An avid Star Wars fan, it did not take a lot of convincing for Kat Laurange to try out light-based fencing with the now-defunct Kyber Combat. At the same time, she was training winged sabre with Russ Mitchell, who headed Starbird Saber Academy. In 2023, Laurange took over instructional responsibilities and, just like training in … Continue reading Interview with Starbird Academy Instructor Kat Laurange: All the Things!
Jeff Chen began training kendo while he was in New York City, taking more of a kumdo approach to the art. He then relocated to Austin, Texas to train under Tetsuo Komizu with the Austin Kendo Doshikai. Since then, Chen has had a plethora of experience getting to know the surrounding kenshi within the Southwest … Continue reading Interview with Austin Kendo Doshikai Instructor Jeff Chen: Tetsuo Komizu and Southwest Kendo
1986 started Patrick Parker into the martial arts world with taekwondo, switching to karate while in college. At that time, he came across some people “holding hands and dancing around,” training aikido. After investigating and experiencing one class, Parker was hooked, beginning his journey in aikido, judo, and jodo. Following the Karl Geis lineage of … Continue reading Interview with Mokuren Dojo Founder Patrick Parker: Judo, Aikido, and Everything Else
Kendo interested Michael Lindsay, even after training in karate and Olympic Fencing in his younger years. When he arrived at college in 2004, he found Senshikan Dojo under the direction of Koki Abe and Lindsay quickly took to Japanese swordsmanship and fostering a friendship with Abe. When Abe left to return to Japan in 2006, … Continue reading Interview with Shin Sou Fu Kan Founder Michael Lindsay: Koki Abe and Oklahoma Kendo, Part II
Kendo interested Michael Lindsay, even after training in karate and Olympic Fencing in his younger years. When he arrived at college in 2004, he found Senshikan Dojo under the direction of Koki Abe and Lindsay quickly took to Japanese swordsmanship and fostering a friendship with Abe. When Abe left to return to Japan in 2006, … Continue reading Interview with Shin Sou Fu Kan Founder Michael Lindsay: Koki Abe and Oklahoma Kendo, Part I
Like with many historical fencers, Jessica Finley had an interest in swords at an early age, ultimately finding the Renaissance Faire to explore her interests. It was not until she acquired internet that she found what was then called Western Martial Arts and her current teacher, Christian Tobler. Since then, she has diligently studied, translated, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime HEMAist Jess Finley: Adventures in Translating, Teaching, and Fencing, Part II
Like with many historical fencers, Jessica Finley had an interest in swords at an early age, ultimately finding the Renaissance Faire to explore her interests. It was not until she acquired internet that she found what was then called Western Martial Arts and her current teacher, Christian Tobler. Since then, she has diligently studied, translated, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime HEMAist Jess Finley: Adventures in Translating, Teaching, and Fencing, Part I
Russ Mitchell first began historical fencing while in Hungary conducting graduate research. After traveling around for historical fencing, he came upon Lightspeed Saber during a tournament and began it on a whim. Then he was hooked. He founded Starbird Saber Academy and Winged Sabre at Warlord Combat Academy. Today, Russ discusses how historical fencing and … Continue reading Interview with Histroical and Light-Based Fencer Russ Mitchell: The Melding of Historical and Lightspeed Saber
After spending fifteen years of Olympic Fencing, Chris Stadther was looking for another form of fencing that complemented his previous training. He found Lightspeed Saber League but continued to look for a group to train with. When he did during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, he quickly took to it. Within a year, Stadther founded his … Continue reading Interview Rockville Squadron Founder Chris Stadther: Finding Fencing During the Pandemic
I recently completed the necessary education and received the proper certification for entering into a new career field. As I am applying for jobs, I have already received a handful of responses that contain the unfortunate words of, “We have decided to offer the position to another candidate,” that so many jobseekers’ dread. In this … Continue reading Ukemi: Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight; Life Begins Now
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 