Bastion is a martial school. The work we do (translating manuscripts, training with steel, sparring at intensity) depends on trust between people. That trust is not optional, and it is not extended on the basis of skill or seniority. It is the foundation everything else rests on.
This page sets out the principles we hold, the conduct we expect of one another, and the kinds of decisions those principles oblige us to make. We publish it so that prospective students know the community that they are joining.
Our values
Inclusivity and respect. Bastion is open to students of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, and backgrounds. Equal belonging is the standard, not a courtesy extended.
Physical safety. Proper equipment, a controlled sparring culture, and active attention to injury prevention are non-negotiable. Hard training is welcome at Bastion; harm in the name of training is not welcomed.
Social safety. Students should feel welcomed, supported, and free from harassment, intimidation, or ideological hostility. We do not tolerate the intolerant.
Integrity and accountability. We make decisions on the basis of values, safety, and community well-being rather than convenience. This applies to the gear we recommend, the instructors we host, the events we attend, and the partnerships we form.
The Bastion Creed
Our Code of Conduct is built on a creed our members affirm at every grading ceremony.
It is the centre of our practice:
As a respected member of Bastion's community, I uphold these values asked of me. I will be mindful of my thoughts and actions. I will conduct myself with integrity, and cultivate compassion for others. My skills and strength are for averting harm, and are never used in thoughtless anger.
What this looks like in practice
Values are only meaningful when they shape decisions. At Bastion, ours mean the following:
We assess the gear we recommend, the instructors we host, and the events we attend or send students to with the same care we bring to the rest of our work. Alignment with our standards matters; convenience alone does not.
When concerns are raised about a partnership or association, we take them seriously. Sometimes that means continuing as planned with better information; sometimes it means changing course. Either way, we'd rather make a considered decision than an avoidant one.
We extend our practice beyond paying members through pro-bono instruction and charity work, because a martial tradition that exists only behind a paywall is a hobby, not a community.
We hold ourselves to the standards of a serious martial school. Sparring is conducted with proper protective equipment, controlled intensity, and regular check-ins between partners. New students are introduced to safety protocols before contact work, not after. Hard training and careful training are the same thing here and we don't treat them as trade-offs.
This page sets out the principles we hold, the conduct we expect of one another, and the kinds of decisions those principles oblige us to make. We publish it so that prospective students know the community that they are joining.
Our values
Inclusivity and respect. Bastion is open to students of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, and backgrounds. Equal belonging is the standard, not a courtesy extended.
Physical safety. Proper equipment, a controlled sparring culture, and active attention to injury prevention are non-negotiable. Hard training is welcome at Bastion; harm in the name of training is not welcomed.
Social safety. Students should feel welcomed, supported, and free from harassment, intimidation, or ideological hostility. We do not tolerate the intolerant.
Integrity and accountability. We make decisions on the basis of values, safety, and community well-being rather than convenience. This applies to the gear we recommend, the instructors we host, the events we attend, and the partnerships we form.
The Bastion Creed
Our Code of Conduct is built on a creed our members affirm at every grading ceremony.
It is the centre of our practice:
As a respected member of Bastion's community, I uphold these values asked of me. I will be mindful of my thoughts and actions. I will conduct myself with integrity, and cultivate compassion for others. My skills and strength are for averting harm, and are never used in thoughtless anger.
What this looks like in practice
Values are only meaningful when they shape decisions. At Bastion, ours mean the following:
We assess the gear we recommend, the instructors we host, and the events we attend or send students to with the same care we bring to the rest of our work. Alignment with our standards matters; convenience alone does not.
When concerns are raised about a partnership or association, we take them seriously. Sometimes that means continuing as planned with better information; sometimes it means changing course. Either way, we'd rather make a considered decision than an avoidant one.
We extend our practice beyond paying members through pro-bono instruction and charity work, because a martial tradition that exists only behind a paywall is a hobby, not a community.
We hold ourselves to the standards of a serious martial school. Sparring is conducted with proper protective equipment, controlled intensity, and regular check-ins between partners. New students are introduced to safety protocols before contact work, not after. Hard training and careful training are the same thing here and we don't treat them as trade-offs.