T′ai Chi Chuan

Meditation & Trainings

 
The Long Form  |  T'ai Chi Sword  |  Picture Gallery  |  Classes for Beginners and Advanced
 

T'ai Chi Sword

From October 2011 until June 2012 I am teaching in India and Nepal.
The Sword-Classes there you find
at the India-preview on this website.
From June until October I am teaching in Europe.
The Sword-Form during the Summer-Academy 2012
in Karlsruhe, Germany. On request I teach
at other places too.

T'ai Chi Sword - Sri Harihar Peeth Ashram, Rooftop, Dec. 2011. (Photo by Gela Weck.)

The forms of the sword are among the classical exercises of T′ai Chi Ch′uan.
Like these, they are used for self-defence, as health-promoting
exercises and are movement and meditation.
The sword sequence is not only practiced by advanced T′ai Chi
students, it is also considered a path of its own which does not
necessarily require knowledge of any other exercises of T′ai Chi Ch′uan.

T´ai Chi Sword practices the principles of T′ai Chi Ch′uan in an expanded way:
the sword is an extension of arm and hand - rotations and turns of the sword
flow from the harmony between centre and energy centre.
The sword never moves in an arbitrary manner.
The sword and the student are a unit: they are one and the same.

The thirteen techniques of T′ai Chi Ch′uan of the "bare hand" are also practiced in the sword sequence.
Thus, the way of the sword differs from other T′ai Chi weapon sequences, which do not incorporate as many techniques.
T´ai Chi Sword is the most versatile of all T´ai Chi weapon sequences.

Practicing the forms of the sword with the slow and flowing movements of T′ai Chi and learning it as
an art form is also very effective and beneficial for those
who want to commit themselves to this martial art.

“Moving the sword quickly is contrary to the true way
of the sword. It must be wielded slowly and with calmness.”

The sword has shaped our culture and history for millennia –
everywhere on this planet. Wielding the sword defined behaviour and
forged a code of honour –
not only in times of knights and samurai.

Furthermore, T′ai Chi Sword has its own grace, ease and elegance.
Students experience this as a source of energy
which is different form the energy experienced during the
bare hand sequence.

In training, the sword sequence according to Dr. Chiang Tao Chi
with its 50 forms
will be taught and learned. Basic principles of T′ai Chi will be practiced.
Introduction to and practice of the sword sequence will be accompanied by
partner exercises (with and without a sword),
explanations of the sword forms’ application (techniques) and fundamental instructions.

We always work with swords made of wood.

Solid knowledge and experience in a T′ai Chi style are of advantage -
but not a requirement.

In each workshop, fundamental principles of T′ai Chi in general
and the sword sequence in particular are discussed and conveyed.

During the workshops, the meditative-spiritual aspect of this independent path
will be pronounced and intensified by mediation.
The participants will receive an introduction into meditation techniques.
During the seminar, there are binding silent periods –
they are used to solidify what has been learned
and, in combination with meditation, help to promote and maintain
physical health and well-being.


 
 
The Long Form  |  T'ai Chi Sword  |  Picture Gallery  |  Classes for Beginners and Advanced
 

---

Rainer Maria Kohl - Bärenweg 22 - 76149 Karlsruhe - Germany
phone* +49 (7 21) 3 35 59 42 - e-mail
 
*Free call from european landlines
 

Homepage