Our Paths in the Valley

Cane and Walking Stick Research

Cane Research Project at Valley Spirit Taijiquan

Exercises and Martial Arts Practices Using a Cane, Walking Stick, or Short Staff
All documents were created by Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.
Published by Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California, 2009

These documents normally include a list of the movement names in the specific cane or short staff form and final direction to face in each posture/movement.  Some documents provide detailed descriptions of each of the posture/movement sequences.  All documents include some commentary, notes, and a bibliography of books, media, and links.  Most of these documents are in Adobe PDF read/print only format.  Some of these documents are still works in progress. 

Bodhidharma's Shaolin Cane (Damo Cane, Shaolin Damo Kung Fu Cane).  As taught by Master Shi Deyang.  21 Postures/Movements. 

Chen Taijiquan Broadsword Form.  As taught by Grandmaster Chen Zenglei.  23 Postures/Movements.   Practice with cane.  List of Names. 

Chen Shen-Pu's Taijiquan Short Staff.  Created by Grandmaster Chen Shen-Pu, and taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye..  74 Postures/Movements.  List of Names. 

Eight Immortals Taijiquan Cane, Routine One, Yang Style of Taijiquan.  As taught by Master Jesse Tsao.  36 Postures/Movements.  List of Names. 

Martial Arts Techniques for the Cane and Short Staff.   Lists, Notes, and Commentary. 

Northern Energy Taiji Cane (Beifang Qi Taiji Zhang).  As taught by Sensei James Bouchard.  Postures/Movements.   

Shaolin Cane.  As taught by Shifu Ted Mancuso.  Postures/Movements.   Detailed descriptions.  

Standard Simplified Yang Style Sword Form.  32 Postures/Movements.  Detailed descriptions.  Practice with a cane. 

Tchoung Ta-Tchen Walking Stick Form.   Created by Grandmaster Tchoung Ta-Tchen.  33 Postures/Movements.  List of Names. 

Way of the Short Staff.   Comprehensive bibliography of books, media, links, and resources.  Includes research on cane, short staff, walking stick, jo, etc..

Wudang Tiger Tail Short Staff .  As taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye.  48 Postures/Movements in this Wudang Mountain Taoist Short Staff Form.  List of names.

 

 

Shaolin Cane

How I Use Instructional Media for Learning

Many people would like to learn specific Taijiquan or Kung Fu forms and techniques but do not have a qualified instructor in their area.  They have no other choice, if they want to progress, but to use instructional media (DVDs, VCDs, or VHS videotapes) and books and phamphlets to advance their skills and knowledge.  

In the past six months, I have been using instructional media to learn cane and short staff forms and techniques.  Currently, I am learning the Shaolin Kung Fu Cane as taught in an instructional DVD by Shifu Ted Mancuso.  Let me share with you the methods I use for learning cane forms using instructional media.

   

There are many methods for learning depending upon how one best learns new skills and/or knowledge.  For learning cane forms, I learn best by listening and watching, memorizing a verbal description of what I have studied, and then practicing what I have learned.  Others learn best by watching and doing, the less talk the better, and find verbal descriptions cumbersome, slow and ineffective.   

When using an instructional DVD, I use a learning process similar to that which I described in strategies for learning the Standard Taijiquan 24 Yang Form.  I carefully watch the cane lesson on the DVD, and repeat viewing and studying the specific lesson dozens of times.  I make detailed written notes on each cane lesson.  For me, I must be able to verbally describe the movement in detail before I can physically learn to perform the movement correctly.  I learn a name for each movement, and associate the movement with a specific technique and martial objective. 

  

I may need to view a specific DVD lesson dozens of repetitions depending on the complexity of the movement taught and how long it takes me to write up and memorize a description of the movement sequence.  Then, I practice the movements for that lesson many times outdoors.  Then, I review the instructional media again many times, refine and memorize the description, and then practice the form or technique outdoors over and over. 

The whole purpose of this learning method is to develop in my mind a clear idea, a clear concept, a clear picture of what is to be done, how to move, and the martial purpose of each movement in a lesson.  When I have this clear picture in my mind then you can describe or explain the picture with some precision.  I can talk to myself or another person about what movement comes next and how to perform the movement/form.  I can can articulate my understanding and my knowledge of the nature of the movement sequences. 

I favor cane instructors who provide a clear and detailed narrative for each movement sequence in a lesson using a voice over technique delivered in the English language.  They must first demonstrate and carefully describe the movement done in a very slow manner.  Multiple angle views are very helpful.  Multiple repetitions are essential.  Views of the movement sequence done at various speeds are very helpful.  Good audio is essential, and unobtrusive and quiet background music is acceptable but not required.  Good lighting with an unobtrusive and uncluttered background is preferable.  The instructional DVD must provide good cueing control.    

  

Generally, I greatly prefer instructional DVDs by English speaking instructors who have some understanding of instructional methods and who provide detailed descriptions of each movement sequence done slowly.  I learn best by first watching and listening carefully and then repeating the description of the movement until I have memorized the description.  I never try to learn a movement sequence by trying to watch the DVD as I simultaneously perform the movement. 

