Cane Form

The cane form that I practice was developed by Master Chen Pan-Ling (1892-1967.) Some prefer to use the terminology walking stick or short stick rather than cane. I personally use a 3-foot dowel purchased from the craft section of my local Wal-Mart. If you decide to use a hooked cane, you should hold the straight section just below the hook, not the hook itself. On a rainy day, I suppose you could also use an umbrella to do this form.

I advise caution when performing this form as a great amount of power can be generated in the strikes. My basement walls can attest to this; so please make sure that any bystanders are clear while you are performing the form.

This form was brought to the U.S. at various times by different martial artists; as such you'll find a few unique flavors of it. The form is practiced in four lines and most count it at around 25-33 postures. Interestingly, since broadsword (saber) moves influenced the form greatly, you can also perform the sequence with a broadsword rather than a stick.

Chen Pan-Ling Version

This version was brought to the United States at different times by Meng Shan-Fu, Kai Sung, Chen Yun-Ching, and students of Wang Fu-Lai such as Hiromi Hangai Johnson (www.hiromitaichi.org). Each had their own technique and emphasis. As such, the flavor differs slightly with each practictioner although the moves are basically the same.

Chen Yun-Ching, who is a son of Chen Pan-Ling, calls this form "thunder stick" and has a DVD available of it through his student James Sumarac (www.chenpanling.com).

Sifu Mark Small (www.main.nc.us/mtndragon), a student of Master Kai Sung, has an impressive DVD demonstration of the form available also.

Marc Kaczmarek (www.marckaczmarek.com), an artist and a student of Master Meng, created a video documentary entitled "T'ai Chi in New York" that displays the entire system of Master Meng. This includes the walking stick form, which Master Meng refers to as the "club" form.

Finally, you'll find some clips of performances of this form by different practioners on YouTube.

T.T. Liang Version

Master Meng taught the form to students at Master Liang's school in Boston; where Master Liang continued its evolution into a T'ai Chi form. I was first introduced to the form by one of Master Liang's students, Sifu Ray Hayward.

You can find an excellent instructional video of the form available from one of Sifu Hayward's classmates, Paul Gallagher (www.totaltaichi.com). Sifu Hayward (www.shukuangpress.com) also has a demonstration DVD which shows the form performance and an instructional booklet available written by one of his students.

My representation of the cane form