Gilman Studio On-Line Lessons
Yang Style Saber Application Form
Tai Chi Chuan
This Lesson Contains:
Transition: From B side to A side
This transition is a bit easier than the previous one. Here B jumps or steps back and immediately chops to the neck. The only tricky thing is the replace or jump back since B ended on the rear foot. When done as a continuous round, B doesn’t stop when finishing her knee cut. She just follows with the neck cut, so the replace or jump back is really the ending of the knee slice.
Slice the Knee
The last movement of side B – Slice the Knee. Stephie’s saber is facing slightly to the right of her starting direction. Her torso is facing slightly to the left. Her weight is mostly back on her rear foot.
Focus on the saber cutting edge.
It is not shown here, but Stephie has gotten back a bit by either jumping back or replacing the rear foot. She is now in Ding Bow Stance on Right Toe (empty stance). Her body is relating to the starting direction.
The saber is starting to make a large counterclockwise circle on the right side of her body. At this point it is dropping down and the saber hand is rotating clockwise to bring the cutting edge in a chopping down position.
Focus on getting back.
Stepping in for the chop.
Step ahead with the right foot, just touching down the heel. The toe faces the starting direction. Keep the weight sinking into the left Kua.
The saber continues its circle and is now up by the right shoulder, hanging down in a relaxed fashion. The left hand remains behind the body on the left.
Focus on the target.
Chopping the Neck.
Shift the weight onto the right foot until the knee just covers the toe. The toe, knee, and focus are toward the starting direction.
The saber has extended outward and downward to end at neck level. The point is slightly higher than the handle and the blade is slightly angled in toward the neck. You can really stretch out here if you like. The left hand press out to provide balance.
Focus on the cutting edge.