#not standard HEMA practices

[elumish]

Some Things To Consider When Writing Weapons Training

Your character will hurt. Even if they don't get hit, it can be exhausting training, especially if they're just starting. It can be a weird set of muscles to use, and things like their shoulders will hurt if they do what a lot of people do and tense up while holding the weapon.

They will drop the weapon. There are a lot of reasons why people drop weapons--because the weapon is awkward to hold or the person isn't used to holding them, because it gets hit out of the person's hand, because their own hand gets hit, etc--but it happens.

People get hit by accident all the time--including the person holding the weapon. When I've done jō practice, I consider it a success if I don't hit myself with it while I'm practicing. And even when doing controlled sparring or paired katas, people still end up hitting each other, especially on places like the hand.

Practice weapons still hurt. Depending on what you're doing, they're usually made of either wood or rubber rather than metal, but just because they're not metal, it doesn't mean they don't hurt. Bruises are really standard, especially if you're practicing something like knife fighting where you're doing a lot of hand-to-hand blocking.

The goal of training is not to hurt your opponent. People who (intentionally or through carelessness) hurt their sparring partners are bad at training and will probably be kicked out of it or at least get a very strong talking to. Good training will also teach them how to train without getting hurt and strongly discourage doing things in a dangerous way.

What they wear will differ widely depending on the discipline. HEMA and fencing tend to have a fair amount of protective gear (helmet, etc.), as does kendo, while disciplines like aikidō, iaidō, and jūjutsu are more likely to have people wearing a gi or hakama. This will impact how they feel about hitting opponents--it's always riskier to hit someone in a place with no protective gear.

Some weapons' training is primarily defensive, and some is primarily offensive, and some is both. Some training (knife defense, gun defense) is primarily about disarming someone with one of those weapons, where the actual use of the weapon is just as a training tool. In those cases, the specifics of the attack are usually emphasized less than the specifics of the defense. HEMA and fencing are much more offense-focused, with the goal being more about landing a hit. In forms like that (or in a similar fictional form), you'll see the mentality that the best defense is a good offense, as opposed to the mentality that the best defense is a good defense (or the best defense is running away).

Knowing one form of weapons training is (often) helpful in learning another. Even while they differ a fair amount, different weapons styles can often use similar patterns in terms of strikes, blocks, and steps. Part of this is that there are only so many useful places to hit a person and only so many ways to step. There are other things that are fairly universal as well, like awareness of your blade and your opponent's blade, awareness of your body, and awareness of relative distance.

[historicalfightingguide]

“ A short longsword spar with Angel Chernaev   /https://www.youtube.com/@AngelChernaevHistoricalFencing. 

 We are both using Sigi Concept Feders, Standard Size (https://sigiforge.com/products/sigi-concept-feder/) We are playing around. 

And yes, the ceiling is a bit low for long feders. “

If you are interested in learning how to use a longsword check out these few links.

And don’t forget - we can use every video of sparring as a training tool.

For anyone who hasn’t yet seen the following links:

Some advice on how to start studying the sources generally can be found in these older posts

Remember to check out  A Guide to Starting a Liberation Martial Arts Gym as it may help with your own club/gym/dojo/school culture and approach.

Check out their curriculum too.

Fear is the Mind Killer: How to Build a Training Culture that Fosters Strength and Resilience by   Kajetan Sadowski   may be relevant as well.

“How We Learn to Move: A Revolution in the Way We Coach & Practice Sports Skills”  by Rob Gray  

Another useful book to check out is  The Theory and Practice of Historical European Martial Arts (while about HEMA, a lot of it is applicable to other historical martial arts clubs dealing with research and recreation of old fighting systems).

Why having a systematic approach to training can be beneficial

Worth checking out are this blogs tags on pedagogy and teaching for other related useful posts.

Consider getting some patches of this sort or these cool rashguards to show support for good causes or a t-shirt like to send a good message while at training.

And stay safe

[kultofathena]

Landsknecht Emporium – Dorothea Dussack – Blunt

This version of Landsknecht Emporium’s Dorothea Dussack has a thick and well-tempered blunt-edged blade to make it more suitable for HEMA drills and controlled sparring. Despite the thicker blade is still manages to stay relatively easy to use and responsive in the hand. The protective guard and pommel are crafted from mild steel and the wooden grip is bound in black leather to complete the hilt. The blade is stoutly peened over the pommel for a robust and secure assembly.

The dussack is a sidearm originating in the early 16th century, and it was first mentioned in the manuscript ‘Ergrundung Ritterlicher Kunst der Fechterey’ written by a fencing master Andre Paurñfeyndt in 1516. It has soon become a standard part of fencing treatments, where they are usually shown as made out of wood (for practicing purposes).

The actual weapon is defined by a now often curved blade, a knucklebow and protection for the back of the hand. The dusack’s blade length usually lies between 635mm and 884mm. When it comes to the blades and hilts, the originals and period depictions show a considerable variation. Per Terje Norheim created a typology for them in 1971 which was translated by Keith Cotter-Reilly in 2020, who inspired us to do this project. From all the available variations, we choose a type G hilt with a type III blade – the latter is approximately equivalent to the Elmslie type 4a++ blade.

The blade and pommel  are all fully ground by hand, the cross and the shell are hand- forged in Landsknecht’s Emporium. The peculiar finials and pommel shape are based quite closely on antique Dussacks and are representing stylized sea monsters. According to Major Eivind Eyvang’s publication on the subject (also translated by Keith Cotter-Reilly), dussacks hilted with type G hilts are the lightest variation, with the originals weighing between 920g and 1150g. Our interpretation aims at a weight of 1050-1070 grams which yields a fast, nimble weapon while still having a sturdy enough blade to survive sparring.

While original type G hilts don’t really show any hard connection between the shell and the cross, we decided to braze them together for added security. It is also important to point out that although we slightly oversized the shell and cross, it may not fit heavy, bulky gloves.

