WUDANG SWORD

In the Five Peaks Wudang School the practitioners of the ultimate sword (Taiyu) were monks. The work was always based on the Bagua circle, symbol of the eight transformations of the I Ching. One learned to move around a circle and to move the sword in a circular fashion.

The sword currently used in Chinese martial arts is a light weapon with a double-edged tip. It is visually beautiful and offers a complete development of Qi (vital energy), flexibility, coordination and concentration.

The work is done on three levels:

- Development of Qi : The sword, with its long and precise movements, strengthens the vital energy in the meridian network, even more than bare-handed Tai Chi.

- Development of flexibility: The Taoist sword allows to reinforce the postures, the rooting, the strength and the flexibility of the tendons by a complete work of extensions and relaxations.

- Development of concentration and meditation: The sword requires great concentration and simultaneously a state of deep relaxation.

(Extract from Gérard Edde's article)