Tai Chi Straight Sword form

Sorry bsd_Tector life called and I answered. Perhaps we will get to work more on the 32 sword when I see you next....

The 32 sword is a very nice gauge for your taiji training. The conection of Dantien to the Sword is important and of course will help with any wrist stuff that is going on. Be sure to put the time in on this one... its great!

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Has any one taught this to left handed people? Did you swap things around?

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“	Originally Posted By: john100 Has any one taught this to left handed people? Did you swap things around?	”

I am left handed.(Notice he waves with the left hand.)

We learn this form with both hands at my school. For advancement to the next level (Green fringe) you have to do it on both sides. I find I am at an advantage because I learn it with my worst side first, being left handed. So, when most people are learning the second side and it is really hard because it is their uncoordinated side, I have already learned the tough side and find the second side much easier.

For the tai-chi we learn a lot of forms on both sides, but many CLF forms we only learn with a weapon in the right hand. (Well, we have some forms at advanced levels that have a weapon in each hand.)

Sometimes, I feel at a distinct disadvantage then. But looking at it in a positive way, I am getting cooridination and skills on my weaker side better than most right handed students will get. Still the first broadsword form has parts that are really tough with my right hand- like this flowering figure 8 thing in it.


Now I am interested, do other TC students learn a lot of the forms on both sides or one? I just assumed most people practiced with both sides.

(We also learn the 24 on both sides, but the 40 and the 108 we only learn one side. I think some other hand forms we will learn both sides too.)

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I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me & through me.& when it has gone I will turn to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.Only I will remain.F.Herbert

If the teacher is left handed then it makes sense, otherwise you can flip things much easier than your teacher could...
Your teacher can show you detail in his/her natural hand, but not in a switch.
Esp. with the gim, a detail oriented weapon.

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“	do other TC students learn a lot of the forms on both sides or one?	”

depends on the school. CMC for example was dead set against it apparantly.

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Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

A question on this form.

How do people hold the empty hand through the form? In detail what do you do with the two fingers not making "sword fingers"?

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Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

Either you bend them and fix with the thumb loosely, or you touch the ringfinger tip with the thumb tip for some internal mumbo, mostly loosening the forearm.

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I have a student at my school who is a lefty and we have gone through his straight sword form left handed for him (Chen FaKe's set) and he also is learning the dao form lefty. Its really interesting to see how he is to spar since everything is mirror image, makes for a nice challenge for everyone.
In the 32 Yang form the fingers of the off hand are generally in the sword charm, and in our version we do not touch the blade just the wrist of the other hand. Which inreality is just a symbol of actually grabbing onto the sword handle with both hands when cutting or stabbing.

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"Zen is like riding a Tiger,
Later you become the Tiger."

Any one tuck the two free fingers in tightly?

__________________
Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

“	I have a student at my school who is a lefty and we have gone through his straight sword form left handed for him (Chen FaKe's set) and he also is learning the dao form lefty.	”

We have to learn the 32 sword form on both sides, so it does not matter what handed you are.
I wish I got to learn my CLF weapon forms on the left side, I am just out of luck and have to learn it right-handed.

“	In the 32 Yang form the fingers of the off hand are generally in the sword charm, and in our version we do not touch the blade just the wrist of the other hand. .	”

[/quote] We don't touch the blade with the empty hand either, but the wrist of the other hand.

“	John100- Any one tuck the two free fingers in tightly?	”

Mostly we hold the two fingers tucked in, with the thumb over them. I would not say tucked in "tightly" though.

__________________
I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me & through me.& when it has gone I will turn to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.Only I will remain.F.Herbert