Tai Chi Quan High Pat on Horse
Tai Chi Quan High Pat On Horse Key Ideas
In the Tai Chi Quan High Pat on the Horse posture, you are side stepping a strike and capturing the striking hand. This will cause your opponent to become unbalanced. While taking advantage of the moment, you palm strike the opponents face with your free hand as your opponent moves forward into the oncoming palm strike.
The key points to remember in this Tai Chi Quan posture are: (1) when making a “weak” step and pushing the hands forward,hold the torso erect and relaxed; (2) when sitting back and turning the hands, the head follows the body slightly to the right.
Tai Chi Quan High Pat On Horse Movements
(1) Move the back foot up
Move the back foot a half step forward and place the front sole on the floor with a distance of one foot behind the front foot. Extend the left arm slightly forward, relax the wrist with the palm facing downward.
(2) Sit back and turn the head
Turn the torso slightly to the right, shift the weight backward and place the right foot flat on the floor. Bend the right leg and raise the left heel. Open the right hand and turn both palms upward with the elbows slightly bent. Look at the right hand.
(3) “Weak” step and push hand
Turn the torso slightly to the left and move the right shoulder forward. Draw the right hand past the right ear and push it forward with the palm facing forward. Lower the left arm and move the left hand to the front of the abdomen, the palm facing upward. Look at the right hand. Move the left foot slightly forward and place the front sole on the floor to make a left “weak” step.
Compare this posture with the single whip posture.
Tai Chi Quan High Pat On Horse Application
When the opponent attacks with the right fist or palm, move your left forearm outward to block the opponent’s wrist or forearm and draw the opponent downward to the right. Strike the opponent’s face with the heel of your right palm. You may also make use Chin Na holds in if you can maintain control of your opponent’s wrist e.g an arm bar. In Tai Chi Quan you must first unbalance your opponent before you can attack.
Tai Chi Quan Cloud Hands
Tai Chi Quan Cloud Hands Key Ideas
The Tai Chi Quan Cloud Hands posture has a rather whimsical sounding name to it. It is assured, hidden in the form, are some subtle self defense moves. Waving the hands are twofold: evasively deflecting a punch; and following up with an arm break. See the Tai Chi Quan video for reference.
Tai Chi Quan Cloud Hand Movements
(1) Turn the body and get the “hooked hand” loose
Shift the weight onto the right leg, turn the torso gradually to the right, and turn the toes of the left foot inward. Move the left hand in an arc past the abdomen to the front of the right shoulder with the palm turned inward. At the same time open the right hand and turn the palm outward. Look at the right hand.
(2) Wave the left hand like clouds and draw the foot back
Shift the weight gradually onto the left leg. Bring the right foot parallel to the left foot, about 2 to 5 inches apart. Arc the left hand past the face with the palm turning slowly outward and stop at the left side of the body with the wrist at shoulder level. Move the right hand in a curve past the abdomen and then upward to the left shoulder with the palm turned inward. Look at the left hand.
(3) Wave the right hand like clouds and move a step apart
Turn the torso rightward and shift the weight onto the right leg. Step the left foot sideways. Move the right hand to the right side, the palm turned outward, while the left hand makes an arc past the abdomen and downward to the right, the palm turned inward. Stop the right palm at the right side of the body as high as the shoulder and the left hand in front of the right shoulder. The eyes follow the right hand.
(4) Wave the left hand like clouds and bring the left foot parallel to the right foot
Turn the torso leftward and shift the weight onto the left leg, bring the left foot parallel to the right foot, about 2 to 5 inches apart. Arc the left hand past the face with the palm turning slowly outward. Move the right hand in a curve past the abdomen and then upward to the left with the palm turned obliquely inward. Stop the left palm at the left side of the body as high as the shoulder and the right palm in front of the left shoulder. The eyes follow the left hand.
(5) Wave the right hand like clouds and move a step apart
Repeat as in (3).
