Tai chi double-edged sword form

The tai chi double-edged sword is called the Men and is described as the king of
the short weapons. A thorough knowledge and expertise in the tai chi solo form
should have been gained before moving on to this sophisticated weapon.
Without the knowledge and expertise empty handed training can give, the
wielder of the sword will appear clumsy and lifeless.
The sword should be looked upon as an extension of the solo tai chi form
outlined in this book. Once the student can guide the chi effortlessly to the
fingers, feet and throughout the body, the next step is to extend it further. To
achieve this, tai chi uses four weapons — double-edged sword, broadsword, staff
and lance.
The blade of the sword is flexible to facilitate the movement of energy along its
length. When the sword is thrust forwards and the energy directed to its tip, a
discernible wave of force should travel along its body. But a sword, especially a
good one, is very expensive and many people practise with a wooden one
instead. Although it lacks the great flexibility of the spring steel sword, great
progress can still be made in strengthening the chi with it.
The principles governing the use of the sword are the same as with the solo
form and pushing hands. Central equilibrium, sticking, neutralising, leading and
attacking are all part of its application. Leading is an extension of neutralising and
involves leading your partner or assailant into a position where you may attack
and score. Control is the watchword of leading when you move from the
defensive cycle of sticking and neutralising to that of attacking.
Within the United Kingdom Tai Chi Chuan Association, three Men forms are
used. The form demonstrated here is called the 'small idea sword', which
contains all the basic elements necessary for successful use. It should not be
considered as a beginner's form which is inferior to the other two, more as a vital
first step without which skill and dexterity could not be gained. The small idea
form is akin to learning the alphabet - without it words, sentences and
paragraphs could not be constructed. Many of the postures learned in this form
are repeated in the later forms in their more advanced stages.
Once the solo Men forms can be performed with dexterity, two-man exercises
can be learned. Among these are routines called 'sticky swords', similar in many
respects to pushing hands. At the beginning of sticky swords, partners touch
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THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD FORM
their swords together and move through pre-set manoeuvres to develop
sensitivity and finesse. At no time are the students allowed to break the
connection between the two swords. For the purpose of these two-man
exercises, wooden swords are used for safety. 'Free-style sticky swords' is an
extension of the earlier two-man exercises, differing in the sense that you may
attack or defend in any way you wish. To break contact in order to score a point
would place you in a position where you could be scored upon through lack of
contact. This free-style exercise is not only very instructive, but also great fun. All
of the techniques learned can be put into action, and all of your acquired skills
honed in safety.
Beyond sticky swords are two-man pre-set routines, or san shou, and two-man
free-style sparring. The san shou are directly derived from the solo form in which
two people run through known attack and counter-attack without deviating
from the pattern. In free-style sword sparring, the two training partners attempt
to 'cut' the partner's wrists with their wooden swords. Again, all of the principles
must be applied in this free flowing exchange of techniques. At no time is any
other part of the body to be attacked apart from the wrists. Sticking and leading
are very important to this form of tai chi training, together with the complex of
footwork patterns employed. At all times safety should be the priority: wild
flailing techniques are not allowed.
Sword form
Rules for practice
The rules governing the tai chi sword are basically the same as for the bare hand
solo form detailed earlier. The difference between the sword and the empty hand
forms is that of speed. In the sword form you will tend to move somewhat faster
than in the solo form. This does not mean that you move so fast that you start to
pant and breathe hard. Your movements should be smooth and relaxed, with
light and agile movements of the feet.
Integrate the actions of the arms and legs, blending them together like pearls
on a necklace, separate movements in continual, integrated flow. The sword will
seem clumsy and unwieldy initially, making it difficult to use. But with steady
practice the implement will become part of you, an extension of your will.
To learn the form well, be consistent and practise every day, even if it is for a
few minutes only. Take one posture at a time and exercise until you can perform
its actions with smoothness and accuracy, before moving on to the next posture.
The sword charm
The free hand that is not wielding the sword is just as important as the one that is,
with regard to the point of chi circulation and the balance of the form. When the
sword arm moves out in an expansive movement, the other hand moves out to
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THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD FORM
balance the action, encouraging a flow of energy down the sword arm. When the
sword arm shifts back in towards the body, the supporting arm also reciprocates
the action, as a general rule.
The 'sword charm' is the name given to the free hand which is held as in fig.
278. The small and ring fingers are folded over, with the thumb resting on them;
the middle and index fingers are held straight. The configuration of the sword
hand is believed to encourage the flow of chi during the exercise.
We will again use the points of the compass to indicate the direction in which
you should be facing. At the beginning of the form you are facing north.