You Can Now Use Your HSA/FSA to Join WeaponUP!

By Sabina
May 01, 2025
Celebrating HSA/FSA Eligibility

You asked, we delivered: WeaponUP is now HSA/FSA eligible!

Thanks to our new partnership with Flex, you can now use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to purchase your WeaponUP Membership or the Membership + Sword bundle.

At WeaponUP, we believe movement is medicine. Sword yoga isn’t just about fitness—it’s about stress relief, coordination, confidence, and taking time for yourself. Now, you can use your pre-tax health benefits to support your practice. Here’s how it works:


How to Pay with HSA/FSA

  • Select “Subscribe with HSA/FSA” during checkout. 
  • If you don’t have your HSA/FSA card handy, just use your regular credit card. Flex will email you an itemized receipt for easy reimbursement.
  • Your purchase will require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN)—Flex provides this automatically through an asynchronous telehealth visit at checkout.

What’s Covered?

  • Membership Only – Monthly or Annual
  • Membership + Sword Bundle – Yes, your sword is covered too, as it’s a required tool for the WeaponUP method.
  • LOMN Fee – A one-time $15 fee applies for monthly subscriptions (covered by your HSA/FSA). For annual memberships, WeaponUP covers this for you.


Questions You Might Have

What if my card declines?
Most HSA/FSA cards are debit cards, so check your balance if it’s not going through.

Didn’t get your receipt?
Email us at team@theweaponup.com and we’ll help right away.

Using someone else’s card?
The LOMN is issued in the name of the person who completes checkout. If you used someone else’s card, you’ll need to re-purchase under their name.

Already a subscriber?
Changing to HSA/FSA mid-plan isn’t supported yet. Reach out to us and we’ll help with next steps.


Why WeaponUP Decided to Accept HSA/FSA

Whether you’re a beginner or an avid practitioner of multiple movement forms we help you build strength and confidence through intentional movement—WeaponUP is more than fitness. It’s preventive care.


Take advantage of your health benefits and invest in yourself—mind, body, and blade.


Ready to start? Visit https://theweaponup.com/ to subscribe with HSA/FSA.


More Articles To Enjoy

How Sword Yoga Built My Confidence (And How It Can Build Yours Too!)

[Sword Yoga Confidence]I used to second-guess myself all the time. Even after years of yoga and martial arts I sometimes felt as though I faked my confidence. I knew how to move—but I didn’t always feel strong inside. That changed when I finally launched WeaponUP. Sword yoga fusion—what we do here at WeaponUP—did something different. It gave me a way to practice confidence. Not just think about it. Not just fake it. But feel it, in my body. And I’ve seen the same thing happen over and over again to hundreds of women in our global community. They come to the practice unsure. Some feel awkward. Some haven’t moved in a while. Some don’t feel safe in their bodies. Some want to be the woman with the sword, but don’t think they have it in them.  But within a few weeks? They’re standing taller. Breathing deeper. Owning their space. And yes, wielding their swords! This is why I created WeaponUP. I wanted a space where women could train physically, emotionally, and mentally. Where we don’t just get fit—we get powerful. Here’s how it works. Sword yoga strengthens your whole body. You move through deep stances, balance drills, and controlled sword flows. Your legs get stronger. Your posture improves. Your focus sharpens. And that physical mind-body connection? It shows up in how you walk through life. Sword dance isn’t just beautiful—it’s powerful. When you move with a blade, even a practice one, you feel different. More alert. More graceful. More in control. Some have said, like a “valkyrie in training”. And when you repeat these movements, over and over, your brain starts to believe it. You don’t just look confident. You become confident. This is a mind-body practice that truly trains both. Its a standing meditation. Sword yoga, like tai chi and martial arts, helps you regulate your nervous system. You breathe deeply. You stay focused. You learn how to stay calm and steady, even under pressure. Confidence isn’t a personality trait. It’s a muscle. And we train it here—every time we step onto the mat. I’m not the same woman I was before launching WeaponUP. I know my power. And I want you to feel that too. Let this be your invitation. Come train with me. And start to move through the world like a woman who knows exactly who she is. — The Science Behind Sword Yoga and Confidence Sword yoga fusion combines the mental health benefits of yoga, the structured discipline of sword training, and the fluid grace of tai chi. Here’s what the research shows: • Tai chi sword forms improve posture, coordination, and lower body strength, all of which contribute to stronger body awareness and female confidence. • Mind-body practices reduce stress and anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and lowering cortisol. • Yoga and tai chi increase self-esteem and mood, helping women feel more grounded and emotionally regulated. • Even short movement sessions in strong postures boost energy and self-image—proven to outperform power poses in building confidence. • Movement practices involving rhythm and flow (like sword dance) improve mental clarity and emotional resilience.

