If you want to learn tai chi sword online there are two tracks. You can either learn tai chi sword form as a health practice or you can study tai chi sword with the goal of sparring. There are now regular tai chi sword tournaments in the U.S., U.K. and Europe, and training for these competitions is intense. If you want to do jianfa sparring the training you have to do a lot of partner work, ji ben gong, or basic drills including test cutting.
The Major Methods of WuDang Sword by Chang Wu Na, states that there are four areas of training to consider if you want to learn tai chi sword.
- Eye Techniques – Hand eye coordination
- Hand Techniques – Including the grip, cutting and stabbing methods
- Stepping Techniques
- Body Moving Techniques
The book contains a lot if you want to learn tai chi sword online you should focus on these four areas.
Some general considerations about the learning tai chi sword.
The jian is a comparatively difficult blade to wield, this has been proven in free sparring against the Dao or Mi Dao broad swords. The tai chi jian is lightweight and not overly long, being about 30 inches generally and not heavier that a 2.5 pounds. Historical documents often cite the tai chi sword as a scholars or nobleman’s weapon and also that the jian is the weapon of choice in the more internal Chinese martial arts while the staff is the weapon of shoalin.
Both of these claims have merit. The jian’s light weight and balance point make it more suitable for internal styles such as tai chi that utilize very subtle body mechanics. It can merge with the hand without requiring a lot of force to counter balance. The same characteristics that make it difficult to use in combat make the jian a perfect companion for tai chi training.
If you want to learn tai chi sword online, you will need to find the right method for your goals.
There are now many youtube videos available if you want to learn tai chi sword online. However most of them were created in the era before the revival of tai chi sword combat methods led by the jian master Scott Rodell. The individual movements are not broken down and explained, must less tested in partner work and free sparring. Because of this most of the tai chi sword videos online are extremely flowery.
Here is some free tai chi sword flow:
The Chen Tai Chi master Chen Xiaowang has one of the more powerful jian methods if you want to learn tai chi sword online.
If you want to learn the Yang Style Tai Chi Sword online, it’s all on Youtube now. This is an example of tai chi sword from the era before competition.