Where to get a sword for your WeaponUP sword yoga practice?

By Sabina
Jan 23, 2025
Japanese style sword

Your guide to choosing the best sword for WeaponUP classes.


Welcome to your one-stop guide for finding the perfect sword for your WeaponUP journey. Whether you're new to sword yoga or an experienced mover, the right sword makes a huge difference. Our practice is centered around the Kung Fu Jian (Tai Chi Straight Sword) — lightweight, semi-flexible, and designed to move with you like an extension of your body.

Why the Jian Sword?


At WeaponUP, we combine the fluidity of Vinyasa Yoga with the precision of Kung Fu and Tai Chi. The Jian sword adds rhythm, resistance, and grace to your practice. It's:

  • Lightweight & semi-flexible
  • Produces a beautiful 'whoosh' sound when swung
  • Makes us feel graceful, balanced and disciplined

What Sword Length Do I Need?


Here’s a quick chart to help you choose the right blade based on your height:

Your Height                     | Sword Length
Under 5'0 (152 cm)        | 26 inches
5'0 – 5'3 (152–160 cm) | 27.5 inches
5'3 – 5'6 (160–168 cm) | 29 inches
5'6 – 5'8 (168–173 cm) | 30.5 inches
Above 5'8 (173+ cm)     | 32 inches

Where to Buy Your Sword Around the World


United States: 
Canada: 
Europe:
  • Flexible Straightsword (Dragon Sports EU): View Here 

Australia:
  • Tai Chi Wushu Training Sword (Jinli Australia): View Here 

Other Fun Options:
  • Training Swords (Foam/Wooden) – Great for complete beginners or kids
  • Lightsabers – Yes, you read that right! Some students love this twist

Don’t overthink your first sword — just get started. If you are excited to make the sword  an extension of your body, you’re on the right track. Let us know once you’ve got your sword — we can’t wait to see you flow with it in class! 

Still unsure? Drop us a message and we’ll help match you with the perfect blade.

More Articles To Enjoy

How the Sword Rewires Your Brain and Becomes An Extension of Your Body

[One with the sword.] If you’ve been practicing WeaponUP’s sword yoga fusion, you may have noticed something strange—at some point, the sword stops feeling like an object in your hand and starts feeling like a part of you. That’s not just in your head. It’s in your nervous system. When you train consistently with a sword, it becomes more than a prop. It becomes an extension of your body. This idea is actually backed by neuroscience—and it explains why sword yoga, martial arts, and prop based movement can feel so intuitive and powerful over time. Here’s how it works. 1. The Brain Starts to Map the Sword Like a Body Part This is called tool embodiment. In movement science, researchers have found that when we use a tool—like a sword—repeatedly, our brain begins to treat it like part of our own body. The somatosensory system (the part of the brain that tracks your limbs in space) expands to include the tool. In other words, the sword becomes part of your “body map.” Your hand, arm, and the blade start to move as one. That’s why over time, your precision improves. You’re no longer just holding the sword—you’re moving with it. In a study on monkeys using tools, neurons in the parietal cortex (the brain’s spatial control center) began firing as if the tool was physically part of their limb. Later studies in humans using MRI confirmed the same effect with tennis rackets and mechanical tools. 2. You Build Better Coordination and Body Awareness Using a sword changes how you move—because it forces your body to work as a single, coordinated system. That’s called proprioception—your internal awareness of where your body is in space. Adding the weight, length, and movement of a sword challenges your nervous system to adapt. The result? Stronger balance. Sharper awareness. Better form. This is especially important in martial arts, yoga, and sword dance, where alignment is everything. The more precise your awareness, the more grounded and fluid you become. 3. Your Reaction Time and Control Improve Sword training isn’t just physical—it’s cognitive. Coordinating blade movement with breath, stance, and transitions builds fine motor control, timing, and reflexes. This kind of cognitive-motor integration boosts your ability to react under pressure. Over time, it helps you feel more in control—and reduces hesitation and anxiety. That’s a direct link between mind-body practice and mental health. In simple terms: when you train to move smoothly with a sword, you also train your brain to stay calm, focused, and confident. 4. Training with WeaponUP At WeaponUP, we don’t just train with swords because they look cool (though they absolutely do). We train with them because they change us. The sword becomes part of you—extending your awareness, improving your movement, and shaping your confidence. It’s not just a workout. It’s a neurological upgrade. One stance and flow at a time. So grab your Sword + Membership and I will see you on the mat!

