From Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane Position – Begin by sinking the rest of your weight into the left foot. Turn slightly from the center to draw up the right foot rather than pushing off.
Begin turning back to your right as you set the foot down, heels together, toe turned out forty-five degrees. As you are stepping up the right hand is circling up and the left palm is turning down until the finish in the Hold the Ball position.
Let the turning of the waist swing the right arm up to shoulder height. The hands maintain the ball, so the left is pushing palm out at the right shoulder. The weight shifts wholly into the right foot.
Turn back to the front. As you do so the right arm continues it’s upward momentum until the finger s are pointing up while the palm faces in. The arm is bent with the elbow just above shoulder height. The left hand circles down from the shoulder past the groin and hip, until it finishes with the palm facing out and the fingers pointed at the hip.
As you are turning back to the left, let that movement sink the weight into the right foot.
As the weight sinks let the left foot glide forward. The toe touches lightly. The heel is on the same line as the toe of the rear foot. (This is called a cat stance)
Previous Yang Style tai chi movement: Part the Wild Horse’s Mane
Next Yang Style tai chi movement: Brush Knee Twist Step
Yang Style Tai Chi Philosophy:
Crane Cools It’s Wings – Meditate on the qualities of grace, longevity and self control.
Martial Application:
Block a strike with the left hand and pull it down to the hip and kick the shin or groin with the left toe. Also an excellent guard position when held in a more compact form.
Every Tai Chi movement is said to have between three and thirty applications. The application listed is one example of how to effectively apply the movement.
Alternate Translations:
Crane Cools It’s Wings (Bai E Liang Chi)
White Crane Spreads Its Wings (Baihe Liangchi) [Liang & Wu, Zhang Fuxing]
The Stork Spreading Its Wing (Bai Ne Liang Chi) [Foen Tjoeng Lie]
Stork Spreading Its Wings [Metzger & Zhou]
White Crane Spreads Out Its Wing [Chong]
White Crane Shows Its Wings [Zhao]
This information is meant for reference and to give an idea of the details involved in all Yang Style tai chi movements. In order to receive the benefits of an internal arts practice it is vital that you seek qualified instruction.
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