Ideology

The Vitae Vi Virtus Institute is based squarely in real world martial arts. The exercises, structure and training are all taken from time tested experiences. Yet, we are also inspired by the fantasy worlds of the silver screen. When you watch stories in TV, or Film, based in the futuristic, make-believe worlds where good battles evil, you are quite often watching the retelling of some very old tales. The legends and myths that were created from elements of truth, subconsciously resonate with us in our modern world, and often leave us yearning for the adventure. As Adrian Paul tells Sword Experience event participants, "To look good on screen you have to have some knowledge of the real techniques."

Founders

Meet the visionaries behind The Vitae Vi Virtus Institute who are passionate about bringing authentic martial arts training to the modern world.

Adrian Paul

Adrian Paul is best known for his lead role as Duncan MacLeod in the television series "Highlander," which spanned 6 seasons and 117 episodes across 90+ countries. With over 40 years in entertainment and 25+ years studying Kung Fu, he founded The Sword Experience in 2016 to share his expertise in sword combat and choreography with thousands of students worldwide.

Richard Ganey

Richard Ganey has been training in martial arts since age 13 and teaching Japanese Karate and sword for 40 years. He holds multiple black belts including 5th degree in Wado-Ryu Jujutsu Kempo and 3rd degree in Japanese Iaido/Kenjutsu. A former law enforcement instructor and SWAT team leader, Richard created an innovative Star Wars-inspired martial arts curriculum in 2012, which he later combined with Adrian Paul's Sword Experience to develop the current VVVI training system.

VVVI History

The Djedhi, from which George Lucas possibly created the name Jedi, were an old Egyptian order who believed in knowledge through experience and self-discipline. They also believed in the binding universal force, or animating force, within all living things. In the existence of a vital energy, or Life Force. Something that was an integral part of Lucas’s Film’s franchise successes. Now, our unique and specifically designed VVVI program also has one a singular thought. “What if the fantasy worlds we create in film, were all authentic? How would we fair in real training?” Of course, each individual has different talents, weaknesses, and interests so we have created a program in which everyone can take part, young, old, experienced or not.

Group training in progress

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The Program

The journey begins in either one of our Youngling Programs, or through our Initium Level. Youngling FTE is for 5-8yrs and Youngling NTE caters to children between 9-11. Each offer five ranks with a unique and specially designed curriculum to give children skills and self-discipline, while also helping them be more focused and confident. The mix of martial art forms and exercises, based in worlds far, far away, allows their imagination to fly and their skills to grow in fun and engaging ways.

The Journey Continues

Then everyone must pass the Initium Level. Here you learn the basic tools needed for one of the three paths you will choose next. While each path shares similar aspects, each focus on different elements of Djedhi training. Counsulari, (Intellectual) Custos,(Martial) and Bellator(Warrior). Each divided into 5 ranks, the training again is fun, but challenging, with a fair share of obstacles to surpass before you can achieve the Eques (Knight) level.

Counsulari Path: The Counsulari journey of enlightenment, focuses on Balance and Connection to the philosophical side of training, using specially designed forms and exercises.
Custos Path: The Custos path to improvement is focused on developing physical skills through self-defense while maintaining Honor.
Bellator Path: The Bellator route propels you to helps self-advancement by understanding fairness and justice by honing your skills with a Laser Sword. These are all skills learned from age old sword techniques.

Disco - Doceo - Cresco

I Learn - I Teach - I Grow

So if you are looking to build on your, or your children's future, in authentic, but in a fun imaginative way, then the Vita Vi Virtus Institute is the program for you.