Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar in form of Chen Style Taiji

Form 17: Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar

1) Carrying on from the previous movement,change both fists into palms. Rotate both arms counter’clockwise and pull both palms back leading up. At the same time, transfer the weight to the right leg. Eyes look forward left. (Figure 4-75) 

2) Transfer the weight from the right leg onto the left leg. Place the whole left foot on the Floor with the toes turned outward slightly. Whilst transferring the weight, turn the upper body to the left about 45 degrees, both palms move down and forward in an arc with both arms rotating clockwise. The left palm moves to the front of the left side of the chest with the elbow bent and the palm facing down; the right palm moves down to the front of the right leg above the knee with the palm facing outward and the fingers pointing behind. Eyes look forward.

Key Requirements to the Movement:
Turning the body, shifting the weight and moving the palms should be coordinated. Keep the pelvis down and move the hips forward. The left arm maintains a circular structure and keeps the "peng" (outward push) strength throughout. Keep the right elbow about eight to ten centimeters away from the body. The left knee should align vertically above the left ankle. Do not let the knee protrude forward. The right knee is bent and the hips are relaxed. Maintain an arched structure to the legs throughout the movement. Breathe in at the beginning and out at the end of this movement. Click here to learn Obstructive Emphysema in TCM.

3) Keeping the body weight on the left leg, step the right leg forward and place the toes on the ground to create an "empty stance" (almost no weight on the right foot). At the same time, the right hand follows the right leg forward in a rising arc, palm facing upwards in front of the right side of the chest. The fingers of the left hand lightly contact the right forearm. Eyes look forward. (Figure 4-78) 

Key Requirements to the Movement:
The right foot steps forward with the knees bent, hips relaxed and footwork light, flexible and natural. The movement of the arms co-ordinates with the rise and fall of the body. Breathe in during this movement.

4) The left palm turns upward and sinks down to the front of the lower abdomen. At the same time. the right hand forms a fist. Lower the back of the fist into the opened left palm. Eyes look forward. (Figure 4-79)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
Keep both hands and the abdomen about eight to ten centimeters apart, both arms hold a feeling of rounded outward "peng" strength. The waist sinks down as the fist lowers into the left palm. Breathe out during this movement. Click here to learn Pleural Effusion in TCM.
            
5) Raise the right fist up to shoulder level in front of the body and at the same time, lift the right knee whilst maintaining relaxed hips and a bent left knee. The right toes point naturally downwards and the lower leg is turned slightly inward to a position close to the left knee. Eyes look forward. (Figure 4-80)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
As the right hand and foot rise up, the left side sinks down. (One side of the body is in Yin, the other is in Yang.) Do not rise up on the supporting leg as the right knee lifts. The internal energy flows down along the body. As the fist rises, the shoulders stay relaxed and the right elbow is dropped down. Breathe in during this movement.
  
6) Stamp the right foot on the floor about shoulder width apart from left foot and keep it firmly placed there. At. the same time, the back of the right fist strikes downward onto the centre of the left palm, both arms are bent and maintain a feeling of rounded outward "peng" strength.  Eyes look forward. (Figure 4- 81)