The Rebels Of Light Academy

Hey gang, due to some health issues unfortunately class won't be taking place tomorrow Saturday 30th July. We will resume on the following Saturday at the regular times. The introductory class will be taking place middle of August instead as we are doing a recruitment drive to bolster numbers and give everyone a nice variety of training partners and members of the community to interact with. So please do spread the word! See you soon Rebels.

CLASS THIS SATURDAY (16th JULY)
INTRODUCTORY CLASS (END OF MONTH)
READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE!

Greetings friends of the force, Ranger Wolf here after a bit of a hiatus. Firstly a massive thank you to the community as well as my most brilliant physio, Damon over at My Vitality. The tremendous support and kindness i've been show has been overwhelming. From uplifting messages to crazy funny memes and invitations for other activities while i've been mending. It's made a world of difference. For those of you in the know there has been rapid progress. For those who don't unfortunately a few weeks back i got a nasty neck and back injury that put me out of action. It was a little terrifying not knowing if i'd be able to wield a saber again - but things have gone very well indeed. Sooooo YES. We are back at it this Saturday 16th July.

Kids at 11:00am - 12:00pm and Adults 12:30pm - 2:30pm
If parents and kids want to train together you are welcome to come to either session. Please note this Saturday's class is for those who have completed the introductory lesson (initiate phase). If you haven't, don't worry there is one coming up quite soon - Saturday 30th July. So do follow or join our page and you'll be able to receive the updates as well as event invites.

Again, as the old saying goes "it takes a village". And i am incredibly lucky to have the energies and care and kindness of others that surround me. Many blessings to you all in helping me get back to it. I'll be posting a little write-up later in the week about the experience as well as some pointers for those currently dealing with injury or who may in the future. Mostly about the maintenance of a good mind-set balanced with accepting assistance.

Until then, please do reach out if you have any questions or if you wish to register for the class. It's a good idea to as we only have so many spots and may not always be able to accommodate "walk-ins". So yeah, just DM me or you're welcome to contact Lotus direct and let them know of your interest. Burn bright rebel.

May the force be with you 🐺✨

Geeeewwwd mornin' Rebels! And a big ol' welcome to all of you bold spacers joining us for today's broadcast. Thank you for holding out until we could transmit again. Our communications were temporarily infiltrated by Imperial spies. We're glad to say they have been captured, questioned, had a change of heart and now recruited to fight the good fight. Satellite relays have been restored and the new codes "can't be broken unless you encrypted them yourself", that's coming from a high priced slicer!

We like to keep our Light FM listeners on the level and make things smooth and easy. So for all those keen to join and for all those who have just started and wanting MOOOOOOORRRE!!! Ease up on the wookie impressions, victory kid. I'm glad to let you all know there'll be some announcements very soon about upcoming classes as well as some educational workshops. So be sure to STAY TUNED!

Here's a brief look at the playlist:

- Lightsaber combat: It's pretty much a given here. Strikes, blocks, footwork, flourishes, forms and sparring.

- 3 v 3 matches of our own invention of lightsaber futsal (ForceBall). Don't worry you don't have to be Ronaldo or Exar Kun, we'll teach you the rules.

- BYO bean bag Sunday sessions: You're free to work at your own pace on things you've been shown. Try out a basic velocity (1 v 1) with a team member. Or just sit, chat, have a cuppa and wax lyrical about what you love about SW, maybe join in on some tabletop gaming.

- Guided Jedi Meditation: A relaxing and soothing experience to still the mind and allow the force to wash away tension. A great opportunity for those with injury or stress to feel immersed and transported while recovering or pursuing a peaceful state of mind to take on life's other challenges.

- Discussion Groups/Workshops: We'll be covering things like; the difference between practical combat and theatrical combat, how to go about buying your first lightsaber (where, what, how much? etc...), SW arts and crafts, cooking SW galactic recipes, SW lore (history, battles, characters, vehicles, weaponry), as well as SW related events and entertainment.

Keep tuning in for more announcements, galaxy adventurers! In the meanwhile, check out the pics for something you can try at home.

