It is a well-known statement that patience is a virtue, and it is also quite commonly understood that there is a strong relationship between martial arts and patience. Of course, the practice of martial arts is supposed to help improve your tolerance …
Some thoughts about rights and responsibilities
A few days ago, it was Bonfire Night in the UK, which means lots of people setting off fireworks. Where I live, it meant people setting off fireworks from mid-afternoon until late evening, making it really quite difficult for me to concentrate on …
Curating an online community
When we create a Facebook group, or a subreddit on Reddit, or a channel on Discord, or whatever, we are creating an online community. Once we have an online community, we must curate it, by which I mean we need to maintain it and keep it healthy …
An introduction to Indian clubs
I recently finished making a new video course about working with Indian clubs, because I want to share this activity with people. Mainly, I would like to be able to give my own students some resources that I think they would find useful - and since I …
My goals for 2020
I have been thinking about what I want from my HEMA practice and teaching, and I have set myself some new goals for 2020. This year just past has been a reasonably good year for me personally, but I still found myself dissatisfied with some …
An observation about the value of information
It may sound like I am stating the obvious when I say that the value of information is different to different people, and for different purposes. However, far from being a damning verdict upon society, I see this as a mark of just how special and …
Film Review: I Can, I Will, I Did
I was flying to teach at Longpoint recently, and while on the plane, I watched a film called I Can, I Will, I Did. It spoke to me on a rather deep level, sufficiently for me to want to write a quick review of it, to bring it to the attention of my …
Turning hobbies into paid work
I recently read quite an interesting article about the trap of turning hobbies into hustles. As someone who has turned several hobbies into businesses over the years, I can identify with quite a lot of the sentiment in the article. However, I do …
Honesty in martial arts
I believe that honesty is incredibly important in the pursuit of martial arts. Of course, honesty is an important characteristic in real life as well – dealing with people fairly is better than being underhanded and devious. Dishonest people quickly …
More thoughts about tricks and systems (in real life too!)
The discussion about tricks and systems in HEMA seems to be recurring quite regularly at the moment. I recently saw something while reading an article about business productivity that gave me a new avenue of ideas to pursue, so I’d like to share …
More thoughts about tricks and systems (in real life too!)Read More
My goals for 2019
Since the new year is upon us, I’d like to set myself some goals for 2019. I could do that quietly and privately, but I want to try and give myself a little public accountability, to make sure I actually get these things done! …
How I keep fit while working from home
I am often asked how I manage to keep fit while working from home. I am also often asked what I do to train myself to do HEMA better. It is the same answer to both of these questions! Hopefully by sharing my thoughts and approach, it will help other …
“If you frighten easily…” and bravery in martial arts
Bravery is an integral part of fencing with the longsword, with Liechtenauer’s Zettel saying explicitly that “if you frighten easily, you will never learn to fight.” Although this may seem like fairly obvious advice (yet it may also seem counter …
“If you frighten easily…” and bravery in martial artsRead More
The value of HEMA in the modern world
What is the value of HEMA in the modern world? Why is it worth spending so much time (and so much money) in the pursuit of this activity? Why do we undertake such physical and mental exertion to do what we do? Why not just go to the pub directly and …
Doing it right, or just doing it
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on the 1st of January 2016. It has been modified a little for reposting here. One of the ideas that causes problems for a lot of people across the world is the idea that whatever you want to …
Argue with me if you like, but please argue well
It occurs almost every time I post a blog article: someone disagrees with me and wants to argue with me. That's fine, I really don't mind when this happens. Disagreement that leads to discussion can be one of the things that drives forward our …
Good and bad things about flying
I do a lot of travelling for my work. HEMA events happen in many different countries, and often the only practical way to reach them is to fly. I used to hate flying, with a passion, but I have come to terms with it over the last few years, and now …
Buying gear on a tight budget
I was brought up as a stereotypical Scotsman, making many purchasing decisions with my wallet-brain. This meant I almost always went for the cheapest option, and didn't even consider more expensive options. However, this also meant that I ended up …
When an advanced student moves on
For some years now, I have been mulling over the decision I made about six years ago to take a break from karate in order to study historical fencing in more depth. I didn't have the time or the finances to study both disciplines at the same time, so …