(6) Wave the left and like clouds and bring the left foot parallel to the right foot
Repeat as in (4).
Tai Chi Quan Application
In this Tai Chi Quan form, you waive like clouds to defend against the opponent’s strikes with his fists while stepping off to the side out of harms way. The counter strike is initiated by thrusting the other hand underneath the armpit to trap the opponent’s arm and break it. Tai Chi Quan has these pleasant sounding names to hide nefarious intentions.
Tai Chi Quan SIngle Whip
Tai Chi Quan Single Whip Basics
In Tai Chi Quan Single Whip posture, the key idea here is as you turn your body to the left, the left arm arcs out as if it were a whip to strike. There are two major points to consider in this Tai Chi Quan form: (1) bend the leg obliquely forward to the left to make an angle of 15 to 30 degrees; and (2) the front arm and leg are in the same direction.
Tai Chi Quan Single Whip Form
(1) Turn the body and move the arms
Shift the weight to the left, turn the torso to the left and the toes of the right foot inward. cross both arms to draw an arc. Move the left hand in an arc past the forehead to the left, the palm facing outward, and the right hand past the abdomen in front of the left ribs, the palm facing inward. The eyes follow the hands.
(2) “Hooked hand” and draw the foot up
Turn the torso to the right. Shift the wight gradually unto the right leg. Bend the right knee and draw the left foot next to the right foot and rest the left toes on the floor. At the same time move the right hand in an arc upward and around to the right until the wrist is at shoulder level. Bend the right wrist to form a “hooked hand” while the left hand moves in an arc past the abdomen and pauses in front of the right shoulder, the palm facing inward. Look at the right hand.
(3) Turn the body and draw the step up
Turn the body slightly to the left, and step forward to the left with the left foot. Move the left hand past the forehead to the left in an arc, the palm facing inward. Look at the left hand.
(4) Bow step and push the hand
Turn the body slightly to the left, shift the wight forward and bend the left knee into a bow step, with the right leg straightened naturally. Rotate the left palm slowly and push it ahead with the wrist at shoulder level. The left elbow, left knee and toes of the left foot should be level. The left elbow, left knee and toes of the left foot should be on a vertical line. Look at the left hand.
Tai Chi Quan Application
In this Tai Chi Quan form, the right “hook hand” is used to trap the opponent’s right wrist in defending against a punch or grab to the lapel and to strike the opponent in the face or chest with the left hand.
Taoist Tai Chi Must Read
Here's a must for all Taoist Tai Chi followers:
There are literally hundreds of Tai Chi and Taoist events (workshops, seminars, conferences and festivals) taking place every month around the world. There could be one taking place near you soon. Here is a growing calendar of Tai Chi and Taoist events from all over the world….More at Mar 29, Tai Chi / Taoist Events Calendar
More Reading
Tai Chi Quan Grasping Peacock’s Tail
Tai Chi Quan Grasping Peacock’s Tail Keypoints
The key points to remember in this Tai Chi Quan Grasping the Peacock’s Tail are to (1) coordinate the separation of the hands with the waist and bending motion of the legs; and (2) when making the Tai Chi Quan “bow step”, the parallel distance between the feet is about six inches. Take time to master this Tai Chi Quan posture as it is one of the most important ones in Tai Chi Quan.
Tai Chi Quan Movements
(1) Hold the hands and draw the feet
Turn the body slightly to the right. Move the right hand past the waist up backward to draw an arc and stop at the right chest; bend the right arm with the palm facing downward. Move the left hand down backward to draw an arc and stop in front of the abdomen with the palm facing up. The two palms face each other to form a ball-holding gesture. Draw the left foot beside the right foot and rest the toes on the floor. Look at the right hand.
(2) Turn the body and step up
Turn the torso slighty to the left, step forward to the left with the left foot, the heel pressing down on the floor. Look at the left hand.
