Power looks impressive. Control changes everything.

In sword training, power is easy to misunderstand. Big swings can feel like progress. Fast movement can feel like skill. A lot of effort can feel like “I’m getting better.”

But our 2026 standard is A Cut Above the Rest, and the skill we are building all year is Control the Moment. Because “swing harder and hope” is not a strategy. It is a stress response with a weapon.

Control is what turns effort into skill. It keeps training safe, repeatable, and real.

What we mean by power

Power is force. It is output.
Power can be useful, but power without control usually creates:

• Sloppy mechanics
• Rushed timing
• Unstable balance
• Bad recovery
• Unnecessary tension
• Higher injury risk

Power alone does not equal skill. It just means you can do something hard.

What we mean by control

Control is command.
It looks like:

• Stable posture and foot placement
• Clean blade line
• Calm breath
• Consistent timing
• Safe distance
• Smooth recovery
• The ability to start and stop on purpose

Control means you choose what happens next. You are not reacting to your own momentum.

That is how you can Control the Moment.

Why control wins every time

1) Control makes you accurate

If you cannot place your movement, you cannot build skill.

Control lets you hit the line you intended, at the speed you chose.

Accuracy is not luck. It is trained.

2) Control keeps you safe

Weapons training is not the place for “send it.”

Control protects your partner. It protects your body. It protects your future training.

Safety is not a vibe. It is a standard.

3) Control creates consistency

Power shows up when you feel great.

Control shows up when you are tired, stressed, or having an off day.

Consistency is what makes you A Cut Above.

4) Control looks better on camera and in real life

Cinematic does not mean chaotic.

Cinematic means clean.

Controlled movement reads as confident because it is confident.

The biggest myth in training

The myth is: “If I go faster and harder, I will get better faster.”

Most people do not train harder. They train messier.

Speed can hide weak mechanics for a little while. Then the weak mechanics show up as:

• Tension
• Mistakes
• Frustration
• Pain
• Stagnation

If you cannot do it clean at a slow speed, you do not own it yet.

How to tell if you are chasing power instead of building control

If any of these feel familiar, you are not alone.

• You speed up when you get nervous
• You swing harder when you miss
• You stop breathing when it gets challenging
• Your shoulders climb and your jaw clenches
• Your feet get loud and your balance gets shaky
• You “finish the combo” even when it falls apart

That is not a character flaw. That is adrenaline.

Control is how you train through it.

The wellness payoff of control

Control is not only about technique. It is also about how you feel.

When you train control, you train:

• Breath regulation
• Attention and focus
• Stress tolerance
• Posture and stability
• Recovery and reset

That is why people leave controlled training feeling better in their bodies, not just tired.

Try this “Control Wins” drill set (10 minutes)

1) The Pause Drill (3 minutes)

Pick a basic cut or 2–3 move sequence.

After each movement, pause for one full second.

No wobbling. No rushing. Reset completely.

2) The Speed Ladder (4 minutes)

Do the same movement at:

• 10% speed for 3 reps
• 30% speed for 3 reps
• 60% speed for 3 reps

Only go full speed if the first 9 reps were clean.

3) Bokken Movement

• Start movement from the wrist, then elbows, then shoulders
• Check hand finish (pronated or supinated)
• Relax shoulders and keep them down
• Keep a slight bend in the elbows
• Make a complete circular motion with the bokken

4) Footwork

The Advance – Right foot forward. Left foot at a 45° angle, one step behind. Hip-width apart. Even weight, knees bent. Push off left foot to move forward. Let the left foot follow.

Reverse the action to move backward.

The Step – Small steps forward and back. Quiet landings. Stable posture. Calm breath.

Train it with us

Power is common. Control is trained.

If you want real control coached in real time, come train with us.

Upcoming Events

• 🗡 Elite Event | Long Island, NY Start Date: May 10, 2026 | End Date: May 11, 2026
• 🗡 Elite Event | Chicago, IL Start Date: May 17, 2026 | End Date: May 18, 2026
• 🗡 Elite Event | Columbus, OH Start Date: June 7, 2026 | End Date: June 10, 2026

New to SXP or never picked up a sword before? That’s fine. We start with the basics and build from there.

The takeaway

Power can impress.

Control builds skill.

If you want to be A Cut Above the Rest, train what holds up under pressure.

Train control.
Train breath.
Train focus.
Train the skill that wins every time.

#ControlTheMoment #SwordExperience #ACutAboveTheRest

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Stress shows up in your body first. Tight shoulders. Shallow breathing. Clenched jaw. Scattered focus. Low patience. Low energy.

Most people look for a mental or emotional fix for that. But the entry point is physical. And that is where sword training comes in — not as a cure, not as therapy, but as a practice that gives you a concrete way to train control when life feels loud.

That is what this month of May is about. Focus, breath, and what happens when you put them together consistently.

Why Your Mind Goes Quiet When You Pick Up a Blade

Stress pulls your mind into the future.

“What if this goes wrong?” “What am I forgetting?” “What’s next?”

Sword training pulls you back into now. Not because it is relaxing but because it demands something from you. When you step into a stance you have one job. When you move through a cutting drill there is no room for yesterday’s meeting or tomorrow’s deadline. Your body tells the truth fast.

You cannot fake presence with a blade in your hand.

That is one-point focus. One stance. One line. One rep. One breath. That is not small. That is a reset.

The Breath Is the Control Switch

When stress spikes, breathing gets shallow. That tells your nervous system the threat is still active, even when you are sitting in traffic or staring at a screen.

Training your breath changes that signal.

Every SXP event starts with breath work in the warm-up. That is intentional. When you breathe with control you lower tension in the shoulders and jaw, your movement smooths out, you recover faster between reps, and you can actually think.

This is also one of the most practical things we teach because you do not need a sword to use it. You have it with you all the time.

Move Like a Warrior: What Decades of Training Actually Teaches You

Here is what that means. After age 30 things begin to shift. By the time most people reach their 60s and 70s, everyday movement feels harder not necessarily because the muscles are gone, but because the nervous system has grown cautious.

Neural confidence is the brain’s ongoing assessment of whether a movement is safe. When that erodes, the shoulders guard, the neck stiffens, reaction speed drops and the body starts protecting itself from damage it has not even experienced yet. This is why people feel older than they actually are.

The answer is not harder training. It is smarter training. And slow, precise, deliberate sword work is one of the best tools for rebuilding that signal. Be precise, Watch your movements. Anyone can swing a sword, but it takes time to swing one correctly.

What Flow Actually Feels Like

When the movement is clear, the speed is controlled, the breathing stays steady, and the reps feel clean that is flow.

It is not magic. It is what happens when your nervous system stops bracing. It is why people leave a session feeling better than when they walked in. Not just tired. Actually lighter. That is effort with regulation, and it is something you can train.

Our 2026 standard is A Cut Above the Rest. The skill we are building all year is Control the Moment. This month that means focus, breath, and flow.

New to SXP? Here’s How to Start Right Now

You don’t need any experience. You don’t need a sword. You don’t need to be in peak shape. All you need is 10 minutes, a willingness to try something different and patience. It may feel boring at first but as you continue to train you will find different things happening to your body. You may feel your feet connected to the ground, or not. Change it. You may feel your shoulders aching, which will tell you to relax them. Small things like this will stop you from getting into bad habits. Ones that later will be harder to fix.

Try This 10-Minute Stress-to-Control Session

Use this when you feel overwhelmed, distracted, or tense. No equipment needed.

Step 1: Downshift Breath — 2 Minutes

Stand tall. Soften your shoulders. Unclench your jaw. Inhale through your nose for a count of 4. Exhale slowly for a count of 6. Repeat 8–10 times. This alone tells your nervous system the threat is over.