Landsknecht Emporium products aim to have the aesthetics of historical pieces, not the finish of mass-produced items. Each product bears the signs of its making; of small tool marks and various handcrafted imperfections, which do not affect the build quality or usability but give each of our pieces its unique character.

[mamun258]

Will Costco shake the foundation of its membership system by adding more and more?

As a representative of membership-based e-commerce, Costco’s every move has aroused a lot of speculation among industry insiders. No, Costco HE Tuber will open a delivery service in Shanghai. The topic is the same. Between selling goods and selling cards, Costco chose to sell goods in the short term.

The half-year-long "bidding" war between Hema and Sam's did not affect Costco on the surface, but to some extent it aroused the latter's desire to expand its service radius - Costco may be opening a new store in Shanghai Open delivery service .

Citing news from Oriental Finance on January 8, some consumers said they had recently received a questionnaire from Costco on delivery fees, asking whether they could accept a delivery fee of 15 yuan.

The media asked about two Kaishike stores in Shanghai. The staff both said that Kaishike may launch delivery services . "It may not be until next year. We are still making preparations." Whether it will be delivered on the same day or the next day is not yet certain. As for the issue of delivery fees, the other party said that they would send a text message to conduct a questionnaire to see how people accept it. Whether they will be charged specifically, and the standard of delivery fees, have not been determined yet.

Source: Xiaohongshu

The author used "Costco delivery" as the keyword to search on social platforms such as Xiaohongshu and found that many Costco errands and purchasing agents are currently active in the Shanghai area. Although some consumers have expectations for Shanghai Costco to launch delivery services, practical considerations such as "online is more expensive than offline, so we can't choose" are also one of the reasons for their resistance.

Previously, Costco’s e-commerce business in Suzhou, Wuxi, Nantong, Ningbo, and Hangzhou was operated by a third-party service provider “Select Shopping”. Select Shopping mainly provides two services: immediate home delivery (same city) and home express delivery (next day delivery, JD delivery). In mid-2023, there was news that Costco was "testing the home-based electricity distribution business through cooperation with third-party service providers." However, the cities covered by this business did not include Shanghai.

Costco’s current choice to open delivery services in Shanghai does not mean that its online business has accumulated sufficient operating experience in other areas of the Yangtze River Delta. On the contrary, from the perspective of business motivation, timing and cost accounting, it is more like a response A step that must be taken in the fierce market competition .

01 Motivation

The phenomenon of "hotness" immediately after opening has happened more than once in Costco's mainland stores. There is no doubt about the strength of Costco's physical stores, but its online business has always been tepid.

"Premium delivery is not as beautiful as Sam's." "This thing is an officially authorized purchasing agent." "There are few items and slow speed, so express delivery is more difficult." There is no shortage of comments on Weibo, Xiaohongshu and other social platforms. Complaints about Costco’s “pick and choose shopping” service.

Source: Xiaohongshu

The author learned from the customer service office of "Select Shopping" that at present, the instant delivery service is only within 10 kilometers of the Suzhou store. 10kg of shipping is free for purchases over 199 yuan, and refrigerated and frozen products only support instant delivery. Express delivery is 299 yuan with 10kg free of charge. Wuxi, Nantong, Ningbo, and Hangzhou only support JD express delivery. The goods are picked, packed and shipped by the Costco Suzhou store, and the goods arrive normally within T+2 days.

Image source: “Pick Shopping” applet

Compared with its friends, it can be said that Costco’s online business is still in its infancy, and its choice to cooperate with multiple parties rather than operate on its own reflects the company’s own strategic swings. Regarding the launch of Shanghai delivery service, Costco obviously has not figured out how to do it, whether it is the launch time, delivery form, or charging standards.

As for Costco’s business motivations for launching delivery services in Shanghai, they are nothing more than the following:

First, increase online contact points, increase the frequency of members' "home" shopping, and ensure the card renewal rate of users in Shanghai's main base; second, broaden the service radius, regain their own market share from purchasing agents and errands, and focus on one "I want all the sesame and watermelon"; thirdly, cater to the market demand and make up for the shortcomings of online business. With the increase in the number of Costco stores, the hunger marketing of popular Internet celebrities is no longer so effective. From focusing on scarcity to emphasizing universality Sex, Costco is trying to establish an omni-channel mentality to solidify its market position.

02 Timing

Costco's move to expand its distribution business in Shanghai coincides with the launch of national delivery services at Sam's Club stores, and Hema's vigorous promotion of discounts and membership-free changes, while adding a RMB 1 packaging fee to online orders.

The practical consideration behind Hema's comprehensive discounting and abandonment of "membership first" is that it is urgent to find a balance point in the business model under the new economic situation. In this test about the membership model and loyalty, the early departure of the "seeded players" undoubtedly tilted the originally swinging "renewal" balance in favor of Costco and Sam's.

As for the additional packaging fee of 1 yuan per order for online orders, Hema explains that it is providing plastic bags for a fee in accordance with the "plastic restriction order", but the survival pressure reflected behind this cannot be underestimated.

In the blink of an eye, in the arena of warehouse membership stores, Costco and Sam's still have a brilliant record. However, in terms of online business, which Costco has always been absent from, Sam's has the advantage of being a pioneer and localized transformation because it is backed by Wal-Mart.

"Retail Business Finance" learned that as of now, Sam has deployed 47 stores in 25 cities across the country, and the stores can provide a variety of delivery services such as fast delivery, city-wide delivery, and nationwide delivery. According to Zhang Qing, chief purchasing officer of Sam's Club stores, the number of Sam's memberships has grown almost fissionally in recent years, and membership renewal rates and activity levels have also continued to rise.

In the past year, Sam's invested nearly 1 billion to achieve long-term price reductions on dozens of members' frequently purchased products, while Costco is more focused on store expansion. Three of the existing 5 stores (Shanghai Pudong store, Ningbo store, Hangzhou store stores) will be opened in 2023, and the first store in South China will be opened in Shenzhen on January 12, 2024.

Source: Company official website

It is not difficult to see from Costco's recently announced performance data that, like Apple, the consumer market from China contributes most of the company's revenue and profits, and Costco has always regarded China as an important strategic market.