We've done it! It's real! It's a thing! None of this is possible without willing participants. So today i wish to express my most sincere gratitude to those attending and also announce that all available spaces for our very first class have now been filled.

If you've missed out, do not worry because we shall be running other introductory classes to prepare you for joining the main group. To avoid being overwhelmed it's important that all those wishing to join us do undertake this lesson first as it is the passage from 'initiate' to 'padawan'. Be sure to keep following us to know when they'll be happening next.

Again, many thanks to our bold initiates. Looking forward to seeing you all. Until then - may the force be with you.

Mandy 'Wolf' Lupin 🐺

Can you believe it? We are less than a week out from OUR VERY FIRST CLASS! i am ecstatic and so keen to meet you all - the brave adventurers who are joining us. We do still have spots available but they're running out fast, so be sure to hit me up if you want to guarantee yourself a place for Saturday the 4th June. We need your support to aid us with the rebellion! All details provided in our 'Events' section, or you're welcome to ask via message or [email protected]

|A Personal Account |

It's been a long, tough and hard road getting here. Riddled with life's challenges, injuries, illness and even at times some doubt. There were days i thought it might never happen but i wish to take a moment to acknowledge those who did their utmost to never let me break from HOPE!

My Mum who has been my biggest cheerleader and one of my closest friends for as long as i can remember. Showing constant support and delivering motivation and even finances, especially in the periods i struggled to find my own (Covid, injury etc...) My Dad who never ceased, from birth up to today, to make sure i had access to education and activities that would eventually aid me in developing what i have, through TROLA. He would also utilize his own business experience to guide me in how to set up my own. So far it seems to be working.

Kaio Andrade whom we all have to thank. My master, my brother, my business advisor, my friend. Without his sublime generosity and unfathomable spirit - TROLA wouldn't have a home. He has literally opened his dojo up to us to explore the wonders of lightsaber craft. And any practitioner of martial arts can tell you that the dojo is their home away from home. Through injury and subsequent depression (not being able to train) he has kept me focused, sent me kind and uplifting messages of care - and when i am there he has been a remarkable teacher with a thorough, dignified, inspiring and comprehensible approach to passing on the gift of his deep deep knowledge. One of the finest masters in any form of martial arts i've ever had the good fortune to study under.

Chalise Van Wyngaardt one of my dearest friends who saw me through some of the darkest portions. A bright beacon of care that kept this little rowboat off the rocks during the dark and stormy days and nights. During the early development of the lessons and techniques, Chalise gave their time and energy to assist by lending themselves as a "prototype student". The very fist person I would be *learning* how to instruct. Those exchanges taught me so much and helped greatly in refining both my approach and the methods that i aim to deliver others. Chalise is a profound writer and poet who was running workshops and a course that i enrolled in that would in turn help me to become more expressive of my ideas. More open with my being. The clarity for each has allowed me to feel more invited to be bold and hopefully unique with my marketing. It also gave me the licence to simply be me and trust in that. Trust that something as silly as flailing glorified glow-sticks could become so much more, because the passion and belief in itself is invaluable.

Daniel Brown just typing his name is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Knowing his immeasurable heart and how he has unconditionally used it to the betterment of my life and well being. One of my closest friends who i do see as a brother and would adopt him in a second so he could be. We met when i was putting a band together a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away. Rehearsing in dingy rooms with the walls coated in ni****ne so thick you'd think the building had lung cancer. The late nights and sweaty, raucous shows. The conversations breaking down the evolution of a band's sound and identity. He showed me the meaning of timing, rhythm, syncopation, energy, essence, composure, presence, attitude, how to handle tension and when to not let yourself be walked all over! All of which, i didn't know at the time but came to realize, are fundamental in the world of martial arts. We've been there for each other's best and worst experiences and so much in between. To this day and for life, because of how much music, loyalty and sincerity has always meant to me, i consider him my personal Yoda.

Daniel Lin my Arakan instructor turned brother. Now this is a guy who won't let you walk away with your chin down. Our paths crossed when i was at one of my weakest points. Having spent nearly a year in recovery, left with poor strength, worser cardio and eroded muscle memory. Daniel never once let me feel anything was impossible. On the contrary he kindly and diligently constructed the lessons to take into account the current limitations while offering a reachable challenge that would lead to improvement. A perfect balance of firmness and compassion, metered out with consistency and patience, allowing for breaks for several weeks at a time to avoid degrading physical rehabilitation. All these things and more helped me to find myself in the position of an instructor and i most certainly borrow from him and make it no secret.

