“Sink the chest, raise the back (合胸抜背)” are the words that Taijiquan practitioners may commonly know. It is one of the important teachings so I would like to explain it in my own views.
Sink the Chest, Raise the Back
Step Forward Parry Block and Punch
Taijiquan warriors mainly use a palm to give the shock to the brain during fighting. However, there is also a technique of the fist attack that breaks bones.
“Step Forward Parry block and Punch (進步搬攔捶)” is a technique to throw the punch toward the center of the chest while blocking the opponent’s guard hand.
The chest plate is covered with thick muscles so that there is an image that it would be difficult to give the damage on it with punches.
However, there is no muscle in the center of the chest, you can attack the bone directly.
Let’s explain the details of the technique.
Flash through Back
“Flash through Back (閃通背)” is a technique of counter attack with the palm strike.
Let me explain it.
Reverse Reeling Forearm
“Reverse Reeling Forearm (倒卷肱)”is a technique to entangle the opponent punch with your hand to draw back, and hit back to their face with your palm hand.
Playing The Lute
Playing The Lute 2
“Playing the Lute (手揮琵琶)” is one of Taijiquan joint lock techniques.
Let me explain about it.
The three tips align with each other
The three tips align with each other 1
“The three tips align with each other(三尖相照)” is one of the important teachings of traditional Chinese martial arts. However, I feel that its essence has not been known in general.
At the moment of hitting, the ground and the fist hitting point should be connected directly. In this reason, it is the rules of posture that must be taken. Let me explain it.
Brush Knee and Twist Step
“Brush Knee and Twist Step (搂膝拗步)” is useful in street combat.
It is a technique to go counterattack suddenly while in the situation of defending the opponent continuous attacks.
Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg
“Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg (金鶏独立)” attacks the lower body with the foot at the same time of attacking the opponent face with the same sided hand.
Although I used the word of “same time”, there is a time lag. The hand is the first attacking that draws their intention, and the foot attacking is following, but it is the main.
Low Single Whip
The single whip basically attacks on the face. But, a “Low single whip (単鞭下勢)” is a technique to hit the palm like a whip, aiming at the groin.
Let’s explain the usage. You are taking a left leading stance (See Photo 1 below).
The opponent strikes the right fist to your face in the order of the right shoulder and the right leg forward. With deflecting their right hand with your right hand, you are stepping to the left side (See Photo 2 below).
Like Sealing Like Closing
[See Photo1]
In Chen-style Taijiquan, it is called “Six Sealing Four Closing (六封四閉)”.
As a result of the battle by hand tangling techniques, open the both arms of the opponent and enter into inside the guard, paste the both open-palms on the chest. It is the moment when a chill runs down their spine.