"In 2024, we will also open a membership store in Nanjing and take the lead in trying the gas station business here. We will expand our business footprint to more regions in China in the future." Zhang Shuyun, general manager of Costco's mainland China region, said.

Faced with Sam's omni-channel advantage and price power offensive, Costco has focused its development on store expansion and business expansion . As for Shanghai's distribution business, the timing of the deployment is not too early, and the strategic determination is not firm enough . Whether "filling in the shortcomings" can be called a beneficial business supplement is still debatable.

03 Selling cards or goods?

The underlying reason why Hema insists on “different prices online and offline” is that online delivery costs are high while offline costs are low. The high cost of online fulfillment is in line with the laws of retail. Similarly, in the eyes of industry insiders, "members come to the store" is the core logic of membership stores.

Therefore, Costco's move to open a delivery service in Shanghai is likely to be understood as "choosing between selling goods and selling cards." It will obtain good sales data in the short term, but it is very likely to shake the foundation of the membership system.

On the one hand, if Costco chooses to sell goods, does its product strength, low prices, and service capabilities require the threshold of "membership fees" to support it? If you choose to sell cards, will purchasing consumption data online pose a challenge to the membership system itself?

On the other hand, the "small business" of purchasing agents and running errands is actually the epitome of Costco's prosperous ecosystem. Costco's opening of delivery services in Shanghai may add many new members who focus on online shopping, but it will also make many people prefer offline shopping. Some old members feel uncomfortable and even stop renewing based on their familiarity with the product, choosing to find another way to "borrow a card".

Source: Xiaohongshu

Mr. Wang, who has applied for membership cards for Costco, Sam's, and Hema X member stores, said bluntly: "I will never apply for a membership card in the future. Membership cards seem to be processed on an individual basis, but once online shopping is opened, there will be many problems Loopholes can be exploited, for example, one membership card can serve N addresses. In the Love and Love family community, you can chip in 50, I can chip in 50, or everyone can chip in 250 to create a card."

Source: Xiaohongshu

The Yangtze River Delta region is a "gathering place" for high-net-worth customers. When they start to spend their lives carefully on membership fees, the Costco that once made consumers rush to line up in the early morning and caused traffic congestion due to excessive customer flow will no longer exist.

[realitys-ex]

I recently started doing HEMA, and obv. a lot of it is.... not practical (though I have heard that a lot of martial arts is less practical than one would hope), particularly as my school focuses on "Form" rather than practicality (so there are a couple of plays where we are like 'yeah we don't get why we do it this way, if you can figure it we will be ecstatic. But do it that way anyway.').

At my level we do three things: Dagger, Longsword, and Hand-to-Hand.

Longsword: Obv. impractical unless I happen to be carrying a longsword around, which won't happen unless I am en route to or from my class.

Hand-to-Hand: As practical as most other basic martial arts I guess? Like, it is basic by modern standards: Focused on basic punches and grappling, but we can't do any of the throws cause no mats.

Dagger: Anti-Practical. You would assume that it is as practical as the hand-to-hand, after all, knife attacks are a thing. Unfortunately that is not the case. Y'see the kind of dagger that was common/in use/we are training against was bladeless. Used purely for stabbing. So a lot of the defenses/motions assume you can grab the blade directly. Which you cannot do with any kind of knife you may be attacked with.

So we are kinda training on something that if we attempted irl we would harm ourselves badly.

[thetavernknight]

Hold onto your butts... Here's my new rapier that Jesse Belsky StageSwords made for me.

The hilt is based off a 1640 German "transitional" rapier antique. Everything else is similar in silhouette but we beefed things up a bit to withstand regular SCA/HEMA use and modded it to fit the overall aesthetic I was aiming for.

The goal of this was to balance "elegance and practicality" and "lightness with hand protection."

I want someone to look at this sword and know it's mine instantly. I'm in love.

SPECS Weight: 2.15 lbs Overall Length: 45” Blade Length: 39” total (37" from hilt) POB: +4” Castille Standard Rapier Blade

MORE: https://jesse-belsky-stageswords.squarespace.com/sold-rapiers/pierced-plate-transitional-rapier

ORIGINAL ANTIQUE: https://www.faganarms.com/products/a-silvered-hilt-german-rapier-c1640-60-by-johannis-brach-97-1038-gca039

[evil-pony]

I have several questions for you! how long have you been boxing? what do you do that requires you to high kick? how long have you been an animator and what programs do you like most? what things do you like to bake? what are your swords for? and most importantly, how jacked are you? 👀

Hi!

I've been training northern Shaolin Kung Fu for 3 years on an off (had to leave it last year due to the pandemic and work stuff). Northern Shaolin is very explosive and requires lots of kicking and jumping. During Sanda (Chinese boxing match) it works towards your advantage to be able to kick the opponent's head, mainly because some ppl lower their guard a lot. Makes for an easy point. I've also been eyeing the wushu class at my school but I'll save it for when I stop getting winded by my usual workout. Tbh few things give me as much satisfaction as seeing someone's face after you catch them off guard with a high kick... Especially if they 're taller than you. Tall people had it too good for too long (jk).

On the animator side: I'm still baby, sort of. I graduated 3 years ago. By industry standards I'm a Jr. I have a love-hate relationship with my preferred software: Autodesk Maya. Cause 1) is expensive as fuck 2) crashes a lot 3) is the industry standard and thus has a lot of support community and plugins to make it suck less. Also tons of free rigs.

I like to bake cakes and cookies. Mostly desserts.

I'm kind of a martial arts junkie. I can't get enough of them. So at some point I practiced HEMA (historical european martial arts) and they gave me my first sword. The thing with swords is once you get one you cannot stop getting more.

