Weapons

Tai chi sword
In kung fu, the straight sword (jian) is called a tai chi sword. This shows the long association it has with taijiquan.

UK legal position
UK legislation doesn't favour the ownership and practice of swords. A sword cannot be used in self defence or trained in a public place. High quality tai chi swords are no longer widely available for sale.

We no longer teach swords
Most tai chi classes that teach swords are interested primarily upon demonstration. We are not. We'd sooner teach practical combat skills that can be employed in self defence.

Sifu teaches sticks
For the last 50 years Sifu Waller has put his attention on sticks: short stick, cane or walking stick. Different weapons, but still variations on a theme. The navel-height stick/cane/walking stick looks like its an extension of his arm.

Stick
The first weapon ever used by humans was probably a blunt instrument such as a short stick or a bone. It would have been something that was to hand. We adopt the same approach and train with sticks because they can be replaced by any suitable object you might find.

Taoist
A simple stick is the preferred Taoist weapon. It is defensive rather than offensive. In Taoist mythology, the Monkey King was armed with a staff.

Improvised weaponry
Improvised weaponry is practical. You reach out your hand and defend yourself with whatever you can find. If a burglar pulls a knife on you, you may well find yourself armed with a frying pan or a TV guide.

Naturalness
Work with your preferred weapon until it feels like it is part of your body and can move freely, without self-consciousness.

Variety
Weapons training in our taijiquan syllabus includes:
• 2-person cane drill
• 2-person short stick drills (5)
• Chin na against a knife
• Countering a knife
• Disarming
• Escape from a knife hold
• Improvised weapons
• Knife drills (13)
• Shuai jiao against a knife
• Stick drills (20)
• Walking stick form
• Walking stick form applications