Cloud Hands (original) (raw)

Standard Taijiquan 32 Sword Form

This popular webpage includes a comprehensive bibliography, scores of links to webpages; an extensive listing of the names and name variations for each movement in English, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish; a detailed analysis of each posture and movement sequence with explanations and numbered illustrations and detailed instructions; selected quotations; comments on 20 Taijiquan sword techniques; a comprehensive media bibliography; a chart of performance times; recommendations for starting to learn this form at home one your own with instructional DVDs, books and practice methods; and, a comparison of the 32 and 55 sword forms in the Yang style.

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

32 Sword Form Pamphlet by Geoffrey Hugh Miller. Adapted from information and graphics found on the32 Sword Form webpage by Michael P. Garofalo. 22 pages, 9/7/2015, PDF Format. Excellent job by Mr. Miller. This is a handy practice tool.

Read about the Taoist magical sword finger hand sign:
"The sword finger hand sign is to draw your own magic power to the fingers and output a beam of energy for doing Taoist magic. This beam of magical power isn’t just an imaginary thing, it’s a real visible beam if you can see it. Some of my students can see the beam of energy beams out like a long laser from the tip of the finger and extend all the way to the wall or somewhere far away. The beam is a beam a the magic power from one doing the handsign. This beam of power can be used for drawing FUs in the air, killing evils, doing magic in magic battles, healing or even saving lives! This is like a multi-usage tool, which can be a pen, a chisel, a phone, or even a drill, it all depends on how you use it and what adaptor you put on it to make it function differently. The most commonly seen usage of this handsign in Tin Yat Lineage is by drawing Taoism FU in the air or on the incense. This allow you to “carve” the Taoism FU into the object or in the air to perform magic."

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

"Mike, I wonder if you could give your thoughts on something. For years I’ve been practicing 3. The Swallow Skims Across the Water with the left hand moving in a similar fashion to 5. Block and Sweep to the Left i.e. the little finger side of the hand brushing the left hip before raising above the head. I’ve recently got a book by Li Deyin which has his daughter Faye Yip performing it slightly differently. She points her fingers backwards with the back of the hand brushing the hip and mentions it in the essential points for the movement. Looking at videos on the internet they all seem to be similar to Faye Yip. Would you mind if I asked how you practice?"
- A question from Simon Ellis, UK, 9/2/2015

Simon, I have found that the details of bodily positions for any Taijiquan movement vary somewhat according to the following standards:

1. Competition standards. If you are preparing to compete in a Taijiquan event, then carefully study the standards for the forms you are performing. In the case of the 32 sword form, check out books and DVDs by Li Deyin or his heirs.
2. Your teacher's standards. If you are working closely with a Taijiquan teacher, then follow their instructions. This simplifies your learning, and shows respect for the teacher. Since I learned the 32 sword fromDr. Paul Lam, I practice this form in a manner fairly close to his instructions.
3. Your personal standards. If you have been practicing for many years, mostly alone, then more variations in bodily positions will likely emerge. Sensibly, as we age, we make adaptations in our Taijiquan form work to safely accommodate our declining physical abilities.

As for how I practice, I'm rather unconcerned about details, a bit careless, playful, free, and seldom do things exactly the same way. I just like skimming across the water, and leave the details about how to flap my wings to others. Call me a lazy dilettante Daoist, with a penchant for ziran. I don't even practice with a sword or saber anymore─ I only wield my sturdy cane. As I recall, the front of my left hand crosses my waist while going to 3c; and, more important, I still make that magical Taoist sword finger hand sign with my left hand while doing this form.

I think that modeling your performance on the standards set by Master Faye Yip's 32 Sword form instructions and demonstration would result in much grace, improved strength, and a beautiful style.
Best wishes! Mike. 9/8/2015

Taijiquan Sword: Yang Style 32 Sword Form

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

32 Sword Form Pamphlet by Geoffrey Hugh Miller. Adapted from information and graphics found on the 32 Sword Form webpage by Michael P. Garofalo. 22 pages, 9/7/2015, PDF Format. Excellent job by Mr. Miller. This is a handy practice tool.

