About This Course

Broadsword Qigong is the second form in our Four Major Weapons series.  This is a Tao Style short form that introduces the basic techniques of the Chinese Broadsword.  This form is designed for both technical and energetic development and contains smooth, continuous and circular movements that feel natural to practice.

The Broadsword is associated with the element of Metal, and has the qualities of cutting and slashing.  In contrast to the Chinese Straight Sword, whose technique is more surgical, the technique of the Broadsword is akin to that of a large knife.  Its single edge and curved blade make it conducive to the circularity of Baguazhang footwork and energetic whole body connection through on the body blocking and cutting techniques.

At Tao Institute, weaponry training is oriented towards further development of Qi and the cutting away of ego attachments.  The weapon becomes an extension of the body and energy, and is trained for harmonization and unification of the body and the weapon.  This helps us grow in awareness, sensitivity, and versatility, energetically as well as physically.

Included in this course is a full step-by-step breakdown of the form by Sifu & Mela and a follow along walkthrough video that you can practice with once the course is complete.

This form is ideally practiced along with our empty hand training.  It is highly recommended that you complete the Qigong Foundation course as well as the empty hand form and meditation training covered in our other courses such as: Chen Style Tai Chi Ch'uan, Baguazhang Basics, Dragon Qigong, Snake Qigong and Praying Mantis Qigong before taking this course.  It is also helpful to include this earlier course work in your daily practice as you incorporate this form.

This course is currently IN PROGRESS.  New lessons will be released weekly until the course is complete.  This course is available to purchase as a single course a la carte, or via our Online Resource Membership -- which includes our full library of training resources and lectures.  Please see below for more information about all of our enrollment options. 

Introduction to Broadsword Qigong

Form Demonstration

About Broadsword Qigong and Tao Style

Tao Style is Sifu Paolillo’s personally developed style of Internal Kung Fu.  Tao Style combines all of Sifu’s fighting skills, traditional training, study, and personal transmissions into a unique set of forms and methods that are incorporated into our curriculum at every level.

Tao Style is the essence of the Tao Institute system.  It features fluid, natural movement with continuous circularity and connected, free flowing techniques.  Tao Style represents Sifu Paolillo’s continued refinement in his creative cultivation of the martial arts, and every form is designed according to the energetic principles of the Tao.  He considers his work to fall under the category of “Martial Qigong” — as it always incorporates detailed and complex fighting application, as well as energetic methods.

Broadsword Qigong is an important introduction to broadsword technique that will help students gain a firm understanding of the broadsword and weapons training in general.  The broadsword is one of the four major weapons of Chinese Kung Fu and is an essential cornerstone to Chinese weaponry as a whole.  The technique of the broadsword is extremely versatile and translates to many other weapons in the Chinese martial arts arsenal, as well as mundane weapons such as the cane or bat.  

Historically, broadswords were a preferred weapon of self defense among martial artists as well as the main sword used on battlefields for many centuries.  In present day, it is still an important foundational weapon in Chinese Kung Fu around the world.


Benefits of the Broadsword Qigong Form

  • Develops fluid whole body connection
  • Develops mind intent
  • Trains rooting and spiral power work
  • Improves horse stance
  • Strengthens the legs
  • Increases internal power & projection of qi
  • Excellent for health & longevity
  • Increased mental clarity, intuition & creativity
  • Deepens relationship with your spirit and the Tao



Pre-Requisite training

We strongly recommend taking these courses before taking Staff Qigong

Both the Qigong Foundation Course and the 4 Major Weapons of Traditional Kung Fu Lecture are essential before learning the Broadsword Qigong.  These course will provide all of the basic techniques and exercises required to dive into this form.  Both of these courses are included in enrollment to the Online Resource Membership program (Tier 2) of which this Broadsword Qigong course is a part — so you don’t have to worry about purchasing an additional course if you enroll in the program.  You will have access to all courses on the membership program for as long as you are subscribed to the website. 

Whether you join the membership or purchase this course a la carte, it is highly recommended that you also take the the other two courses or you may find this course confusing.

We also strongly suggest to consider taking all of our available empty hand training courses as well, as this will fortify your empty hand foundation, which in turn will strengthen your weapon training.  Those courses are:  Chen Style Tai Chi Ch'uan, Baguazhang Basics, Dragon Qigong, Praying Mantis Qigong and Snake Qigong.

Course curriculum

Currently in progress

    1. Introduction

    2. Purchasing a Broadsword

    3. This course is IN PROGRESS

    1. Lesson 1: Instruction with Sifu - Opening, Low Cut, Protect the Back & Twist

    2. Lesson 1: Instruction with Mela - Opening, Low Cut, Protect the Back & Twist

    3. Lesson 2: Instruction with Sifu - Flower Movements

    4. Lesson 2: Instruction with Mela - Flower Movements

    5. Lesson 3: Instruction with Mela - Five Empty Hand Techniques

    6. Lesson 3: Instruction with Sifu - Five Empty Hand Techniques

    7. Lesson 4: Instruction with Mela - Switch to Left Hand & Press

    8. Lesson 4: Instruction with Sifu - Switch to Left Hand & Press

    9. Lesson 5: Instruction with Mela - Cut Back, Cut Upward & Twist to Cut Low

    10. Lesson 5: Instruction with Sifu - Cut Back, Cut Upward & Twist to Cut Low

    11. Lesson 6: Instruction with Mela - Drag, Open to Rear, Sweep Around & Close

    12. Lesson 6: Instruction with Sifu - Drag, Open to Rear, Sweep Around & Close

    1. Broadsword Qigong Full Form Walkthrough

About this course

  • $188.00
  • 16 lessons
  • 6.5 hours of video content

Which option is right for me?

Many of our courses & online resources are available to access either through the Online Resource Membership, or as a single course purchase option.  Here is how this works:


Online Resource Membership:

The Online Resource Membership is a monthly subscription that grants you access to the many resources currently available in our online library.  This library continues to expand and grow as time goes on.  Membership includes early access to courses as well as exclusive content that is not available in the "a la carte" section.  Currently there are two Tier options for membership.  Please visit the Online Resource Membership page to learn more.


Purchasing the Course:

Purchasing a course will give you continuous access to a single course.  There is no monthly fee after the initial purchase.  At this time, all courses are only accessible via our website and are not downloadable.

Instructors

Sifu Frank J. Paolillo

Founder & Master Instructor

Sifu Frank J. Paolillo is the Founder and Master Instructor of the Tao Institute. With over fifty years of daily dedication and study in the martial arts, Sifu Paolillo brings a wealth of knowledge and depth of experience to his teaching and creative martial art work. Sifu’s focus is on cultivating the Tao as a way of life through internal martial arts, meditation, and qigong, and imparts to his students a true transmission of Tao through the training of form and formless.

Mela Carreira

Assistant Instructor

Mela is a dedicated student and assistant instructor to Sifu Paolillo. A martial arts practitioner since 2001, Mela was called to the internal arts and Asheville area in 2011, where she first began training at Tao Institute. Over the course of her training, Mela has come to understand, live by and deeply respect the philosophies of the martial arts and Tao in every day life. Mela teaches the entry level classes at Tao Institute and is a main assistant under the direct supervision of Sifu Paolillo in classes throughout the curriculum.