5th. The clubs being in either first position, the body is turned to
one side--the left for example, and the clubs being thrown out in the
same direction, make each, by a turn of the wrist, a circle three times
on the outer side of the outstretched arms (Plate VII. fig. 1):--when
completing the third circle, the clubs are thrown higher to the same
side, sweeping together in the large circle in front, as in the second
exercise, the body similarly turning to the right; but, instead of
forming the smaller curve behind, both are thrown over the back (Plate
VII. fig. 2);--from this position the clubs are thrown in front,
which is now toward the opposite side, and the same movements are
reversed;--and so it proceeds alternately to each side.
6th. In this exercise, the clubs are reversed, both being pendent in
front, but the ends of their handles being upward on the thumb sides
of the hands. (Pl VII. fig. 3.) The exercise consists chiefly in
describing with the ends of the clubs two circles placed obliquely
to each other over the head. For this purpose, the club in the right
hand is, in a sweep to that side, first elevated behind the head, and
thence passing to the left (Plate VII. fig. 4), the front, the right
(Plate VII. fig. 5) behind, (where its continuation is indicated in
fig. 5, and completed in fig. 6), thus forms its circle;-- meanwhile
the club in the left hand, commencing when that in the right was behind
the head, has passed on the back of its circle to the right, (Plate
VII. fig. 5,) while that in the right hand has passed on the front of
its circle to the same side (Plate VII. fig. 5, the parts performed in
both being marked by complete lines, and the parts to be done merely
indicated);--and they continue, that in the right hand by the back, and
that in the left hand by the front, toward the left side (Plate VII.
fig. 6), and so on at pleasure, circling over the head.
[Although but two-thirds of the body, viz., from the loins upward,
are called into operation in this exercise, its importance must be
estimated by the fact that they are precisely those requiring constant
artificial practice, being naturally most exempted from exertion. As an
adjunct to TRAINING, there is nothing in the whole round of gymnastic
performances that will be found of more essential service than this
exercise with the Indian clubs. It demands but little muscular
exertion, and such as it does require calls chiefly upon that portion
of the system which it finds in a state of comparative repose.]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]