   

Videos of workshops are often not very useful because of poor lighting and cluttered settings, poor audio with distracting background noise, insufficient detail, poor or no cueing options when using the media, single angle views, and lack of a consistent instructional methodology.  Instructional VCDs from China are inexpensive and interesting, but too often show the movements far too quickly and, of course, have no English voice over narrative in most cases and very limited English subtitles.  As is always the case, there are exceptions to every generalization; for example, the instructional DVDs produced in China featuring  Shi DeYang on the Damo Cane is excellent. 

    

The instructional VHS format offers only slow and frustrating fast forward and fast rewind cueing control.  Sometimes, I find that the cueing control on instructional VCDs does not work properly. 

   

I have found the instructional DVDs for the cane or staff by Jesse Tsao and Jiang Jian-ye very useful for learning these forms and techniques.  The instructional DVD for the Shaolin Kung Fu Cane by Shifu Ted Mancuso does meet all of the above criteria for a superior instructional DVD. 

Cane and Walking Staff Martial Arts

I practice techniques and forms each day with my 40" heartwood hickory combat cane.  I also use this cane to practice sword, saber, and other short staff forms which I have adapted for the cane.  In 2009, I am studying and practicing three cane routines, and many cane techniques:

1.  Eight Immortals Taijiquan Cane, Routine 1, Yang Style

2.  Shaolin Cane

3.  Canemaster's Curriculum

4.  Northern Energy Taiji Cane, Beifang Qi Taiji Zhang 

5.  I also practice the Standard 32 Sword Yang Style Form with my cane. 

Beifang Qi Taiji Zhang. Instructional DVD, 54 Minutes, 2006. Tai Chi Cane Kata. Developed by James Bouchard. "Beifang Qi Taiji Zhang means 'Northern Energy Taiji Cane.' This exciting original form was created to introduce the cane to Taiji practitioners, and to introduce Taiji principles to martial artists interested in the cane. Beifang Qi includes sets of "Qigong" or "energy exercises", multiple views of the form and a complete section on basic applications. Each movement is named for easy reference and the DVD version includes interactive menus. Beifang Qi Taiji Zhang is appropriate for novices, yet experienced martial artists will find new levels of understanding. Endorsed by Cane Masters International." Video Clip VSCL. Notes. This DVD also includes a warm up Qigong routine that is useful for everyone. It will be of special interest to those who practice the Eight Section Brocade Qigong form. There are eight movements in the Beifang Qi Qigong form: 1. Lifting the Sky, 2. Press Earth and Sky, 3. Drawing the Bow, 4. Look Over Shoulder, 5. Touch the Earth, 6. Bear Swims with Cane, 7. Willow Tree Stretch, and 8. Wave Away Demons.

Traditional Tai Chi Eight Immortals Cane, Routine One. Demonstrated by Master Jesse Tsao. Instructional DVD, 64 minutes. Produced by Tai Chi Healthways, San Diego, 2008. Routine One is based on the Yang Style of Taijiquan. Master Tsao developed this cane form himself, with grandmaster Zhu Tiancai's support.

Way of the Short Staff. By Michael P. Garofalo, M.S. Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California. A detailed and annotated guide, bibliographies, lists of links, resources, instructional media, online videos, and lessons. A comprehensive guide to the practice of the short staff, cane, jo, walking stick, gun, zhang, whip staff, eyebrow staff, 13 Hands Staff, and related wood short staff weapons. Includes use of the short staff and cane in martial arts, self-defense, walking and hiking. Separate sections on Aikido Jo, Cane, Taijiquan cane and staff, Jodo, exercises with a short staff, selected quotations, techniques, selecting and purchasing a short staff, tips and suggestions, and a long section on the lore, legends, and magick of the short staff. Includes "Shifu Miao Zhang Points the Way." Updated on a regular basis since October 2008. File size: 302Kb. Related to Mike's popular webpage on the Staff. 

Wudang Tiger Tail Short Staff: List of Movements and Notes.  Names of each of the 48 postures in this Wudang Mountain Taoist Short Staff Form.  The "Short Staff" is sometimes called a "13 Hands Staff" or "Whip Staff."  Prepared by Michael P. Garofalo, M.S..  March 2009.  Names are based on the teaching by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye in his instructional DVD, Wu Dang Tiger Tail Short Staff.

Martial Arts Techniques for the Cane and Short Staff.  By Michael P. Garofalo, M.S., Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California.  March 2009.  100Kb.   Includes Strikes - Two Hands, Strikes - One Hand, Blocks - Two Hands, Blocks - One Hand, Sweeps, Pull Downs, Chops, Jabs, Pokes, Punches.  The document provides a bibliography, links, and resources.  The document includes a brief description for each short staff and/or cane technique.  Specific citations to standard reference works are provided for each technique.    

Taijiquan Cane Class Level 1 Celebration

Today, in our Tai Chi Chuan class in Red Bluff, we completed Lesson 10 of the Eight Immortals Tai Chi Cane Form, Routine 1, in the Yang style, created by Master Jesse Tsao.  Our group has been studying this Taiji Cane form for the last four months. We now have completed Level I of our studies of this Taijiquan cane form. 

Students, from left to right in the back row, are Richard, Evelyn, Jean B., Wuyi, and Dennis.  Missing was Jean I. Mike Garofalo is sitting in the front row.  Mike gave certificates to everyone that attended class and completed Level 1 of this study. 

Taijiquan Cane Wepage

Taijiquan Class, Indoors, Red Bluff, at the Tehama Family Fitness Center

Eight Immortals Tajiquan Cane

Cloud Hands Taijiquan