| Daoshu: Wudang Daoist Arts in Oxford, UK |
weapons
At Daoshu you can learn to use the straight sword (jian), broadsword/saver (dao), fuchen (horse-hair whisk) and staff (gun).
Sword - Wudang is most famous for its sword practice, made famous in the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” A core ceremonial tool, the straight sword is often worn by Daoist priests, and developed in Wudang to be the ultimate weapons practice and a key vehicle of consciousness transformation. Sword takes the longest period of practice to accomplish a basic level of skill.
Tai Ji Sword practice facilitates the meditative practice of fusing one’s mind/intention and spirit with the sword blade. The faster practices of Tai Yi Xuan Men Jian, Long Hua Jian, and Baxian Jian cultivate twisting, coiling and acrobatic movements, expressed in the finesse of sword technique. The sword is the dragon head, while the arm and body of the practitioner is the corpus of the dragon’s movement.
At Daoshu, students first learn to use the broadsword (Taihe Dao and Xuan Gong Dao forms), before progressing to the intricacies of straight sword practice.
Fuchen – A rare Daoist weapon that is also a ceremonial tool used to clear away dust, bad energy and spirits, the horse-hair whisk is weaponised via basic sword techniques. The practice of wielding the fuchen falls within the Tai Yi category, where the Yin of soft movements is contrasted with the Yang of fast practice and explosive punctuations. Fuchen training is great for loosening up shoulders and cultivating energy, without jarring one’s body.
Staff – Although staff work is commonly associated with Shaolin, the Wudang has evolved a unique set of staff techniques based on spear, taiji, and liangyi foundations, plus its epic 8 immortals staff form (Baxian Gun). At Daoshu, we make staff practice the main focus of our kung fu classes when we train outdoors weekly during June, July and August.
Fan - A disguised weapon, very satisfying in its execution and expressive of fluidity in body movements. The Heaven & Earth Fan form was originally from Kong Tong Shan and brought to Wudang, later incorporated into the San Feng Pai curriculum by Master Bing.
Sword - Wudang is most famous for its sword practice, made famous in the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” A core ceremonial tool, the straight sword is often worn by Daoist priests, and developed in Wudang to be the ultimate weapons practice and a key vehicle of consciousness transformation. Sword takes the longest period of practice to accomplish a basic level of skill.
Tai Ji Sword practice facilitates the meditative practice of fusing one’s mind/intention and spirit with the sword blade. The faster practices of Tai Yi Xuan Men Jian, Long Hua Jian, and Baxian Jian cultivate twisting, coiling and acrobatic movements, expressed in the finesse of sword technique. The sword is the dragon head, while the arm and body of the practitioner is the corpus of the dragon’s movement.
At Daoshu, students first learn to use the broadsword (Taihe Dao and Xuan Gong Dao forms), before progressing to the intricacies of straight sword practice.
Fuchen – A rare Daoist weapon that is also a ceremonial tool used to clear away dust, bad energy and spirits, the horse-hair whisk is weaponised via basic sword techniques. The practice of wielding the fuchen falls within the Tai Yi category, where the Yin of soft movements is contrasted with the Yang of fast practice and explosive punctuations. Fuchen training is great for loosening up shoulders and cultivating energy, without jarring one’s body.
Staff – Although staff work is commonly associated with Shaolin, the Wudang has evolved a unique set of staff techniques based on spear, taiji, and liangyi foundations, plus its epic 8 immortals staff form (Baxian Gun). At Daoshu, we make staff practice the main focus of our kung fu classes when we train outdoors weekly during June, July and August.
Fan - A disguised weapon, very satisfying in its execution and expressive of fluidity in body movements. The Heaven & Earth Fan form was originally from Kong Tong Shan and brought to Wudang, later incorporated into the San Feng Pai curriculum by Master Bing.
