Principles of Taijiquan
Relax - let go
Sinking - roots
Yield - Follow - Connect
Invigorated - Light - Natural
Uniform - Slow
Steady - Even - Directional
Full empty
Coordinated movement
Balancing reference to the sides of the body
Don't go to extremes
Circular movement
Centered balance
Straight posture of the spine
Erection from within
Gentle, constructive movement of the body
Limitation to essentials
Movement from the center
Deep breathing - attention
Gesture collection
The sword form as a health exercise
Like all Taijiquan exercises, the sword form has comprehensive effects on physical and mental health. Some examples:
When lifting, lowering, back and forth and the circular arc shape of many movements, the joints move evenly, easily and gently according to their blueprint. This restores the practitioner's mobility. Leading the movements from the hip area straightens the spine and massages and strengthens the internal organs. The growing ability to relax resulting from practice is associated with a deepening of breathing, relieves the strain on the heart, improves the utilization of lung capacity and thus metabolic function, etc.
attitude
The posture when practicing the sword form corresponds to that of the short form and long form. As Taijiquan says, it is aligned with the forces of heaven and earth.
The Taijijian
The sword used when practicing the Taiji sword form is the one commonly used in Chinese martial arts: it is divided into blade and hilt. The double-edged blade is about 75 cm long and tapers to a point. The handle consists of a guard, a handle and a knob. The "active" side of the sword blade, usually away from the body, is referred to as "yang", the other side as "yin".
At the beginning of the sword form, the sword is held with the left hand: the middle finger, ring finger, little finger and thumb hold the guard, the index finger rests on the handle.
The index and middle fingers are extended. The upper part of the thumb rests on the fingernails of the ring finger and little finger. Ring finger, little finger and thumb form a circle.
