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"  With Clash of the Titans now in theaters and Russell Crowe&amp;#039;s Robin Hood opening May14th, swordplay is becoming all the rage in Hollywood. Taking full advantage of the moment, the Manhattan Fencing Center is offering free beginner lessons to promote the sport. One of only four sports to be featured at every modern Olympic games, the discipline stresses balance and coordination while promoting strategic thinking. Eager to find out more, I headed to the front terrace of the New York Public Library where the free classes are held every Friday at 1pm through June 25th. Under the watchful eyes of the library&amp;#039;s resident lions, Patience and Fortitude, genial instructors separated the participants into two groups. The experienced brought their own equipment, while MFC provided the necessary gear for the novices: the requisite jacket, mask, glove and sabre. (Anyone who loves fashion can appreciate a sport that requires it&amp;#039;s own wardrobe!)     Starting with steps, then lunges, each participant learned the fundamental footwork and positions to begin. Next they were handed a sabre and taught appropriate handling. By the end of the hour the fencers were engaging each other in one on one competition. Everyone looked great, worked hard and certainly was enthusiastic. If you want to enhance your regular workout routine with something much more stimulating, It might be time to step out on your lunch break and take up the sword.  \u2014Tricia Schreiber "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elle.com/culture/news/a4008/en-garde-taking-up-swordplay-758/>