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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 three: moves 31-40 slant flying to apparent closure

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31. SLANT FLYING  

Shift 70% of your body weight into/over the left leg and bring the right foot back to alongside the left - toes only touching the ground (Cat Stance right). Reposition your left arm/hand to a raised position (like putting your hand up to ask a question in class). The upper arm should be held out at about 90° from your body with the forearm raised to above the elbow - palm facing W.
Scoop your right arm in an upward arc and bring the fingers of your right hand towards your left elbow - palm up. Lift your right foot (just an inch or two) and take a short pace back diagonally towards the NE. Continue, just for now, to face directly W. Reposition your right foot with the leg extended (not stiff or locked) behind you to just beyond your right shoulder-line with the heel raised and sole of that (right) foot now facing NE. Leading with the palm of your left hand, pivot your (left) forearm at the elbow in a downward clockwise arc towards your right forearm - which remains held close to your body at about waist level with the (right) palm facing up and fingers pointing SW (towards your left elbow).
Lower your right heel to the ground and shift your weight (back) into/over the right leg. Lift the toes of your left foot (just an inch or so) and pivot clockwise on the heel until the toes and knee point W; then lower your toes to the floor. Shift 70% of your weight back into/over your left leg and pivot on the right heel until the toes of that foot point NE; then lower your toes to the floor. By the time this footwork pattern is completed you should be facing NE with shoulders and hips aligned left/SW right/NE.
Likewise, just as you arrive to face NE you left forearm should have reached the point at which it comes into contact with your right forearm. Shift 70% of your body weight into/over your right leg.
"Slant Separate Hands": Simultaneously slide your right hand (palm up, elbow pointing NE) diagonally upward underneath the left arm to your right shoulder line and on to finish level with your chin, extended away from the body palm up with the fingers now pointing NE.
Lower the left hand (palm down and fingers pointing NE) to the outside of the left thigh. Just for now, shift all of your weight to in/over your right leg. Raise your left foot off the floor just a little and briefly hold this balance posture - facing NE.

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32. LIFT HANDS  

Place your left foot down alongside the right - a shoulder width apart. Shift 70% of your body weight into/over the right leg. Lift the toes of your left foot (just an inch or so) and pivot clockwise on the heel until the toes and knee point N; then lower your toes to the floor. Soften your right hand.
Face directly N. Draw both elbows in towards your body and reposition your hands to one each side of your head, palms facing each other and with the fingers and wrists relaxed and 'soft'. Dip your head/eyes a little (sink your neck into your shoulders) and look (N) "peak-a-boo" style from beneath your fingers. Your thumbs should be pointing over your shoulders (S) with each hand held just a few inches out and away from your temple.
Shift your body weight back into/over the left leg. Lower both hands - a shoulder width apart - towards your thighs with the palms facing each other. Raise your right leg until the thigh is parallel to the floor with your toes hanging directly below the knee, ankle relaxed and toes pointing downward.
Extend the left arm (a shoulder width from the other and at waist level) outwards from your body with the thumb uppermost and fingers pointing N. Extend the right arm a little further than the left.
Maintain the hand/arm configuration as just described - "lift" both hands simultaneously to about chest level. At the same time, raise your right leg as described earlier.
Extend (but never stiff or locked) your right leg forward (N); straighten it at the knee and hold it out at about 45° from your hip. Keep your (right) foot held at 90° to the shin and with the heel pointing down. Maintain the alignment of your right leg/foot as described above and lower your right heel to the ground by 'sinking' (bend the knee a little) into left leg. Lower both arms - a shoulder width apart - towards your thighs with the palms facing each other. Lower the toes of your right foot and shift your weight forward (N) to your right leg.

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33. RETREAT SHOULDER/STRIKE WITH SHOULDER  

Step back towards the SW with your left foot and place it down with the toes pointing W. Shift your body weight 'back' into/above your left leg. Turn your shoulders and then hips anti-clockwise to finish with your shoulders aligned left/S right/N.
Turn your head to face directly W. Raise your left hand and position it at about shoulder height with palm facing downward and the elbow relaxed beneath.
"Hold a Circle on your left hip": Scoop the right hand across your body towards the elbow of the left arm to finish palm up near your left hip - with your body weight/centre in/over your left leg. Raise your right foot just an inch or so and - leading with the toes - move it in a anti-clockwise arc across the floor to finish parallel with your left foot - toes pointing W and heel E. Shift your body weight from in/over the left leg (S) to in/over the right (N). You are presently facing W.
Lower your left forearm in a downward clockwise arc and bring your left hand, palm down, towards the inside of your right elbow. Turn your head to your right to face directly N - looking over your right shoulder. Incline to your right (N) at the waist (the direction in which you now face with shoulders aligned left/S right/N) and lowering it a little as you do so - "strike" with your (right) shoulder - as if barging a stuck shut door.
As your right shoulder passes over your right foot (the moment of strike) - turn your head to your left to face directly W and begin to "separate" the (fore)arms: beginning with your left hand placed on the inside of your right forearm just beneath the elbow; and your right hand placed beneath your left forearm on the elbow - "Separate the Arms": keeping the forearms and then hands in light contact
with each other throughout; draw your elbows apart outwards (left/S right/N) and gradually 'slide' your right hand (palm up) out from under the left (palm down) hand.
Ensure that just for now 100% of your body weight/centre is in/over you're your right leg and lower your centre by sinking/bending the right knee. When absolutely certain that your centre is over your right leg - begin to "Separate the Arms (as above) and raise your body back up again by straightening your right leg to upright - but never to stiff or 'locked' at the knee. Raise your left leg until the thigh is parallel to the floor with your toes hanging directly below the knee, ankle relaxed and toes pointing downward.