(3) Bow step and straighten the arm
Keep turning the torso to the left. Shift the weight forward and place the left boot flat on the floor. End the left knee with the right leg straightened naturally to form a left bow step. Bend the left forearm in front of the chest with the palm facing inward. Drop the right hand and press beside the right hip, the palm facing downward and the fingers pointing forward. Look at the left hand.
(4) Turn the torso and away the arms
Turn the torso slightly to the left while extending the left hand forward with the palm turned down. Bring the right hand upward, the palm turning up, past abdomen u until it is below the left forearm. Look at the left hand.
(5) Turn the torso and hands back
Turn the torso to the right while pulling both hands down in such a way as to draw an arc before the abdomen. Finish with the right hand bent across the chest, palm turned inward. At the same time shift the weight back, bend the right knee and stretch the left leg naturally. Look at the hand.
(6) Turn the torso and place the hand against the wrist
Turn the torso slightly to the left to face forward. Bend the right arm, bring the right forearm past the face and place it against the inside of the left wrist with the palm facing forward. Bend the left arm in front of the chest with the palm facing backward and the fingers pointing right. Look at the right hand.
(7) “Bow step’ and press forward
Shift the weight forward. Bend the left leg and straighten the right leg naturally to make a left bow step. The right hand pushes the left forearm and press forward at shoulder level and keep both arms rounded. Look at the right wrist.
(8) Sit back and pull the hands
Shift the weight back, bend the right knee and straighten the left leg naturally with the left toes upward. Turn the left hand downward, extend the right hand past the left wrist forward with the palm facing downward. Separate the hands shoulder width apart, bend both elbows in draw an arc back in front of the abdomen. Look straight ahead.
(9) “Bow step” and push the hands forward
Shift the weight forward and place the left foot flat on the floor, bend the left leg, straighten the right leg naturally to form a left bow step while pushing the hands forward and obliquely up with the palms facing forward, until the writs are shoulder hight. Look forward.
Tai Chi Quan Applications
In Tai Chi Chuan, there are four ways to attack and defend: “hold” means when the opponent attacks with the hands, you bend your arms to hit the opponent back and wait to see what their reaction will be; “pull” means when the opponent attacks you grab the person’s arm with both hands with one hand above the elbow and one on the wrist the throw the person out-of-the-way using their forward momentum against them; “press” means when the opponent attacks and fails and decides to escape you stabilize your forearm with the opposite behind it to strike the opponent with the forearm; “push” is when you pull the opponent of balance and when the opponents resists you let go and push them back the other way. These are the four ways to attack and defend in Tai Chi Yang style. This is one of the most important postures in Thai Chi Chuan. Once you master this posture, your Tai Chi Quan will vastly improve.
Tai Chi Repulse the Monkey
Tai Chi Repulse the Monkey
This Tai Chi posture, Repulse the Monkey, is one of the elementary Tai Chi forms in the simplified international Tai Chi Chuan 24 form taught to beginners. The key ponts to remember in doing this posture is when pushing out the hands, the angle made is about 120 degrees. when stepping back, after placing the toes down, set the whole sole of the foot on the floor and whirling the arm, pause for a split second and proceed to the next movement.
Tai Chi Chuan Movements
1) Stepping back and Whirling the Arm on the Right Side
(1) Turn the torso and draw the hand back
Turn the torso to the right and turn both hands up. Then move the right hand downward past the side of the waist to draw an arc up right backward to the level of the shoulder. Stretch the left and forward and stop in the front. The head follows the right hand to turn to the back right. Look at the right hand.
(2) Step back and bend the arm
Turn the torso slightly to the left, raise the left foot and step back with the front sole placed flat on the floor lightly. Bend the right arm and draw the right hand past the ear before pushing it obliquely ahead with the palm facing obliquely forward, and star to pull the left hand back. Look at the left hand.
(3)”Weak step” and push the palm forward
Keep turning the torso to the left. Shift the wight backward and place the left foot flat on the floor. FIrst on the right front side and the right foot comes in line with the body. Raise the heel first and bend the right knee to make a right “weak step”. Push the right hand ahead with the palm facing forward and keep the wrist at the same level of the shoulder. Pull the left hand back beside the waist with the palm facing upward. Look at the right hand.