Carter Walshe is an overflowing fountain of kindness and enthusiasm. We met at Swordfighter, a QLD based HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) school. He too was instrumental in aiding me to re-develop and discover techniques, address existing muscle memory and build fresh intuition on top of it. He would set aside time out of his busy schedule so that we could have our one on ones and i could be shown and told the ins and outs of certain things that would indeed become a part of the TROLA syllabus. I'm convinced that whatever he doesn't know about HEMA isn't worth knowing. So upbeat and approachable and possessing a near encyclopedic intelligence for the art - his dedication is infectious. It sparked and even greater hunger in me to know more and more. Our lesson structure and a part of my delivery of it owes a lot to this man.

Luke Boyton from the Sons of Obiwan Academy. The pioneer that kicked all of this off in our country. i first saw what he was up to a number of years back and wished to participate but was too injured for a long time. Nonetheless, keeping an eye on the on-goings of his school showed me so much of what was possible and how. i finally reached out to him and he has proven to be exceptionally generous with an aim to boost the morale and presence of the community as much as possible. He's supplied resource materials as well as equipment suggestions and just overall friendly support. He deserves so much credit for being the one who took the biggest risk with a niche hobby that became an activity and then a recognised form of practical martial arts. He is tireless in his service to the fanbase as well as his students, including those with special needs. A true altruist if ever i met one.

What all these people have in common is a willingness to provide HOPE! Words can't say enough. i know this has been a long read and i thank you for taking the time to do so. Until our paths cross again - may the force be with you.

Master Mandy 'Wolf' Lupin 🐺

Weeeehhh - heh - ell. If it isn't the mysterious hermit from beyond the dunes. "Hello there", old friend. And welcome back. It's been a while 🥹

That's right the OG jedi himself is back in action tonight! Keen to hear your thoughts. Oh but do use spoiler warnings where appropriate.

MTFBWY! 🐺

Hey there friendly preservers of the galaxy! Just a heads up should you be wishing to join us for a class in the future. Though our facility is quite roomy, we only have enough floor space to cater for 20 padawans at a time. This allows everyone to have enough space to perform the techniques comfortably. Sooooo, PRE-REGISTER! WOOOOOO! That way you assure yourself a spot as well as equipment without the risk of over-squishiness.

How do I pre-register?
You are welcome to leave me a message here or at [email protected]

Please note that we do require direct contact for confirmation. A "going" or "maybe" selected on one of our Facebook event pages doesn't assure a spot. Thank you for your co-operation and until we see each other. May the force be with you.

Mandy 'Wolf' Lupin 🐺

Greetings potential padawans! Just a friendly reminder that we're getting mighty close to our launch day https://www.facebook.com/events/558592338989642

Places are filling up, so be sure to register and make sure you can join in the excitement on the day. For further info or anything else feel free to drop me a message. And until we see each other - may the force be with you.

"We would be honored if you would join us." - Darth "Darkness Daddy" Vader

Heya friendly rebels! We're juuuuuuust around the corner from one of the year's BIGGEST Star Wars events. That's right - only one more week until Star Wars Celebration Day!!! Not sure why they call it "day" when it's actually 4. But like i'm gonna complain.

There'll be wonderful panel discussions with some of our most beloved characters and performers, a heap of announcements about; games, books, new shows and upcoming films as well as comics - you name it. For those of you lucky enough to get over there (Anaheim, USA) for this year's cavalcade, we hope it's truly mesmerizing and memorable. And for those of you watching from afar, why not drop by and share your thoughts?

What are you looking forward to the most? Go on, spill.

- Armand 'Wolf' Lupin 🐺

From a very early age, Master Yoda learned that the force is not to be wrestled with - but to be embraced with a clear and neutral mind. With this, all things are possible. Including.. Aww ya know just chillin' in a pile of manky leaves. Because