Sabina

The WeaponUP Flex Series

Hey everyone! Welcome back to our blog series where I dive into the different movements you can expect from the WeaponUP practice. Today, we’re exploring the WeaponUP Flex series, which is all about stretching your limits—literally! This series combines dynamic yoga poses with traditional sword movements to open up your heart and hips, making you more agile and flexible. If you love yoga or are into martial arts, you’ll find this series super rewarding. What is the WeaponUP Flex Series? Think of the WeaponUP Flex as your go-to for flexibility training, but with a twist—adding a straight sword into the mix. It might sound a bit intimidating, but trust me, it’s a game-changer for deepening your stretches. The added coordination and weight of the sword helps extend your reach and intensifies each pose. From our WeaponUP Encyclopedia: Sword Dancer and Sword Camel [Sword Dancer]This sword yoga posture combines the flexibility, heart and hip opening of the dancer pose with different sword combinations. [Sword Camel]This sword yoga posture combines the flexibility and back opening of the camel pose with different sword combinations.  Incorporating the sword in these poses not only challenges your traditional practice but also spices it up, making you focus more than you might in a typical yoga class. Benefits of Sword Yoga and the Flex Series: • Increased Flexibility and Agility: You’ll notice a significant improvement in how deep you can go into poses with the added resistance of the sword. • Enhanced Heart and Hip Opening: These areas can be tight due to sitting or daily activities; our series specifically targets these to improve overall wellbeing. • Mind and Body Coordination: Handling the sword while engaging in deep stretches requires a level of coordination that really ties together your physical and mental practice. Try This FREE Ten-Minute WeaponUP Flex Basics Flow with Me Join me in a quick FREE session of WeaponUP Flex where we dive into the “Flying Pigeon”. This class is a ten minute session focusing specifically on the overhead flower mixed with the flying pigeon posture, opening the hips and training your sword skills! [WeaponUP Flex Flying Pigeon.mp4] We’re always adding new workshops and special classes to help both beginners and long-time practitioners advance their skills and tackle new challenges. I encourage you to come and try out the WeaponUP Flex series for yourself. Whether you’re aiming to improve your martial arts flexibility or want to add a new layer to your yoga routine, this series is designed to bring a new level of challenge and excitement to your practice.  Come join us at WeaponUP and stretch your way to a more flexible you with the straight sword! Stay tuned for the next entries in this series where we’ll dive into the Sculpt and Grace series, each with its unique blend of movements and benefits.