2) Stepping Back and Whirling the Arm on the Left Side
(1)Turn the torso and draw the hand back
Turn the torso to the left. Move the right hand up. The left hand draws an arc up left backward to the level of the head with the palm facing upward. The head follows the body to turn. Look at the left hand.
(2) Step back and bend the arm
Turn the torso slightly to the right, raise the right foot and step back with the front sole placed flat on the floor lightly. Bend the left arm and draw the left hand past the ear, then push it ahead with the palm facing obliquely downward. Start to pull ht e right hand back and look at the right hand.
(3) “Weak step” and push the palm forward
Keep turning the torso to the right. Shift the weight backward and place the right foot flat on the floor. Pivot on the left front sole until the left foot comes in line with the body. Raise the heel first and bend the left knee to make ta left “weak step”. Push the left hand ahead with the palm facing forward and keep the wrist at the same level of the shoulder. Pull the right hand back beside the waist with the palm facing upward. Look at the left hand.
3) Stepping Back and Whirling the Arm on the Right Side
Repeat the same sequence of movements as in 1).
4) Stepping Back and Whirling the Arm on the Left Side
Repeat the same sequence of movements as in 2).
Tai Chi Application
If your opponent attacks with a right hand punch, grasp the right hand with your left hand and step backward with the left foot. You strike the opponent’s chest or face with a Tai Chi palm strike using the right hand.
Tai Chi Video Playing the Lute
Tai Chi Playing the Lute Key Points
In Tai Chi Playing the Lute posture resembles a musician strumming the lute or a pipa. The main points to watch are: don’t overbend the elbows; when making a “weak step” keep the torso erect; and coordinate the weight transfer with the hand and foot movements.
Tai Chi Playing the Lute Movements
(1) Move the foot forward and straighten the torso
Move the right foot a half step forward and place the front sole lightly on the floor behind the left heel. The distance between the left heel and the right toes is one foot. Move the arm slightly forward with the wrist relaxed.
(2) Sit back and raise the hands
Shift the weight back and place the right foot flat on the floor. Meanwhile, raise the left hand leftward in a curve to the front of the chest and the arm straightens naturally with the palm facing obliquely downward. Bend the right arm and draw it backward to the front of the chest with the palm facing obliquely downward. Look at the left hand.
(3) “Weak Step” and the hands meet
Turn the torso slightly back to the left, raise the left foot and place it slightly forward, the heel coming down on the floor and the knee bent a bit to form a left “weak step”. Raise both arms in a curve, the elbows slightly bent. Move the two hands crisscross and meet in the front. Raise the left hand to some level with the palm facing right. Move the right hand downward until it reaches the inner side of the left elbow with the right palm facing left. Look at the left hand.
Tai Chi Application
In the Tai Chi movement when the opponent attacks with the right hand, you use your right hand to hold the opponent’s wrist and draw him back. Meanwhile, place your left hand on this elbow and then push both your hands together to break his right arm. In Tai Chi as always, practice lightly not to injure your partner.
Tai Chi Quan Brushing the Knee
Tai Chi Quan Brush Knee
In Tai Chi Quan, Brush Knee and Step Forward means to embrace the knee and step out. Traditional long Tai Chi Quan form requires that the knees be lifted up before stepping forward. In the simplified Tai Chi Yang style sequence it is not necessary to lift the knee up. In internal martial arts the key idea here is the opposite arm and leg move forward to maintain a near perfect balance.
Tai Chi Quan Brushing the Left Knee (Left Side)
(1) Turn torso and cover up the arms
Turn the body to the left, move the right hand to the front of the chest with the palm facing obliquely upward. Look at the right hand.
