Page 37 - Illustrated Chen Taijiquan Routine Ⅱ (Cannon Fist)

IV. Postures of Chen Taijiquan Routine II (Cannon Fist)

Figure 4-8 Figure 4-9

Note: In Movement 1, the right palm arcing up and right demonstrates the ap-
plication of “giving before taking”.

Posture 5 Dan Bian (Single Whip)

1． Relax the right hip joint. Sink the right buttock and turn the left one, with
the torso turning right. At the same time, with the ball pivoting, the left foot turns
in (the heel turning out), the weight shifting backward (left). With their bases sink-
ing, the left palm twining directly thrusts up, right and forward (northeast) to end
at mouth level; and the right one twining directly withdraws to rest inside the left
forearm. At the end of their travel, the palms both face up, with the elbows protrud-
ing, leaving the armpits open. (Figure 5-1)

2． Relax the left hip joint. Sink the left buttock and turn the right one, with the
torso turning left, the weight shifting right. At the same time, with the ball pivoting,
the left foot turns out (the heel turning in). The left palm twining slightly reversely
chops down; and the right one twining reversely makes an outward-pointing hook,
the wrist flexed out, with hukou against the inside part of the left forearm.
Turn the torso further left, with the left heel turning further in to correspond
with the right one. At the same time, the left palm twining directly rises to meet the
right elbow pressing down, touching the right forearm. The eyes look at the right
elbow. (Figure 5-2)
3． The right hook goes across the center of the left palm, thrusting right and
forward at the shoulder level, with the elbow dropping. At the same time, relax the
left hip joint, and turn the torso left, with the left chest being opened. The left palm
twining directly withdraws in to end in front of dantian, with the fingers pointing

27