And finally no, sadly I am not jacked :C. I was working towards that before the pandemic threw a wrench in my plans. Unsurprisingly, kung fu is a very complete workout and sometimes you reach a point where you start dropping weight insanely fast and trade it for muscle definition and some crazy core strength. I've never had lots of strength in my arms and I was happy that I was gaining muscle definition there, but that kind of went out the window. Sad stuff. If only I want to be jacked to be able to do a kickup like in the movies, and look very very cool.

[tytoalbion]

@anabolic4summer lol that’s a standard longsword! We use them in HEMA for practice and sparring. I really need to get back into it now that I have a backyard…

[mindhost]

Kvetun Armoury leg guards

We recently placed a combined order with Russian HEMA manufacturer Kvetun Armoury, and I thought I should write a brief review of their Leg Protection Set with inner padding, as I haven’t seen anyone comment on these yet.

How to Order (price and options)

They don’t have a website or online shop, so you have to go to their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kvetun/) and message them there. Having said that, they respond quickly and communicate very clearly. I wanted the base model, which is a knee and shin guard combo (priced at 80 € plus shipping), but this can be extended further by adding a side of the knee protector (+10 €), calf protectors (+15 €) and even thigh guards (+15 €). They have other armour options as well, so I’d suggest you look through their photo album, which contains more examples and detailed specifications.

Unlike other vendors, these leg guards are always made to measure, so the first thing they do is ask you to take the following measurements and send them to them. More on this later.

Quality of Service (response times, dealing with issues)

As mentioned above, they were really quick and efficient. The guys behind this manufacturer are historical fencers themselves, so they know their audience well, what we want and how to deliver it. Unlike some of the other HEMA-dudes-into-gear-design-and-manufacturing that I won’t mention, Kvetun seem to prioritise prompt and concise communications, which makes a huge difference. The chap handling my order was Alexander Stankiewicz, who I distinctly remember from Swordfish a few years ago, in particular his elim fight with Carl Ryrberg. 

Aside from that, we placed a joint order for various products, but a club friend and I were both doing so at the same time, on two communication fronts, and as a result of that one or two items did not arrive with the first shipment. This was due to a simple misunderstanding. We reported this to Kvetun, who immediately sent out the missing items in a second package without charging us for shipping, plus they sent us a little extra for our troubles. So A+ for problem resolution.

In both cases we received the invoice after delivery (this is an important distinction), which was clear and without surprises or hidden costs. They described the delivery path to us to set our expectations; from Bryansk to Helsinki, then routed elsewhere in Europe, with an expected 1-2 weeks delivery time, but in fact in our case it took even less than that, 6 days for the second package. Once they shipped the order, Kvetun sent a Russian Post URL and a tracking number which worked fine.

Quality of Product (comfort, durability)

The leg guards are made of Polythene (ie common plastic), with added inner padding, and are fastened to the leg with velcro, with four strips.

The shins are attached to the knee guards with elastic cords, so in theory they can be detached from each other and used separately, or with some other armoured protection if needed. 

They look a bit bulky, but are in fact very light - they weigh about the same as Red Dragon leg guards - and are clearly based on medieval armour designs rather than other modern applications (Police riot gear, BMX, baseball etc). 

In fact I like everything about these guards with two exceptions, which can be easily corrected:

1. The clasp of the lower strap of the knee guard. 

They say you should never try new gear out in a competition, so of course I wore these for the first time at a local rehearsal tournament. When tight, the strap has the tendency of squeezing through the gap in the clasp, coming loose.

It’s not a huge concern and was easily fixed by replacing that clasp with another loop-type thing:

2. The length of the shins. 

I’m not sure if I measured incorrectly point 4 of the diagram above, but both me and the other friend that received a pair of these, experienced some discomfort while wearing these due to the pressure on the foot from the lower part of the shin guards. As you can see in the pic above, it’s right on the foot. 

This has a relatively easy fix, since you can just cut this plastic with any sharp knife, and even sand it down if you need to:

I’ll pass this on to Kvetun so they can maybe describe the measuring diagram a bit better, or take it into account when making new guard, as this step should be unnecessary. Once shortened, the guards became quite comfortable, as there is sufficient clearance to the foot. The armour doesn’t drop down significantly when moving around, thanks to the strap design.

I can’t say much about their durability yet, since I’ve barely used them, but they seem to have adopted the Sparring Gloves design philosophy; make the sections that are more easy to replace be the parts that are prone to material fatigue, instead of the important bits - it’s easier to replace a bit of string or a strap of velcro than it is to replace an armour segment.

How it Compares

I can’t say this is the best knee or leg armour ever made for HEMA, because I’ve never really tried the Leon Paul ones - but then again, the LP’s cost £435, which is completely ridiculous so maybe they can go EABOD. So I’ll compare it with the gold standard of leg protection, which, within competitive longsword circles in any case, is the Knee Pros with field hockey shin guards. 

I think these solutions are roughly equivalent to each other in terms of comfort and protection. Depending on where you can find them, the Knee Pros + hockey guards can be similarly priced, or a maybe bit cheaper (about 40 € + 25 € or so); particularly when you live in a country in which field hockey is popular, as you often find the shin guards in the discount bin. Football (soccer) shin guards are not quite as effective, as they don’t usually cover the ankle. 

In terms of ease of use, so putting them on and off, and transporting them with your gear and so on, they take less time to put them on than Knee Pros and hockey shin guards, and marginally more than Red Dragons or Brush-cutter shinguards, not that I much recommend either of these two for longsword fencing, particularly the latter. They do take quite a bit of space in your gear bag, so I’ve had to rethink how I pack everything, but thankfully all those years playing Tetris have not gone to waste.

The differences are down to the buyer; do you like the look of them, and more importantly, are you able to fully benefit from the customisation?

Aesthetically some may prefer the slimmer look of the ankle with shin guard tucked within the sock, others may prefer the more robust built-for-purpose look of the Russian product. If you happen to have an average size leg and are perfectly well served by your Knee Pro + shin combo, maybe this is an upgrade too far, but if you are exceptionally tall, or short, or just can’t stand the stink of the inner shin guards any longer, these might be the absolutely perfect choice for you. 

