When we cut, and even more so when we thrust, we must do it softly.
Ken van Sickle
71 posts
Feel the energy as with a bow on violin strings.
FA JING is a blast of force delivered to a target by the aligned and focused internal energies.
“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.”
Momentum is used in Tai Chi while doing the forms, along with centrifugal force, gravity and levity.
to go with the flow and not to struggle against it-
To vie and struggle in order to win is not doing Cheng Man Ch’ing Tai Chi.
“Doctors heal the sick with Medicine and Surgery. — Tai Chi, when practiced regularly …
When Cheng Man Ching changed the Yang form, it was not simply to make it shorter.
Roll Back is not an aggressive move, it is a ‘passive’ response to an aggressive move.