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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.

Sword Dynamics Workshop

Introduction to Tai Chi Fencing - at Cheng Man-Ching Forum 2004

Ken Van Sickle shows student how to fence

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

Introduction to the Yang Sword Form

Introduction to Tai Chi Fencing at Cheng Man-Ching Forum 2004

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

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) (00:01:32)

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

Yang Sword Form with the English Names

The 52-movement Tai Chi Sword Form of Cheng Man-Ching

Ken Van Sickle doing the Tai Chi Sword Form


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) (00:02:42)

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

Yang Sword Form with Instructional Hints

Spirit and philosophy of the Tai Chi Sword Form

Ken Van Sickle doing 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

Yang Sword Form with Tassle

How the tassle adds to Tai Chi Sword Form training

Ken Van Sickle doing the Tai Chi Sword Form showing tassle

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

How to Hold the Sword

Understanding the different grips needed for the Tai Chi Sword Form

Ken Van Sickle showing how to grip the sword handle

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

The "Constant Sword" Exercise

For loosening the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, while strengthening the body

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


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) (00:00:33)

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

The "Still Point" Sword Exercise

Learning to rotate the sword's hilt around a center point

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

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) (00:01:08)

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

Yang Sword Form - Move 1 to 13

Detailed instructions from multiple angles

Ken Van Sickle showing detail of Tai Chi Sword Form

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) (00:22:23)

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

Yang Sword Form - Move 14 to 26

Detailed instructions from multiple angles

Ken Van Sickle showing detail of Tai Chi Sword Form

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

  1. The clockwise whirling wind; minor literary star
  2. The attitude of awaiting the fish
  3. Searching the grass for the snake
  4. Embracing the moon
  5. The birds return to the forest
  6. The black dragon wags its tail
  7. The wind rolls the lotus leaf
  8. The lion shakes its head
  9. The tiger holds its breath
  10. The wild horse leaps over the stream
  11. Turn and rein in the horse
  12. The compass
  13. 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

Yang Sword Form - Move 27 to 39

Detailed instructions from multiple angles

Ken Van Sickle showing detail of Tai Chi Sword Form

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

  1. Pushing the boat with the current
  2. The shooting star chases the moon
  3. Pegasus; The spraying waterfall
  4. Roll up the screen
  5. Wheels, left and right
  6. Swallow holds mud in its mouth
  7. The roc spreads its wings
  8. Pick up the moon from the sea bottom
  9. Embracing the moon
  10. Dragon spirit searches the sea
  11. Rhinocerous gazes at the moon
  12. Shooting the wild goose
  13. 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

Yang Sword Form - Move 40 to 52

Detailed instructions from multiple angles

Ken Van Sickle showing detail of Tai Chi Sword Form

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

  1. The Phoenix spreads its wings
  2. Step towards two sides and block
  3. Shooting the wild goose
  4. The falling flower, left and right
  5. The white ape offers fruit
  6. The fair lady weaves at the shuttle
  7. The white tiger wags its tail
  8. The fish leaps over the gate of the dragon
  9. The black dragon coils around the pillar
  10. The immortal points the way (east)
  11. The wind sweeps the fallen flower
  12. Holding the tablet before your bosom
  13. 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

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

Subscribe to view all the videos on this channel. Includes full DVDs and exclusive videos from private collections not available elsewhere. A subscription has everything and costs less than many of the included DVDs.

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We're continuously adding expert content and rare competition footage to this channel. These are the kind of in-depth video clips that you'll want to watch many times because of their great instructional value. Check us out on Facebook to see what we've added recently.

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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