The Martial Wand Exercise - Getting Back in Shape with 19th Century Exercise Methods

Join us as we explore the "martial" and combative wand (or staff) exercises of 19th century Germany and German America---done primarily to cultivate agility, as well as many other mental-physical qualities. These sequences adapted techniques and positions from the martial arts, and re-purposed them for self-development.

This video was made as part of the ongoing "Getting Back in Shape with 19th Century Historical Exercises" series.

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SPECIAL DISCLAIMER:

The motions and the positions done with the legs in this particular video require specific technique and joint alignment to prevent injury. The scope of this video does not include actual instruction in these techniques and the many nuances that they contain, which would take a much longer and more detailed video. So, I do not recommend that anyone attempt to copy or replicate these exercises on their own by simply watching the video. We will be putting more information up on our Patreon which pertain to the specifics of performing the techniques safely and correctly.

FULL DISLAIMER:

This series is for historical interest only. It is not intended to be instructional, and is not a replacement for a qualified instructor or therapist who can guide, observe and correct you in person. The original historical directions for these exercises, which are not fully quoted and explored in the video, are very precise—the positioning, alignment of the joints, feet, hands, etc.. And if you get that wrong, it’s definitely possible to injure yourself.

This video is an EXPERIMENT, and many of these historical methods are as of yet untested in modern times. I don’t even know if I’m going to recommend them myself after practicing them for weeks or months. It is possible they could lead to injury.

I have and will be using the actual antique apparatus intended for these methods. I can tell you that if you swap out the light wooden wand (crafted to historical specs) that you see me use in these videos with heavy modern mass-produced apparatus, such as modern mace, gada, or metal bars, it is definitely possible (if not probable) to injure yourself.

For all of these reasons I caution you not to try to follow along and do these exercises at home, but to perform such exercises only under the supervision of a qualified and experienced instructor or master. For the benefit of viewers, I will be linking to such instructors and masters in some of these videos, if they exist.