Step 2: Stance & Posture — 2 Minutes

Step your feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly forward. Feel the ground under you. Stack your ribs over your hips. Breathe slowly and steadily. This is your foundation — in sword work and in life.

Step 3: Slow Line Reps — 4 Minutes

With empty hands, trace a simple diagonal cut line — from high right to low left. Move slow enough that you could stop at any point mid-motion. Reset fully between each rep. Do 10 reps. Rule: if you start speeding up, go slower.

Step 4: Quiet Footwork — 2 Minutes

Take small, quiet steps forward and back. Land softly. Keep your posture stable and your breath steady. This is how you train “Control the Moment” when your nervous system wants to sprint.

That’s it. Ten minutes. And it compounds so the more consistently you practice this, the faster your nervous system learns to return to calm.

Training for the Long Game: Staying Sharp at Every Age

This is not just for young athletes or action fans. I have seen people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s transform how they move and how they feel through consistent sword practice. Age is not the barrier. Stopping movement is.

The people I have watched stay fast, smooth, and pain-managed well into older age all tend to do the same three things:

1. They Keep the Spine Talking

The spine needs frequent, gentle movement — not occasional aggressive stretching. If you have stiffness in your shoulders, back, or neck, the answer isn’t to rest it into silence. The answer is daily micro-movement that tells the nervous system: “I still move here.”

Try these daily:

• Gentle neck rotations (pain-free range only)
• Thoracic rotation (turning side to side from your mid-back)
• Shoulder blade movement — circles, squeezes, releases

2. They Train Power, Not Fatigue

This is the biggest mindset shift for aging athletes. You don’t need long grinding sessions or to chase soreness. You need short bursts, clean mechanics, and to stop before exhaustion.

Instead of 40 minutes of hard training, try 10–20 seconds of focused explosive movement, then full recovery, then repeat two or three times. The nervous system stays sharp instead of going into protective mode. Fatigue leads to compensation — and compensation leads to injury.

3. They Protect the Signal

Low-intensity precision movements — slow sword flow, a controlled kata, deliberate footwork with smooth transitions — do something remarkable: they tell the brain this range of motion is safe. Pain and tension gradually reduce. Five to ten minutes of this daily, beats one or two hard sessions a week, every time.

A quick note on supplements: While no supplement replaces movement, some support the work from the inside. Adrian recommends researching Omega-3s for joint recovery and brain speed, Collagen Peptides for connective tissue, Creatine Monohydrate for muscle and cognitive function, and Vitamin D3+K2 for bone health and strength — especially if you spend time indoors. Always research the best brands for your individual needs.

The Takeaway

You do not need to be calm all the time. You need a way to return to calm when it matters.

That is what we train.

Focus pulls you into the present. Breath gives you a control switch. Consistent deliberate movement keeps your signal quality sharp — not just this month, but for years.

Stress is real. Aging is real. But so is the ability to Control the Moment. That is a skill. And skills can be built.

Come Train With Us

Reading about this is a start. Doing it in a room with other people, with instruction and feedback, is something different. That is where the reset sticks.

If you have never picked up a sword before, good. We start everyone from the beginning.

If you have been training for years, there is always more to sharpen. Either way, there is a place for you at an SXP event.

Upcoming Spring Events —  2026

🗡 Elite Event | Long Island, NY

Start Date: May 9, 2026 (SOLD OUT)

🗡 Elite Event | Chicago, IL

Start Date: May 23, 2026

🗡 Elite Event | Columbus, OH

Start Date: June 7, 2026

New to SXP? Every event starts with the fundamentals. All levels are welcome. Find your event and register at swordxp.com/tour-dates

Follow us on social media and join the conversation. Share your training, your progress, or just let us know you showed up and use these hashtags so we can find you:

#ControlTheMoment | #SwordExperience | #ACutAboveTheRest | #MovelikeaWarrior | #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

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Most people want the cinematic part of sword training first.

Combos. Speed. Big moments.

Stunt performers want something else first.

Control.

Because when it counts, the flashy stuff does not save you. The basics do.

In 2026, our standard is A Cut Above the Rest.

The skill we are building all year is Control the Moment.

And nothing builds control faster than the “boring” stuff.

What the “boring” stuff actually is

The boring stuff is not boring because it is useless. It is boring because it is foundational.

It is the training that makes everything else possible:

• Stance and posture
• Footwork and balance
• Distance and timing
• Grip, guard, and blade line
• Clean recovery after every move
• Breath control under pressure

This is the work that makes you look calm, even when things get fast.

Want receipts? Listen to the people who do this for a living.

Hollywood Experience Podcast Pick: Starting Martial Arts in Her Late 20s | Kelly Hu

Kelly Hu built a long, serious career across film, TV, and voice work. She also proves something we say all the time. You do not need to start early to train well. You need consistency, fundamentals, and a willingness to be a beginner on purpose.

Listen: https://youtu.be/kqjxckbT7pg

Why stunt performers train basics so hard

Stunt performers drill fundamentals for three reasons.

1) Safety

You cannot wing it with weapons. Distance and timing are not optional.

Control protects your training partner. It also protects your joints, shoulders, wrists, and back.

2) Repeatability

On set, you need to do it clean over and over. Not once when you feel amazing.

That is what real skill is. It shows up on demand.

3) Clean performance

Cinematic movement is not chaos. It is precision that looks effortless.

Effortless is built through boring reps.

Hollywood Experience Podcast Pick: Being a Stunts Actor for X-Men | Daniel Cudmore

Daniel gets real about injury and performance. A misdiagnosed knee issue led to a torn Achilles, which is exactly why we treat “boring” training like mobility, mechanics, and control as non-negotiable. He also talks about the problem with going on autopilot. If it is just muscle memory by take six or seven, it stops reading on camera. Clean control stays alive.

Listen: https://youtu.be/jbXKw6BrcFU

The wellness payoff of boring reps

Training fundamentals does not just make you better. It makes you feel better.

Boring reps help with:

• Posture and balance
• Hip and ankle stability
• Shoulder control and reduced tension
• Calmer breathing
• Better focus
• Fewer “why does my body hurt” moments

Control the Moment is not only a sword skill. It is nervous system training.

 

The trap most people fall into

A lot of people try to skip basics and earn skill through speed.

They rush because they want to feel advanced.

They swing harder because they want to feel powerful.

That is normal. It is also how sloppy habits get built.

If you cannot do it clean at a slow speed, you do not own it yet.

Slow is where control lives.

 

What “A Cut Above” looks like in real training

A Cut Above does not mean complicated. It means controlled.

It looks like:

• Quiet feet
• Stable posture
• Clean blade line
• Controlled speed
• Smooth recovery
• Calm breath
• Consistent reps

It looks simple. That is why it works.

Hollywood Experience Podcast Pick: Experience as an Immortal (Highlander) | Elizabeth Gracen

Elizabeth Gracen joined Highlander the Series as Amanda Darieux and became a force in the story. In this conversation, you hear what it takes to step into a world like Highlander and make it believable. The fantasy only works when the work is real. That comes from fundamentals, timing, and control.

Listen: https://youtu.be/4rB2KJlvDcQ

Try this 12-minute “boring basics” session

Do this two or three times a week. Quality matters more than intensity.

1) Breath and stance (2 minutes)

Stand tall. Drop shoulders. Relax jaw.

Inhale through the nose. Exhale slower than you inhale.

Step into a stable guard stance. Hold it. Switch sides.

2) Footwork lines (3 minutes)

Small steps forward and back.

No bouncing. Quiet landings.

3) Slow blade line reps (4 minutes)

If you have a Sword XP Pro trainer, do 10 slow cuts. Reset to guard every rep.

If you do not have a trainer, mimic the line with your hands.

4) Recovery drill (2 minutes)

Cut, then return to guard.

Do it clean. Do not rush.

5) One short sequence (1 minute)

Pick two or three moves.