In Conclusion:

If you’re 100% happy with your current leg protection for longsword, sword & buckler or military sabre then don’t bother, but otherwise these might very well be the last set of leg protection you’ll ever need to buy. Probably great for pole weapons, horsy things or any class warfare related riots in your area as well. 

Edit with feedback from Kvetun: 

I had a chat with Alex and here are some notes from that exchange:

1) The plastic is a low-pressure polyethylene, which is much better than simple polyethylene, and will live long, taking only scratches as a cosmetic damage. 2) The clasp of the lower strap was done like that on purpose, to be able to remove this exact velcro if people don't like it. However, the suggested idea is more solid and practical for the majority of fencers, so it will be fixed in this way.  3) The shin height issue. Kvetun are developing a new, more precise measurements scheme. They recognise that it is a challenge to measure how each person's foot is connected to their ankle, but they are working on finding solutions that will improve the accuracy of the measurement.

We specifically discussed how to indicate the point of flex when the leg leans forward (foot dorsiflexion). The image above is a draft preview of their new & improved measuring chart, which is a step towards mitigating the length calculation issue I pointed out in my review.

In any case, they are really trying to get this right and are listening to the feedback they receive, so I’m really happy to endorse them as a HEMA manufacturer. They make good solid stuff, you should buy it.

[historicalfightingguide]

Second among several great rapier videos by Martin Fabian on rapier fencing, from the description of the video: “Part II. of my new video series about fencing with the symbol of the renaissance - the rapier, according to the teachings of Salvator Fabris and other masters.

See more at: http://sermiari.sk/learn-rapier-ii-footwork/

If there was a myth about historical fencing that we should debunk and get rid of in the first place, it certainly would be the concept of HEMA being slow, clumsy and laborious. That is not true. Often it serves as but an excuse to people who are lazy to do some proper practice. 

Our ancestors were exquisitely athletic – we have so much pictorial and textual evidence since as far we can remember and dug. So no more talking and excuses and let’s get to work! 

Rapier: Regenyei standard rapier 

Blade: 110 cm (43.3") 

Weight: 2.38lbs “

The ‘excuses’ bit isn’t great as lots of folks don’t have excuses but real life issues that may prevent one from doing things in the intended manner however working on athleticism as far as we are able can definitely really help ones fencing a lot and one doesn’t have to be an elite athlete to get benefits of working out in relation to fencing. It can help us train techniques more and at speed, it can help us prevent injury, it can allow us better control over our movements. And this also ignores that we have pictorial evidence of individuals that weren’t athletic in the past and that certain images are of people that are intentionally made to look unrealistically strong. Think how certain images/figures etc. may have muscles drawn or sculpted that don’t actually exist in the human body so that they look extra impressive-kind of like photoshop and lighting today albeit the intended message and surrounding culture are different as are our daily habits, the way we work and so on. The majority of the video is none the less excellent.

[malaguttifederico]

Today I used my new AP light Next Generation while filming, in the morning, and while practicing and then sparring in the evening. The more I use this Jacket and the more it actually surprises me, the modular protection system is giving me far more freedom in my movement, and the cost in terms of protection is far lesser than what I was expecting. This is probably the most interesting feature of this jacket, in my personal experience. The 800N tissue is a nice add in terms of safety, it may save someone from broken blades cuts, which sometimes may happen. I keep saying that on the front, it’s probably even more protective of the standard AP, which is funny in a sense. Definitely a good product. I also have to add that the custom fitting of SPES is GREATLY improved, so, very good job guys! @spes.histfenc #hema #hemafencing #historicaleuropeanmartialarts #swordfighting #training #fencingjacket #hemajacket #historicalfencing #martialarts #fencing #swordsman #grey #speshistoricalfencing #fall #theswordsmanofthedale https://www.instagram.com/p/CWJIYiKLXPp/?utm_medium=tumblr

[blueweave8]

Insight into Herbal Beauty Products Market during 2021-2027

According to BlueWeave Consulting, The global herbal beauty products market is worth USD 84 billion and anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period 2019 to 2025.

Herbal Beauty Products are increasingly gaining popularity over synthetic products due to lesser side effects, which are expected to drive the growth of Herbal Beauty Products Market. This kind of product possesses desirable physiological properties such as smoothing appearance, healing, and conditioning properties. The key factor driving the herbal beauty products includes the increasing consumer awareness related to the harmful effects of synthetic cosmetics along with growing demand for green-labeled personal and beauty care products. The rising popularity of environmentally sustainable products is also driving the demand for herbal beauty products across the globe.

Moreover, the beauty product companies have been acquiring herbal beauty and personal care brands to expand consumer base that is progressively passionate about clean, green, and herbal products, and hence, the ingredient players are also now acquiring their equivalents with strong natural ingredient businesses. A significant rise in the influence of social media and beauty blogs that are spreading the benefits of herbal beauty products is likely to influence the sales volume of herbal beauty products. In addition, herbal beauty products are suitable for all types of skin, which is also influencing the sales of herbal beauty products such as foundation, eye shadow, and lipstick, which are suitable irrespective of all skin tone. However, the availability of the various types of herbal beauty products with innovative packaging and improving distribution networks are playing a key role in driving market growth over the forecast period.

Skin Care Product Type in Herbal Beauty Products Market to Witness Healthy Growth during the Forecast Period

Among product types, the skin care segment accounted for the highest market share in fast years and is expected to dominate in the coming years attributed to increasing awareness of the use of herbal cosmetics to improve skin, such as slowing the aging process. Furthermore, increasing the demand for skincare and hair care products is expected to drive the growth of this segment. Moreover, the growing awareness about beneficial properties and characteristics of herbal skin care products such as soothing skin and healing ailments is attracting consumers to purchase more herbal beauty products. The growth of the herbal skin care products segment is primarily driven by the growing demand for clean label beauty products, along with an increasing number of health-conscious consumers worldwide. On the other hand, the herbal hair care cosmetics products are witnessing significant growth, especially in products such as shampoos & conditioners, which are expected to fuel the overall market growth.

