The Eternal Circle is the first technique of the Sword God style. It is a continuous, flowing movement that joins offense, defense, and recovery into one smooth loop. This technique is not simply a single strike — it is the foundation upon which all other techniques are built. Once mastered, it allows you to attack, protect yourself, and reset seamlessly without wasted motion.
Purpose
To engrain the natural arc and circle of the sword into your body.
To unify breathing and movement into a single rhythm.
To give you a movement that is safe, balanced, and repeatable under any conditions.
To establish the base form from which more advanced techniques can be derived.
Stance and Preparation
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Lead foot points slightly forward (about 15–30°), rear foot angled for stability.
Keep your knees soft and your weight balanced — about 55% on the front foot, 45% on the back.
Grip the sword or training weapon firmly but not tightly. Relax shoulders and arms.
Movement Sequence
Inhale (count 4 heartbeats):
Raise the sword smoothly along a diagonal line, lifting it into a high guard.
Keep your elbows close and shoulders relaxed.
Imagine you are gathering power with the rising motion.
Hold (count 2):
Pause briefly at the top.
Ensure your wrists are straight, blade aligned, and your body centered.
Exhale (count 6 heartbeats):
Cut downward along the opposite diagonal.
Rotate your hips and torso naturally to add power.
Keep the cut controlled and balanced — the motion should feel smooth, not forced.
Hold (count 2):
Let the blade finish in front of you at chest level, ready to rise again.
Your stance should feel stable and calm.
Without pause, begin the next inhale and repeat the cycle.
Geometry of the Technique
The sword traces a vertical oval or ellipse in front of your torso.
Each loop is identical, forming a continuous circle of motion.
The arc protects you while rising, cuts while descending, and returns you to guard at the end.
Breathing and Timing
Inhale on the rise, exhale on the cut.
The holds create brief points of stillness for balance and focus.
This rhythm prevents rushing and keeps the movement controlled.
Training Method
Begin with 5 minutes of slow loops each day.
Focus on smoothness, balance, and even breathing.
Add footwork once the basic circle feels natural: step forward on the cut, back on the rise, or sideways during the brief hold.
Practice equally with both left and right leads to maintain symmetry.
Signs of Progress
The loop feels effortless, flowing without conscious thought.
Your breathing matches your movement automatically.
You can perform the circle from high, middle, or low guard with equal ease.
You remain balanced at the end of each cut, ready to continue.
Role in the Sword God System
The Eternal Circle is the foundation of the entire style.
All advanced techniques — thrusts, feints, counters, combinations — grow from this first loop.
Without the Eternal Circle, the style cannot be stable. With it, every higher form becomes possible.
Essence
The Eternal Circle is not just a strike. It is a continuous cycle that unites breath, movement, and balance into one inevitable flow. It is the first step toward Sword God Power because it engrains the perfect arc — the same arc you recognized instinctively the first time you held a blade.