White Crane Sword -Part 9

I am now pleasantly surprised when we start the White Crane Sword seminar and I find that my movements are far better and more streamlined than before. They are still not perfect but, little by little, I see how the sword flows and how the tassel sometimes even leads the movement.
I am now pleasantly surprised when we start the White Crane Sword seminar and I find that my movements are far better and more streamlined than before. They are still not perfect but, little by little, I see how the sword flows and how the tassel sometimes even leads the movement.
 
When we started the form, the tassel was very difficult because it seemed like an external component to the sword and, therefore, I was moving mainly the sword. Now, after 9 seminars, I find that I am finally understanding how the whole sword and tassel are one thing and therefore must flow together.
 
As we started the seminar, Sifu demonstrated the sword and tassel warm-up movements. This was very helpful because the warm-up movements are found throughout the form and, when we separate them out, and practice them by themselves, it becomes easier to understand how the sword, and especially tassel, must move. We then split up into 4 groups, each one being lead by a senior who helped us a lot to get the movements right.
 
Afterwards, we started the first part of the form which I am quite happy with because I can finally do the 360 turn correctly which was very hard in the beginning. Then, splitting into each group again and continuing on to part 2, we went into a lot more detail for the second part. The movements here, especially the circling of the sword around the body, takes a lot of patience and correct energy so the tassel keeps tense and follows the path carved by the sword.
 
At first, the new part was quite tricky to understand. Two Fan Liao movements but each one is slightly different in terms of energy and stepping and also a 180 turn that took a bit of repetition. In the end, I think we were all glad to see and try a bit more of the form and understand more of the energy and precise positions that are so wonderful to look at when seeing White Crane Sword.
 
Thank you Sifu for this great form and for helping us along so we all get to a better and more refined level of this fantastic skill!
by Radu Humurz

Student Comments


Thank you Sigong for the white crane sword seminar this morning. It is a perfect way to test my brain on a Sunday morning! The form is very enjoyable, a little tricky at times (for me anyway), but it is a privilege to learn. Thank you to Christine and Mike for the invaluable help you gave me in the play rooms. Nicci

Each new part presents new challenges of coordination – I’m getting to know my body better every time!
Thank you Sigong.
Paul Hogg

It is great to see the White Crane movements explained in more detail, what the sword is doing, what the sword fingers are doing and the timing of it all. Loving learning this form. Thank you Sigong. Christine

Seeing loads of detail now that I didn’t notice before, and it helps that this week my collapsible didn’t fall to pieces whilst I was trying to use it! The wind remains a challenge, but I am looking forward to finishing this whole tricky section next time in fine detail!
Lee B

White Crane Sword is a challenge from the start but I love it because it does help me, I develop good posture balance flexibility strong legs and teaches me good coordination timing and relaxation, I feel know it a little better and am picking up the details as we move forward thank you Sigong for thoroughly thought provoking and enjoyable sword form it’s exciting, earl

The form is getting quite interesting now and it’s great to do a little more at the end so that we can practice more of this wonderful form. Its also interesting to see how the form should flow as one sequence. Thank you Sigong, can’t wait to do more of this form. Yunki