Sample Copy of the Report :https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/report/global-herbal-beauty-products-market-bwc20185/report-sample

Asia-Pacific Region Witness to Be the Fastest Growing Region for Herbal Beauty Products Market during the Forecast Period

In North America, the consumer inclination towards healthier lifestyles and the growing demand for products that have a low impact on the environment are driving the market growth. Additionally, the growing acceptance of vegan lifestyles among millennials is likely to contribute to the growth of the market. In the Asia-Pacific region, to meet consumer expectations, key players are focusing on the environmental dimension of their strategies, by creating sustainable partnerships with local vendors or providing information to their consumers about the origin and quality of their raw materials. This approach is not only for the procurement practices but also for the packaging, which will change the market dynamics of herbal beauty products market in the upcoming years.  The availability of raw material and a huge consumer base is influencing the market growth in the Asia-Pacific region.  For instance, among Southeast Asian countries, Thailand leads as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for international cosmetic brands. Thailand OEM cosmetic manufacturers can produce a premium quality product, including herbal beauty products, which are driving the growth of the herbal beauty products market in the region.

Key Developments in the Global Herbal Beauty Products Market

Apr 2018: Rausch Herbal Beauty Productsenters TR with Dufry at Zurich. Rausch’s range includes specialist hair and body care products, available as collection sets, travel retail assortments, and body care gift boxes.

Jun 2018: Weleda AG Receives First-ever UEBT Certification and Label for Sourcing with Respect. Weleda is one of two leading brands worldwide to be the first to obtain the new UEBT (Union for Ethical Biotrade) certification for sourcing with respect. UEBT is a non-profit organization that provides a globally recognized standard for sustainable sourcing and the use of raw materials.

Global Herbal Beauty Product Market: Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in herbal beauty products market include Weleda AG, Bio Veda Action Research Co., Arbonne International, LLC, Vasa Global Cosmetics, Klienz Herbal Pvt. Ltd., The Himalaya Drug Company, Shahnaz Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd, Lotus Herbals Limited, and Hemas Holdings PLC. Major Key Players are focused on organic and inorganic strategies such as merger & acquisition, and new product launches to enhance their business and product portfolio in the herbal beauty products market.

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STEAL SIGNATURE ETHNIC LOOKS OF ICONIC INDIAN DIVAS

Bollywood, for ages, has seen divas stealing the shows outside the sets of the film with their poise and style. They know what to drape, how to look, and what to say. We, as commoners, are always in awe of these celebrities and wish to have their sense of style. However, with too many options, it can be a little challenging to make the right decision.

This is why we’ve enlisted the expertise of some of our most famous ethnic divas. They have perfected an all-encompassing ethnic look that integrates the vital aspects of all the many styles worn across the subcontinent.

Not only that, but the classic elements they’ve chosen for their signature styles are also ageless. Meaning they’re just as relevant and respectable today as they were in the past and will continue to be so in the future. So, without further ado, let’s break down these distinct ethnic styles and find all the tips we can find to style ourselves better.

MAHARANI GAYATRI DEVI: THE EPITOME OF EFFORTLESS REGALITY

The regal persona of Jaipur’s dignified Maharani consort has attracted admirers from all around the world. Her highness was a great example of beauty with intelligence and which we frequently know to be one of the most beautiful females in the world. She quickly won people’s hearts with her kindness and compassion. True to her royal bloodlines, she exhibited a real regal sense of style throughout her life, earning her praise from fashion enthusiasts throughout.

Her hallmark style was soft-shaded chiffon sarees, elegantly draped over in the nobly modest manner with long-sleeved and equally simple blouses. throughout her life trajectory, we saw her acing the basics but understatedly regal attires

She used charmingly simple necklaces and earrings, often made of flawless pearls, to suit her modest style. She always wore a tiny touch of a little red bindi on her forehead and rich red-tinted lips for her cosmetics. She’d typically simply wear minimum kohl for her expressive eyes, keeping her hair short in a bobbed cut with cascading waves, in keeping with her humble aesthetic.

Because her overall style has always been fundamental and straightforward, you can borrow some of her signature characteristics if your tastes are similar to hers.

POINTS TO STEAL

Ideal for a regal aesthetic that is both modest and modest.

For a delicate touch, use light-weight materials in a pastel palette.

More superficial makeup looks using red-tinted lips and kohl to emphasize the face’s innate beauty can be absolute love.

Hair that is neat and tidy for a pleasant appearance

For a distinguishing noble effortlessness, wear minimal yet superior accessories.

REKHA: PERSONIFICATION OF FEMININE GRACE

The epitome of elegance and femininity, Rekha is the true timeless diva of Bollywood. Ever since her debut in the Indian cinema, she has successfully stolen millions of viewers’ hearts with her versatile and often memorable roles. As she grew more mature, her roles and sense of style kept on becoming more graceful and resplendent.

These days, her trademark style includes a silk woven saree often with traditional Kanjivaram and Banarasi motifs. The glistening golden undertone of her woven sarees gives her ensemble a glowy resplendence. And to match that effervescence of the attire, she accessories heavily with Polki and beaded golden jewelry.

She wears her inky haircut with a jasmine garland, and she flawlessly enhances her face in warmer colors, gleaming like the goddess on earth that she is. To top it off, she always wears a Potli bag on her arms, which, aside from being a practical item, also helps her maintain a very lovely stance.

While pulling off the quintessential traditional Indian look as Rekha does isn’t easy for everyone, you can easily take certain essential aspects to outshine everyone at your next wedding party.

POINTS TO STEAL

It’s perfect for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

For true ethnic diva feelings, authentic Kanjivaram and other traditional weaved silk sarees are available.

Warm highlight makeup will complement the saree’s gilded mood.

Remember to include standard ethnic Indian components such as bangles and a traditional necklace with Maang tikka.

When it comes to lip tints and noticeable bindis on the forehead, don’t be afraid to go big.

With a gorgeous jasmine Gajra, you’ll look entirely conventional.

