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Fair Maiden's Wrist
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Begin with breathing into your center. Sink down in the knees turning the
elbows outward. As you inhale fill a balloon and rise to about shoulder
level. Exhale and let the balloon callapse.
Fair maiden's wrist is the concept of the hands and arms forming a straight
yet curved surface. This forms the striking edge and allows for complete
relaxation from the elbow downward. Compare the difference of the fingers
curled verses the fingers naturally forming as if grabbing a beach ball.
Tai Chi breathing and movement should relax the whole body. Instead of
moving the arms, think of a puppet on a string and how the puppet only
moves as the string allows. Our hands and arms should move as a result
of the body in motion as directed by the waist.
For warm ups we will review the ward off movement from side to side. Be
sure and totally separate the weight. This time form a ball on each side
of the body. The ball should form as the weight is totally separated. Use
the body and waist movement to draw the hands across. The top hand should
always be connected to the the shoulder.
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Carry the Ball Application
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Show the application with the reversal of the left and right palms both for
a fist and foot strike.
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press warm up
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We'll add two more warm ups. The press is a press into the wrist to one
side. As you turn, reverse the palms by sliding them against each other
and press back toward the other side.
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Press Application
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Show the application of shifting the direction of force.
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roll back warm up
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The roll back movement is shown by the hands forming line with palms facing
inward. One palm faces the elbow, the other is farther out like playing a
guitar. Then begin the movement by turning the hand at the elbow outward
and letting the other palm rise up and form a focal point on the back of
the wrist. Roll back across to the other side and repeat.
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Roll Back Application
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Show the application of stepping away from on coming force.
Do the 5 star stepping with alternate steps. Add ward off, press and
roll back.
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Sweep Applications
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Show the application of the feet sandwiching with the knee. Demonstrate
the difference in a forward or side to side sweep.
Review
The Opening
and
The Beginning
.
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Horse Stance
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So far all movements of the form have been from side to side. This side
to side stance is called the horse stance. It is often called being
double weighted by the chinese and considered a difficult postion to
defend when the weight is evenly distributed across both feet.
Traditionally training began when a student could hold the horse stance
for long periods of time. It helped strengthen the legs and prepare one
for the rigorous training of a martial art.
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Ward Off Left
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Ward off left is the next form movement. Turn placing all the weight on
the left side while forming a ball. The right foot should pivot on the
heel at the same time until it faces 90 degrees to the right.
Carry the ball across to the right foot as you shift all of the weight to
the right. Pick up the left foot and step it forward maintaining the
shoulder width between the feet.
Shift forward to 70 percent weight forward while warding off left. The
top right hand moves down to the side of the thigh, the bottom left hand
moves forward to just in front of the left side of the chest.
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Ward Off Left Application
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Show the application with the hand moved to the side and the ward off used
to lock the arm.