Tai Chi Sword, 32 Form

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

32 Sword Form Pamphlet by Geoffrey Hugh Miller. Adapted from information and graphics found on the 32 Sword Form webpage by Michael P. Garofalo. 22 pages, 9/7/2015, PDF Format. Excellent job by Mr. Miller. This is a handy practice tool.

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Simon, I have found that the details of bodily positions for any Taijiquan movement vary somewhat according to the following standards:

2. Your teacher's standards. If you are working closely with a Taijiquan teacher, then follow their instructions. This simplifies your learning, and shows respect for the teacher. Since I learned the 32 sword from the instructional DVD by Dr. Paul Lam, I practice this form in a manner fairly close to his instructions.

3. Your personal standards. If you have been practicing for many years, mostly alone, then more variations in bodily positions will likely emerge. Sensibly, as we age, we make adaptations in our Taijiquan form work to safely accommodate our declining physical abilities.

As I recall, the front of my left hand crosses my waist while going to 3c; and, more important, I still make that magical Taoist sword finger hand sign with my left hand while doing this form.

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in Vancouver Washington

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

Saturday, April 28, 2018
10:00 am - Noon
Clark College Campus
Vancouver, Washington

I will be attending this event on Saturday.

For the next 9 weeks, my new Taijiquan 32 Sword Form teacher will be Jill Ross. I learned and practiced this form back in 2005; however, I have not practiced this form in the last five years.

Our class will participate in the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day festivities at
Clark College.

Flyer for 4/28/2018 Tai Chi and Qigong Day Event.

Sun Style Taijiquan

Sun Lu Tang's Internal Martial Arts: Xingyiquan, Baguaquan, and Taijiquan.

Sun Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Standard Competition 73 Movements Form. Research by Michael P. Garofalo.

This webpage includes an introduction, information on the history of the Sun Taijiquan forms, a detailed bibliography, extensive links, references to video resources, a large collection of quotations about Sun Taijiquan, recommendations on the best media resources on the topic, and suggestions for learning the 73 competition Sun Taijiquan form. A detailed comparative list of the names of each of the 73 movements is provided, with source references, and the movement names are given in English, Chinese, Chinese characters, French, German, and Spanish. This webpage includes detailed descriptions of 40% of the 73 movements with black and white illustrations for each movement sequence along with commentary and comparisons. Many additional nomenclature lists and section study charts in the PDF format, photographs and graphics are also provided - over 1 MB of information.

This webpage was the most detailed and complete document on the subject of the Sun Taijiquan Competition 73 Form available on the Internet in 2008. I have not updated it since 2008; but the information will still be useful to players of this form.

Tai Chi Sword

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Broadsword From in Chen Taijiquan

Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan Saber (Dao, Broadsword) Form. 23 Movement Form.

Chen Style Taijiquan Broadsword Form, List of 23 Movements (PDF)

This 23 Movement Single Broadsword (Dao) Form was Created by Chen Zhaopei (1893-1972), 18th Generation Chen Style Taijiquan Grandmaster, in the 1930's.

"The Chen-style Single Broadsword Routine is a kind of the Chen-style Taiji short weapons. There are thirteen movement in the routine, so it is called the 'thirteen broadswords.' From 1930 to 1938, the famous Taijiquan master, the Chen-Family descendent of the eighteenth generation, Chen Zhaopei had added nine movements at the basic of original routine during teaching Taijiquan in Nanjing city. So it became the popular Taiji Single Broadsword routine in Chenjiagou village.
The Chen-style Taiji Single Broadsword routine is short and refined, the usages of the forms are clear. There are thirteen kinds of rolling, closing, pricking, blocking, cutting, hacking, scooping, cross-cutting, twisting, shaking, supporting, slicing and tilting. They really reflect the characteristics of the Chen-style Taiji Single Broadsword, combining hardness and softness in harmony, equaling stress the quickness and slowness, dodging and transfers, relaxing and nimble, springing and shaking, sticking to each other without being separated, twine to neutralize the force. It remains the momentum of liking a fierce tiger and cutting forcefully to the Hua Mountain. It's short weapon, but it can be used as a long weapon."
- Chen Zenglei, Chen Style Taijiquan, Sword and Broadsword, 2003, p. 322