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34. STORK SPREADS WINGS  

Lift your left foot just an inch or so and reposition it for now to alongside the right with the heel raised (Cat Stance left). Bring the left hand, palm down towards your left hip.
Turn the palm of your right hand (rotate the wrist clockwise) to face away from you and then raise that hand in an upward arc to finish extended above your right temple, palm facing W. Simultaneously, raise your body slightly and lift the left leg until the thigh is parallel to the floor with your toes hanging directly below the knee, ankle relaxed and toes pointing downward. Bring your left hand at a point outside the left thigh, palm down fingers pointing W.
Shift 100% of your body weight into your right leg. "Sink" your entire body weight (or "centre") by bending your right knee a little. Turn to face directly W. Turn your shoulders and then hips anticlockwise to finish with your shoulders aligned left/S right/N.

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35. BRUSH KNEE AND TWIST STEP - LEFT  

Lower your left leg and place it alongside the right with the toes only touching the floor (Cat Stance left).Lower your right hand and reposition it to alongside your right hip. Raise your left hand and position it at about shoulder level, fingers pointing W with the palm facing up and the elbow relaxed beneath. Still facing directly W, turn your shoulders and then hips clockwise to align your shoulders, left/SW right/NE.
Keeping the wrist relaxed for now, raise your right hand and position it at about shoulder level, fingers pointing W with the palm facing down and the elbow relaxed beneath. Still facing directly W, circle the left hand clockwise in an arc to the right side of the chest and then continue it downward toward the left thigh. Step W with your left foot and shift 70% of your body weight into/over that leg.
Continuing along its downward and now outward arc, "Brush" your left palm across (a few inches above) the left knee as the step (as above) is made; coming eventually to rest just outside the left hip, palm down and fingers pointing W. Extend (never lock) your right arm to push/press W with the right palm. Soften your right hand (relax your wrist and fingers) upon completion of the push/press.
To conclude this posture and this phase of this sequence, briefly shift 100% of your body weight into/over the left (leading) leg.

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36. NEEDLE AT SEA BOTTOM  

Lower your right foot to the floor and as you lower your heel - shift your body weight back (E) to in/over your right leg. Lift your left foot just an inch or so and draw it back to reposition it for now to alongside the right with the heel raised (Cat Stance left).
Allow both hands to fall to waist level and turn the palms to face outward and away from your body with the palms facing NW and fingers pointing down. With both arms extended, begin to raise both hands upward with the fingers of your left hand pointing SW and the right NE. The arms should remain straight as they are raised above shoulder level. They will eventually come to meet high above your head.
Throughout this posture your eyes should face directly W (whilst the arms are raised aligned along the SW/NE diagonal). Do not look upward during this phase of the
posture - and do not look down during the next phase. As you raise your arms … lift the left leg with the toes hanging directly below the knee. Lift your left foot to about the level of your right knee and then extend the leg and point the toes W.
Keeping the left thigh held parallel to the floor for now, relax the rest of the left leg and allow the toes to hang again directly beneath the knee. This 'token' (i.e. "form") kick and relaxation of the raised leg should be completed just as your hands come to meet high above your head. Your right arm should be held fully extended above your head with the fingers pointing upwards, the palm facing S and the thumb pointing over your shoulder to E. Your left arm should be held above your head with the elbow bent so that the palm of your left hand comes to rest against the thumb of your right hand. Therefore, your left hand should be aligned thumb down and with the fingers pointing over your head towards N.
Straighten out the left leg again but this time hold it lower with the ankle at right angles to the shin; toes up and with the heel a few inches off the ground. Begin to lower the hands together (left palm against right thumb) from high above your head in an descending arc across your sight line and straight down your centre-line to towards your shins. Keep your (left) foot held at 90° to the shin and with the heel pointing down.
Bend the right knee and sink into that leg and in so doing, lower your left leg and place heel down - with the ankle still held at right angles and with this (left) foot positioned a short stride forward (W) of the right foot. Sink into the right leg a deep as you are able and bring your hands down further, passing your waist with the left palm down fingers pointing N above the right held thumb up with the palm facing S. Take the hands deeper down by tilting your upper body forward a little.
Keep looking directly W throughout (not down at your hands). When as low (as you can comfortably) go, release the hands and allow then to hang loose at the wrists with the fingers down and with both palms facing the thighs. Keep your body weight in your (bent) right leg.
With the hands still 'soft' circle them both, just once, anti-clockwise - as if stirring a bucket of water or as if tracing the outline of two small circles with your fingers which should for now, remain pointing downwards.

