Gilman Studio On-Line Lessons
Yang Style
Tai Chi Dao/Saber/Broadsword
This Lesson Contains:
Movement # 11 – Turn Around And Cut Overhand
The opponent threatens from the rear. She attempts a horizontal cut to my right leg. I withdraw, and follow with a cut to her wrist. I follow with a possible palm strike.
1) Following the previous movement, Stephie threatens from the rear. She starts a horizontal cut to my right leg, as it is the closest part of my body to her.
2) I withdraw my leg and turn to face her.
1) As her saber moves to her left, missing my leg, I cut her wrist.
2) I follow with a possible palm strike.
I turn to face the opponent.
Keeping the weight on the left foot, pivot the body to the right, turning the left toe to face north. Be sure that the torso and leg all turn to the right together. As you do this, the right foot rolls up onto the toe to make the turn easier with less chance of losing balance.
The right hand stays pretty much in the same place, and as you turn, is now in front of the left shoulder. The left hand moves a bit up and to the right to end in front of the right shoulder. You are actually hiding the saber from the opponent.
Focus on the opponent by glancing in the new direction. The energy returns to the center.
I start to step in for the cut down to the wrist.
Step out with the right foot, touching down the heel. The toe faces slightly to the right of east. Be sure to step wide enough to the right so the foot can act like a brake for the cut. Don’t add weight yet. Sink deeper into the left Kua to gather energy there.
The left hand remains in the same basic position in front of the left shoulder. The right hand starts to cut in a sweeping arc to the right and down. Let the pommel lead the movement. At this point the blade is about parallel to the ground.
Focus on the target to be cut – the opponent’s wrist.
The cut is complete.
Shift the weight onto the right foot until the knee just covers the toe. The torso is turning to the right, and has not yet come all the way to its ending position.
The saber blade has now made its cut and is about parallel to the ground. The arm is fully extended in front and on the right side of the body.
Focus on the cutting edge.
Note: Remember that the cut is a large sweeping arc like movement starting from the top left and moving to the bottom right. This cut is much like hitting something on top that is low and to your right. Hold your saber or a stick in your right hand. The hand is by your left should with the point over your shoulder. Now swing down at something on your right side. Use your torso, not just your arm.
I add a palm strike with the left palm to threaten or just follow through and balance the pulling back toward the body of the saber.
The weight is completely on the right foot and the torso faces the direction the toe is headed. There is strong support from the rear leg.
The right hand pulls back toward the right side of the body and ends by the right hip. The saber is held parallel to the ground. This pulling back can be the cut with the sharp edge of the saber, like you were slicing cheese or meat. There is a pressure down and then toward your body.
The left palm presses out to end strongly in front on the left center side of the upper chest. The pressing out of the left hand coordinates with the pulling back of the right hand. This is very much like Brush Knee And Twist Step in the Long Form.
Focus on the cutting edge and the left palm.