Gilman Studio On-Line Lessons

Yang Style Long Form

Tai Chi Chuan

Lesson 60:

This Lesson Contains:

Movement # 61 – Partition Of The Wild Horse’s Mane – Right

This is one of my favorite movements, actually a series of movements. I love the splitting feeling and the longer than usual stretch at the end of each part. This movement is quite similar to Slanting Flying, In the shorter forms, this movement is one of the ones that are eliminated. In this first part, I am approached from the rear. I turn to face this threat with Peng energy. The opponent attacks with his left fist. I neutralize it downward and attack his neck with my right hand edge.

Yoshi comes from the rear. I turn to face him.

Shift the weight onto the right foot, and at the end of the shift, pivot in the left toe to face halfway between north and east. As the weight shifts back, turn the torso until it faces the same direction as the left toe. Actually, it is the torso turn that turns in the left toe. Be careful not to shift too far to the right side so that the right foot root is disturbed. Do not lean.

The right hand opens and rounds to have the palm face the body. This is Peng.

The left arm drops and moves to the right with the torso. It is protecting the lower body.

Focus on the center.

Yoshi attacks my center with his left fist. I neutralize it by joining, sticking and leading the strike down and in. You can see he is already leaning too far forward.

Shift the weight back onto the left foot. Release the right foot root and pull the toe inward onto Ding Bow on toe. Keep the right knee facing the opponent.

The right hand moves down and in toward the body, ending by the center of the waist with the palm facing down.

The left hand moves up by the left side of the upper chest with the palm relaxed and facing the opponent. This is center position.

Focus on the right hand to join and lead.

I change the hand that is controlling the opponent. I am getting ready for my counter-attack.

Step out with the right heel so that the toe faces slightly to the right of east.

In the form pictures, the hands to not change much from the previous one. In application, the left hand presses down a bit to join with the opponent’s arm near the elbow. The right arm relaxes, still in the front of the lower body.

Focus on the left hand to join.

Note: In this part of the application, I would be adding a bit of a pull with the left hand to further disrupt Yoshi’s root.

Also, this step is usually done a bit longer then usual. One ends up with a wider stance for more exercise.

I attack Yoshi on the neck or side of the head with my knife-edge hand.

Shift the weight onto the right foot until the knee just covers the toe. The torso turns at the same time to end up facing the same direction as the toe.

The two hands split and move in opposite directions, like pulling something apart. The right hand ends up in line with the right leg. The palm faces upward with the thumb held close into the palm. You do not want the thumb to stick out when striking, as it might get jammed.

The left hand moves down to the left to end by the left hip. The palm faces downward. It is grabbing the opponent’s wrist. The two arms are very open with a strong feeling of pulling apart.

Focus on the two palms.

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