Introducing beginners to the Art of Arms is a privilege and a pleasure. Over the years I have developed a gentle approach to getting people started, based on the following principles:

• Beginners’ courses should be funnels, not filters. They should entice people in, and seduce them to the art, not hold up artificial barriers to entry (such as the push-ups-till-you-puke approach).
• Get them moving: movement is the foundation of swordsmanship. Good movements create good guards, good blows, and so on.
• Start with what they can do, and then adjust that towards what you want them to do.

I have taken the first class of my new online Longsword course and put it up as a free beginners’ class. You’re welcome to take a look. This free course includes:

• a 30 minute video
• a safety briefing handout
• a glossary of Italian fencing terms
• the Course Plan for the complete Longsword Course.

Please share this with your friends! Especially anyone you know who is nervous about starting to train.

You can find the course here: http://swordschool.teachable.com/p/free-beginner-s-longsword-class

I have also introduced a new subscription plan, called “The Everything Bundle”, which gets you access to ALL the courses I have online:

Recreate Historical Swordsmanship from Historical Sources

Fundamentals: Breathing

Fundamentals: Footwork

The Medieval Dagger

The Medieval Longsword

All for just $35 per month. You can find it here: http://swordschool.teachable.com/p/the-everything-bundle

I look forward to seeing you on one or other of the courses!