Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi Sword Videos
A senior instructor of Cheng Man-Ching's Yang Sword Form
From: Essential Sports and Fitness Video (Tai Chi) Channel
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
A subscription
has everything.
It includes Tai Chi sword form and fencing instruction from Cheng Man-Ching and William C. C. Chen.
Master Van Sickle is a leading expert in the Yang Sword Form.
He was a certified teacher for Professor Cheng until his death
in 1975. He opened his own Tai Chi school in 1980.
He is an experienced martial artist, who studied saber fencing, was an expert marksman with pistol and rifle, and had
awards in archery and Goju karate.
Introduction to Tai Chi Fencing - at Cheng Man-Ching Forum 2004
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) (00:05:01)
To subscribe / watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's sword workshop, click on picture
Spirit and philosophy of the Tai Chi Sword Form
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) (00:03:01)
To subscribe / watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword, click on picture
How the tassle adds to Tai Chi Sword Form training
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) (00:02:16)
To subscribe / watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword, click on picture
Understanding the different grips needed for the Tai Chi Sword Form
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) (00:02:58)
To subscribe / watch clips of Master Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture
Detailed instructions from multiple angles
Master Ken Van Sickle carefully explains how to do the first thirteen moves:
- Starting position
- Step forward moving sword and hand together
- Immortal points the way (west)
- Three rings around the moon
- Major literary star
- Swallow beats the water with its wings
- Block and sweep: right, left
- Minor literary star
- Wasp enters the cave
- Alert cat catches the mouse
- Dragonfly strikes the water
- Swallow returns to the nest
- Phoenix spreads its wings
From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD) (00:22:23)
To subscribe / watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture
Detailed instructions from multiple angles
Master Ken Van Sickle explains the details of the following Sword Form moves:
- The clockwise whirling wind; minor literary star
- The attitude of awaiting the fish
- Searching the grass for the snake
- Embracing the moon
- The birds return to the forest
- The black dragon wags its tail
- The wind rolls the lotus leaf
- The lion shakes its head
- The tiger holds its breath
- The wild horse leaps over the stream
- Turn and rein in the horse
- The compass
- Tassels in the wind
From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD) (00:13:42)
To subscribe / watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture
Detailed instructions from multiple angles
Master Ken Van Sickle explains the details of the following Sword Form moves:
- Pushing the boat with the current
- The shooting star chases the moon
- Pegasus; The spraying waterfall
- Roll up the screen
- Wheels, left and right
- Swallow holds mud in its mouth
- The roc spreads its wings
- Pick up the moon from the sea bottom
- Embracing the moon
- Dragon spirit searches the sea
- Rhinocerous gazes at the moon
- Shooting the wild goose
- Green dragon stretches its claws
From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD) (00:10:55)
To subscribe / watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture
Detailed instructions from multiple angles
Master Ken Van Sickle explains the details of the following Sword Form moves:
- The Phoenix spreads its wings
- Step towards two sides and block
- Shooting the wild goose
- The falling flower, left and right
- The white ape offers fruit
- The fair lady weaves at the shuttle
- The white tiger wags its tail
- The fish leaps over the gate of the dragon
- The black dragon coils around the pillar
- The immortal points the way (east)
- The wind sweeps the fallen flower
- Holding the tablet before your bosom
- Embracing the sword; Return to starting position
From: Ken Van Sickle and Joseph Zeisky (Feather Sword DVD) (00:15:51)
To subscribe / watch clips of Ken Van Sickle's Tai Chi sword instruction, click on picture