Single Whip

太極拳 単鞭 太极拳 单鞭
Taijiquan Single Whip

“Single whip (単鞭)” is a technique to let a hand fly like a whip, and smash on the opponent’s face with the open-palm.

It is named because that the left hand is controlled with the right hand just like one long single whip. Continue reading “Single Whip”

White Crane Spreads Its Wings

太極拳 白鶴亮翅 太极拳 白鹤亮翅
Taijiquan, White crane spreads its wings

“White crane spreads its wings (白鶴亮翅)” is a technique to open the opponent’s body and enter into an attackable position.

The posture succeeded in entering the attackable position (see photo) may be resembled to the gesture that the white crane spreads its wings.  The name comes from this.  What an elegant naming for a martial art. Continue reading “White Crane Spreads Its Wings”

Taijiquan Beginning

太極拳 太极拳 起势 气沉丹田 含胸拔背 虚领顶劲
Taijiquan Beginning 1

Beginning (起勢) is the first movement when playing the simplified 24-form taijiquan (太極拳). First of all I should say that it is not a fighting technique.

Placing internal energy (気) in the body center, letting the back free, making the mind (意) to penetrate to the head top, which help you to become united with the surrounding space.  Stretch your fingertips downwards and inject internal energy (気) into your fingertips. See the top photo.  Continue reading “Taijiquan Beginning”

Needle To Sea Bottom

Taijiquan Needle To Sea Bottom 太極拳 海底針
Taijiquan Needle To Sea Bottom 2

“Needle to sea bottom (海底針)” is a reversal technique when the wrist is gripped by the enemy.

In Chinese martial arts, a joint lock technique is called Qinna (擒拿).

Let me explain the technique of “Needle to sea bottom” of Taijiquan (太極拳).

The enemy grabs your right wrist with the right hand. Continue reading “Needle To Sea Bottom”

Fair Lady Shuttles

Taijiquan Fair Lady Shuttles 玉女穿梭
Fair Lady Shuttles 1 玉女穿梭

“Fair Lady Shuttles (玉女穿梭)” is a technique to be powerfully effective when it comes to a battle with multiple enemies.

Let me think about the origin of the name, “Fair Lady” resembles the gesture of the high society women by the posture before sensing the attack of the enemies from the left and right to deal with. See the top photo.  Continue reading “Fair Lady Shuttles”