Do 5 clean reps. Stop while it still feels sharp.

This is how you build control without needing motivation.

 

Train it with us

If you want these fundamentals coached in real time, come train. This is the work we build everything on.

Upcoming Events

Next Up:

• Elite Event | Sioux City, Iowa
• Elite Event | Long Island, NY

New to SXP or never picked up a sword before? That’s fine. We start with the basics and build from there.

The takeaway

If you want to be A Cut Above the Rest, you do not need more tricks. You need more control.

Stunt performers train the boring stuff because it works.

So do we.

#ControlTheMoment

#SwordExperience

#ACutAboveTheRest

The 2026 standard and the skill we’re building all year in our community is Control the Moment. At Sword Experience, A Cut Above the Rest isn’t just a tagline we printed on a hoodie. It is the standard we hold ourselves to in training, coaching, and how we show up.

Everything we teach this year comes back to one skill. Control the Moment. Focus. Breath. Control. Discipline. Real skill-building.

Not “swing harder and hope.” That’s not training. That’s panic with props.

Control is what makes sword training feel powerful and grounded. It is why people leave our sessions feeling better in their bodies, not just tired.

A Cut Above = a higher standard of training (and how it should feel in your body)

“A Cut Above” means you’re not training to look intense. You’re training to be steady.

That shows up as:

• cleaner movement (less wasted effort)
• better breath (less tension)
• stronger posture and balance (your body feels “stacked”)
• calmer focus (your brain isn’t sprinting)
• safer technique (your joints will thank you)

This is what “real skill” feels like: more control, less strain.

What we mean by “Control the Moment”

Control isn’t aggression. It’s command.

It looks like:

• breathing through pressure instead of holding your breath
• staying present instead of rushing
• choosing your speed (not getting dragged by adrenaline)
• keeping your stance and posture stable
• resetting quickly when you make a mistake

That’s not just sword training, that’s nervous system training.

The wellness payoff: why control helps you outside the room

Sword training is physical, but the benefit isn’t only “fitness.”

Control the Moment trains:

• Focus: one task, one rep, one breath (goodbye scattered brain)
• Breath: longer exhales, lower stress response, better recovery
• Posture + stability: strong legs, stable hips, better balance
• Stress tolerance: you practice calm under pressure on purpose
• Confidence: skill-based confidence, not hype confidence

You don’t leave just “worked out.” You leave regulated. Sharper, steadier, and more in control.

Try this: a 10-minute “Control the Moment” reset (no gear needed)

Use this when you’re stressed, unfocused, or feeling tense.

1) Breath + posture (2 minutes)

Stand tall. Soften shoulders. Relax your jaw.
Inhale through the nose. Exhale longer than you inhale.
Feel your weight evenly in your feet.

2) Slow control reps (4 minutes)

Do slow, controlled movement (even without a sword):

• hands move as if you’re guiding a blade line
• smooth start, smooth stop
• reset fully each rep

If you speed up, slow down more.

3) Footwork + balance (3 minutes)

Small steps forward/back. Quiet feet.
Keep your chest calm and upright.

4) One clean sequence (1 minute)

Pick any simple 2–3 step movement pattern.
Do 5 clean reps. Stop while it feels sharp.
This is how you train control when life is loud.

Train it with us

If you want to learn Control the Moment for real, training live changes everything because you get coaching, structure, and community in the room. Never picked up a sword before or new to SXP? You’re in the right place. We start with the basics and build from there.

Upcoming Events To Watch Out For

Next Up:

• The Warrior’s Edge | Sedona, AZ
• Flash Experience | Phoenix, AZ

The line we’re carrying all year

A Cut Above the Rest is our standard.

Control the Moment is what we teach.

#ControlTheMoment
#SwordExperience
#ACutAboveTheRest

Last month, we explored how movie sword fights come to life through discipline, balance, and authentic training. From the elegance of the katana to the quiet power of the bokken, Part One of “From Screen to Steel” showed how real technique transforms cinematic fantasy into believable action.

Now, as the year comes to a close, we turn our focus to the next chapter: power and precision. December is the perfect time to reflect, refine, and prepare for what is ahead. In this continuation, we explore weapons that bring raw intensity to the screen — the axe, the knife, and the iconic “laser sword.” Each represents a different kind of mastery: strength, control, and creativity.

And for those ready to take these lessons from the screen to real life, the Start of the Year Seminar in Dallas, Texas this January 18, 2026, is your chance to begin that journey. You will train directly with Adrian Paul, Anthony Bernabeo, and Ron Hardman, learning the same principles that define every great fight scene — timing, awareness, and storytelling through motion.

Axes & Knives: Brutal Precision

Axes and knives bring raw intensity to film battles — they’re visceral, fast, and full of character. But while movies emphasize power, the real art of using these weapons is in control and distance.

On Screen:

• Vikings (TV Series): Axe fights are intense and emotional, designed for spectacle.
• John Wick 3: Parabellum: The knife-throwing sequence is choreographed with actual knife-fighting techniques such as economy of motion and angle targeting.
• Gladiator: The scenes combine short sword and axe movements with tactical transitions between offense and defense.

In real combat, an axe or knife fight is measured, not chaotic. Small, efficient movements win. The angle of attack, not the strength of the swing, determines success.

At SXP events, we explore how these weapons move and how to channel their momentum safely, maintain control, or understand their cinematic adaptations. You’ll learn how directors and stunt coordinators exaggerate real mechanics to make every hit visible to the
camera. During the Start of the Year Seminar in Dallas, you will see this principle come alive through hands-on training and demonstrations. Martial arts expert Anthony Bernabeo will teach live knife applications and defensive movements focused on precision and awareness. Meanwhile, Ron Hardman will guide a knife-forging session where you can witness how craftsmanship, heat, and technique come together to form a blade built for both art and purpose.

These experiences remind every participant that control, not power, is what defines mastery — both on screen and in real combat.

Real-World Lesson:
Hollywood gives you spectacle; SXP gives you substance. Learn the principles that make every axe swing or knife throw believable, because authenticity always looks better on screen.

Laser Swords: The Future of Ancient Techniques

They may glow and hum, but “laser swords” (yes, lightsabers) are deeply rooted in real martial traditions. George Lucas famously drew inspiration from samurai films like Seven Samurai and The Hidden Fortress. The lightsaber duels in Star Wars mix classical fencing, kendo, and stage combat techniques to create that unforgettable cinematic rhythm.

�Iconic Scenes:

• Obi-Wan vs. Darth Vader (A New Hope): Simple and deliberate, influenced by early kendo forms.
• Duel of the Fates (The Phantom Menace): Darth Maul’s double-bladed weapon work draws from wushu and double-stick fighting.
• Rey vs. Kylo Ren (The Force Awakens): The heavy, emotional swings reflect raw strength mixed with grounded movement.

At SXP, we connect those movie-inspired movements back to their martial roots. The way you hold your center, control your wrist, and position your feet — it’s all rooted in centuries of blade work. You’ll see how cinematic fantasy still borrows from the same timeless truths of swordplay.

Real-World Lesson:
Even futuristic weapons are built on ancient wisdom. Every great screen duel still starts with real human balance, technique, and storytelling.

Bringing It All Together

Whether you’re inspired by medieval epics, samurai dramas, or galaxy-spanning duels, one truth connects them all: real technique creates believable fantasy.

At The Sword Experience, you’ll discover what happens when cinematic imagination meets authentic movement. You’ll train with seasoned instructors (including Highlander’s Adrian Paul) to develop the balance, focus, and confidence that make heroes shine on and off screen.

The best way to bring everything you have read to life is by joining us in Dallas this January. The Start of the Year Seminar is designed for anyone who wants to experience the full journey from screen to steel — learning from the same teachers who train actors, choreograph film fights, and craft the weapons used in them.

