The Bartitsu Program

After completing the Introductory Bartitsu Workshop students are ready to deepen their understanding and practical implementation of the art.

Ongoing Bartitsu Classes run every Saturday from 3 pm to 5 pm. Each week focuses on two disciplines of the art and their integration. One week might focus on fundamental boxing skills and Jujitsu followed by a segment on how these two disciplines support and connect with one another. The following week would then focus on Jujitsu and Savate and their integration.

The diversity and cyclical reinforcement in the program keeps students mentally and physically engaged while helping them become effective and well-rounded martial artists.

Class Structure

Each class begins with a Victorian-inspired warm-up that prepares joints and muscles for the demands of the particular session.

Warm-up is followed by technical instruction in the first discipline, the second discipline, and then their combination.

Classes use a combination of solo conditioning, pairs exercise, work with punching bags and targets, as well as slow speed and full contact sparring (with appropriate protective gear).

Bartitsu Disciplines

Bartitsu is composed of four disciplines, sometimes studied independently, but more often combined and practiced together.

Scientific Boxing

English pugilism as many gentlemen were already accustomed in London. Prize fighting and bare-knuckle boxing matches were still popular, even though the Marquise of Queensbury Rules were also used concurrently. As Bartitsu emphasized self-defence, only those elements that are practical without boxing gloves are included.

Savate

Imported from France, this kickboxing style was considered the most advanced form of fighting with the legs. The English already had a similar tradition of shin-kicking contests called “purring” which we revive – with leg protection – to practice our low kicks

Jujitsu

The Japanese system of wrestling brought to England by Barton-Wright and Yukio Tani, a jujitsuka who accompanied him from Japan. No ground-wrestling techniques are used, since it is not practical for self-defence.

Cane

Swiss master Pierre Vigny’s style of walking stick self-defence was unique, and is a signature of Bartitsu today.

Similar techniques are used in our regular Umbrella Self-Defence Workshops.