home page
the 'do' in taichido
who we are
characteristics of tai chi
the tai chi netguide
Do tai chi Syllabus
exploration of moves
form lists
more learning tai chi
tai chi styles
tai chi and martial art
tai chi and health
tai chi philosophy
chi
chi kung
taoism
buddhism
the pure land Fellowship (buddhism)
kyushindo budo
kuan yin
chinese astrology signs
tai chi tuition with Gary
find a tai chi teacher near you
the taichido newlsetter
taichido's own learning products at taichidoshop
www.taichidoshop.com
contacts
disclaimer
 
carbon neutral website

the taichido newsletter

www.taichidoshop.com - learn tai chi with our dvds and dvdroms etc

 

 

The Tai Chi Netguide 
a full and comprehensive online step-by-step guides to the Yang Forms and warm-ups

Long Yang Form guides (text and animations)

part two: moves 41-47 right heel kick to cross hands

| previous ten moves| next ten moves |

41. RIGHT HEEL KICK  

Raise the left hand a few inches and reposition it so that it is level with the right (hand).
Turn both palms to face outward - left palm facing S and right palm facing N - fingers pointing W .
Extend both arms outward away from your body and then as if swimming 'breast stroke' style, separate the arms in wide arcs (travelling 90° each) to finish with both arms extended directly out from the shoulders with both palms facing E and with the thumbs pointing down. The fingers of your left hand point S and the right N.
Bring your right foot back to beside your left foot. Shift your weight back into/over your left leg and raise the heel of your right foot to assume "Cat Stance right". Turn both hands (left/anti-clock right/clock) to position both palms to face down (towards the floor).
Allow both arms/hands (still extended but never stiff or 'locked') to fall in arcs to about waist level with the palms facing towards your thighs. Raise both arms up in converging arcs and have them come to meet with the wrists crossed at about shoulder or chin level - with both palms facing toward you (your chin) and with the right hand on the 'outside' of your crossed wrists. Raise your right leg and position with the thigh parallel to the floor and with the (right) foot hanging relaxed directly beneath the knee.
"Separate Hands": Simultaneously, separate both arms outward. Leading with your wrists and knuckles, draw the left hand out towards S and the right towards N to about a shoulder width apart, palms facing you. Turn both palms to face outwards away from you, fingers up and with the left palm facing S and the right N and extend (but never stiffen or 'lock') your arms further out at shoulder height along the horizontal plane.
Bend/sink into your left knee slightly and then extend your right foot - toes up - to perform a kick with the sole of that (right) foot facing NW. On completion (of the kick) all of the leg muscles from knee down should then be completely relaxed so that the leg returns to its earlier configuration with the thigh parallel to the floor (90° at the hip) and with the shin, ankle and toes hanging directly beneath the knee.

anim

diagram

42. STRIKE OPPONENTS EARS WITH BOTH FISTS  

Lower your right foot and place it down a short pace ahead of the left (foot) with the toes only touching the floor. To accomplish this you must bend/sink into your left leg a little - but keep your back as upright as is possible and look straight ahead.
Lower both hands to one each side of your right thigh. Lower your right heel and shift your body weight further forward into your right leg. Draw both hands a little further back to (one each side of) waist level with the palms facing W, fingers pointing down.
Raise both arms/hands up in wide opposing arcs to about eye level - making loose fists as you do so. Your hands should finish about eight inches (a head width!) apart with the knuckles facing each other; with your left elbow pointing S and the right N.

