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#PhilosophicalFriday
65 posts
#PhilosophicalFriday is the Taiji Forum blog on philosophy and theory of the Chinese arts. It works with expressions and calligraphies from East and West to explore parallels and differences between Chinese and „Western“ culture and thought. – And it gives you a little something to chew on for your weekend.
At the moment, we are publishing a section of Ken van Sickle’s book „Tai Chi Sword“ every week. Simultaneously, Gabi’s German translation will be published on our German sister page. Be prepared for some unique insights into the philosophy and practice of the way of the sword in the Cheng Man Ching tradition!
first, you should contact their blade lightly, stick and follow.
Perhaps their time will come once we tame our egos.
When we cut, and even more so when we thrust, we must do it softly.
Feel the energy as with a bow on violin strings.
“If you hold the blade over your head, 10,000 sword faeries will laugh at you.”
FA JING is a blast of force delivered to a target by the aligned and focused internal energies.
Professor Cheng didn’t tell us not to disengage.
“Merge beyond an understanding, in a oneness.”
…we must acknowledge it by touching that place (the French “touché”)…
There exists a conundrum while fencing, as in all aspects of Tai Chi, we must be relaxed “Yin”.
Sword strategies We get strength from our centre, speed from the O. When neutralising, we let the O’s blade barely miss us, so that his realisation that he has missed is delayed. If the O shows a weak grip, use one of the disarming techniques, as in the kicks before […]
To recover from a ‘Beat and Cut’ attack as commonly used in non-Tai Chi fencing, when the…
This is used as a response to downward pressure on your blade to your left side.
To neutralise a cut to the right side of your head or neck with a technique such as “Phoenix Spreads Wings”.
This is the name I give to the move between “Dragonfly Strikes Water” and “Swallow Returns to Nest”.
I have chosen five applications from the Cheng Man Ch’ing Sword form, in order to illustrate the Tai Chi principles at work.
After having studied Tai Chi form, push hands and sword form for several years, practised the core exercises …
“Gravity is the root of all grace.”
We may consider the following errors ‘invitations’ to cut or thrust.