Stepping to Both Sides in form of Chen Style Taiji

Form 9: Stepping to Both Sides (Three Steps Forward)
     
1) Carry on from the previous movement and turn the body slightly to the right, lift the left foot up with the knee bent. At the same time, rotate both arms counter clockwise pulling them down to the right side of the body. Keep all the weight on the right leg with the eyes looking ahead. (Figure 4-41)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
Maintain the "warding-off " strength whilst pulling down both palms. Form a combined strength between the foot lifting and palms pulling down. Keep the balance stable when standing on the right leg. Breathe out during this movement.

    
2) Turn the body to the left slightly and the left foot steps out forward with the heel on the floor keeping the toes up. Keep the weight on the right leg and rotate both arms clockwise pushing both palms up and forward. Eyes look forward. (Figure 4-42)

Key Requirements to the movement:
Step out naturally Coordinating the body movement together with pulling both palms down and pushing up. Breathe in while rotating both arms and breathe out as the left foot steps out with the body sinking down. Click here to learn Erythema Multiforme in TCM.

    
3) Turn the body to the left more and transfer the weight on to the left leg. Rotate the left arm clockwise further and press it down to the left side of the body. Rotate the right arm counter clockwise and push forward. Lift the right foot up with the knee bent. Eyes look forward. (Figure 4-43).

Key Requirements to the Movement:
Keep the foot movements stable and rooted. Step out lightly, flexibly and naturally. For this movement breathe in at the beginning and breathe out at the end.
 
  
4) The right foot steps forward and out with the heel landing on the floor first with toes lifted up. Keep the weight on the left leg and turn the body to the left with the left palm pressing down at the same time as pushing the right palm forward. Then transfer the weight forward onto the right leg with the whole of the foot on the floor. (Figure 4-44).

Key Requirements to the Movement:
Stepping should be very light and natural, walk like a cat. The arms should co-ordinate with the stepping so that the same hand and foot move forwards together.

5) Turn the right toes out then transfer the weight onto the right leg. Lift the left foot up and step out diagonally forwards. Turn the body to the right about 90 degrees whilst the left foot steps out and the right arm rotates counter clockwise with the palm sunk down slightly. Rotate the left arm counter clockwise pushing it backwards, then rotate the left arm clockwise and bring the left palm up to the side of the left ear in an arc. Finally, the left palm crosses over the right forearm at the front of the chest with the weight on the right leg. Eyes look forward. (Figure 4-45)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
The body should not rise up whilst stepping out the foot and transferring the weight. Keep the "warding-off" strength in full as both palms cross. Keep the body upright. Breathe in at the beginning and breathe out at the end. Click here to learn Erysipelas in TCM.