(2) Cover up the arm and draw the foot forward
Turn the torso to the right, move the right hand downward just past the right hip and up back to the right to head level with the palm facing upward. Meanwhile, move the left hand, first in a upward, then in downward curve, stopping before the right shoulder, the palm facing down. At the same time move the left foot to the right foot with the toes on the floor. The head follows the right hand and the eyes also look at it.
(3) Step forward and bend the elbow
Turn the torso slightly to the left. Step the left foot forward with the heel on the ground. Bend the right elbow and at the same time draw the right hand up to the shoulder, then to the head at the ear level with the palm facing obliquely downward. Draw the left hand to the abdomen and look forward.
(4) “Bow Step” and brush and twist
Keep turning the torso to the left. Shift the weight forward. Place the left foot on the floor. Then bend the left leg and straighten the right leg to make a Tai Chi Quan “bow step”. Drop the left hand to circle the left knee and stop beside the left hip with the palm facing downward and the finger tips forward. Push the right hand forward at the nose level with the palm facing forward the finger tips upward. Straighten the right arm naturally with the elbow slightly bent. Look at the right hand.
Tai Chi Quan Brushing the Right Knee (Right Side)
(1) Turn the body with the toes up
Shift the wight backward. Raise the toes of the left foot slightly and turn the toes outward. Turn the torso to the left with the two arms making an arc. Look at the right hand.
(2) Move the arms and draw the foot forward
Keep turning the torso to the left. Shift the weight forward. Push the left foot flat on the floor. Draw the right foot to the left foot with the toes on the floor. The right hand, passing front of the head, make an arc pausing in front of the left shoulder, palm facing downward. At the same time turn the left hand up leftward to make an arc, pausing at the shoulder level, palm facing upward. Look at the left hand.
(3) Draw the step forward and bend the elbow
Turn the torso slightly to the right. Move the right foot a step forward with the heel lightly on the floor. Bend the left elbow and move the left hand sideways up to shoulder level, then to the head at ear level, with the palm facing obliquely forward while the right hand moves to the front of the left abdomen. Look forward.
(4) “Bow Step” and brush and twist
Keep turning the torso to the right. Shift the wight forward and place the right foot flat on the floor. Bend the right knee slightly and straighten the left leg naturally to make a Tai Chi Quan “bow step”. Drop the right band to circle the right knee and stop beside the right hip with the palm facing downward and the finger tips forward. Push the left hand forward to the nose level with the palm facing forward and the finger tips upward. Stretch the left arm naturally and bend the elbow slightly. Look at the left hand.
Tai Chi Quan Application
Use this Tai Chi Quan technique: when the opponent attacks you with his hands and feet, brush the opponent’s hand and feet away with one hand and push the opponent with the other hand.
Parting The Wild Horse’s Mane Tai Chi
Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane in Tai Chi
Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane in Tai Chi has the the implication of separating the horse’s mane. The palms pass each other as they move in separate directions. The horse’s mane is separated by the wind as it heads into the wind. It is as if though a wold horse were galloping freely in the prairie, releasing all cooped up tension and stress. As you do this posture, imagine that you are throwing a frisbee. As you extend your arms, pay attention to the muscles in your body being stretched loose and the energy allowed to flow freely.
Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane Tai Chi Directions
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane (Left Side)
(1) Hold the hands and draw the foot inside
Turn the torso slightly to the right and raise the right hand not higher than the shoulder level until the forearm is horizontal in front of the the right chest. Drop the right elbow a bit lower than the right wrist and the right palm faces upward. Keep moving the left forearm horizontally in front of the abdomen until it comes under the right hand, the palms facing each other as if holding a ball. Move the left foot beside the right foot, with the toes on the floor. Look at the right hand.
(2)Turn the body and step forward
Turn the body to the left as the left foot steps leftward. Rest the left heel gently on the ground. The weight remains on the right leg.