Sabina

Living and Training like Shaolin Monk in the Mountains of China: Six Lessons that still serve me a decade later.

[The Great Wall of China]Over a decade ago, I made a choice that veered sharply from the expected path. At 20 years old my academic and personal struggles had culminated in a profound sense of failure, driving me to seek discipline and self-understanding far from what I was used to. This search for meaning led me to study as a Shaolin monk in a kung fu academy in the mountains of China, a decision that reshaped my understanding of life, discipline, and personal growth. It was there that I would grow the seeds for the six lessons that still remain with me, a decade later, a strong yoga practice and multiple external achievements. 1. The Power of Starting The initial steps of any journey are met with resistance, both external and internal. My arrival in China was fraught with challenges, from financial to physical disorientation. I was lost for 48 hours, afraid I signed up for a scam when I couldn’t find the school and was ready to hightail it back to Toronto that very first night. Yet, looking back, these obstacles underscored the first crucial lesson of perseverance at the onset of a new endeavor. Like a physical law, initiating movement requires overcoming inertia, teaching me the value of resilience from day one. Similarly in yoga practice the initial resistance we feel when trying a new pose is not just physical but also mental. Overcoming this inertia is our first victory. 2. There's No Single Way to Live Your Life Living among monks and other students, I realized the beauty of diversity in life's journeys. Our societal narratives often dictate a linear progression: education, career, family. However, witnessing all the diverse backgrounds and journeys of my fellow monks revealed the richness of embracing one's unique path. When you are unbound by conventional expectations, you begin to craft your own path, much like yoga practice allows you to listen to your body and follow that internal guidance. You also begin to see that what we have been told is not necessarily how it has to be. You can be unique and innovative in your approach to life, but often we are not because we have never been exposed to other walks of life that we find inspirational. I was lucky enough to enter a society outside the general narrative and find beauty in this school that taught me my path didn’t have to be linear. [Sabina training the Wudang sword with Master Wu.] 3. Perfect Practice makes Perfect True mastery comes from perfect practice, not just repetition. Everyday discipline and consistency in training showed me the distinction between mere practice and perfect practice. Committing fully to each moment rather than half-hearted participation, fostered not only skill but a profound inner transformation. This lesson in dedication and focus transcends physical training and applies universally to both professional and personal pursuits. It is the commitment and the discipline that you bring to a practice that transforms us. It's about giving our all, in every moment, to truly evolve. 4. Confidence Through Discipline The daily eight hour training schedule straightened more than just my posture; it strengthened my confidence. Putting myself through challenging situations and overcoming them every single day gave me a confidence nothing had given me to that point. It allowed me to stand tall, walk with pride and take up space without hesitation. Seeing these changes in myself and other students also highlighted the lesson that confidence does not come from empty words and affirmations, but from doing difficult things and overcoming them. Similarly with a dedicated yoga practice, self-confidence is a very positive side effect of asana. [Sabina during a power stretching training!] 5. Embrace Life with Lightness Perhaps the most surprising lesson came from observing the joy and lightness with which my most respected master approached life; a man in his seventies with the ability to do the splits as if he was 22. Despite the seriousness of our training, he taught me the importance of not taking oneself too seriously, placing laughter and light-heartedness even in the most serious tasks. This balance between discipline and joy has become a cornerstone of how I approach challenges and setbacks. It is also a reminder to approach our yoga practice with a light heart, finding joy in each breath and movement. The goal is to enjoy the journey not long after the destination. 6. Avoid Complacency The final lesson I learned was to never settle and never to rest on one’s laurels.  Being 'smart but lazy' was a trap I fell into, thinking talent alone was enough. But in yoga, as in life, continuous effort and dedication to growth are what truly define us. Reflecting on these lessons a decade later, their impact extends far beyond the physical confines of the academy. They have shaped my approach to life, work, and personal growth, serving as a compass through challenges and decisions. As I navigate the complexities of the world, the principles of discipline, resilience, authenticity, dedication, joy, and continuous effort remain my guiding lights. In sharing these lessons, I hope to inspire others to embrace their unique journeys, confront challenges with resilience and joy, and pursue personal growth with discipline and openness. Remember, the path to self-discovery and fulfillment is both arduous and beautiful, paved with lessons learned from every step of the journey.[Sabina during a kung fu grading in front of the different Shaolin masters.]