NITA AMBANI: EXUDING AFFLUENCE IN THE AIR

Neeta Ambani attracts a lot of attention as the wife of India’s richest man. In keeping with her aristocratic status, her sense of style is rife with the most opulent of looks. All aspects of her ethnic ensembles exude luxury, from rich embroideries to hypnotic, brilliant, and sophisticated colors to expensive Kundan jewelry sets.

Never aiming for a conservative look, her sense of style exudes wealth, and if you want to emulate this in your ethnic outfit, start with great silhouettes. You can wear a saree, lehenga, or even a suit, but avoid tailored silhouettes if you want to project richness. You can simply choose some more ornately styled ethnic clothing to add more volume to the complete ensemble, just like she did.

Aside from the gown, accessorizing with similarly extravagant accessories is crucial. Many fake Kundan necklace sets on the market may give you the same look without burning a hole in your budget. You can go for a classic Indian appearance with your makeup, varying the intensity depending on the occasion.

POINTS TO STEAL

Perfect for a variety of situations as long as the theme is opulent.

Don’t be afraid to wear opulent attire that reflects wealth.

Traditional regal colors, whether in jewel tones or pastels, are a good choice.

Select top masterpieces such as Kundan and Polki and accessorize freely with either authentic or destination jewelry.

To add to the look’s exclusive aura, choose flared and more casual styles.

Choose your makeup style based on the significance of the occasion.

HEMA MALINI: MANIFESTING AESTHETICS OF ABSOLUTE GRACE

Hema Malini has been lulling her fans to sleep for decades with her natural beauty and regal clothing sense. Her movements have been bestowed with a historical grace, nurtured in a culture-rich classical atmosphere of a brahman Tamilian household.

Her artistic sense is unrivaled as a Bharatnatyam dancer, which her fashion style reflects. Note that the first choice for nailing a traditional ethnic look is a saree, which is the ultimate of elegance. Unlike most legendary divas, she does not limit herself to classic saree styles.

She can wear any saree style, whether it’s elaborately embroidered nets or innovative ruffles, with ease. Not solely that, but she also knows how to accessorize each saree style to perfection. That’s why, despite her apparent fondness for gold temple jewelry, Kundan, diamond, stone, or even pearl necklace sets are frequently seen on her person. In a nutshell, her sense of style is simply elegant, and if you want to emulate it, here are a few pointers.

POINTS TO STEAL

Feel free to experiment with new trends if you’re comfortable with them.

Drape your saree in a ladylike manner.

Be aware of your personal style statement and accessorize with care.

Experiment with your hairstyles while remaining ladylike.

Use bindi to draw attention to your face’s symmetry and to express pride in your culture.

Keep your hands on clutches or any other type of bag to give the impression that you’re serious about your work.

AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN: INCARNATING UNIVERSAL BEAUTY

A beauty so enthralling that no one has ever come close to matching it. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a stunning actress who never fails to turn heads with her stunning looks. And that’s before she’s even spoken her opinions, which are equally enthralling when heard.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the former Miss World, has significantly impacted the Indian film business with her unblemished professionalism, tear-jerking performances, and perfect sense of style. She appears magnificent in practically all ethnic womenswear designs due to her innate attractiveness.

She is nearly often seen in the fluid silhouettes of traditional lehenga cholis and Anarkalis whenever she wears an ethnic appearance for personal events. And there’s nothing wrong with us. Both of these styles’ modest couture and flares give her a particular princess-like aspect, making her frame even more appealing to the eye. She uses many liners and shadows on her eyes to add to the mesmerizing effect of her ethnic makeup.

Aside from that, she isn’t afraid to play around with accessories, wearing them when they compliment her overall look. Overall, she takes a freestyle approach to ethnic fashion, with a preference for fluid silhouettes.

POINTS TO STEAL

Know your body shape and choose a silhouette that flatters it the most.

Experiment with different color palettes to find which one gives your skin the finest radiance.

Accessorize according to the outfit and the event.

You should choose makeup tones based on the color and style of your clothes.

Always grin with a charming and confident expression.

The points to steal are incredible! However, you need to know that the only commonality between all these divas is their poise and sense of fashion. They understand that a woman never looks better than when she is in one of the best ethnic collections.

Their clothing and style are what people admire the most. Therefore, if you want to uplift the inner diva in yourself, visit the Priya Chaudhary Label. The lady knows what looks at the Indian divas and will provide you the best at the justest price possible. Check the collection and buy the best today.

Source: STEAL SIGNATURE ETHNIC LOOKS OF ICONIC INDIAN DIVAS

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Covid-19: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences collaborates with ARTIST - Times of India

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/covid-19-rajiv-gandhi-university-of-health-sciences-collaborates-with-artist-times-of-india/

Covid-19: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences collaborates with ARTIST - Times of India

MANGALURU: With Covid-19 emerging as a major health scare, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences has collaborated with the Bengaluru-based ARTIST (Asian Research & Training Institute for Skill Transfer) to strengthen the preparedness of healthcare workers, including Obstetricians, Gynaecologists, Nursing Staff and Paramedical Staff engaged in maternal and child healthcare across Karnataka.

The high-intensity training programme (90-minute module) is being implemented through the Karnataka State Obstetrics and Gynecology Association in the state. It covers all aspects related to government and private hospitals, starting from screening of patients and visitors at the entrance, organising segregation of symptomatic patients, cleaning protocols, rationale use of PPE, protocols for disinfection and reuse, standard operating procedures for labour room and operation theatre, management in wards, discharge and follow-up summary, appointment schedule and telecommunications are covered through a video demonstration.

About the collaboration, Dr Sacchidanand, Vice-Chancellor, RGUHS, said, “All hospitals must follow Covid-19 protocol-based recommended practices and this programme is aimed at training the healthcare workers across the state. The training material developed by ARTIST is in-line with guidelines issued by Government of India, Government of Karnataka, Indian Council for Medical Research and WHO. This training programme will go a long way in creating awareness among healthcare workers, improving the preparedness of the hospitals apart from boosting the employees’ confidence.”

