Punch and Withdraw and Push

Remember when withdrawing before push, it is the body that turns which moves the arm. Our habit is so strong to move the arm first. Use the feet to transmit the movement to the torso. The front foot pushes the left hip back and the back foot pushes the right hip forward. In this way the t'ai chi force is not blocked.

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

San Sau Part 2

The second part of the two-person form.

San Sau Part 1

A reminder of the form

Ward Off Left

Step Forward, Deflect downwards, Intercept, Punch

Brush Left Knee Push

Sword Form Review of Postures up to last lesson

White Crane Spreads Wings