Whether you are a seasoned martial artist, a film fan, or simply curious about what it takes to move like a hero, this event will challenge and inspire you. You will leave not only with new skills but with the mindset of a true performer and warrior.

?Join us for your next adventure! ?Find your next Sword Experience event here.

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Some movie fights look so good you can feel them. Every swing, every spark, every step hits perfectly. Others fall flat. What makes the difference? Surprisingly, it is not the weapon. It is the technique.

At The Sword Experience (SXP), we bring cinematic combat to life by teaching the same skills that actors spend months mastering: precision, awareness, and physical storytelling that make every strike look and feel real. Whether you train with a sword, bokken, axe, knife, or even a “laser sword,” you will learn to move like a screen hero while understanding the real-world origins behind every motion.

Even the best on-screen warriors began the same way: through consistent training, solid technique, and endless repetition.

Why Technique Is the Secret Weapon

Flourishes, spins, and flashy moves look incredible on screen, but they are designed for story and spectacle rather than real combat. At The Sword Experience (SXP), we teach the mechanics behind the magic. You learn how professional martial artists, stunt performers, and actors build the foundation that makes every move look authentic and powerful.

Actors such as Charlize Theron in Atomic Blonde, Keanu Reeves in John Wick, and Adrian Paul in Highlander all committed to months of training to make their fight scenes believable. Their performances resonate with audiences because their choreography is built on genuine martial discipline, not shortcuts.

For example, Charlize Theron trained for Atomic Blonde with four hours of martial arts each day for two and a half months. Her focus was on realism and environmental awareness, learning to use her surroundings as part of each fight. She practiced multiple fighting styles and specialized drills for engaging larger opponents. Her dedication allowed her to perform almost all her own stunts, and her precision was so impressive that the fight choreography was redesigned to include longer, unbroken takes.

Keanu Reeves’ preparation for the John Wick series was equally intense. He completed live-fire gun training, firing more than 10,000 rounds, and trained extensively in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also learned tactical driving, horseback stunts, and even how to work alongside trained dogs used in the films. Every movement in those movies comes from real-world practice, not visual trickery.

Adrian Paul, best known for his role as Duncan MacLeod in Highlander, is a lifelong martial artist. His studies include Taekwondo, Choy Li Fut, and Hung Gar Kung Fu. To prepare for Highlander, he expanded his training to include a wide range of weapon arts, particularly the katana, which he continues to teach at Sword Experience events today. His on-screen swordsmanship reflects years of focused study and discipline.

You cannot look convincing in a fight without understanding how to move. That is why SXP focuses on teaching the craft beneath the choreography. Every strike, block, and transition you learn is rooted in real technique.

If you have ever wondered what it feels like to train the way actors do for films, you can experience it firsthand at our Start of the Year Seminar in Dallas, Texas, happening January 18, 2026.

This one-day event brings cinematic combat to life through a powerful combination of sword and knife training, live demonstrations, and guided workshops. You will train with Adrian Paul, whose decades of martial arts and screen experience shaped the Highlander legacy, and Anthony Bernabeo, a force instructor with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office known for merging tactical precision with cinematic movement.

The seminar also includes a live knife-forging session led by Forged in Fire winner Ron Hardman, where you will see how craftsmanship and discipline merge to create both the weapon and the warrior. Every session ties back to the same principles that make movie fights look real: awareness, control, and commitment to practice.

The Sword: The Icon of the Hero

From Highlander to Braveheart, the sword has always symbolized strength, courage, and destiny. On screen, it is a legend. In real life, it is an art form.

A sword is more than an extension of your arm. It reflects your mindset. True sword masters understand balance, timing, and focus. Those same principles make scenes in The Princess Bride or The Witcher unforgettable.

Adrian Paul’s Duncan MacLeod in Highlander moves with purpose. Each strike is clean and precise because every motion has meaning. That level of control is what SXP teaches. You learn how to manage space, maintain stability, and tell a story through your movements.

Movie Moments to Remember:

• Highlander (1986): The duels are theatrical, yet the stance and flow are based on real sword forms.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Aragorn’s swordsmanship demonstrates authentic European longsword techniques.
• The Last Samurai: Merges traditional kenjutsu with cinematic elegance.

Real-World Lesson:
While films favor sweeping arcs and grand gestures, trained fighters rely on small, efficient movements. Every inch of motion counts.

At our Dallas Seminar, participants will dive deeper into these techniques under Adrian Paul’s guidance. You will not only practice the fundamentals of sword movement and footwork, but also explore how these translate into cinematic storytelling. Each sequence you learn is designed to teach flow, timing, and screen presence — the same skills that actors rely on to bring their characters to life.

The Bokken: The Weapon of Discipline

Before any samurai ever touched a live blade, they trained with a bokken, a wooden sword that builds control and focus.

In Japanese martial arts, the bokken is both a tool and a teacher. Each strike must be intentional, and every stance must hold balance. Movies often skip this stage, but behind every graceful katana duel lies countless hours of bokken practice.

In Cinema:

• Kill Bill: Volume 1: Uma Thurman’s training draws from real kendo and kenjutsu principles.
• The Last Samurai: Tom Cruise’s training montage shows the discipline of traditional Japanese sword arts.
• 47 Ronin: The battle choreography blends classical sword form with visual drama.

At SXP, training with weapons like the bokken builds body awareness, strength, and timing. Whether your goal is to look cinematic or simply improve your movement, this weapon shapes your foundation.

Real-World Lesson:
In movies, the katana cuts through everything in sight. In training, the true goal is precision, not destruction. The bokken reminds us that mastery begins with restraint and respect for the weapon.

Bringing It All Together

Every skill you learn from the balance of the sword to the precision of the bokken — builds toward one truth: mastery comes through motion.

At The Sword Experience, we bridge the gap between cinematic choreography and authentic martial technique. Whether you want to understand what drives your favorite film fights or train like the professionals who perform them, this is where the journey begins.

For those ready to take the next step, join us at the Start of the Year Seminar in Dallas, Texas this January 18, 2026. You will train with Adrian Paul and world-class instructors in live, hands-on workshops designed to help you move like a hero and think like a warrior.

And next month, in Part Two of “From Screen to Steel,” we will explore the weapons that demand control, precision, and focus such as axes, knives, and lightsabers. We will also talk about how they bring intensity to the screen and strength to your training!

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October isn’t just about pumpkin lattes and novelty skeletons. It’s about focus, preparation, and facing your inner couch goblin. As the leaves fall, so do the excuses. This is the month to sharpen your edge, both physically and mentally, with a bokken in hand and intention in mind.

This is a perfect season to train. The air is crisp, your schedule still has room to breathe, and motivation hasn’t yet been buried under holiday chaos. Whether you’re rebuilding momentum or pushing for a strong finish to the year, the Sword Experience October Challenges are designed to help you move with purpose and sharpen your skill set.

You’ll train through four themed weeks, each one targeting core aspects of sword practice—stance, control, defense, and flow. Then on Friday, October 31st, we finish together with a global community showcase.

Train live. Train online. Train in your backyard if that’s your stage. However you do it, this month is your invitation to reset, level up, and stay sharp.

⚔️ How It Works

• Every Friday in October, we’ll post a training theme and challenge prompt on our social media.
• The full month’s plan is below, so you overachievers can get a head start.
• Each week focuses on one key training area (stance, cuts, defense, performance).
• Use the same bokken or trainer all month to build consistency.
• Track your progress using our post challenges, tag us, and keep showing up.
• On Halloween, post your best sword pose, form video, or spooky fight combo and tag @theswordexperience with #SwordXPChallenge.

Let’s see what kind of legends you can become in four weeks.

 

? The 4-Week Challenge Breakdown

Week 1: Ground Yourself

Theme: Stance, Balance, Breath

Your sword is only as steady as your feet.

Start the month by rooting yourself with purpose.