Online training courses are being conducted every day in batches by the ARTIST team, led by healthcare leader and well-known gynaecologist Dr Hema Divakar. She said, “It is a fact that Covid-19 has had an unimaginable impact on various sectors, including healthcare. There is a dire need for all of us to be well-prepared. However, not all healthcare workers are aware of Covid-19 protocol-based recommended practices in antenatal care, safe delivery, newborn care, immunization and hospital maintenance. Therefore, we have launched this programme for effective knowledge sharing and skill transfer to obstetricians, gynaecologists, nursing staff, paramedical staff, housekeeping staff engaged in maternal and child healthcare.”

In Karnataka, the training is being cascaded through the Karnataka State Obstetrics and Gynecology Association (KSOGA), which has 20 chapters. Daily training schedules are shared with pre-selected hospitals from Karnataka and other states with staff connecting via video conferencing.

So far, training has been completed for healthcare workers in Vijayapura, Belagavi, Hubballi, Dharwad, Hassan, Channarayapattana, Gadag, Koppala, Kalaburagi and Mandya. Over the next 12 days, healthcare workers from Bagalkote, Udupi, Ballari, Mangaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Raichur, Shivamogga, Davanagere and Bidar districts will be covered.

KSOGA President Dr Shobana Patted said, “We are overwhelmed with the response that we received from our chapters and hospitals across Karnataka for this programme. We are mobilizing participation from every hospital to ensure that this programme becomes successful. We received good feedback from our participants. We expect this to have a cascading effect in the sector.”

Pointing out that the training is focused and demands the full attention of the participants, Dr Hema, who is also the vice-chair of PNCDC (Pregnancy & Non-Communicable Diseases Committee) – FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics) and national convenor for MANYATA, a quality improvement initiative through FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric & Gynecological Societies of India), said, “We ensure that they implement the practices without any error, as we make them demonstrate what they learnt, at the end of the session and through video bytes over a week.”

ARTIST is conducting training for healthcare workers in other states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to help them to be prepared in their hospitals for safe deliveries through MANYATA trainings. ARTIST is now adding the COVID PREPAREDNESS module to help the hospitals in resetting and restarting their practices.

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Herbal Beauty Products are increasingly gaining popularity over synthetic products due to lesser side effects which are expected to drive the growth of Herbal Beauty Products Market. This kind of products possesses the desirable physiological properties such as smoothing appearance, healing and conditioning properties.

The key factor driving the herbal beauty products includes the increasing consumer awareness related to the harmful effects of synthetic cosmetics along with growing demand for green-labeled personal and beauty care products. Rising popularity of environmentally sustainable products is also driving the demand for herbal beauty products across the globe. Moreover, the beauty product companies have been acquiring herbal beauty and personal care brands to expand consumer base that is progressively passionate about clean, green, and herbal products and hence, the ingredient players are also now acquiring their equivalents with strong natural ingredient businesses.

Skin Care Product Type in Herbal Beauty Products Market to Witness Healthy Growth during the Forecast Period

Among product types, skin care segment accounted for the highest market share in fast years and is expected to dominate in the coming years attributed to increasing awareness of the use of herbal cosmetics to improve skin such as slowing the aging process. Furthermore, increasing the demand for skin care and hair care products is expected to drive the growth of this segment. Moreover, the growing awareness about beneficial properties and characteristics of herbal skin care products such as soothing skin and healing ailments is attracting consumers to purchase more herbal beauty products. The growth of the herbal skin care products segment is primarily driven by growing demand for clean label beauty products, along with an increasing number of health-conscious consumers worldwide. On the other hand, the herbal hair care cosmetics products are witnessing significant growth especially in products such as shampoos & conditioners which are expected to fuel the overall market growth.

Get PDF Sample of this Research Report@ https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/global-herbal-beauty-products-market-1991/#ReportSample

Asia-Pacific Region Witness to Be the Fastest Growing Region for Herbal Beauty Products Market during the Forecast Period

In North America, the consumer inclination towards healthier lifestyles and the growing demand for products which have a low impact on the environment are driving the market growth. Additionally, the growing acceptance of vegan lifestyles among millennial is likely to contribute to the growth of the market. In the Asia-Pacific region, to meet consumer expectations, key players are focusing on the environmental dimension of their strategies, by creating sustainable partnerships with local vendors or providing information to their consumers about the origin and quality of their raw materials. This approach is not only for the procurement practices but also for the packaging which will change the market dynamics of herbal beauty products market in the upcoming years.  The availability of raw material and a huge consumer base is influencing the market growth in the Asia-Pacific region.  For instance, among Southeast Asian countries, Thailand leads as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for international cosmetic brands. Thailand OEM cosmetic manufacturers can produce a premium quality product including herbal beauty products which are driving the growth of the herbal beauty products market in the region.

Key Developments in the Global Herbal Beauty Products Market

Apr 2018: Rausch     Herbal Beauty Productsenters TR with Dufry at Zurich. Rausch’s range     includes specialist hair and body care products, available as collection     sets, travel retail assortments and body care gift boxes.

Jun     2018: Weleda AG Receives First-ever UEBT Certification and Label     for Sourcing with Respect. Weleda is one of two leading brands worldwide     to be the first to obtain the new UEBT (Union for Ethical Biotrade)     certification for sourcing with respect. UEBT is a non-profit organization     that provides a globally recognized standard for sustainable sourcing and     the use of raw materials.

Global Herbal Beauty Product Market: Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in herbal beauty products market include Weleda AG, Bio Veda Action Research Co., Arbonne International, LLC, Vasa Global Cosmetics, Klienz Herbal Pvt. Ltd., The Himalaya Drug Company, Shahnaz Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd, Lotus Herbals Limited, and Hemas Holdings PLC. Major Key Players are focused on organic and inorganic strategies such as merger & acquisition and new product launches to enhance their business and product portfolio in the herbal beauty products market.

Access Full Research Report@ https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/global-herbal-beauty-products-market-1991/#TOC