The free sword routine class is ongoing since fall of 2024!
(added on 9/29/2025) We’re thrilled to announce the incredible journey of our club from October 2024 through April 2025! Our very first free sword class successfully concluded, transforming routine practice into a stunning performance for the 2025 BTR Lunar New Year Show at LSU. But that’s not all—our talented members showcased their skill and dedication on the international stage, proudly taking 1st place at the 17th Golden State International Wushu Championships in May 2025! This milestone marks a remarkable chapter of growth, passion, and achievement for our club.
Class notice is covered by the Post: 32 Movements Taijiquan: Class Notification and Discussion.
Technical Notes are included in the following blog discussions.
Class Overall Rating
Introduction
In 1957, the Simplified 32 Movements Taijijian (Tai Chi Sword) form was developed as a standardized and simplified routine based on traditional Yang Style sword techniques. The sequence was designed to gradually introduce practitioners to the key principles of Taijijian, incorporating basic sword movements such as stabs, sweeps, and cuts. This form offers a balanced progression from simple to more complex actions, making it accessible to beginners while still reflecting the elegance and martial applications of traditional swordplay. The entire routine can be performed in about 3-4 minutes, providing a practical introduction to the art of Tai Chi sword.
You may notice I inserted some non-English symbols, which are Chinese characters. Including the original Chinese terminology in the sword techniques section serves two purposes. First, many of these specialized terms do not have standard English translations, so the original Chinese allows readers to connect directly with the authentic technique names and compare interpretations. Second, since Chinese is a pictographic language, these characters can add a visual element to understanding certain techniques. For instance, in the famous martial arts novel （侠客行）, an advanced technique is inscribed on a stone wall. Literate practitioners attempted to interpret it based on the characters’ meanings but cannot grasp the technique itself. Only the protagonist, Shi Potian, who is illiterate, interpreted the characters visually, discovering the correct movements.
Demonstration
Movement Specs and Step-by-Step Instruction (Complete)
1. Point Sword with Feet Together
Here is the breakdown of this movement into 5 steps, based on the footwork used in my class.
1 Open Stance,
2 Brush Sword and Push Sword Finger in Bow Stance,
3 Extend Arms in Half-Sitting Stance,
4 Switch Sword in Bow Stance,
5 Point Sword with Feet Together.
Gripping is lift grip, illustrated on the right
The Key Sword Technique is Dian (点) – Point: This is an offensive technique. The hand holding the sword exerts force with the wrist, directing energy to the sword tip. The upper part of the blade, opposite the tiger’s mouth, strikes downward in a pecking motion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
2. Stand on One Leg and Thrust Reversely
Here is the breakdown of this movement into 3 steps:
1. Step back and Draw sword;
2. Withdraw foot and Lift Sword Tip;
3. Raise Left Knee and Thrust Sword Reversely.
Gripping is inverted grip, illustrated on the fight.
The Key Technique is “Ci” (刺) – Thrust
This is an offensive technique. It involves using the legs, waist, and arms to generate force, directing energy to the sword tip to thrust directly into the opponent’s vital areas.
Step-by-Step Instructions
3. Sweep Sword in Crouching Stance
Here is the breakdown of this movement into 2 Steps:
- Step Back and Chop
- Sweep Sword Horizontally in Crouching Stance
Gripping is spiral grip, illustrated on the right.
The key Technique is “Sao” (扫) – Sweep
In this technique, the palm faces upward, and the sword body is held flat. Using the strength of the waist, the sword blade moves parallel from one side to the other at a low level, sweeping across. This technique has a large range of motion and is aimed at attacking the lower body of the opponent.
Step-by-Step Instructions
4. Retract Sword to the Right
Here is the breakdown of this movement into 3 steps:
- Draw Foot and Sword
- Step Forward and Extend the Sword
- Retract Sword horizontally to your right in Bow Stance
Gripping is spiral grip, illustrated on the right.
The key technique is “Dai” (带) – Take back horizontally, retract
This technique is characterized by a defensive motion that serves an offensive purpose. The forearm rotates either outward or inward, applying force to the outer side of the sword blade, causing it to cut or pull back from the front to the rear or diagonally.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Movement 4 & 5 is listed after Movement 5.
5. Retract Sword to the Left
Movement 5 is similar to Movement 4, with the only difference being the ending posture. When you finish retracting the sword to your right in a right bow stance, the left sword finger is positioned by your right hand. In contrast, when you finish retracting the sword in a left bow stance, the left sword finger is placed overhead on the left side.
Step-by-Step Instructions
6. Stand on One Leg and Chop Sword with Arm-Swing
Here is the breakdown of this movement into 3 steps:
- Draw right foot and swing sword to the left
- Step Forward and Raise Sword
- Raise Left Knee and Chop Sword
Gripping is spiral grip, illustrated on the right.
