Thread: Balancing sword on chin

I am having a bit of trouble balancing a sword on my chin. My husband suggested maybe I just don't have enough of a chin to get it right. So I am thinking. . .do you have to have a "good" chin to balance a sword or should I just keep practicing? TIA

ok, i put my sword in my chin and go to the floor..or ground at faire.some of my dancers have to "poot" their lips...make a firm ridge for the sword to rest against
z

I have to admit, I'm not fond of balancing the sword on my chin. I don't think I've ever actually done it in a performance, though I have cooperated when in workshops where that was taught. I don't like the red crease it forms in my skin from the weight of the sword!

I have seen it on a video a long time ago and tried to do it. OUCH! I don't think my chin is built for that, I could balance it, no problem, but it was hurting me so bad, it felt like it was going to break bones in there.

Ameretat, try melting a little beeswax on and around the balance point where the sword contacts your chin, it will very likely "stick" and balance better for you:)

Speaking of balance point, is your sword of good quality? Can you balance it easily on your wrist, for example?


Khalida

my sword is not "heavy" to me.i put it just about everywhere, including the pop to torso.i must have a diff type sword.i got it in the very early 70's from my first session with ms aram...it is from india.

I have no problems with balancing on my head, shoulder, wrist, or hips. Just my dang chin. grrrrr. I will try the beewax. Thanks.

I'm in the 'don't enjoy doing it' camp, so I haven't tried very hard.

I'm with Shira and Lauren. It's painful, leaves an ugly mark, and unless it's executed flawlessly, just looks a bit too "tricksy" for my personal taste.

I'd definitely make sure you're doing it with a sword that's well crafted. Quality can make a world of difference in terms of, shall we say, overall sword obedience ..l;,

My tips for balancing a sword on the chin is to (a) do it early on in your piece before your chin gets sweaty (a lovely problem I happen to have); and (b) use plenty of foundation powder on the balancing spot on your chin, for the same reason. I've found that it will stop it from sliding about (a bit)

I have a big scary CAS Iberia turkish scimitar that weighs a ton. I balanced it on my chin once and it hurt like hell.

I learned this trick from Shakira from Columbus; in my opinion the very best in sword there is! She is also a Feldekreis <sp> instructor, so has some wonderful body techniques.

What I learned from her that applies here is that if you put back your head to balance on your chin, don't be thinking "put head back". That puts all the pressure on the vertebrae of the neck and your movement is limited. Instead, be trying to ELONGATE your throat. And you'll get much further back, with much less strain.

I know if sounds ridiculous, but it works wonders! It's also useful in a standing backbend; your spine is limited by the vertbrae but if you instead concentrate on curving your torso you'll find a much more graceful alignment.

Kitty