https://youtu.be/YHhuA3Y0x6k?si=FrImFdg_aBg7JmZE Wudang Taiji Sword employs softness to overcome hardness and stillness to control movement. Its hallmark is “issuing strength after the fact to arrive first,” the principle of “using four ounces to move a thousand pounds.” It incorporates Taoist qigong methods—“transforming Essence into Qi, Qi into Spirit, Spirit into Emptiness, and Emptiness returning to the Dao”—while also serving to strengthen the body, promote health, enable self-defense, and extend longevity. As such, it is a sword style uniting martial prowess with therapeutic cultivation. In practicing Taiji Sword one must: • Empty the head and neck (xǔ lǐng dǐng jìn), • Contract the chest while expanding the back (hán xiōng bá bèi), • Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows (chén jiān zhuì zhǒu), • Keep movements expansive yet internally infused with Qi and externally formed in shape, • Combine motion and stillness, spirit and Qi in mutual containment. Its techniques flow ceaselessly like water: when still, remain utterly still; once in motion, the entire body moves as one. Wudang Sword traces back to the Ming dynasty, founded by the famed Taoist Zhang Sanfeng. Drawing deeply on Taoist philosophy, it embodies the same qigong stages—Essence → Qi → Spirit → Emptiness → Dao—and blends vigorous martial technique with nourishing health practice. Below are the 36 movements of the full Wudang Sanfeng Taiji Sword routine: 1. 起式 (Qǐ Shì) – Opening Posture 2. 上步含剑 (Shàng Bù Hán Jiàn) – Forward Step Holding the Sword 3. 仙人指路 (Xiān Rén Zhǐ Lù) – Immortal Points the Way 4. 三环套月 (Sān Huán Tào Yuè) – Three Loops Encircle the Moon 5. 大魁星式 (Dà Kuí Xīng Shì) – Great Star Posture 6. 燕子抄水 (Yàn Zi Chāo Shuǐ) – Swallow Skims the Water 7. 童子提炉 (Tóng Zǐ Tí Lú) – Child Raises the Cauldron 8. 黄蜂入洞 (Huáng Fēng Rù Dòng) – Wasp Enters the Cave 9. 灵猫扑鼠 (Líng Māo Pū Shǔ) – Clever Cat Pounces on the Rat 10. 蜻蜓点水 (Qīng Tíng Diǎn Shuǐ) – Dragonfly Touches the Water 11. 金蛇盘柳 (Jīn Shé Pán Liǔ) – Golden Snake Coils Around the Willow 12. 燕子巢 (Yàn Zi Cháo) – Swallow’s Nest 13. 大鹏展翅 (Dà Péng Zhǎn Chì) – Roc Spreads Its Wings 14. 白猿献果 (Bái Yuán Xiàn Guǒ) – White Ape Presents the Fruit 15. 巧合太极 (Qiǎo Hé Tài Jí) – Subtle Harmonization with Taiji 16. 凤凰双展翅 (Fèng Huáng Shuāng Zhǎn Chì) – Phoenix Spreads Twin Wings 17. 斜飞式 (Xié Fēi Shì) – Diagonal Flying Posture 18. 白鹤亮翅 (Bái Hè Liàng Chì) – White Crane Displays Its Wings 19. 左右跨拦 (Zuǒ Yòu Kuà Lán) – Left-Right Cross-Block 20. 仙人画图 (Xiān Rén Huà Tú) – Immortal Draws the Diagram 21. 指南金针 (Zhǐ Nán Jīn Zhēn) – Pointing South with the Golden Needle 22. 迎风弹尘 (Yíng Fēng Tán Chén) – Facing Wind, Flicking Dust 23. 顺水推舟 (Shùn Shuǐ Tuī Zhōu) – Pushing the Boat with the Current 24. 流星赶月 (Liú Xīng Gǎn Yuè) – Shooting Star Chasing the Moon 25. 天马行空 (Tiān Mǎ Xíng Kōng) – Heavenly Horse Soars Through the Sky 26. 踏雪寻梅 (Tà Xuě Xún Méi) – Treading Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms 27. 金花落地 (Jīn Huā Luò Dì) – Falling Golden Flowers 28. 挑帘式 (Tiāo Lián Shì) – Lifting the Curtain Posture 29. 乌龙绞柱 (Wū Lóng Jiǎo Zhù) – Black Dragon Wrings the Column 30. 玉女探花 (Yù Nǚ Tàn Huā) – Jade Maiden Probes for Flowers 31. 顺风扫叶 (Shùn Fēng Sǎo Yè) – Sweeping Leaves with the Wind 32. 风扫梅花 (Fēng Sǎo Méi Huā) – Wind Sweeps Plum Blossoms 33. 力截金石 (Lì Jié Jīn Shí) – Cutting Through Metal and Stone 34. 巧女纫针 (Qiǎo Nǚ Rèn Zhēn) – Clever Woman Threads the Needle 35. 白云罩顶 (Bái Yún Zhào Dǐng) – White Cloud Covers the Head 36. 收式 (Shōu Shì) – Closing Posture