Yang Tai Chi Dao Solo Form (Traditional)

The Yang Tai Chi Dao solo form uses slicing, drawing, and chopping motions. Drive all movements from the waist and move the blade through the air as if you were cutting inside a sphere. Be mindful of where the edge of your blade is.

This version of the traditional Yang style form was modified by Grandmaster Tchoung Ta Tchen, Sifu Harvey Kurland, and Sifu Andy Dale.

Movements:

Section 1:

  1. Commencement
  2. Step Up To Form Seven Stars (W)
    Hooking strike to the temple with saber pommel, punch and kick
  3. White Crane Spreads Wings/Retreat to Ride the Tiger (W)
    • Version 1 (White Crane Spreads Wings): Low block with saber edge, turning waist to the left; high block with the right hand, turning waist to the right, turn waist straight ahead
    • Version 2 (Retreat to Ride the Tiger): Rollback with pommel side up, turning waist to the right; throw with the right hand, turning waist forward
  4. Exchange Saber (W)
    • Hold the Ball
    • Press to the left
    • Grasp saber with right hand
  5. Pull Level Saber (W)
  6. Suddenly Expand (Right Bow Stance, jabbing diagonally downward into opponent’s left side, NW)
  7. Step Across in Twist Stance and Deflect, Horizontal Cut to the Left, Expand to the Right (Left Bow Stance, SW)
  8. Step Across in Twist Stance and Rollback, Horizontal Cut to the Right, Expand to the Left (Right Bow Stance, NW)
  9. Flip into Downward Deflecting Block (shift weight right; variant is to do shuffle step), Step Forward with Horizontal Thrust (Left Bow Stance, W)
  10. Parry to Left, Push Diagonal Saber to Block Right (Right Bow Stance, W)
  11. Withdraw to Left Empty Stance, Slice and Brace Block Down, Brace Block Left (W)
  12. Push Diagonal Saber, Shift Into Left Bow Stance (W)
  13. Look Left and Right, then Spread Apart AKA Step Up and Chop (Right, E)
    • Version 1: Left hand guards chest
    • Version 2: Left hand pushes out to strike or balance
  14. Step to Forward Uppercut (Right Bow Stance, W)
    • Version 1: Go directly to the next move, with no pause between steps
    • Version 2: Sink weight at the end with an upward flick of the wrist
  15. Circle Parry Left into White Crane Spreads Wings with 5-Element Palm (Left Bow Stance, W)
  16. Wind Rolls the Lotus Leaves AKA Warrior Pose/Stands on One Leg (270° turn to SW)
    • Cradle saber in elbow and thrust
  17. Single Whip (Left Bow Stance, NE)
  18. Shuffle Step into Fair Lady Plays the Shuttles 1 (Left Bow Stance, NE)
    • Roof block left while stepping forward with right, overhead cleave shoulder, poke
  19. Rollback, Push Saber Forward (shuffle step on rollback and prepare to turn around, NE)
  20. Right Horizontal Spin Cut, Guard the Ear, Spiral Saber into Brush Knee (Right Bow Stance, NW)
  21. Fair Lady Plays the Shuttles 2 (Step into Right Bow Stance with Roof Block and Diagonal Slash Down, then step into Left Bow Stance with Diagonal Stance Down, then Thrust to Throat, SW)
  22. Rollback, Push Saber Forward (shuffle step on rollback and prepare to turn, SW)
  23. Right Horizontal Spin Cut, Guard the Ear, Spiral Saber into Brush Knee (Right Bow Stance, SE)
  24. Fair Lady Plays the Shuttles 3—Thrust to Throat version (just pivot; no step, end in Left Bow Stance, NE)
  25. Rollback, Push Saber Forward (shuffle step on rollback and prepare to turn NE)
  26. Right Horizontal Spin Cut, Guard the Ear, Spiral Saber into Brush Knee (Right Bow Stance, NW)
  27. Three Stars (upward flick to the wrist and kick, W)
  28. Jump into Taking Charge (Back Stance, left food forward; 5-Element Palm with Left Hand, W)
  29. Vertical Thrust Forward (Left Bow Stance, W)
  30. Three Cuts
    • Roof Block to Diagonal Slash (1 o’clock to 7 o’clock, Right Bow Stance, W)
    • Horizontal Slash to the Right (Left Bow Stance, W)
    • Upward Diagonal Slash (4 o’clock to 10 o’clock, Right Bow Stance, W)
  31. Four Cuts (Remain in Right Bow Stance; roof block to diagonal chop down opponent’s left neck to right side; chop to opponent’s right knee; chop to opponent’s neck-right; swing saber to chop opponent’s neck, left)
  32. Wheeling Saber
    • Start with Left Rollback in Right Bow Stance
    • Wheel Right as right foot steps back into Left Bow Stance
    • Wheel Left as left foot steps back into Right Bow Stance
    • Wheel Right as right foot steps back into Left Bow Stance
  33. Cradle Saber in Left Hand (from Left Bow Stance into Twist Stance)
  34. Hit Tiger (Separate Right Foot, then Hit Tiger into Left Empty Stance (SE)
  35. Turn and Hit Tiger (Turn into Twist Stance, then Left Heel Kick and Hit Tiger in Right Empty Stance (NE)
  36. Snake Creeps Down (Left Back Stance, W)
  37. Golden Rooster and Right Heel Kick (W)
  38. Ride the Current and Push the Boat (Set right foot down, left foot forward in T-step, take saber in right hand and horizontal cut to Guard the Ear, step right foot back into Left Back Stance with 5-elements left palm, facing E)
  39. Thrust Forward (Left bow stance, E)
  40. Four Cuts
    • Diagonal Slash (right bow stance)
    • Diagonal Slash (left bow stance)
    • Horizontal Cut (to midsection; right bow stance)
    • Horizontal Cut (to midsection; left bow stance)
  41. Thrust forward (remain in left bow stance and thrust vertical blade forward, E)
  42. Rollback to the left, Step Forward and Press Level Saber (right bow stance, E)
  43. Wheeling Sword Right (Upward sweep, remaining in right bow stance, E)
  44. Wheeling Sword Left (Upward sweep, step into left bow stance, E)
  45. Downward Cut Behind (Right foot steps forward to E as you cut down behind you, to SW)
  46. Flick Blade Upward with Kick (SE)
  47. Jump into Guarding Stance (back stance, left palm forward, SE)
  48. Thrust Forward (shifting into left bow stance, SE)
  49. Fair Lady Plays the Shuttles (diagonal slashes right and left, then thrust; left bow stance SE)
  50. Cradle Saber in Left Hand (turning from SE to S)
  51. Lotus Kick Right into Snake Creeps Down (W)
  52. Step Up to Seven Stars (W)
  53. White Crane Spreads Wings (W)
  54. Return to Taiji Stance (N)