Sabina

What is Sword Yoga Fusion? A Beginners Guide To WeaponUP

[New Beginning] You've most likely heard of yoga and tried a class or two. Perhaps you have even seen some tai-chi practice videos. But sword yoga fusion, what we do at WeaponUP is something most people don't see coming. That’s exactly what makes it so special. This guide will walk you through what sword yoga fusion actually is, how it works, and why we biasedly think it's just be the most empowering movement practice you ever try. *** So… What Is Sword Yoga Fusion? At its core, WeaponUP is a powerful mind-body practice that blends the discipline and strength of martial arts with the breath, flow, and inner awareness of yoga and tai chi. And yes—we move with swords. Specifically, the jian: a Chinese straight sword known for its lightness, precision, and elegance. But don’t worry—this practice is absolutely accessible to beginners. You don’t need any martial arts background or fancy gear to begin. Just a willingness to try something new, move and feel the body in a new way. Our movements are slow and intentional. Or quick and powerful. Each sequence is designed to ground your body, build strength, improve coordination, and create a sense of inner calm and clarity. Inside the WeaponUP studio, we structure our classes around four signature series, each focused on a specific pillar of training: • Balance: These classes help you root into your body and build stability from the ground up. You’ll develop core control and steadiness—on the mat and off. • Flex: Gentle, breath-led flows that increase your flexibility, mobility and open your body without force. Flex is about creating space—both within your body and your mind. I love to see people that have never been able to get into a posture suddenly doing the splits! • Sculpt: Strength-focused sequences designed to build tone, endurance, and power. You’ll use your sword like a training tool—one that will help you meet your fitness goals! • Grace: These sessions bring elegance and rhythm into your practice. You’ll train coordination, timing, and flow, moving like a warrior and a dancer all at once. Together, these pillars form the full WeaponUP experience. They’re not just categories. They’re tools to help you explore your body and deepen your relationship with your own movement. From fitness to balance - we train it all.  Where Did This Come From? I created WeaponUP after years of training in Shaolin kung fu, tai chi, and yoga across China and India. I lived in traditional martial arts academies where I trained like a monk—and somewhere along the way, the sword became an extension of my body. It helped me feel powerful, focused, and deeply connected to my strength. But I didn’t want to recreate the same strict, inaccessible energy I found in many traditional spaces. Both in Shaolin kung fu and the Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga lineage.  I wanted to create something that felt strong and fluid. Fierce and feminine. Something that combined my passion for yoga and its gentle opening power, and the strength and grace of the kung fu straight sword. WeaponUP was born from that desire—a space for anyone drawn to this path to reconnect with their bodies, their breath, and their inner power in a way that’s both grounded and free. How Is WeaponUP Different? WeaponUP isn’t your typical yoga class. It’s not martial arts in the traditional sense. And it’s not performance or dance, either. It’s a fusion—a modern blend focused on intentional movement that’s designed to meet you exactly where you are. We train: • Balance, with grounded stances and slow transitions that challenge stability • Flexibility, through gentle stretching and dynamic mobility work • Strength, using the sword as a resistance tool to sculpt your muscles • Weight loss, through a consistent movement practice • Coordination, by building fluid, flowing sequences that enhance control and grace • And most importantly, we build confidence—the kind that stays with you long after class ends. This is a practice that trains your nervous system, your focus, your body and your self-trust. Every movement becomes a chance to claim space and move through life fitter and with clarity.  What Kind of Sword Do You Use? We practice with the jian, a traditional Chinese straight sword that’s double-edged, lightweight, and beautifully responsive to movement. The swords we provide through the sword + membership bundle are specifically made for training—safe, durable, and accessible to all levels. They are not sharp and are meant for continuous training. There is no telling how many times I have hit myself with the sword, so not to worry! And if you’re just starting out? You can absolutely begin with a stick, a wooden dowel, an umbrella, or even your hands. The most important thing is the intention behind the movement. The sword will come later. 👉 (You can check out our sword guide and sizing chart here if you’re ready to choose your own.) What Are the Benefits of Sword Yoga Fusion? The benefits of this practice go far beyond the physical. Yes, you’ll build strength, tone your body, and improve your flexibility—but that’s just the beginning. Here’s what you can expect: • Improved posture, core strength, and spinal alignment • Increased balance and stability • Leaner and stronger legs, abs, arms, and shoulders • Weight loss through a fun, unique way of movement • Reduced stress and nervous system regulation • Enhanced focus, awareness, and emotional control • A serious boost in female confidence and body positivity • A new sense of flow, grace, and ease in your everyday life Most students notice a shift within the first few classes. They stand taller, breathe deeper, and move in an empowered way. How Do I Start? Getting started is simple—and we’ve designed everything to support beginners. Grab your sword + membership bundle, and start with one of our signature beginner pathways: • Ten Days to Sword Mastery – your structured introduction to foundational sword movements. • Foundations and Flow – a gentle but empowering series to help you move with more confidence and rhythm. You don’t need prior yoga or martial arts experience. You don’t need to be strong or flexible. You just need to show up—with curiosity and a willingness to try something new. Still unsure? Try our free intro class and feel it for yourself. Let your body decide. This Isn’t a Program. It’s a Practice. WeaponUP isn’t something you “complete.” It’s something you come back to—over and over again. It’s the kind of practice that evolves with you. On the days you feel powerful. On the days you feel uncertain. It’s not about checking a box. It’s about building something inside you that’s steady, lasting, and real. So if you’re craving movement that helps you feel strong and free… If you’re ready to reconnect with your body and own your space… Then pick up your sword. We’ll meet you on the mat.

Sabina