Chinese (中文)

Cheng Man Ch'ing Tai Chi Chuan 37 Form Detailed Move Description

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(2) Grasp Sparrow's Tail   (攬雀尾) This is a collective name for 5 distinct movements, i.e., Left Ward Off, Right Ward Off, Roll Back, Press and Push. A) Left Ward Off (左掤) - Relax hip joints and transfer weight to the left leg - Turn waist/hip right, with toes off the ground turn right foot 90° to the side - Raise right arm to shoulder high, move left hand across below simultaneously forming a carrying the ball gesture. - Put weight on right leg, lift left heel off the ground - Turn waist/hip slightly left, left heel step forward to the front (without shifting weight), hands begin to split - Briefly squat to transfer weight to the left foot, turn waist/hip left, left hand rises to ward off the front, palm facing chest, right hand brushes down and finishes with palm facing down by the right hip. - While completing the waist hip rotation, turn right foot 45° by pivoting heel forming a left bow stance 1. 1 Bow stance is the basis of a rooted stance. It is used quite often in the 37 form. Keep spine straight and relax the upper body naturally. Pull head gently upward, tuck in the stomach and draw in the tailbone, relax shoulders and elbows, feet are flat on the floor, hips are both in line with front wall. The weight spread should 70% in front and 30% on the back. The foot in front is straight while the foot behind is turned at least 45°. Keep both knees bent, but the front knee aligned vertically should never pass beyond the toes. B) Right Ward Off (右掤) 1. Continue from previous move, relax hip joints, put all weight on left leg and slightly lift the right heel 2. Turn waist/hip right, carry the ball with the left hand on top, pivot on the ball of the right foot 3. Step to the right with heel first 4. Shift weight slowly to the right foot. Right arm rises to chest level, palm facing chest to ward off. Left hand follows and settles facing the right palm, as if they are holding a small ball in front of the chest. Turn left foot 45° along with the waist/hip turn by pivoting on the heel. A right bow stance is formed. C) Rollback (捋) 1. While putting weight on the right foot, turn the waist to the right slightly. The right forearm and both hands extend slightly to the right and turn counter-clockwise with palms facing each other (right hand on top in front, left hand below behind near the right elbow). 2. Gradually transfer weight to sit on the left leg and turn waist to the left toward the diagonal, right arm curves to hold a ball against your chest, fingers tipping slightly upward while left arm arcs first downward in the direction of the waist turn, then floats up to shoulder height palm face down. 3. Flip left hand to face upward, fold elbow, while finishing your weight transfer. As left hand reaches ear level, lower right arm down so that palm is chest high and arm is curved. D) Press (擠) 1. Turn waist right to face side wall and begin to shift weight to the right leg. At same time, begin to send left hand toward side wall towards the right hand which is flipped in ward off position. 2. As waist turn and weight shift complete to a right bow stance press left palm on the right wrist. This movement is led by the waist with a bow stance. Hips and shoulders should be square with the side wall. E) Push (按) 1. Extend two arms to the front, and separate hands to shoulder width with two beautiful lady's hands. 2. Shift weight fully onto the left leg with bending knees. 3. Simultaneously draw both hands back palms facing forwad toward the lower abdomen in a wavelike curve. 4. Push two hand forward following the same track to shoulder height with a little push from the left foot, pressing the hips forward while shifting weight back to the right bow stance. Arm and hands remain in the same position. Do not extend the arms forward.