• 2 min daily joint mobility (wrists, hips, shoulders)
• Practice holding Neutral and Lead stances – both sides
• Add 10 slow, intentional SXP 1A and 2A cuts
• End the week by filming a short 15-second stance + cut sequence

?️ Friday Post Challenge:

Share a photo or short clip of your cleanest stance.

 

Week 2: Cut With Intention

Theme: Control, Accuracy, Muscle Memory

Now that you’re grounded it’s time to strike.

Clean form matters more than flashy speed.

• Add SXP 3A and 4A to your practice
• 5 reps each, repeated 3x
• Combine all four cuts into a short sequence
• Practice breathing between transitions

?️ Friday Post Challenge:

Film a short combo using all 4 cuts and tag us.

 

Week 3: Defend Your Energy

Theme: Parries, Reaction, Presence

A true warrior doesn’t just attack, they anticipate.

Time to learn how to protect your space.

• Work through SXP 1D to 4D parries
• Add verbal cues (say the number as you move)
• Practice stepping backward smoothly
• Mix in call-and-response drills if you have a partner (or shadow fight a ghost, it’s Halloween after all)

?️ Friday Post Challenge:

Post a slow-mo parry or ghost fight. Bonus points for spooky lighting.

 

Week 4: Make It Real

Theme: Flow, Performance, Power

Bring it all together. This is your final prep week.

You’re not just practicing. You’re performing.

• Choose your favorite sequence from the month
• Practice eyeline, posture, and controlled exits
• Add breath cues and tempo shifts
• Dress for the fight (yes, this is your excuse to wear your SXP swag)

?️ Friday Post Challenge:

Film your full sequence—cuts and parries.

 

? Bonus Week: Halloween Warrior Showcase

Theme: Be Seen. Be Sharp.

It’s the fifth Friday. You’ve trained. You’ve filmed.

Now it’s time to strike a pose and show us who you’ve become.

?️ Halloween Post Challenge (October 31st):

Post a photo or video of your best sword form, costume, pose, or fight.

Tag @theswordexperience and use #SwordXPChallenge.

And maybe send some surprise treats (not the candy kind).

 

? Your Training Toolkit

Make it easier on yourself:

✅ Train Online (review your moves)

✅ Get Your Gear (bokkens, Pro Trainer, swag)

✅ Find a Live Event (yes, people sword fight in real life)

? Join the Challenge

Training alone doesn’t mean being alone. Every tag, every video, every rep shared is part of this month-long sword story. Follow along on socials, check in every Friday, and meet us at the final strike.

Because it’s October.

The leaves are falling.

But you? You’re just getting sharper.

#BeStrongFinishStronger #SwordXPChallenge

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The brain begs for the couch. The body knows better. Sword training is where the body goes first and the brain catches up.

Discipline is not drama. It is a small decision repeated. The brain will always nominate the couch and a scroll session. Sword training teaches a different vote. Feet set, breath steady, blade up. Action first, feelings follow.

If you are new to us, start here: Sword Experience homepage.

Lesson 1. Focus starts in your feet

Attention is not a mindset. It is placement. Heel, toe, hips, guard. When the stance is steady, the mind follows.

Quick primer: (If you haven’t seen our blog on Aug 22 please refer to that post for all correct positioning when attempting the stances below)

• Neutral stance for 30 seconds
• Lead stance for 30 seconds
• Switch sides and repeat

Keep your eyes on a single point the entire time.

Lesson 2. Discipline is a tiny promise with proof

Sword work rewards quality over noise. One clean rep teaches more than twenty messy ones.

• Choose one short combo, using SXP 1-4 Attack and Defense positions. Please refer to our Blog (05 Sep 25)
• Do five clean reps
• Film the last rep
• Stop if quality drops

That is a kept promise and a real training win.

Build steady progress with structured lessons in the Online Academy.

Lesson 3. Consistency beats intensity

The heroic plan fails by Wednesday. Ten to fifteen focused minutes will not.

A reliable format:

1. Warm up for 2 minutes with joint circles and light squats
2. Cuts for 3 minutes with smooth paths and steady breath
3. Footwork for 3 minutes forward, back, and diagonals
4. Short sequence for 4 minutes with five clean reps at a time
5. Cool down for 2 minutes for wrists, shoulders, and hips

Lesson 4. Add SXP moves 9 &12.

If I have worked on SXP 1-4 then shouldn’t I learn SXP 5&6? Sword work is not necessarily linear, yet your learning can be. Moves SXP 9&12 are easier to grasp than SXP5&6 that require more technical aspects to the movements. With that said the attack for both SXP9 and SXP 12 are the same. The only differences are in the defenses. Let’s start with the SXP9 attack.

1. Stand ready in a mid guard position. RIght foot forward, evenly weighted on both feet. Arms slightly bent, shoulders relaxed.
2. Raise the bokken vertically above your head, so that the bottom of the handle sits above your forehead. Bokken should be angled at about 45 degrees.
3. Now bring the bokken down sharply, aiming at the top of the head of your imaginary opponent, stopping just above your mid guard position.
4. As you make this movement, push off your back foot, advancing your right towards your opponent.
5. Return to center, Repeat 15 times.

NB: As you push back to raise the bokken be careful not to bring the bokken back too far or let the tip drop behind your back.

The defense of the SXP9 attack, has two positions. Tip pointed right. Tip pointed left. The movement from the mid guard position to final position is the same

1. Stand ready in a mid guard position. RIght foot forward, evenly weighted on both feet. Arms slightly bent, shoulders relaxed.
2. As you raise the bokken, turn your hands in front of you, either right or left, ending with the blade in a horizontal position above your head, effectively blocking a head attack. Turn your hands as you make the movement. If you don’t you will raise the bokken vertically, missing the bokken creating an imaginary wall in front of you.
3. Once you have reached the final position check where your hands have landed. Are they in the middle of your head. If they are, they will get struck by the opponent, whose target is the top of your head. Move them to the left, or right side of your head.

Repeat 15 times on either side.

Then add SXP9A, stepping back into a SXP9D, alternating point left and point right. Repeat 15 times.

SXP12D. Now as i mentioned the attack for the SXP12 defense is the same as SXP9A. The movement and placement of the bokken, however, are very different. The essence of SXP12D is to open your opponent up for a counter attack opportunity. SXP12D can move to the left, or the right.

1. Stand ready in a mid guard position. RIght foot forward, evenly weighted on both feet. Arms slightly bent, shoulders relaxed.
2. Imagine your opponent, bringing their weapon down directly on your head. As you bring the bokken up over your head, with the point to the right, step your left foot at about 45 degrees to your left.
3. At the same time instead of finishing your bokken movement with the bokken horizontally above your head, let the tip drop to the floor, so that your opponent’s blade is not “BLOCKED” but parried, allowing their blade to continue downwards.
4. Now turn your hips towards your opponent, bringing the bokken down in a SXP9 attack. The target could be the hands. The shoulders. Or the head.
5. Where you step your left foot, at the beginning of your movement, is extremely important, since stepping too far forward will crowd your next attack. Stepping too far sideways prevent you from being able to reach your opponent.

Repeat 15 times before attempting the same movement to the right.

The right side SXP12D is a little trickier because of the positioning of the feet. This time as you raise the bokken, ending with the bokken above your head, with the tip pointing to the left and towards the ground, you will step to the right with your right foot.

As you bring the bokken down in a SXP9A movement, either step our left foot backwards, creating more space between you and your opponent. Or shuffle your left, then right foot forward, closing the gap on your opponent.

Both the right and left sides can be repeated separately or switch between them to signify more than one attack.

NB: Begin these movements slowly, so you can see where you end up after the initial defense. This way you can adjust your footwork to gain the correct measure on your opponent for what your next move will be. The best way to test this is by having a punching bag, or any target to simulate your opponent so you can work on your distancing.