Taijiquan Sword Form, 32 Movements

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Simon, I have found that the details of bodily positions for any Taijiquan movement vary somewhat according to the following standards:

Taijiquan Sword

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Standard Tai Chi Sword Form

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Taijiquan Sword Form, 32 Movements

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Taijiquan Sword

"The same principles of the basic t'ai chi ch'uan form are used with both the tao and chien: natural breathing, body upright, keeping the movements integrated, coordinated, and flowing smoothly, etc. The difference is in the focus. For the tao, the broadsword, the focus is on the blade. For the chien, the narrow, double-edged sword, the focus is on the tip. The chien is considered the higher art form, and is more difficult to learn. The tao is basically a chopping and slicing weapon; little skill is needed for that It was generally the weapon of the common soldier. The chien was used by the more scholarly and aristocratic Chinese. ... Sword tai chi is a very rewarding experience at any level. It’s movements, done correctly, develop one’s awareness, timing, grace, and continued good health"
- Dorothy A. Odsen, Tai Chi Chien

The Taijiquan broadsword (Tao, Dao) or sword (Jian, Chien) forms are frequently taught to intermediate level Taijiquan students. Each Taijiquan style (Yang, Sun, Wu, Chen, etc.) has their own sword movement forms.

"To practice the Tai Chi Sword correctly, the first thing a practitioner must be able to do is to have a flexible body and wrist so that the sword and the body will coordinate and move in unity. The second thing is that the intent should direct each movement so that all the movements have applications, speed and accuracy. The third thing is to have spirit and natural breathing in each movement. In usage, it also emphasizes the concepts of sticking and adhering, running and following. In summary, in order to practice the Tai Chi Sword correctly, a practitioner must execute all the movements in an even, soft, continuous and smooth manner. All the movements are initiated by the waist, controlled by the wrist, with the upper and lower parts of the body coordinated so that when one part of the body moves, all parts follow. When one part stops, all stop. Therefore, all the movements are very light, speedy, flexible, nimble and stable. People often describe these kinds of motions as
like a "swimming dragon and flying phoenix."
- Vincent Chu, Gin Soon Tai Chi Chuan Federation Tai Chi Sword Practice

Tai Chi Double Edged Sword (Jian): Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotations, Instructions

Tai Chi Saber/Broadsword (Dao): Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotations

32 Standard Sword Form: Bibliography, Links, List of Movements

Sword Dance of Lady Gongsun

"There lived many years ago the beautiful Lady Gongsun,
Who, dancing with her sword, drew from all four quarters
An audience like mountains lost among themselves.

Heaven and Earth moved back and forth, following her motions,
Bright as when the Archer shot the Nine Suns down from the sky
And rapid as angels before the wings of dragons.

She began like a thunderbolt, venting its anger,
And ended like the shining calm of rivers and sea.

But vanished are those red lips and those pearly sleeves;
And none but this one talented pupil bears the perfume of her fame,
This sword dancer from Lingying, the Town of the White Goddess,
Who still dances and sings in the carefree old ways.

After the dance, we chatted for awhile.
We sighed together, saddened by the changes that have come.
There were a thousand ladies in the late Emperor's court;
But Lady Gongsun's sword dance was first among them all.

Fifty years have passed, like the turning of a hand;
Wind and dust, filling the world, obscure the Imperial House.
Instead of the Pear Garden Players, gone like the fog,
Only two girl musicians remain to charm the cold Sun.

There are now man-sized trees by the Emperor's Golden Tomb.
I seem to hear dead grasses rustling on the windy cliffs of Qutang.
The song is done, the slow strings and quick flutes have ceased.
At the height of joy, sorrow comes with the eastern moon rising.

And I, a poor old man, not knowing where to go,
Walk away slowly into the lonely hills, tired, facing the sunset."