(3) “Bow step” and hands apart
Keep moving the body to the left. Shift the weight forward and rest the left foot on the ground. Bend the left knee forward. Straighten the right leg with the heel pressing down on the floor or form a left Tai Chi “bow step”. As one turns the body slightly leftward, gradually raise the forearm obliquely to eye level with the palm facing upward and the elbow slightly bent and the lower right and beside he right hip with the palm facing downward and the fingers pointing forward. Look at the left hand.
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane (Right Side)
(1) Turn the body and point the toes outward
Shift the weight backward. Raise the toes of the left foot slightly and outward. Turn the body slightly to the left and the two hands are ready to make a Tai Chi “ball holding” gesture. Look at the right hand.
(2) Keep turning the torso to the left. Turn the left palm downward in front of the left chest with the wrist at the shoulder level and the elbow lower than the wrist. Turn the right hand with the palm facing upward and the palms facing each other as if holding a ball in front of the left chest. Shift the weight onto the left foot, then draw the right foot forward beside the left foot and rest the toes on the floor. Look at the left hand.
(3) Turn the body and step forward
Turn the torso slightly to the right, and move the right foot a step rightward with heel pressing bent on the floor.
(4) Bow step with the hands apart
Keep turning the torso to the right and shift the weight forward to press the right foot on the floor. Straighten the left leg with the heel outward pressing down on the floor to make a right Tai Chi “bow step”. At the same time gradually raise the right hand obliquely upward higher to eye level with the palm facing obliquely upward and the elbow slightly bent, and press the left hand down beside the left hip with the palm facing downward and the fingers pointing forward. Look at the right hand.
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane Tai Chi Application
The movements of the hands in Parting a Wild Horse’s Mane in Tai Chi are to press downward and ram forward. For example: when the opponent hits you with a right punch, hold the right hand with your right hand and press downward. At the same time kick the opponent’s right side with your left foot and insert your left forearm inside the opponent’s right armpit. Turn your waist and make an effort to lay the opponent on the ground. This illustrates the basic Tai Chi motion of “splitting energy”.
White Crane Tai Chi Movement
White Crane Tai Chi Main Ideas
In White Crane Spreads Its Wings, you are imagining the aesthetic beauty of a white crane’s wings. When you perform this movement it is as if you are a crane spreading its wings. Imagine you are a crane unfurling its wings standing against the wind radiating your strength. When you do the White Crane Tai Chi movement be sure to keep the arms rounded with the chest held in and back relatively straight. This shifting of the weight back towards the rear foot and the spreading of the arms in the White Crane Tai Chi movement must be performed simultaneously.
White Crane Tai Chi Movement Directions
To perform this posture, you must do the following:
(1) Step forward to “hold the ball”.
Turn the torso slightly to the left. Step the right foot a half step forward and rest the front sole lightly behind the left foot. Turn both palms to face one another to make a ball holding gesture with the left hand about the chest level and the right hand below about the belt level. Look at the left hand.
(2) “Sit back” and turn the torso
Shift the weight back onto the right foot, sit back and turn the torso slightly to the right. The two hands come across and then part with the right hand up and the left hand slightly down with the eyes looking at the right hand.
(3) “Empty step” and hands apart
Move the left foot slightly forward and rest the toes slightly on the floor to form an “empty step” with the left foot. At the same time raise the right hand towards the temple with the palm pointing inwards toward the side of the head, while the left hand moves downward towards the left hip and palm facing downward towards the floor.
White Crane Tai Chi Application
When the adversary lungs forward with both hands, spread your arms open “like a crane” to separate the assailant’s arms neutralizing the attack.
When your opponents attempts a right hand punch, step off the line of fire and check his right foot with your left foot, use your left hand to hook around the attacker’s fist, and then use your right to drive it into your assailant’s face. This movement when executed simultaneously will cause your adversary to be off balance and send him sprawling backward to the ground over your lead foot.
The White Crane Spreads It’s Wings application doesn’t mechanically follow the form and shouldn’t be memorized. The applications merely illustrate the concept which means many more applications are possible in the White Crane Tai Chi movement.
sending...