Swinging 5 & 8 Pound Kehoe Indian Clubs
Swinging 5 and 8lb Indian clubs can create considerable centrifugal force, so best to learn the patterns with lighter clubs first. Wrist position, stance and keen awareness are important. A mistake can cause injury, especially to the head, wrist, and knee. Simon Kehoe played a major role in bringing Indian club swinging to the USA from Britain in the 1860's. German immigrants also brought their club swinging methods to America in the mid-1800's, as did the Czech Sokols. Early on, they all debated whether to use light or heavy clubs. Over time, the light clubs became more popular in the USA as boxers, gymnasts, and the general public used them for neural development.
Club swinging faded away in the USA beginning in the 1920's as sports and games emerged supreme in American physical culture. I began learning club swinging from teachers in my neighborhood German Turner Hall at around age 8/9, and continued practicing alone all my life. In the late-1980's, I discovered around 100 pair of unused/new wooden clubs in the attic of the University of Iowa Women's Gymnasium (Halsey Gym), and the department chair generously gave them to me. In fact, they planned to throw them away. These clubs allowed me to start teaching my students at NIU, and that was the rediscovery of mass club swinging in the USA as far as I know. In 1993, I moved to the United States Army Physical School at Fort Benning, and began training soldiers from across the post. Club swinging was a included in US Army physical readiness training doctrine beginning in 1885, but long forgotten when we brought it back to life at Fort Benning.
Club swinging can be found all over the world. Over decades, I have studied the Korean, Burmese, German, and other systems. Each is a bit different. In 1960, I began undergraduate study in exercise science, and spent decades taking and teaching courses at numerous universities including The University of Iowa, Emory University, Northern Illinois University, Upper Iowa University, Troy State University, and Graceland University. Over the years, I have developed my own method of club swinging as it aligns with my understanding of biomechanics, kinesiology and human movement in general. I hope those of you who decide to learn this beautiful, ancient and enduring art will profit from this and other club swinging videos on the viamilitaris channel as you create your own method.