- Du Fu, The Sword Dance Performed by a Pupil of Lady Gongsun
"300 Chinese Poems" The poet Du Fu (712-770, 杜甫) mentioned in his poem "Witnessing Gongsun Da Niang's Disciple Sword Dance Performance" (观公孙大娘弟子舞剑器行) that there was a female sword dancer in the court of Emperor Xuan Zong (唐玄宗) who was probably the greatest in her field.

"Another aspect of the martial dance is the "sword dance," devised by master swordsmen. Ancients sought to combine the ethos of swordsmanship with the sword dance, calling it "sword vigor." The most famous sword dancer of the Tang Dynasty was legendary beauty, Lady Gongsun. As a child, the celebrated Tang poet Du Fu once watched her dance, and the specter created by her superb skill remained forever fresh in his memory. The square in Yancheng, Henan Province was a sea of people. Following a roll of drums, Lady Gongsun appeared, rapier in hand. The sword glinted with every change of posture and stance, whispering like silk on being unsheathed and flashing at each thrust. Her dancing seemed to evince a power that could hold back rivers and repulse oceans. Years later, Du Fu watched the sword dance performed by Li Shi'erniang, one of Gongsun's adherents. Her execution of it was so reminiscent of Gongsun's original performance that Du Fu, now in his 50s, was fired with new vitality, and wrote a poem, 'The Sword Dance Performed by a Girl-Pupil of Lady Gongsun.'"
- Tang Dynasty Dances

Taijiquan Sword: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Instruction, Guides, All Styles

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Sword: Poems, Sayings, Quotations, Wisdom

Tai Chi 32 Sword

Taiji Sword

Tai Chi Double Edged Sword (Jian): Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotations, Instructions Research by Mike Garofalo.
Tai Chi Saber/Broadsword (Dao): Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotations Research by Mike Garofalo.
32 Standard Sword Form: Bibliography, Links, List of Movements
Research by Mike Garofalo.

Taijiquan Sword Form

32 Sword Form, Simplified, Yang Style, Taijiquan Jian.
Webpage by Michael P. Garofalo.

This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Tai Chi Sword Forms

32 Sword Form, Simplified, Yang Style, Taijiquan Jian. By Michael P. Garofalo. This popular webpage includes a comprehensive bibliography, scores of links to webpages; an extensive listing of the names and name variations for each movement in English, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish; a detailed analysis of each posture and movement sequence with explanations, and numbered illustrations and detailed instructions; selected quotations; comments on 20 Taijiquan sword techniques; a comprehensive media bibliography; a chart of performance times; and, a comparison of the 32 and 55 sword forms in the Yang style. This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

32 Taijiquan Simplified Sword Form

20 T'ai Chi Ch'uan Sword Techniques

55 Classical Yang Taiji Sword

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Zhong Kui
Vanquisher of Demons
Protector of the Home

Chen Taijiquan Broadsword

Here are two instructional resources that I have used to learn this form:

Chen Style Taijiquan: Sword and Broadsword. By Chen Zhenglei.

Translated by Zhang XinHu, Chen Bin, Xu Hailiang, and Gregory Bissell. Tai Chi Centre, 2003. 367 pages. ISBN: 7534823218. This book is in English. Detailed descriptions, with photographs, of the first form, sword form and broadsword form. An excellent companion to Chen Zenglei's instructional DVDs, with English narration. Review by Herbert O. Rich: "This is the first translated volume of Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei's three-volume set entitled "A Compendium of Taiji Boxing and Weapons". Chen Zhenglei is famed as a 19th generation Grandmaster of traditional Chen Style Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan). He is known to Taijiquan enthusiasts the world over for his skill and ability in teaching. This book is a detailed instruction manual for the basic set (or form) of the Laojia ("old frame") Chen style, as well as the single broadsword and straight sword forms. Profusely illustrated, it describes basic theory, physical requirements, postural movements, Qi circulation, and self defense applications for each of the postures of the form." The 23 movement broadsword form is described in detail, with many black and white photographs, on pages 322-360.

