Gilman Studio On-Line Lessons
Yang Style Long Form
Tai Chi Chuan
This Lesson Contains:
Movement # 33 – Step Up, Deflect Downward, Punch
This is another rather complicated movement, and one I enjoy quite a bit. It has a good flow and effective practical application value.
The opponent attacks from the front with a right fist. I neutralize it to the left with my right forearm, and then circle his arm over to my right, closing him up. I follow with a right fist strike to his center
The opponent strikes with the right fist and I neutralize it with my right forearm.
Shift the weight back onto the left foot and draw in the right foot onto Ding Bow on Toe. As you do that, the torso turns slightly to the left. The torso turn will make a smaller target, and the turning to the left will cause the blow to glance off of your body even if opponent hits you with the fist.
As the body turns: the right arm remains in a fist, the arm lengthens, the back of the fist rotates until it faces to the left, and moves with the body to the left, ending in front of your center. The left hand does a roll back movement which means it rotates until the palm faces up and moves downward to the left side of the body.
Focus on the back of the right forearm to join with the incoming energy.
I now close the opponent up by circling his arm over to my right side.
This is hard to see since the action is on the other side of my body. Look below for a better view.
This foot movement is called step up. The right foot is lifted up (a possible foot kick) and set back down in the same spot but at a right angle to the forward (east) direction. The weight is immediately placed on the foot and the left foot is rolled up onto the toe. It is important to let the turning to the right of the torso allow the hip to open and allow the leg to turn out to the proper angle.
As the body is turning to the right, the right arm (still in a fist) arcs over to the right side of the waist. The left hand follows the body and ends palm down in the center of the body. Focus on the right wrist and the left palm.
This is the Deflect Downward portion of the movement. I press John’s arm down to open him up for my punch.
Step forward the left foot, but don’t put the weight onto yet. The foot faces east. The torso remains turned slightly to the right of east, so that it still retains the torque for the punch.
The right fist remains by the right hip. The left palm presses down just a little bit.
Focus on the left foot for proper placement, and the left palm for pressing down.
The movement finishes with a punch to John’s center.
Shift the weight onto the left foot and at the same time, turn the torso until the nose points east. The left knee just covers the toe. The right toe turns in slightly at the end of the forward movement.
The right fist punches forward to end up on the right side of the center of the chest. The fist twists from fingers facing up to fingers facing left The left palm moves inward to end up facing the right elbow with the fingers up.
Focus on the right fist and the left palm.
Remember that the left hand pulls toward the body to counter balance the punch and also to secure the opponent from retreating.
Here we see the front view. First, the neutralize and join. Notice that the right arm stays on the right side of the body as the body turns to the left to avoid a possible direct hit.
Next is the step up. The weight is placed on the right foot, which is turned out to a right angle to the final direction. The left toe touches for balance. The right fist is by the side of the waist and points in the direction of the opponent. The left palm is touching opponent’s arm. Keep the weight down when making this step. There is a tendency to stand up as the right foot is lifted and replaced.
Stepping to the side of the opponent. Be sure not to step into a narrow stance. There is some pressure downward with the left palm.
Finally, the punch. It ends up in the center of the lower chest. The fist has turned so the fingers face to the left. The left hand has pulled back and ends up facing the right elbow. It is there to guard the right elbow from possible attack, and also is in the center of the body to be able to block against other possible attacks to the left side of the body. Don’t lean the torso forward or backward.