All SXP1-4 and 9&12 attack and defense positions are covered in the SXP Online Academy videos 1-12, along with fitness tips, strengthening exercises and correct movement positions.

The right tool removes excuses

A safe trainer protects your space and your focus. Consistent tools lock in muscle memory. Start with a bokken and add a heavier trainer once form is solid. Find both in the Shop.

Lesson 5. Community keeps the promise honest

Partner timing and distance raise the stakes in a good way. You show up because someone else is counting on you. Pick a date and feel it live on Tours and Events.

On the days you do not feel like it

Put on training shoes.

Set a two minute timer.

Stand in lead stance and breathe.

Run one short combo for five clean reps.

Stop only if you still want the couch when the timer ends.

Most people keep going.

What changes outside training

Sword practice carries over. Breathing improves. Decisions come faster. Boundaries hold with less effort. The sword does not create a new person. It reveals the version that keeps promises.

Start where you are.

Begin with the Online Academy.

Gear up in the Shop.

Book a live experience on Tours and Events.

Or explore everything from the homepage.

The brain begs for the couch. The stance makes the decision.

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September has first – day – of – school energy for grownups. Schedules settle, daylight is kind, and motivation quietly peeks around the corner. This is the perfect moment to reset skills, rebuild habits, and give your training a clean structure that actually fits your life.

New here? Start at the Sword Experience homepage.

What the September Reset is

A four week plan that stacks short daily drills with one focused weekend session. The goal is simple. Restore fundamentals, regain flow, and finish the month with visible progress on timing, footwork, and confidence.

Quick links to set yourself up:

• Train online in the SXP Online Academy
• Pick a live date on Tours and Events
• Gear up in the Shop

How it works

• Daily micro sessions: 10 to 15 minutes, five days per week
• One weekend focus: 30 to 45 minutes that ties the week together
• Track scenes, not minutes: count clean reps and short sequences
• Use consistent tools: a bokken or practice blade from the Shop keeps muscle memory honest
• Follow the SXP numbering: shared cues speed up learning in the Online Academy and at live events

Week 1. Foundations that stick

Theme: stance, guard, clean cuts

Daily plan

• 2 minutes joint prep for wrists, shoulders, hips

Clasp your hands together and roll your wrists in one direction for about 10-15 secs, then roll them in the other direction for 10-15 seconds.
Continuing rolling but this time get your elbows and shoulders in on the action. Again 10-15 secs each direction.
Drop your hands to your sides and roll your shoulders to the back of the room. After 10 secs, roll them forward.
Drop your hands, Now, shrug your shoulders upwards. Around 10 repetitions.
With your hips still, swing your arms from side to side. This is to warm up your ribcage.
Now it’s time to practice your sexy walk. Hands on hips. Rotate your hips in one direction for 10 seconds. Stop. Then rotate them in the other direction for about 10 secs.

• 3 minutes stance holds, neutral and lead, switch sides

Please refer to our previous blog if you are uncertain of these positions

• 3 minutes single cuts, slow to crisp, focus on path and breath.

Move the bokken from the neutral position, left to right, around your head and finish in the SXP # 1A position (Opponents left shoulder). Now move the bokken back the way it came ending in the SXP 2 position. (Opponents right shoulder). Once you feel comfortable, change the attack positions to target the left and right hips. SXP 3A and SXP4A. Again, please check our previous blog for a more detailed description

• 2 minutes guard transitions with balance checks

Move between the guard positions focusing on how your feet make contact to the ground. Are you weighted evenly? Ask yourself: “Is my weight on my heels, or my toes.” The weight shift should transition between the two, ending in a neutral central position, leaving you perfectly balanced.

Weekend focus

• Film five reps of a short sequence that uses numbers SXP1A and SXP2A
• Review alignment and footwork
• Note one cue to fix next week

Helpful support

• Beginners and refreshers will move faster with the Online Academy

Week 2. Footwork and flow

Theme: movement lines and recovery

Daily plan

• 2 minutes ankle and hip prep

Move your hips in a circular motion for 15 secs in one direction and fifteen seconds in the other

Put 90% of your weight on your right foot. Point =your left foot to the floor and rotate the foot and ankle for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side

Now place your weight on your right foot and stretch the side of your foot to the floor so that you feel outwards

• 4 minutes footwork boxes, forward and back, then diagonals

Work on the three basic steps. Advance: pushing off your back foot and “advancing” forward. Step: walking one foot in front of the other. Replacement: Where your back foot moves forward and replaces your front foot as your front foot moves forward. This can be done as a diagonal or side to side.

• 4 minutes cuts on the move, point returns to guard every time

Add SXP1A and SXP2A.Then XP 3A and SXP4A as you move through your footwork

Weekend focus

• String a five beat combo with entries and exits
• Add tempo changes to find control, then speed

Helpful support

• Use a light bokken from the Shop to groove rhythm without fatigue

Week 3. Timing and distance

Theme: cues, reactions, safe partnering

Parries:

SXP 1D – From a neutral en garde position, right foot forward, push off your right foot to retreat backward while moving your hands to outside of your left shoulder. Bokken should be pointed slightly forward, elbows tucked and hips facing forward. The bokken edge should be facing outwards and should be high enough, that the bottom third of the blade (the strong part) protects your shoulder. You are creating your safe zone, so nothing should be outside of this zone that an opponent might target.

SXP2D – Now, move the bokken across your body to just outside your right side, Bokken should be pointed slightly forward. Step backwards as you make the movement ending with your hips facing forward. IMPORTANT: An error many make is to turn the hips when stepping back. Look at your feet. They should be the same distance apart as when you started, not with one foot stacked behind the other. If you turn your shoulders will turn with them, thus exposing your left shoulder.

NB. Do not sway the tip of the bokken from side to side when doing this motion, but rather move the hands across the body keeping the bokken steady.

SXP3D – Again step backward while dropping and crossing the bokken to the outside of your left hip. Tip should be pointed forward at a 45 degree angle to not only protect your hips but also your knees and lower body. Bokken edge should face outwards. Your hands should be slightly higher than your hips to protect them, elbow should be again tucked to your side. Hips again face forward.

SXP4D – This time as your step backwards, move the bokken in a circular motion in an anti-clockwise direction (to the right) all the way in front of your and back around until it stops outside of your right side. Hands high. Elbows tucked. Bokken pointed downwards in a 45 degree angle. Hips forward.

Solo version

• 3 minutes shadow parries with audible breath cues

Work on the SXP 1D, 2D,3D and 4D parries.

• 4 minutes call and answer drills, say the number before the cut

Now work the numbers and corresponding movements.

• 4 minutes tempo ladder, slow to medium to crisp

As you get more comfortable change the speed of your drill, without losing form.

• 2 minutes recovery to balanced guard

Move through three guard positions as you control your breathing.

Partner version

• Trade safe, pre-agreed strikes using SXP numbers
• Add resets and verbal cues before each exchange

Weekend focus

• Attend a class in the Online Academy or book a spot at a nearby session on Tours and Events

Week 4. Performance and proof

Theme: make it real, keep it safe

Daily plan

• 3 minutes warm up
• 6 minutes polish your best short sequence
• 4 minutes “sell the story” work, eyeline, reaction, exit

NB: The last one here is not as easy as you think This is where you imagine opponents in front of you and “see” the target that you are aiming at. Imagination is a great tool to learn targeting because where your eyes go so does the tip of your sword.

Weekend focus

• Film a clean take outdoors or in a bright room
• Check posture, blade path, breath, and exits
• Save the video and note what to build in October

Helpful support

• Consider a heavier trainer from the Shop once form is consistent

Simple progress metrics

• Two stance holds improved by at least 10 seconds each
• One short sequence filmed at the end of each week
• Fewer balance checks during exits
• Smoother guard recovery after every cut

Anti-slump checklist

When energy dips, use this five minute script.

