intellectual sponge and soak up as much of everything that I can. With COVID my sword journey has stalled, so I’m looking to re-start, re-invent, re-invigorate, the journey again.

Long Term Goals:

1. I would like to integrate many of the aspects of the the “Perceptual and…

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Tools: Castille longsword, A-Trim longsword, and several wooden sticks.

Targets/Dummies. I have a Thrown weapons target with a upper body outline for targeting and striking. I am modifying an old tripod to hold a old Darkwood blade in various positions in front of it.

In the garage I have several strings that I hook on to the garage door rails…

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I have acquired a tripod and cellphone attachment so I can set up outside weather permitting. I have a small collection of 2X6’s and 2X8″s scrap from other projects so I am considering how to build a target that can hold a sword. Unfortunately, a Frankenstein like object of this sort will have to be located outside.

Hi Greg,

Space: I have a space that is books, plants, and swords. It is the far side of the main living room as you enter the house as the ceilings are 12 feet. Mostly, it is a clear space with good light and room to move. (just have to be careful of the piano)

Gear, Castille Armory longsword and back sword, Darkwood Rapiers, Graves…

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