January Student Spotlight---- Vijay Barona The path through Indy Lightsaber Academy is a difficult one. Success one day can turn into spinning your wheels the next. This is true for all students. It's how they overcome and work through their barriers to become better. Vijay is a great example of someone who has shown persistence, curiosity and a thirst to become more. And that's just what he did. It's this type of growth that is one of my favorite things about ILA. But let's read a bit about Vijay's journey in the lightsaber combat world.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is your favorite thing about ILA?  My favorite thing about ILA are the con tournaments because I get to show off my learned skills and it is fun crush the con goers. I also really enjoy attending Fight Camp. During this time I get to improve on my skills, get to hang out with my fellow classmates, and I a...

Y'all need to start treating your lightsabers better.  If you're going to come to a lightsaber class and/or want to participate in the sport, please respect your weapon. Otherwise your $100+ saber turns into a quasi-functional and slightly more dangerous flashlight. Just like in any martial art, or even ventriloquism (probably), you need to care for your equipment. The combat lightsaber is a unique weapon in this modern age. Historically most swords and weapons had minimal electronics, although I suppose there was a lot of other upkeep. When it comes to combat lightsabers, they can either be an expensive stick that used to light up or a technological marvel you paid $800 for. Either way you need to care of it, or at least know what you should be doing. So here are 5 tips for basic lightsaber maintenance that you should all be doing. (DISCLAIMER--- I am not a saber smith or super knowledgeable in wiring circuit boards. But I do know about things that if neglecte...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Indy Lightsaber Academy (ILA) is more than just lightsabers. It's the people, or more specifically the students. Devin Ryan has been coming to class for over 2 years and has progressed to Adherent level. In addition to already learning the basics of Forms I through III, she's currently learning the more advanced Form IV. Let's see what Devin has to say about class! How did you first learn about ILA? I saw Taylor Cox’s posts on Facebook about ILA years ago and knew I had found my people! Fun fact: Taylor and I went to the same middle school. Doug: for those curious, Taylor Cox is our Form III instructor and all around great person. How long have you been coming to class? I’m not sure I think since winter of 2018. Doug: Actually Fall 2017, but who's counting? What is your favorite thing about ILA? The combination of amazing people and getting to learn something new each time I come ...

This month we're talking about Nick Yehl. He's been with the Academy for a few years and has quickly rose up the ranks. He's currently an Adherent of Form V, and regularly competes in tournaments. Not only is he formidable with a saber, he can also make a mean waffle. As is now his tradition to make waffles for everybody at our Fight Camps (if he's attending).   How did you first learn about ILA? I had just moved to Indy and was looking for soemthing to do so I could go out and meet people. I had a couple of combat able lightsabers and thought that there had to be people meeting with these things. So I literally typed in the words Indianapolis Lightsaber into Facebook and there was ILA right at the top. How long have you been coming to class? A little over 2 years. What is your favorite thing about ILA? The people. I have made some amazing friends through ILA.  If you could give a newb some advice when they first start, what...

https://indianacomicconvention.com/ One of our FAVORITE CONVENTIONS is coming up soon! Indianapolis Comic Con is August 30-September 1 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. We've been coming to this con for years and every year is better than the last. What can you expect? Indy Lightsaber Academy will be set up in the Game Room. We will be hosting free ongoing training sessions for kids and adults. There will also be 2-3 tournaments a day. And probably our most fun event is our Sabotage tournament Saturday evening. Not only will you be able to showcase your saber skills, but you'll do it while potentially wearing a wig or pool floaty (among many many other things). Training Sessions: Friday-Sunday Open-7 PM FREE Our free lightsaber training sessions are offered all throughout the con at many different times. We'll have a sign up sheet to coordinate groups and get in as many people as possible. Unlike our normal class where the age restriction is 12 ...

“This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” Horse crap. Lightsabers were first made from camera flash tubes, sink knobs, and grenade parts. These features were then extrapolated and exploited in Star Wars for the next 30 years. During that time we've seen a LOT of different sabers. And almost none of them are practical. This can be attributed to "greebles". What are they? Greeble : a fine detailing added to the surface of a larger object that makes it appear more complex, and therefor e  more visually interesting. It usually gives the audience an impression of increased scale. It's something that serves no purpose whatsoever. So it would only make sense that lightsabers would have a whole bunch of them. But the thing is, we've now come to expect this from lightsabers. In a fictional universe fine. However more and more people are actually starting to hold something they...

5 Characters Han Solo Should’ve or Could’ve Punched  In the Star Wars Universe there are all kinds of people. You have those who use magic swords, aliens that have more than 3 arms, sand people with sticks, and big worm crime managers. So it only makes sense that there are multiple ways of fighting. But today I want to talk about the Han Solo school of fisticuffs. Han vs Cat Man If you go back and watch Star Wars (1977), you might notice that Han Solo adheres to the oldest trick in the book. He doesn’t waste time punching, kicking, or even waiting for a fair fight. He just shoots. Minimal effort. Bing bang boom, done. But seriously the next time you watch A New Hope, try and count the number of people Han Solo punches. I’m pretty sure the number is zero. I suppose there could be numerous reasons. Some might say that he was a scoundrel and an anti-hero. Shoot first and ask questions later. Which is what he did. Others could argue that George Lucas only had so much ti...