The key technique is “Pi” (劈) – Chop, Split, cut
This is an offensive technique that utilizes the waist and the entire arm to generate force, directing energy to the middle and front section of the sword blade that is opposite the tiger’s mouth. The motion is executed with a downward strike.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Movements 6, 7, and 8 is listed after Movement 8.
7. Step Back and Draw Back Sword
Here is the breakdown of this movement into 2 Steps:
- Step Back Left Foot and Raise Sword
- Draw Back Sword in Empty Stance
The key technique is “Chou” (抽) – draw, take back or pull back in a non-horizontal way
This technique is a defensive action. It involves retracting and bending the elbow joint while applying force to the sword blade. The sword blade is drawn back from front to rear or side to side.
Gripping is spiral grip, illustrated on the right.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Movements 6, 7, and 8 are included within Movement 8.
8. Stand on One Leg and Thrust Upward
Here is the breakdown of this movement into 2 steps:
- Turn the Body and Step Right Foot Forward
- Raise Left Knee and Thrust Sword Upward
The key technique is “Ci” (刺) – Thrust
This is an offensive technique. It involves using the legs, waist, and arms to generate force, directing energy to the sword tip to thrust directly into the opponent’s vital areas.
Gripping is spiral grip, illustrated on the right.
Step-by-Step Instructions of Movement 6-8
9. Downward Intercept in Empty Stance
Here is the breakdown of this movement into 2 steps:
- Step back and Block
- Form Right Empty Stance and Intercept
Gripping is Full grip, illustrated on the right.
The key technique is “Jie” (截) –Intercept
This technique is a defensive action. It involves using the arm and wrist to generate force, with the point of force shifting from the rear or middle section of the sword blade to the front. This motion serves to intercept or chop the opponent’s attack.
10. Thrust in Left Bow Stance
Step by Step instructions for Movement 9 and 10
11. Turn Around and Draw Sword Back Obliquely
12. Retreat and Draw Sword Back Obliquely
Step by Step instructions for Movement 11 and 12
13. Lift Knee and Hold Sward with Both Hands
14. Jump and Flat Thrust
Step by Step instructions for Movement 13 and 14
15. Circle Sword in Left Empty Stance (Clockwise)
16. Circle Sword in Right Bow Stance (Counterclockwise)
Step by Step instructions for Movement 15 and 16
17. Turn Around and Withdraw Sword
18. Thrust Flat Sword with Feet Together
Step by step instructions for Movement 17 and 18
19. Lifting Block in Left Bow Stance
20. Lifting Block in Right Bow Stance
21. Lifting Block in Left Bow Stance
Step by Step instructions for Movement 19-21
22. Step Forward and Thrust Backward
23. Turn Around and Chop
Step by Step instructions for Movement 22-23
24. Point Sword in Empty Stance
25. Stand on One Leg and Support Sword Horizontally
Step by Step instructions for Movement 22-23
26. Hook and Chop in Bow Stance
27. Circle Sword and Chop in Empty Stance
Step by Step instructions for Movement 26-27
28. Step Back and Strike Back
29. Step Forward and Thrust Flat Sword
Step-by-Step instructional video for Movement 28-29
30. Withdraw Sword in T-Stance
31. Turn Around and Wipe Horizontally
32. Thrust Forward in Bow Stance
Step by Step instruction for Movement 30-32
Best way to learn the 32 sword form out there
As a martial artist with 5 years of karate experience when I decided to learn the Tai Chi sword form I could not find a local teacher so went to look online. While there are many great practitioners demonstrating the form, it was impossible to learn from front views just following along, and I am saying that as someone who already knows 30 Kata. I found Master Jie Gu on the web and I knew I finally could learn the form. Her videos are of the highest production quality, the scenery and music are great to set the stage for Tai Chi, but what makes her lessons unique is that she breaks every move down into 3 simple steps, first the foot work, than the arms, and shows how to do it in multiple views. For me, without the rear view follow along it was impossible to get the footwork down for the form. Little by little her videos have opened the whole world of Tai Chi to me. Her 24 hand form series is perfect as well. Even if you went to a class unless you did private lessons you could get lost, with on line learning you can watch the same thing over and over again until you get it. Of course it doesnt hurt that she is a #1 winning world champion and has perfect form and impeccable lineage, in other words the real deal. She brings the two talents of both artist and teacher together in the ultimate expression of ‘Master’. Enjoy!
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Great class, love it!
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Great class! The instructor is patient and knowledgeable, movements are broken down clearly, and the class strikes a perfect balance between practice and explanation.