There are various reasons why weapons forms are taught in Tai Chi.
Although Tai Chi doesn't use weights, weapons - especially heavy ones - help develop upper body & core strength.
Having something that extends your reach means that your awareness of the limits of your body changes to take account of the length of the weapon - rather than sending Chi to the palms or fingers, you can train to send it to the end of the staff / sword / sabre instead
Different weapons help develop different aspects of tai chi, for example, the agile straight sword (Jian) form helps develop body movement & footwork. The more powerful Sabre (Dao) develops stable footwork & power.
Finally, its fun to play with these chunks of metal & wood that are part of the rich heritige of Tai Chi.
Interested in coming to the next Sword Session? Check the Calendar page for the dates - Click HERE
1 - Starting form (includes Ward off twice, Push, Close up, Dragon plays with pearls, Diagonal thrust)
2- Turn to face the sun
3- Immortal points the way
4- Green dragon rises from water
5- Sword protecting the knee three times
6- Closing door form
7- Green dragon rises from water
8- Turn body to hack
9- Green dragon turns body
10- Spread wing & Nod head
11- Oblique (slant) flying
12- Search grass for snake
13- Stand on one leg
14- Immortal points the way
15- Covering & intercepting form
16- Ancient tree with twisted roots
17- Tiger pounces on prey
18- Green dragon swings tail
19- Step back whirling arms
20- Wild horse jumps over gully
21- White snake sticks out tongue
22- Black dragon swings tail
23- Zhongkui raises the sword
24- Arhat tames the dragon
25- Black bear turns back
26- Swallow pecks at mud
27- White snake sticks out tongue
28- Oblique flying
29- Battle of wits between eagle & bear
30- Swallow pecks at mud
31- Pluck star to exchange the plough
32- Scoop up the moon from the bottom of the sea
33- Immortal points the way
34- Phoenix nods head
35- Swallow pecks at mud
36- White snake sticks out tongue
37- Oblique flying
38- Push 1000pds left
39- Push 1000pds right
40- Swallow pecks at mud
41- White ape presents fruit
42- Falling flowers form
43- Thrusting upwards & downwards
44- Oblique flying
45- Nezha searches the sea
46- Python turns body
47- Weitou presents a pestle
48- Millstone sword
49- Finishng form