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37. FAN THROUGH THE BACK  

Keeping the arms parallel to each other, begin to raise them both up in an
anti-clockwise arc to your right hand side (N). Your left hand will pass by your right shoulder and your right arm will pass upward outside of this - extended further to your right (N). Raise your body up by straightening out your right leg and returning you back to the upright position. Continue the upward arc of both arms and bring them to shoulder height and held in front of you a little with your hands above your elbows and palms outward facing W.
When upright again, draw both hands in a little closer to your shoulders (keep your elbows down) and briefly bring your left foot closer to the right. (Cat Stance left) Step forward (W) with your left foot and, keeping your elbows down, push both hands outward at shoulder level with the palms also facing W.

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38. TURN, PARRY AND PUNCH  

Draw your elbows in towards your body and reposition them to beside your ears with palms facing outward. Lift your right foot (just a few inches) and reposition it and reposition a shoulder width from your left foot with the toes pointing NE.
Shift your body weight into/over your right leg. Begin to turn your shoulders and then hips clockwise to face N with your shoulders and hips aligned - just for now - left/W right/E. Lift the toes of your left foot (just an inch or so) and pivot clockwise on the heel until the toes point as far E as you are able; then lower your toes to the floor. To execute/perform this phase of this posture the player must perform a 180° turn to 'about face' from E to W.
As your eye-line turns to facing N and your hips and shoulders become aligned left/W right/E - begin to extend both arms outward to push W with the left hand - fingers pointing up and E with your right - fingers pointing up. Extend (push out) the arms in line with the shoulders as you shift your body weight into the left leg. Lift the right thigh parallel to the floor, bring the toes up and take a stride and face directly E.
Place the right foot down toes pointing E and shift your body weight into/over the right leg.
Relax/soften your wrists and allow the palms face downwards. Scoop both arms downward in wide arcs and bring your hands to just below waist level with the palms facing each other.
Turn your head to your right to face directly E - over your right shoulder. The right hand must now be circled 360° past your left hip and up again past your left shoulder. As this right hand passes eye level and begins to descend through the last 90° of its circle; make a loose fist and turn the knuckles to face E. The loose fist is used to strike in a downward arc.
When this right arm is extended outward at about shoulder level, release the loose fist and allow it to fall to beside your right thigh. As your right hand circles 360° (as above) the left must travel 180°.
Within the last 20° of theat 180°arc of the left armthe left hand turns anti-clockwisefrom palm-inwards, thumb facing N to palm-outwards, thumb facing S; in a downward arc towards your left hip and then upward towards your right shoulder. At the top of this upward arc, turn your palm away from you to point E.

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39. STEP FORWARD, DEFLECT DOWNWARD, PARRY AND PUNCH  

Shift your body weight into/over the right leg and step diagonally forward (NE) 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 E.
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. Scoop your right hand across your thighs and position that arm to parallel with the left arm, fingers pointing diagonally downward.
Upward Block: Rotate your upper body anti-clockwise to align the shoulders and hips left/NW right/SE. 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 SE and the raised heel pointing NW.
Turn your shoulders and then hips clockwise to align your shoulders left/NE right/SW. Still facing E, 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 S.
Turn your shoulders and then hips clockwise to align your shoulders left/E right/W and hips left/NE right SW. Position your right hand behind your right thigh with that arm hanging relaxed from the shoulder down. Your eyes should remain facing directly E 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 N, fingers pointing S 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 E 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/N right/S

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40. APPARENT CLOSURE AND PUSH  

Shift your body weight back into/over your right leg.
Release the right fist and bring the right hand (under the left arm) toward the left shoulder.
Lift the toes of your left foot (just an inch or so) and pivot anti-clockwise on the heel until the toes and knee point NE.
Turn your upper body anti-clockwise to align your shoulders and hips left/NW right/SE.
Keep your right arm outstretched 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 NE). The palm of your right hand should face NW. Look up towards your right hand - which is by now positioned high on your hand side.
Slide your 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 (SE). 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 return to face E with shoulders and hips aligned again left/N right/S. 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 E at shoulder width apart and at shoulder height.
Bring your left foot (back) to alongside the right with the toes only touching the floor. (Cat Stance left) Step E with your left foot and shift 70% of your body weight into/over that leg. Push both hands forward from the shoulders; elbows bent and close to your sides.

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