Whirlwind Left, Small Star of the Big Dipper, Waiting for Fish, Looking for the Snake in the Grass, The Bird Flies into the Forest to Rest

The Swallow Flies into the Nest and The Clever Cat Catches the Mouse

Turn with the idea of efficiency... get the force going to the diagnonal without excess or deficiency. Practise the rhythm of the movement to keep a connection with the force.

The action serves the function : Sword form

To apply the posture 'The swallow flies into the nest' it important to be efficient with the sword. The tip of the sword moves directly towards the line of the attack without any wavering or loss of direction. To achieve this turn without losing force the arm movement, coordinated with the body movement pushes through to the tip with quite a large arc. The sword does not withdraw during the turn but moves towards the corner.

Coordination of the Sword

When we wish to bring the t'ai chi force to the sword, at the beginning stage, we must be careful to coordinate the body movement with the sword.

When we bring the edge down we sink the substantial within the body and shift the central balance of the body over the foot. When we turn the sword, preparing for the cut, we place the empty foot in the correct position and step. When we bring the force through the cutting edge we shift the weight to the empty foot.

Each action of the sword is complemented with the action of the body. There is no break.

First postures of the sword form

First Postures of the Sword Form

The Unique Features of the Sword Form

The movements of the sword form are generally bigger with larger circles. There are movements which open the body much more than say the short form. This is especially true of the spine itself. During the preparation exercises the body twists and articulates all of the vertebrae.

When arousing the ch'i there is also a greater intention since the force must pass to the tip of the sword and beyond. There is a corresponding opening of the body to bring the t'ai chi force through the body. So we should do what is necessary to create greater movement of force in both body and mind intent.

The body serves the purpose of the sword in the sense that all the movements of the body are what is necessary to get the force to move through the sword in the appropriate way. The sword moves smoothly and with continuity. This is achieved with the whole of the body coordinated from the feet and not just produced at the level of the wrist. The sword is not moved using the muscles of the wrist acting independently. When the sword is moving the whole arm is moving.

Deep stances in the sword form and squatting single whip

When going to a low positions the force is directed downwards when the body sinks. The legs must be relaxed and especially the hip joints. The downward force is achieved by emptying the upper body and following the force down. The force increases as it accumulates in the lower position.

The tailbone should be vertical. The forward knee in line with the foot, and the back leg is straight in the final position. Be wary of the lower forward leg leaning forward. This lower leg should be vertical.

For those people who spend a lot of time in a sitting position it is important to stretch the front part of the pelvis to allow the tail bone to go down to the vertical position. Deep stances in the sword form are useful to open the top leg joints.