Shoes on. Timer set.

Thirty seconds neutral stance.

Thirty seconds lead stance each side.

Ten slow, perfect cuts.

One short sequence for five clean reps.

If motivation returns, keep going. If not, you still trained.

Where to go next

• Explore everything from the Sword Experience homepage
• Keep progress rolling in the Online Academy
• Grab a bokken or trainer in the Shop
• Put a live date on the calendar with Tours and Events

September favors consistency over intensity. Start small, stack wins, and let skill lead the way.

 

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For decades, Highlander has captivated fans with its blend of sword fights, rich mythology, and immortal warriors. But for many, watching from the couch just isn’t enough.

The Highlander Tour, powered by The Sword Experience, is an immersive event series that brings you face to face with the world of Highlander. It goes far beyond a fan convention or location tour. These are real, on-location experiences where you can step into the scenes and stories that made the franchise iconic.

After appearances in cities across North America and Europe in 2025, the next stop is one of the most visually iconic and emotionally charged Highlander locations ever filmed: Vancouver.

What Is the Highlander Tour?

The Highlander Tour is a one-of-a-kind event designed for fans who want to do more than just revisit filming locations. It gives you the opportunity to train with Adrian Paul, learn sword choreography, sometimes inspired by the show, and experience the stories of Highlander in the same places they were originally filmed.

From immersive storytelling to hands-on fight sequences, the Highlander Tour is part travel experience, part training session, and part behind-the-scenes walkthrough of one of the most beloved fantasy series of the 90s.

The past Season 1 & 2 Highland Tours have spanned a number of historic and cinematic cities. Each location has offered its own unique scenes and legacy from the Highlander universe. “Spectacular”, “Breathtaking”, “Amazing” are just some of the comments that people have made. Why?  Because you don’t just get to explore these settings, but you also get train in them, connect with the story, and walk away with a deeper appreciation of the characters and action that made you love Highlander in the first place

Watch Season One Tour here:

Watch Season Two Tour Here:

Why Vancouver Is the Ultimate Highlander Destination

Vancouver played a central role in Highlander Season 3, becoming the backdrop for some of the most character-defining episodes in the series.

These episodes include:

• The Samurai
• Homeland
• The Messenger
• The Revolutionary
• Methos
• Legacy
• Song of the Executioner

From lush gardens to urban alleyways, Vancouver gave the show cinematic variety and emotional depth. Now, you will be able to walk those same paths, see where key scenes were filmed, and train where Duncan MacLeod once stood.

What You’ll Experience on the Vancouver Tour

This is not a sightseeing tour. This is a cinematic, choreographed, fully immersive fan experience.

You will:

• Visit and explore iconic filming locations from at least seven episodes
• Receive hands-on sword training and choreography instruction
• Learn behind-the-scenes details and production stories from Adrian Paul
• Meet actors and crew who made the series so memorable
• Train at VanDusen Gardens, featured in “The Samurai”
• Receive certificates, professional photos, and access to exclusive SXP content
• Connect with other passionate Highlander fans in a truly unforgettable setting

It’s not just about where the show was filmed. It’s about why it was filmed there, and what it meant to the story and the characters.

Watch our other exciting tour and event videos here to learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQWciCx4VCU8z_E4c8WjkVaD_lvsKj8Yf

Who Should Attend?

If you are young, old, a fan of Highlander the series, passionate about cinematic sword training, or you just love immersive storytelling, then this event is for you. Plus, you don’t need prior martial arts experience, just a willingness to participate and maybe learn something new.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or someone discovering Highlander through this experience, the tour offers a unique blend of physical activity, film history, and community connection.

Reserve Your Spot for Vancouver

Spots are limited and our 2025 Scotland and Paris tours sold out. So, if Vancouver is on your travel list, or Highlander is part of your fandom story, this is the moment to step into both.

The Highlander Tour is more than nostalgia. It’s about reliving those moments you reveled in years ago, and now you get another chance to relive those memories, while building new ones, and physically connecting with a story that has stood the test of time.

If you don’t have time for the entire tour, you can still train with Adrian Paul at the stand alone Sword Experience event, being held at Minoru park (Song of the Executioner) and Van Dusen Gardens, where not only where scenes from “The Samurai” filmed, but where you will learn the choreography from the  episode’s epic final fight.

From the cobblestone streets of Europe, and the Highlands of Scotland, to the towering trees of Vancouver, these events are shaping a new kind of fan experience. One that gives you a cinematic legacy with personal transformation.

Join us in Vancouver and walk the same ground as the immortals. This is your story now.

Register: https://swordxp.com/event/sxp-presents-the-highlander-tour-season-3-vancouver-canada/

 

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Gyms build muscle. Swords build muscle and momentum. You could do three sets of lunges. Or you could grab a sword and rehearse a fight scene that secretly gives you full-body conditioning, balance training, and focus like nothing else. Sword training is cardio in disguise. It’s also more fun to talk about at parties.

That’s right! Sword training really is full body, skill based, and strangely addictive. You get cardio, strength, mobility, and a story your brain actually cares about.

New here? Start at the Sword Experience homepage.

Two easy paths

Option 1. Learn by video

Follow the step by step lessons in the Online Academy. It is easier than decoding text, and the SXP numbering system is built into every class.

Option 2. Learn with written steps

Use the cues below as a starting point, then pair them with real coaching for best results and safety. Follow along in the SXP Online Academy or train with us in person via Tours and Events. Video guidance and live feedback will dial in your stance, grip, blade path, footwork, breath, and recovery so your reps stay clean and consistent.

Safety note. Use trainers, not sharps. If anything hurts, stop and talk to a professional.

Before you move

Space

Clear a 10 by 10 foot area. No low ceilings. No pets auditioning for stunts.

Trainer

Use a bokken or practice blade from the Shop.

Warm up, 3 minutes

• Wrist circles, ten each way
• Shoulder rolls, ten each way
• Hip circles, ten each way
• Ankle rocks, ten each side
• Two calm breaths in guard

NOTE: A sword has three keep components. Handle, for blade movement. Lower third of the blade just above the guard/tsuba (used for defense). Upper third of the towards the tip (used for attacks)

The SXP numbering system in one minute

SXP assigns numbers to attack lines and matching defenses so partners can call clean cues.

Typical map used in class. When facing an opponent.

• 1: Right shoulder attack
• 2: Left shoulder attack
• 3: Right hip attack
• 4: Left Hip Attack
• 5: Diagonal upper Cut from right to left
• 6: Diagonal upper Cut from left to right
• 7: Downward diagonal cut, Target – right side Trapezium
• 8: Central thrust to mid chest.

Partner script

• Attacker says the number before the strike
• Defender repeats the number while parrying
• Both say recover on the reset

Your coach may tweak angles for safety or camera. Use the numbers given in the moment.

How to hold the sword

Grip

• Hold the sword in your left hand- Slide the right hand to the guard (Tsuba) until your thumb creates a triangle with the guard. Your grip should now be – Middle, Ring and Pinky fingers. The thumb and index finger should be loose, allowing the tip of the bokken free movement. Now place the left hand toward the end of the handle with about one inch of space between hands
• Grip pressure about 100% pinky finger, 80% ring finger and 60% middle finger
• Thumbs long, not clamped
• Wrists neutral with the blade, no kinks

Neutral guard

• Feet hip width apart
• Step the left foot backwards, or the right foot forwards so the right foot is pointed toward the target, and left rear foot is turned out about 45 degrees
• Knees soft, ribs stacked over pelvis, shoulders down
• Blade about 30 degrees off vertical, tip pointed just below partner’s chin line
• Eyes on a single point

How to do clean SXP1A and SXP2A cuts

We will build the two most common cuts. Learn them slow, then crisp.