anim

diagram

43. LEFT HEEL KICK  

Shift 70% of your body weight back into/over your left leg. Release the fists made (as above) in both hands. Rotate your left wrist clockwise and your right wrist anti-clockwise to reposition both palms to face outward - left palm facing S and right palm facing N - fingers pointing up.
Extend both arms outward away from your body and then as if swimming 'breast stroke' style, separate the arms in wide arcs (travelling 90° each) to finish with both arms extended directly out from the shoulders with both palms facing E and with the thumbs pointing down. The fingers of your left hand should point S and the right N.
Turn both hands (left/anti-clock right/clock) to position both palms to face down (towards the floor). Allow both arms/hands (still extended but never stiff or 'locked') to fall in arcs to about waist level with the palms facing towards your thighs.
Raise the heel of your left foot to assume "Cat Stance left". Raise both arms up in converging arcs and have them come to meet with the wrists crossed at about shoulder or chin level - with both palms facing toward you (your chin) and with the left hand on the 'outside' of your crossed wrists. Raise your left leg and position with the thigh parallel to the floor and with the (left) foot hanging relaxed directly beneath the knee.
"Separate Hands": Simultaneously, separate both arms outward. Leading with your wrists and knuckles, draw the left hand out towards S and the right towards N to about a shoulder width apart, palms facing you. Turn both palms to face outwards away from you, fingers up and with the left palm facing S and the right N and extend (but never stiffen or 'lock') your arms further out at shoulder height along the horizontal plane.
Bend/sink into your right knee slightly and then extend your left foot - toes up - to perform a kick with the sole of that (left) foot facing NW. On completion (of the kick) all of the leg muscles from knee down should then be completely relaxed so that the leg returns to its earlier configuration with the thigh parallel to the floor (90° at the hip) and with the shin, ankle and toes hanging directly beneath the knee.

anim

diagram

44. TURN AND KICK WITH RIGHT HEEL  

Pivot your left leg (still held with the foot hanging directly beneath the knee) clockwise to position it with your left thigh crossed over the right with that (left) knee pointing as far N as you are able. Your left foot should now (but just for the time being) hanging relaxed beneath your left knee, which is held outside (NW) of your right thigh.
Rotate your left knee and then ankle clockwise to point the toes of your left foot as far NE as you are able. Throughout this phase of this posture you/your eyes should continue to face directly W. Likewise, your hands should continue be held extended away from you, fingers up.
Rotate your upper body clockwise (as far as you are able) to align your shoulders and hips left/NW right/SE and turn to face NE. As you undertake the first part (135°) of this 360° turn - return your arms to the "Cross Hands" position by drawing your elbows in closer to your body/rib cage with your right hand crossed at the wrist - on the 'outside' of the left (wrist). Note: Your right hand should be on the outside of the left because this posture concludes with a kick with the right foot - which is proceeded (if the 360° turn goes well!) by cat stance right.
Raise the right heel off the floor and pivot clockwise on the ball of this foot. The left foot provides the initial 'push off'. As this dynamic 360° turn nears completion place the left foot down toes/SW, heel/NE.
The dynamic of this posture is more a 'spin' than a turn and accordingly it can not be effectively practiced in slow motion like all other postures up to this point. Raise your left foot (just an inch or so i.e. not much, just enough) and reposition it to alongside the left - into cat stance right. Face directly W with your shoulders and hips left/S right/N - and with your arms crossed at the wrists with your right hand outside of (further W) the left. Be sure that your body weight is stable and in/over your left leg. Raise your right leg and position with the thigh parallel to the floor and with the (right) foot hanging relaxed directly beneath the knee.
"Separate Hands": Simultaneously, separate both arms outward. Leading with your wrists and knuckles, draw the left hand out towards S and the right towards N to about a shoulder width apart, palms facing you. Turn both palms to face outwards away from you, fingers up and with the left palm facing S and the right N and extend (but never stiffen or 'lock') your arms further out at shoulder height along the horizontal plane.
Bend/sink into your left knee slightly and then extend your right foot - toes up - to perform a kick with the sole of that (right) foot facing NW. On completion (of the kick) all of the leg muscles from knee down should then be completely relaxed so that the leg returns to its earlier configuration with the thigh parallel to the floor (90° at the hip) and with the shin, ankle and toes hanging directly beneath the knee.

