Turn the waist slightly to the left to pull up the right foot. Settle to the front, stepping the right foot down next to the left heel with the toe pointed out to the side forty-five degrees.
As you take this step both hands circle out and down, small circle with the left and larger with the right, meeting at the hips as you step down.
Smoothly shift your weight into the right foot. Pressing up from your center while sinking down into your right heel raise both arms and the left knee. The hands and foot are relaxed and pointing lightly down as they rise; looking much like a marionette.
Sink the heel and both elbows letting the rising energy flow out into the toe and hands pointing them up and out. Finish with the feet in the same position as a cat stance except lightly resting the left heel on the ground instead of the toe. The fingers are pointing up and out and the same spot on the ceiling. Palms face in with the right hand in line with the left elbow.
Previous Yang Style tai chi movement: Brush Knee Twist Step
Next Yang Style tai chi movement: Step Back to Ward Off Monkey
Yang Style Tai Chi Philosophy:
Play the Fiddle – Meditate on the qualities of creativity, intuition and harmony.
Martial Application:
Deflect an incoming punch upward with both wrists; lead hand at the opponent’s elbow. The rising knee can strike the groin if in range. Roll the lead hand to hold the opponent’s elbow and the rear hand to the top of the wrist.
Sink, applying downward pressure to the wrist and upward pressure to the elbow which will either lock or break the arm. The lead foot stomps and pins the opponent’s foot, preventing their ability to retreat from the arm lock.
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:
- Play the Fiddle (Shou Hui Pi Pa)
- Play the Lute (Shouhui Pipa) [Liang & Wu; Chong]
- Play “Pipa” [Zhang Fuxing]
- Playing the Lute (Shou Hui Pi Pa) [Foen Tjoeng Lie]
- Playing the Pipa [Metzger & Zhou]
- Hand-hold the Lute [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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