Lightsaber Techniques of The New York Jedi

General Sun wants coffee with a double shot of espresso. General Kalius A’dar will take a black iced tea. Cyran Oghma is all set, thanks. “Anything else, you guys?” Master Flynn asks the others assembled. As the founder of the New York Jedi, Master Flynn (no last name) knows mind tricks don’t work in Starbucks. You can’t order telepathically, and you still have to say “venti” when you really mean extra large.

On Tuesdays, Master Flynn and his Jedi posse squeeze into a few corner tables in this busy café before heading to lightsaber training at a dance studio down the street. Sessions can be grueling, starting with meditation and yoga poses before moving on to choreographed swordplay.
Jedi Order Establishes Temple in Lower Manhattan

New York Jedi
Members of the New York Jedi Order

The New York Jedi are a diverse community of choreographers, martial artists, dancers, and Star Wars fanatics, dedicated to mastering the art of lightsaber combat.  In addition to holding weekly classes in sword technique and stage combat fundamentals, these Jedi frequently perform at public events, and on local and national television.

And the weapons?  Let’s just say they are not your grandma’s lightsabers…

Behold, the ultimate in nerd street cred, the Excalibur of the huddled and anxious: a hand-built, custom-designed, ultradurable LED lightsaber. The polycarbonate rod lights up, the pommel-embedded speaker emits lightsaber noises, and the ornate steel hilt has a solid, satisfying, sword-like heft. And while it would look excellent encased in glass (right next to your life-size statue of the Predator), this is no museum piece…you can crash the rods together as hard you want.
Custom Lightsabers Hold Up in Jedi Battle

Like most traditional martial arts, the New York Jedi practice both kata (solo saber forms) and bunkai (applications against a live opponent).


Jedi form 1: Shii-Cho, performed by General Sun


Shii-Cho applications

13 comments

  1. Does anyone else see Lucas becoming the next Ron L. Hubbard? Will the Jedi rid us of the Scientologists?

  2. They have not sued us yet, Chris, and we have been on ABC news, MTV, Wired Magazine, the Tyra Banks show and many others… countless events, interviews, shows… they know about us, alright.

  3. First, they’ll soften you up, by sending Tom Cruise to jump all over your couches.

  4. Cool photo.

    It never ceases to amaze what people do with stuff that they’re interested in. 🙂

    By the way, thanks for visiting my blog and for leaving a comment.

  5. Thanks for the review!

    We take our craft semi-seriously with real-world martial techniques and traditional sword-play, but the cool factor of what that saber is gets us all – a glowing, buzzing and humming fun piece of a toy! It just so happens it can crack your skull too. But it’s just so much darn fun!

    Cool site!
    -=Flynn=-
    nyjedi.com

  6. Can u send me a photo of the guy in the mask with the dual lightsabers near the center? he just looks amasing

  7. Jimmy, you’ll need to send your question to the New York Jedi group.

  8. hey i was wondering is there any other branched out groups in other states?? if not they should send someone over to north carolina near the queen city area itd be so cool and where do u get a lightsaber like that

  9. Looking for a couple of Jedi to do a light-saber fight for a kids birthday party. They will be compensated. Must have their own light-sabers & costumes.
    Thanks,
    Joseph
    [email protected]

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