Traditional Chen Family Tai Chi Broadsword

. Instructional videotape or DVD by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. 70 minutes. Detailed instructions, repetitions, and demonstrations. Jiang's Tai Chi Videos. He teaches the 23 movement form developed by Chen Zhaopei in 1933. "By Jiang Jian-ye. This classic weapon routine enhances fajin, relaxed explosive release of force, and silk reeling energy. Jiang, who studied intensively in China, demonstrates the 23-movement form from the back at the beginning of the tape and multiple times, back and front, at the conclusion. Teaching of the movements uses multiple repetitions and camera angles an reviews of segments. 70 Min. $39.95." - Wayfarer Catalog. Traditional Chen Family Tai Chi Broadsword. Instruction and demonstration by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. Available in VHS and DVD media formats. 70 minutes. Shifu Jiang demonstrates and carefully and slowly teaches the 23 movement form. He teaches the form in a step-by-step and movement by movement manner. Each movement is repeated from 3-5 times, slowly and at normal speed. Each movement is show from front, back and side views. Jiang's Tai Chi Videos.

The Sword of Wisdom

"Ever since the adepts handed on
The secret of the sword,
The true imperative has been upheld
Completely, truly adamant.

If someone asks me about
Looking for its origin,
I say it is not ordinary iron.
This lump of iron
Comes from receptive stillness;
When you obtain it, it rises up.

Forging it in a glowing fire,
Through repeated efforts
It is refined
And forged into steel.

When students of the Tao
Know this secret,
The spirit of light is intensely powerful,
And devils of darkness vanish.

The subtle function of spiritual work
Is truly hard to measure;
I now give an explanation for you.
In telling you about it
I divulge the celestial mechanism.

Setting to work when one yang comes back,
First have the six yangs pump the furnace bellows;
Then the six yins work the tongs and hammer.
When the work of firing is complete,
It produces the sword;
When it is first done,
It flashes like lightning.

Brandish it horizontally
And a cold clear breeze arises;
Hold it upright,
And the shining bright moon appears.
Auspicious light illumines heaven and earth;
Sprites and ghosts are distressed.

It stops turbidity, brings out clarity,
Sweeps away weird defilements;
It slays volatility,
Cuts down aggressiveness,
Destroys monsters:
Influences draining away
Vitality, energy and spirit
All vanish in the light of the sword.

Entanglements are cut off, rumination dies down,
And the web of feelings is rent asunder.
Where the spiritual edge is aimed, mountains crumble;
The demon kinds of mundane planes are all routed.

This precious sword fundamentally has no form;
The name is set up because it has spiritual effect.
Learning the Tao and practicing reality
Depend on this sword:
Without this sword,
The Tao cannot be achieved.

Opening up the vast darkness,
Distinguishing heaven and earth,
Dissolving obstructions, transmuting objects -
All is included.
If you ask me to show it to you,
I bring it out before you -
Do you understand or not?"

- The Sword of Wisdom
From "The Book of Balance and Harmony"
Translated by Thomas Cleary, 1989, p. 115-117

Taijiquan Sword: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Instruction, Guides, All Styles

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Sword: Poems, Sayings, Quotations, Wisdom

Standard 32 Sword Form, Simplified, Yang Style

Taijiquan 32 Sword Form

Tai Chi Chuan 32 Sword (Jian) Form

32 Sword Form, Simplified, Yang Style, Taijiquan Jian. This popular webpage by Mike Garofalo includes a comprehensive bibliography, scores of links to webpages; an extensive listing of the names and name variations for each movement in English, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish; a detailed analysis of each posture and movement sequence with explanations, and numbered illustrations and detailed instructions; selected quotations; comments on 20 Taijiquan sword techniques; a comprehensive media bibliography; a chart of performance times; and, a comparison of the 32 and 55 sword forms in the Yang style. This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

32 Taijiquan Simplified Sword Form

20 T'ai Chi Ch'uan Sword Techniques

55 Classical Yang Taiji Sword

The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Zhong Kui
Vanquisher of Demons
Protector of the Home