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FIVE APPLICATIONS – 1. BLOCK AND SWEEP – Tai Chi Sword 37

Survey on Tai Chi and mental health
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Tai Chi sword application block and sweep

I have chosen five applications from the Cheng Man Ch’ing Sword form, in order to illustrate the Tai Chi principles at work.

Application 1 of 5: ENGAGE AND SWEEP (BLOCK AND SWEEP)

This application is for neutralising sweeping horizontal cuts coming at you from the O’s right, toward the left side of your neck or head.

SWORD MOVEMENT

You should engage his blade as if you are doing the first “Engage and Sweep” (“Block and Sweep”) movement from the form, your point to the left, and your sword hand to the right. You allow his cut to continue and engage his blade, letting it ‘ride’ on your blade with light contact. If you block, or if you try to control his blade, he will feel it and change or abort the cut. You will have to distance or lower yourself a bit so as not be cut. At the moment his point passes you, or passes over you, you reverse the direction of your blade as you disengage and cut (sweep) to his exposed arm or body, if the opportunity is presented. To paraphrase the principles we are using here: “Do not oppose, get out of the way, and let the O go where he wants, stick, follow, and return.”

Video “BLOCK AND SWEEP – Tai Chi Sword”

Ken is working on videos of this and the following applications. We will post them as soon as we receive them.

Author and Images: Ken van Sickle

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AUTHOR

Taiji Forum Compilation
Taiji Forum is a non-profit project, realised by a small core team and fuelled by contributions of practitioners from all over the world. Being practitioners ourselves, we are fascinated by the rich heritage of the Chinese internal arts – and we want to share our passion with you! For more information read our "about us" article.

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