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Photos from the September 2011 meeting

At the September 2011 meeting of the Bartitsu Club of NYC, we trained for three hours in Central Park. Topics included the basics of Vigny - high front guard, switching grips and leads, high and low targets; savate kicks - chasse and coup pied bas; and biomechanical principles of 19th- and early 20th-century pugilism. Below are photos of the Vigny portion; a fellow member of the New York Nineteenth Century Society photographed the savate and puglism training, so more photos may be forthcoming. Thanks to all who showed up and special thanks to our intrepid study group leader Jesse.

[Bartitsu Club of NYC September 2011]
September 2011 study group participants Stephen, Casey, Jesse, Rachel, Thomas, William, and Elena

[Bartitsu Club of NYC September 2011]
The high front guard, and guarding the mark, following an explanation of how the the sternum and solar plexus are vulnerable to blows. You can survive cuts and breaks and all sorts of trauma, but take away your breath for even 8-12 seconds and it's quite devastating.
[Bartitsu Club of NYC June 2011]
Forcing the opponent to guard high, then aiming for a low target

[Bartitsu Club of NYC June 2011]
Switching grips from right to left and left to right

[Bartitsu Club of NYC June 2011]
It's hard to tell from this photo, but this was a demonstration of sliding the stick into the opponent's and grabbing the wrist to lock. Thomas' umbrella is standing in for a stick.

[Bartitsu Club of NYC June 2011]
Learning Vigny basics - the high front guard. Most of us found this wearying, which is why it's helpful to use a light wooden dowel and then advance to a real walking stick.
[Bartitsu Club of NYC June 2011]
Double-handed grip, locks with the cane, and changing from right to left grip

[Bartitsu Club of NYC June 2011]
Jesse asked for a volunteer to demonstrate something uncomfortable. Thomas, who was eating a hot pretzel, quickly put it down and, still chewing, stepped forward eagerly to demonstrate this painful wrist lock.

[Bartitsu Club of NYC June 2011]
Double-handed grip, locks with the cane, and changing from right to left grip.

[Bartitsu Club of NYC June 2011]
Jesse coaching us in the basics of Vigny cane.