Chinese martial arts have long used various types of weapons to build up fitness, power and strength as well as to improve overall coordination and movement skill.
In our system you will learn the three main weapons, Sword, Sabre and Spear, which cover long medium and short ranges of combat.
The spear training form is a short form that builds a powerful core, strong shoulders, back and grip while developing accurate and powerful thrusting movements. This power and accuracy translates into unnarmed fighting too. In fact there is one martial art called Xing Yi whose barehand techniques came mostly from powerful spear thrusting and smashing movements. Heavy spears are used to build higher levels of strength and power and can also be used to build aerobic capacity and overall body muscle endurance. Almost like swimming in very thick water. Done explosively its excellent for building up anaerobic capacity.
The sabre/ broadsword is a single edge weapon that is trained in low extended stances. This works the power and endurance of the legs and cardiovascular system. Whip like movements are used as well as whole body thrusts, which also help to cultivate integrated power for unnarmed self defence. The techniques are very easy to apply in a practical way and can be used with umbrellas, canes, bottles etc.
The double edged sword is the most subtle and cultivates very refined levels of body awareness and coordination. It’s also aerobically demanding and develops leg strength and footwork skill.
Each weapon is like a whole separate art form in and of itself. Some people like to do weapons sparring or competitions too. All the weapons are not only excellent training methods but the applications can be adapted to everyday objects if needed for self defence.
