Many unarmed Chinese martial arts are direct translations of movements from spear or sword application. This is partly because powerful movement patterns done with a heavy weapon can be replicated in a practical way without the weapons, remaining effective.
In Tai Chi we use the weapons to develop certain qualities or specific powerful movement and footwork patterns.
The spear is long and heavy and develops a lot of strength and power as well as various types of power, particularly thrusting power. It has its own unique footwork and stepping skills it develops.
The sabre is done very low (tiger-ish) in an agile and aggressive manner, with a lot of slashing, slicing and coiling movements, which engage the body completely.
The sword is a double edged weapon that is highly refined and subtle, with very precise twisting, pivoting and jumping footwork. It’s the most advanced form and develops movement skill to an extremely advanced level.
All the weapons can be used in self defence emergencies, substituting everyday objects like umbrellas or rolled up magazines. By training three different weapons we can have a pretty good idea of how we can use almost any everyday object appropriately when required.