SXP1 A(attack), Target Opponents Left Shoulder.

1. Load the weight onto your back foot as you begin the arc of your movement, so that you can advance your right foot forward by the time you have ended the swing towards your target.
2. As you rotate the blade in an arc around your head, the movement begins with the wrist, then elbows then. shoulders. If there is no wrist bend at the beginning of your movement, then you will move the blade with the arms and not let the blade move freely.
3. Allow the Blade path to travel from left to right in a smooth motion to your target’s left shoulder, with little movement in your shoulders as you perform the move.
4. As the blade moves around you, the edge alignment stays horizontal to the ground and the tip of the weapon points all the way behind your head.
5. Finish with point at opponents left shoulder. Arms slightly bent. IMPORTANT- At the end of the movement DO NOT bend the left wrist inwards, losing grip with the handle. Your blade should be pointed to the outside of your opponent’s left shoulder with tips of your fingers facing upwards in a supinated position. Your left wrist must end in a strong, almost straight, position. You cannot deliver a cut with a loose left wrist. Should you wish to continue the cut, the next thing to move would be your hips, not your hands or arms.

Common fixes for 1

• If the arm is doing all the work, let the left wrist bend at the beginning of the movement.
• If the cut drifts, slow down and trace the same path twice before adding speed.

SXP2A, Opponents right Shoulder Attack

1. From the end of your SXP1 movement begin to bring the weapon on a return path to your opponent’s right shoulder.
2. This time by the time you end the move, step your left foot forward towards your target.
3. Again, allow the blade to travel from right to left in a smooth motion to your target’s right shoulder, with little movement in your own as you perform the move.
4. Finish with the tip of your weapon pointing outside your opponent’s right shoulder, and looking at the top of your hand, so that your hands are in pronated position.
5. Then recover to Mid guard.

NOTE: If your hands are not in a supinate or pronated position at the end of the movements you will have struck your opponent with the side, not the edge of your blade.

Common fixes for 2

• If the shoulder hikes, exhale and lower it before the swing
• If balance wobbles, shorten the step and widen the stance

Basic parries for 1 and 2

SXP 1D (Defense) Left shoulder defense

• Begin in neutral guard position. Right foot forward
• Push backwards off the right foot to retreat in a defensive position keeping your hips facing forward.
• At the same time move your hands (not the blade) to your left side, with the blade pointing 45 degrees away from you and towards the opponent.
• Meet opponent’s blade about one foot in front of your face and high enough to use the defensive portion of the blade. Elbow tucked inside.

SXP 2D – Right shoulder Defense

• Now from the end SXP1D position step your right foot back and bring the hands across to your right side blocking your opponent’s strike.
• IMPORTANT DO NOT TURN YOUR HIPS OR SHOULDERS. Face them towards your opponent. Failure to do this will bring sword too far to the right exposing the left shoulder.
• Elbows stay soft. Blade points 45 degrees away from you and towards the opponent. Elbows tucked in.

Say the number before you parry. Words lock timing.

A ten minute starter session

1. Warm up for 2 minutes
2. Stance holds for 1 minute, 30 seconds each side
3. Number 1 cuts for 2 minutes, slow to crisp
4. Number 2 cuts for 2 minutes, slow to crisp
5. Number 1 & 2 cuts from side to side for 2 minutes
6. Simple call and answer for 2 minutes
   1. Solo: say “1,” cut 1, recover. Say “2,” cut 2, recover
   2. Partner: attacker calls the number, defender parries and repeats it
7. Cool down for 1 minute, wrists and shoulders

Film the last thirty seconds. You will see what your body already felt.

Why this beats your gym rut

Total body in every rep

Cuts and parries use legs, hips, core, back, shoulders, and grip at once.

Rotational strength with control

You build power through the feet and hips. Your lower back stops complaining.

Cardio that does not slog

Short bursts with resets create natural intervals.

Mobility from doing, not forcing

Stances open hips and shoulders while you move.

A skill you can show

Timing, distance, and clean exits carry over to daily life and sport.

Want a plan that scales week to week. Use the Online Academy. Want immersion. Pick a date on Tours and Events.

Progress checks for September

• You can hold each stance 45 seconds without fidgeting
• Number 1 and 2 look the same on repeat
• Parries meet early and glide off center
• You recover to guard before your feet start wandering

Next steps

• Explore everything from the homepage
• Train the numbered system in the Online Academy
• Grab a bokken or trainer in the Shop
• See it live on Tours and Events

If you post your practice, tag #SwordExperience, #SXPAcademy, and #SwordXP so we can cheer, coach, and admire your excellent edge alignment.

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Your motivation did not vanish. It got bored. The same playlist, the same reps, the same corner of your living room turned training dojo. No wonder your inner athlete is filing HR complaints. Time to trade the hamster wheel for hero training.

Cinematic movement is the fix. Think clean footwork, partner timing, and sequences that tell a story. It is physical training with a plot. That narrative wakes up your brain, your body, and your will to show up again.

If you are new here, start at the source: Sword Experience.

Why burnout loves routine and why story beats it

Burnout thrives on sameness. Your brain stops paying attention, effort spikes, and progress stalls. Sword work breaks that loop because every sequence has intention. You are not just moving. You are aiming, reacting, and communicating. The scene gives the reps meaning, which keeps your focus alive long enough to see real results.

Benefits you can feel quickly:

• Attention stays locked because choreography demands presence
• Cardio, core, legs, shoulders, and grip all get work in one practice
• Creativity returns, which makes consistency painless
• You leave with a skill you can actually show someone

A three step reboot you can start today

Step 1. Change the arena.

Move to a new space. Try a park, a garage, a quiet hallway, or a sunny corner you have never used. New surroundings switch your brain into learning mode. If you need a hard reset, browse a live experience on the Tours and Events page. A single day on location can jumpstart months of progress.

Step 2. Train a sequence with a story.

Pick a short combo with clear beats. Opening stance, advance, cut, parry, counter, exit. Keep it under thirty seconds so you can repeat it often. The Online Academy has progressive lessons that stack cleanly, so you always know what to learn next.

Step 3. Track scenes, not minutes.

Do five clean takes rather than chasing a timer. Film the last one. You will see posture and timing improvements that your muscles already felt. Visible progress is the antidote to slump brain.

A ten minute “from slump to stance” session

Warm up with joint circles and light hip mobility.
1 minute stance holds, switch sides every 15 seconds.
2 minutes footwork boxes, forward and back, then diagonals.
3 minutes single cuts, slow to crisp, focus on alignment and breath.
3 minutes run your short sequence, rest on quality, not exhaustion.
1 minute cool down with shoulder and wrist releases.
If you want consistency across home and live training, use the same tools. A bokken keeps mechanics honest without destroying your lamps. Find one in the Shop.

Why this beats your usual workout

• You learn faster. Novelty plus structure equals sticky memory.
• You get social fuel. Partner work creates instant accountability without awkward small talk.
• You build usable confidence. Timing, distance, and clean exits transfer directly to everyday movement and decision making.
• You stop dreading practice. Fun is not a luxury. It is the multiplier that keeps you consistent.

When you are ready to feel that switch flip, train with us online in the Online Academy. When you want the full immersion, pick a date from Tours and Events and let a real location do half the motivational work for you.

Gear that helps you stay unstuck

Start simple with a bokken. Level up to heavier trainers once your form is clean. Both live events and the Academy are built around consistent tools, which means your muscle memory does not have to reinvent itself every session. Stock up on bokkens, trainers, and swag in the Shop.

Your exit from the slump

You are not lazy. You are under-stimulated. Give your training a plot, give your body a reason, and
your stance will follow.

Start here: Sword Experience homepage

Train now: Online Academy

Reset on location: Tours and Events

Gear up: Shop

See you on set, starring you, your focus, and a very cooperative sword.

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