There are many different types of weapons that can be practiced with Tai Chi. By understanding the different types and unique characteristics of each weapon, it can help us enhance our tai chi skills.
Tai Chi Sword
Tai Chi Sword combines the characteristics of tai chi empty hand form with swordsmanship.
Tai Chi Sword is the same as Tai Chi, the mind is calm and the body clear. The mind is the conductor, and the body leads the sword. The sword is a light weapon, its movements are mainly light and agile. The practice should experience the connection of movements through arcs and circles, with the body leading the sword. Practice diligently and repeatedly to achieve the perfect blend of mind, body and sword.
Tai Chi sword has a strong emphasis on the mind (yi) guiding all movements, hence it is also a good exercise of the brain and nerves.
Tai Chi Sabre (Broadsword)
The traditional Tai Chi Sabre or Broadsword, also known as Tai Chi Thirteen Sabre, is one of the important weapons in Tai Chi. The routine not only maintains the basic requirements of the broadsword, such as chopping, hanging, pulling, cutting, etc., its movements are also powerful and vigorous. Combined with the requirements of the Tai Chi body, it shows the effect of combining power and softness, with speed and slowness. Practicing Tai Chi Sabre can strongly enhance the strength of both body and mind.
Tai Chi Spear
The Spear is one of the commonly used weapons in martial arts. It is called the commander of long weapons and the king of a hundred soldiers.
Tai Chi spear is based on the original spear skills such as blocking, holding, and thrusting, plus the requirements of Tai Chi. Practicing Tai Chi spear requires a lot of small circle manipulations and large-area sweeps plus other flexible movements, giving our bodies a good physical workout. The body and the spear need to be highly integrated into one to achieve fluent control of the spear in the hand, so it is necessary to increase the focus of mind and intention.
Tai Chi Long Pole
The Tai Chi long pole is the best equipment for Tai Chi skill training. The pole length is more than eight feet, and there are single and paired exercises. For paired exercises, you can train strength and sensitivity by sticking the pole in circles. In solo practice, there are various exercises like pole shaking and circle strikes, plus the 13 moves Long Pole form.
The long pole is one of the most important equipment for practicing tai chi as it can greatly enhance physical fitness, stamina and strength.
Tai Chi Sword
The sword is the ultimate test of balance with high one legged poses, low stances and coordination of the sword hand with an open chest posture to leverage the opposing movement from the other hand. The use of the sword requires a subtle dexterity to the handling and wielding of power which requires time to master.
Tai Chi Sabre (Broadsword)
The sabre leverages a lot of physics. To use the tip in a thrust, it requires a recoil and lunge of the body. To use the one sharp edge, a lot of power must be amassed. To do this, using a circular and spin move that leverages centrifugal force is the key to extending the power of our body without prematurely exhausting our muscle power.
Tai Chi Spear
The spear requires many small and large sweeping and circular motions. It demands agility as well as strength when wielding the spear. We train to work with the weight and energy of the spear extending beyond the boundaries of our body. We practice a combination of small and large circular motions and thrust motions that require a dexterity and focus to be able to fully extend the arms and spear with steady accuracy.
Tai Chi Long Pole
Holding a pole in an extended position requires a complete body connection of the arms through the core and to the legs which must be firmly planted to the ground. Pure strength alone won’t be enough for the practitioner to perform the exercises.
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