Sabina

🗡️ How to Start Your Sword Yoga Practice: 10 Tips for Beginners

[Performing a Kung Fu Sword grading in front of Shaolin masters.] WeaponUP's sword yoga method blends vinyasa yoga with the kung fu and tai chi sword. Combining the core strengths of each of these practices has led to a fusion that looks and feels empowering, fun and maybe even a little intimidating!  Thats why I want to let you know that this practice is completely accessible to all bodies - whether you’re a seasoned practitioner of other art forms or haven't moved in a way you would have liked for a while. Here are ten essential tips to guide your journey to sword yoga bad a**ery: 1. Embrace the Beginner’s Mindset BEGIN. Thats the first step. Approach WeaponUP with curiosity and openness. It’s natural to feel challenged or weary initially, but remember that every expert was once a beginner. One of my favourite quotes is by the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu and it sums up this first tip pretty perfectly. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a simple step". So start! 2. Prioritise Consistency Over Intensity Like most people, when I get motivated to start something I think I have to go ALL IN! I need the latest gear, the latest gadgets, the best outfits and I have to do it at least an hour a day or more! This obviously causes fatigue and exhaustion and usually if I approach things this way I just give up before I even start. Focus on tiny goals at first. Just stepping on the mat for regular practice, even if brief, builds muscle memory and deepens your connection to the movements. Aim for short, consistent sessions rather than sporadic intense workouts. Don't overwhelm yourself before you even start! 3. Start and End With the Basics Strong foundations build strong warriors. This is the "Wax on Wax Off" theory. Focus on fundamental stances and movements before progressing into more dynamic flows. In WeaponUP’s Ten Days to Sword Mastery program, we guide you step-by-step through sword basics, including the positioning of your upper and lower body in key stances like Horse Stance. You’ll learn how each detail builds power, balance, and control. Shaolin Monks will train basics like Horse Stance for years even if they "have learned it". Some suggest that you practice just this stance everyday for six months and nothing else before moving on.  4.  Listen to Your Body Your body will speak to you — honor it. If a movement feels off, modify or pause. Sword Yoga is about building resilience, not forcing perfection. This is where WeaponUP differs quite strongly from traditional aspects of Kung Fu and Vinyasa Yoga. We want the WeaponUP practice to fit our body, not the other way around. This doesn't mean don't attempt things because you have the mis-conception that "you can't do it". It just means to listen to your body if the hurt just doesn't feel right.  5. Integrate "Victorious Breath" Into Your Movements Victorious Breath or Ocean Breath is your secret weapon. Also known as Ujjayi breath, this is a yoga breathing technique where air is inhaled and exhaled through the nose while slightly constricting the back of the throat. This constriction creates a hissing or whispering sound, often described as resembling the sound of the ocean. We leverage this technique throughout the WeaponUP practice to get us deeper into our stances, our strikes and to increase our mindfulness.  6. Use Modifications, Not Props At WeaponUP, the sword itself is your greatest tool. Instead of external props, we want you to leverage posture modifications that help build the strength and flexibility needed to fully express each movement over time. While many yoga traditions offer the use of props as a way to ease into the practice, my personal experience with this has always been that one never progresses if they continue using props over and over again. You can't know when you are able to go deeper if you immediately go for your props - because it becomes a habit! This is why I am a big fan of modifications for your practice rather than resorting to props. Trust yourself, you are building real capability with every practice.  7. Always Warm Up First Before you move into your sword sequences, or even the basics take a few minutes to warm up. Gentle stretching, some quick jumping jacks or the tried and true sun salutations will set the stage for a safe, powerful practice. Personally I like to start all my practices with three to five Sun Salutation A to get me warm and ready. But this doesn't have to be the case for you, anything that gets you slightly heated up will work - even some light jumping. 8. Train with the WeaponUP Online Studio Guidance matters — and that’s why the WeaponUP Online Studio exists. As the only Sword Yoga fusion platform in the world, WeaponUP gives you classes, structured programs, beginner-friendly series, and tutorials you can follow anytime, anywhere. You’re not practicing alone — you’re part of a growing movement. 9. Stay Hydrated and Light Before Practice Drink water and fuel lightly before your session. I personally prefer to not have eaten anything before practice, however every "body" is different. So listen to that and fuel yourself accordingly. 10. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection The true motto of WeaponUP is "practice makes progress". The more you celebrate that idea the more you will be able to continue coming back to the mat. You will not achieve perfection on day two or even day two hundred and thats okay, but you will progress. WeaponUP is not about chasing perfection — it’s about showing up, leveling up, and becoming stronger inside and out. Also learning some awesome moves along the way.  Ready to begin your journey? Grab your sword + membership bundle right here and I will see you on the mat! ✨ Note: Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting a new fitness regimen if you have preexisting health conditions.

Sabina