CrossSwords

At CrossSwords Battle School, members train holistically: exercising mind, body, and spirit, to bring the whole united being into balance.
We call this:
“The Sharpening of the Soul.”
We call our method:
“The CrossSwords Way.“

The CrossSwords Way is a  martial arts system unlike others found today.  Without compromise, we endeavor to train holistically: that is disciplining all aspects of our members.
>> Integrating a mixture of modern & medieval swordsmanship, students strive with fervency of spirit.
>> Training self-defense combatives, we temper the body from any hindrances of fear & self-preservation.
>> Exercising mental faculties through the art of conversation and debate, members generate a sense of candor, charisma in exchanging ideas and controlling their minds.

**See our Programs page for More information each Wing of our School!**

Our curriculum has a triform composition of:
Swordsmanship (a neat fusion of contemporary sword and medieval weapons martial arts: katanas, longswords, knife & short blade work, bo-staff, pole arms, stick fighting, and countless others)
Self-Defense Combat (developing competencies in hand-to-hand arts through boxing, kickboxing, grappling, and physical endurance), and
Soul Coaching (a holistic approach to spiritual mentorship, mindfulness training, and life coaching, the integrates our schools: Principles of Nobility:  which accord with virtue of action, wisdom of thought, and ardent conviction.)

All together,  CrossSwords members are equipped not only to protect themselves, but to build a life on a sure foundation for success.  They are empowered to take charge of their lives, build a sense of grounded strength, and foster a greater meaning through taking personal responsibility and growing in grace.  Students strive, not just for belts and awards, but for excellence of their whole self.  They seek to live a life of Knighthood and Nobility, in everything they do.

We are CrossSwords Battle School.
We train the CrossSwords Way.

What a CrossSwords Black Belt (a Knight) looks like: is a man or woman of heroic courage, gracious humility, disciplined convictions, and integrity of character.  They are excellent in self-defense, but more importantly excellent in self-transcendence.  Hence, the way to Knighthood is not only in steel or in spirit but with the whole self: the whole soul.

That’s what CrossSwords is all about: sword fighting & good conversations.

Come and

Sharpen Your Soul.

At CrossSwords Battle School, members are placed into one of our Academy’s 3 Houses. Their names are House Wisdom, House Virtue, and House Ardent. Together, these tightly-knit groups of students work together during our seasons of competition to bring an added element of challenge and exercise to CrossSwords training.

However, the true purpose of our triad of houses, are to provide students a starting point for their journey toward Knighthood. We believe that the Knight is embodied in the key tenet of Nobility — we understand nobility of soul to be a sublime principle at the center of three wings: wisdom of thought, virtue of action, and ardency of belief.
Through House, our members obtain a self-discovery and community, which enables eventual self-transcendence and growth. Students move circularly from their core innate attributes, through and into those more challenging, until reaching Knighthood: the vision of themselves which has embodies all nobility.

There’s something magical about swords.  They have both the realism of combat about them, yet also an aura of fantastic and ancient things.  There’s something powerful in fellowship too – when young men and women get together and have good, real, conversations with adults about growth and nobility… magic happens there too.

The CrossSwords Way was founded on a vision.  There should be a place in the modern day, where teens and adults can be called up to something greater than themselves, and yet also work with their hands toward real tangible goals.  CrossSwords unites what two elements defined the Knights of Old: Swordsmanship and true Honor & Chivalry

The great crossover

A conviction formed through over a decade of coaching kids of all ages in martial arts & also spiritual, mental, life challenge issues (in both dojos & churches) and it is this: true transformative change occurs through enduring connection built one on one, yet then worked out through shared experience.
At CrossSwords the idea is to find a crossover between the Cross (that is love) and the Sword (those are challenges we face). Where these two meet is real change. Where these two meet is real growth, and real transformative power.

Sometimes it takes a village.

Every parent knows the struggle.  Often having an adult outside of themselves to encourage a child to noble action and growth can be a powerful instrument in their lives for development and change!

For my preteen & teen kids, weapon training functions as what engages them — everyone wants to be a Knight, a Samurai, and a Warrior.  But it’s also what bonds us.  It’s the experience we share.  Through training — friendship and trust are built.  There is a camaraderie, which develops between teacher and student, when personal growth is not the destination but is simply along for the ride. 

True personal change often happens when you’re not looking at it. 
So first we look at the Sword.

My student and I spend time learning how to hold one, swing and strike with one, to manage stick fighting and weapons combat!  Then, before either of us know it, something changes.

Now when we hang out just to work on homework, or talk about struggles with friends at school, and siblings, or obedience, or depression, or aspirations… things are different.  Now the transformative change can really start!  Here the discipleship and life coaching really begins.  Now we can just hang out, without the apparent gap between child and adult, or teacher and student.  It’s that connection which is foundational to mentorship.  I’ve seen the power of reckless grace to change a person, rather than reproach or mere command.

That is love.  That is the Cross.
That is true power.

The Sword works to shatter the barrier that keeps wisdom from youth — so that
The Cross can do its work of loving sacrificially through time, counsel, and care.

For adults, weapons operate similarly: it’s REALLY fun to sword fight and learn how to spin and strike with a Staff, Nunchaku, Tonfa, etc!  So, whether you’re looking for a Life Coach to help develop action-oriented goals for yourself, a chance to get out and swing a sword around and feel legendary, or both — CrossSwords Adults enjoy it all.  The battle takes time and work, careful training and practice.  That goes for Battles sword-to-sword, and the ones we fight in life as well.

We need to learn who we are (what beliefs in our past may be limiting to our mental and emotional growth) to through time and good conversation we work on them in light of grace and grow toward our fullest joy.  We need good friendships.

When relationships are built through common goals, and further when those goals are external to our growth, that is where growth can truly occur.  We need to strive… in our rest upon grace.  There we can rest.  There we can enjoy.  There we can grow.  There we truly live.

That’s
The CrossSwords Way.

To schedule a consultation and begin your CrossSwords journey, contact Headmaster Jared: CrossSwordsWay@gmail.com
Consultations are free after-sign up, resulting in a discount for first months tuition. We are confident after experiencing the Way, you’ll know it’s what could change your life.