anim

diagram

45. STEP FORWARD, DEFLECT DOWNWARD, PARRY AND PUNCH  

Shift your body weight into/over the right leg and step diagonally forward (SW) with your left foot to align your shoulders left/NE right/SW. Relax/soften your left hand so that the palm faces up and finger point W.
Sweep your left hand clockwise (leading with the 'chopping' edge) in an outward arc to the right side of the chest. Continue in a downward inward arc toward the left thigh, brushing your left palm across (an inch or two above) your left thigh as you step diagonally forward with your left foot (as above). Continue this clockwise semicircle with your left hand/arm and to position it extended outside of your left hip; finger pointing diagonally downward and palm facing W. Scoop your right hand across your thighs and position that arm to parallel with the left arm, fingers pointing diagonally downward and knuckles facing W.
Upward Block: Rotate your upper body anti-clockwise to align the shoulders and hips left/NE right/SW. Pivoting at the elbow, sweep the right forearm in an upward clockwise arc to block or deflecting incoming.
Twist Step: Keeping your body weight in the left leg for now, lift your right foot and reposition it a half pace ahead of the left - with the toes pointing NW and the raised heel pointing SE.
Turn your shoulders and then hips clockwise to align your shoulders left/SW right/NE. Still facing W, raise your left heel and bend/sink into that leg. Lower your right heel and shift 70% of your body weight into/ that leg. Position your left kneecap to come to rest against the rear of your right knee. You will find a little hollow there to nestle into.
Parry: From its position beside the left hip, turn the palm of your left hand to face E and commence a wide outside arc across your sight line to finish with that (left) arm extended across your chest with the palm facing in towards your right shoulder; fingers pointing N.
Turn your shoulders and then hips clockwise to align your shoulders left/W right/E and hips left/SW right NE. Position your right hand behind your right thigh with that arm hanging relaxed from the shoulder down. Your eyes should remain facing directly W throughout all phases of this posture.
Punch: Pivot your left forearm clockwise at the elbow to position it across your body at about waist level with the palm facing you - elbow pointing S, fingers pointing N and your forearm held parallel with the floor. Position your right hand to waist level and form a loose fist. Keep the elbow close to your side.
Step W with the left foot and shift 70% of your body weight into/over that leg. Punch forward with your right hand, forming and making the fist 'harder' as it travels beneath your left forearm.
The left forearm, held in the alignment and position as described above, marks the midway point in the travel of your right hand and thus the midway point in the forming of the fist. As the punch is delivered pivot your upper body anti-clockwise until your shoulders are aligned left/S right/N.

anim

diagram

46. APPARENT CLOSURE AND PUSH  

Shift your body weight back into/over your right leg. Open the right fist and bring the right hand (under the left arm) toward the left shoulder. Pivot on the left heel and turn anti-clockwise to face SW.
Keep your right arm extended and lift it a little higher as you turn your body so that whole of the arm, including the fingers point up to your top left (high SW). The palm of your right hand faces NE. Look up towards your right hand, which is by now high on your left hand side. The toes of your right foot point W. Slide the left hand (palm inward) inside the right forearm to your shoulder. Then slide it (like a snake) under the right armpit and up the shoulder finishing fingers up and palm facing away from you (W).
With your weight still in the right leg and with the toes of the left foot raised off of the ground, pivot on the left heel and turn you body clockwise to face W. As you turn (to the right) point your right elbow S and draw the right arm and the hand further in that direction out from under the left forearm - which has remained in position with the palm (of the left hand) facing E.
Turn the right palm outward, so that both palms now face W at shoulder width apart and at shoulder height. Step E with your left foot and transfer 70% of your body weight into/over that leg. Push both hands forward from the shoulders; elbows bent and close to your sides.

anim

diagram

47. CROSS HANDS  

Raise your right foot and step back (E - just a few inches) and reposition it with the toes pointing N and heel pointing S. Shift your body weight into/over that right leg.
Lift the toes of your left foot and pivot anti-clockwise on the heel until the toes and knee point N; then lower your toes to the floor.
Turn your shoulders and then hips clockwise to align your shoulders and hips left/W right/E. Turn your head to your right (if necessary) to face directly N. Lower both arms (from your left) in an arc to a position in front of the thighs (palms facing the thighs).
Shift your body weight back into/over the left leg. Leading with your wrists/knuckles, raise both (soft and relaxed) hands up the body centre-line to shoulder height. When your hands reach about shoulder level - raise your wrists and fingers up so that your palms face N.
Move both hands outwards and describe two outward and then downward inward arcs and bring both hands back down towards your waist.
Continue circling both arms and as you begin to raise them up again - cross your wrists with your right hand under the left hand and with both palms, just for now, facing up. Raise both hands up further to form a cross over the chest area with your left arm inside of the right arm. Lift your right foot (just and inch or two) and place it alongside the right with the toes only touching the floor (Cat Stance right)

anim

diagram

 
 

| previous ten moves| next ten moves |

www.taichido.com . © www.taichido.com 2000-2009. No reproduction or republishing of any material on this website without prior consent.