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Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi Sword Videos

A senior instructor of Cheng Man-Ching's Yang Sword Form Channel: Essential Sports and Fitness Videos (Tai Chi)

Master Van Sickle was a leading expert in the Yang Sword Form. He was a certified teacher for Professor Cheng Man-Ching until his death in 1975. He opened his own Tai Chi school in 1980. He was an experienced martial artist, who studied saber fencing, was an expert marksman with pistol and rifle, and had awards in archery and Goju karate.

Ken Van Sickle shows student how to fence

Sword Dynamics Workshop

Introduction to Tai Chi Fencing - at Cheng Man-Ching Forum 2004. (00:05:01)

Master Ken Van Sickle shows principles of handling the sword, introductory exercises, "good" circling versus "bad" circling, and the importance of sticking and keeping your blade between the opponents blade and your body.

From: Ken Van Sickle and Nils Klug (DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's sword workshop, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle discusses Chen Man-Ching's Tai Chi sword

Introduction to the Yang Sword Form

Introduction to Tai Chi Fencing at Cheng Man-Ching Forum 2004. (00:01:32)

Why learn the sword form? Master Ken Van Sickle explains the benefits and the sword's importance to Cheng Man-Ching, who considered it the "master of all weapons".

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle doing the Tai Chi Sword Form

Yang Sword Form with the English Names

The 52-movement Tai Chi Sword Form of Cheng Man-Ching. (00:02:42)

Master Ken Van Sickle performs the complete Sword Form with the relaxed, martial spirit that Cheng Man-Ching taught. Each move is given it's English name and repetitions are counted out.

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle doing the Tai Chi Sword Form

Yang Sword Form with Instructional Hints

Spirit and philosophy of the Tai Chi Sword Form. (00:03:01)

As he does the form, Master Ken Van Sickle explains guiding the sword naturally and making use of gravity, inertia, momentum, and centrifical and centripetal forces.

He describes the spirit and some general principles behind correct positioning and movement of the sword.

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle doing the Tai Chi Sword Form showing tassle

Yang Sword Form with Tassle

How the tassle adds to Tai Chi Sword Form training. (00:02:16)

As he goes through the sword form, Master Ken Van Sickle explains the point of using the tassle with the sword.

When the sword form is done correctly, the tassle won't slap your wrist, get tangled, or hang limp, and doing the form (and fencing) with a tassle is an advanced technique for further improving Tai Chi skill.

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle showing how to grip the sword handle

How to Hold the Sword

Understanding the different grips needed for the Tai Chi Sword Form. (00:02:58)

Master Ken Van Sickle shows the basic grip, the role of thumb and middle finger, and how correct wielding of the Tai Chi sword is like moving through water.

He explains about the proper positions for cutting, thrusting, and hitting with the butt of the sword, and how the hand must turn to roll the sword's position.

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Master Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle showing Constant Sword exercise with the Tai Chi sword

The "Constant Sword" Exercise

For loosening the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, while strengthening the body. (00:00:33)

Master Ken Van Sickle shows a practical exercise for speeding up sword movement and increasing its power while staying relaxed and fluid.

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle showing Still Point exercise with the Tai Chi sword

The "Still Point" Sword Exercise

Learning to rotate the sword's hilt around a center point. (00:01:08)

Master Ken Van Sickle shows an exercise for greater control of the sword.

The idea is to use the strong part of the sword, nearer the hilt, to protect yourself, while you are continually threatening the opponent with the point.

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle showing detail of Tai Chi Sword Form

Yang Sword Form - Move 1 to 13

Detailed instructions from multiple angles. (00:22:23)

Master Ken Van Sickle carefully explains how to do the first thirteen moves:

1. Starting position
2. Step forward moving sword and hand together
3. Immortal points the way (west)
4. Three rings around the moon
5. Major literary star
6. Swallow beats the water with its wings
7. Block and sweep: right, left
8. Minor literary star
9. Wasp enters the cave
10. Alert cat catches the mouse
11. Dragonfly strikes the water
12. Swallow returns to the nest
13. Phoenix spreads its wings

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle showing detail of Tai Chi Sword Form

Yang Sword Form - Move 14 to 26

Detailed instructions from multiple angles. (00:13:42)

Master Ken Van Sickle explains the details of the following Sword Form moves:

14. The clockwise whirling wind; minor literary star
15. The attitude of awaiting the fish
16. Searching the grass for the snake
17. Embracing the moon
18. The birds return to the forest
19. The black dragon wags its tail
20. The wind rolls the lotus leaf
21. The lion shakes its head
22. The tiger holds its breath
23. The wild horse leaps over the stream
24. Turn and rein in the horse
25. The compass
26. Tassels in the wind

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle showing detail of Tai Chi Sword Form

Yang Sword Form - Move 27 to 39

Detailed instructions from multiple angles. (00:10:55)

Master Ken Van Sickle explains the details of the following Sword Form moves:

27. Pushing the boat with the current
28. The shooting star chases the moon
29. Pegasus; The spraying waterfall
30. Roll up the screen
31. Wheels, left and right
32. Swallow holds mud in its mouth
33. The roc spreads its wings
34. Pick up the moon from the sea bottom
35. Embracing the moon
36. Dragon spirit searches the sea
37. Rhinocerous gazes at the moon
38. Shooting the wild goose
39. Green dragon stretches its claws

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture

Ken Van Sickle showing detail of Tai Chi Sword Form

Yang Sword Form - Move 40 to 52

Detailed instructions from multiple angles. (00:15:51)

Master Ken Van Sickle explains the details of the following Sword Form moves:

40. The Phoenix spreads its wings
41. Step towards two sides and block
42. Shooting the wild goose
43. The falling flower, left and right
44. The white ape offers fruit
45. The fair lady weaves at the shuttle
46. The white tiger wags its tail
47. The fish leaps over the gate of the dragon
48. The black dragon coils around the pillar
49. The immortal points the way (east)
50. The wind sweeps the fallen flower
51. Holding the tablet before your bosom
52. Embracing the sword; Return to starting position

From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD)

To watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture

Videos included in this channel

  • Tai Chi and martial arts
  • More martial arts and Tai Chi
    • Ken Van Sickle Tai Chi sword
  • Cheng Man-Ching Sword
  • William C. C. Chen Sword Form
  • Dr. Ping-Siang Tao push hands
  • Tuishou Chen Push Hands
  • Josh Waitzkin Push Hands

"Having complete DVDs on your channel is a big help. I was learning the sword form from a DVD also on your site, but it got lost when I moved and now it's pretty expensive. Please keep up the valuable service you provide for us Taiji players."

Jeffrey Robbins,
Chevy Chase, MD




Master Ken Van Sickle studied Tai Chi Chuan with Professor Cheng Man-Ching from 1967 to 1975 and was also his photographer and cinematographer. He contributed many of the video clips of the Professor in this channel




Subscribe to view all of William Chen's Tai Chi instruction videos. A subscription has everything, including Tai Chi sword form and fencing instruction from Cheng Man-Ching and William C. C. Chen.

More Yang Sword Form and fencing videos:

  • Professor Cheng Man-Ching - Sword Form, teacher of Ken Van Sickle
  • Grandmaster William C. C. Chen - Sword Form, student of Cheng Man-Ching
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