Walk Forward Diagonally in form of Chen Style Taiji

Form 7: Walk Forward Diagonally
1) Keep the feet stationary and turn the body to the left. The left palm moves back and rotates clockwise whilst the right palm circles left and rotates clockwise. Keep the shoulders relaxed and the elbows down. Eyes look forward left. (Figure 4-32)

Key Requirements to the Movement: 
The waving and rotating of the arms should be led by the body with a quality similar to wind lightly swaying the branches of a tree. Breathe in during this movement.

2) Put the left heel down on the floor and transfer the weight to the left foot whilst turning both the body and the right toes to the right. the knee is bent and turned in slightly. As the body turns right, the left hand circles to the centerline of the body in line with the nose and with the palm facing right and the fingers up. At the same time, rotate the right palm counter clockwise and press down to the right side of the thigh in a circle with palm facing down. Eyes look forward left(Figure 4-33)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
Use the waist as a central axis and keep the head erect and the crown lifted. Breathe out during this movement.
      
3) Transfer the weight to the right leg and raise the left foot with a bent knee. Push both palms to the upward right with "warding-off" strength. Eyes look forward left. (Figure 4- 34)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
As both palms push up, sink the body down slightly and root all the weight in the right leg, with relaxed hips and bent knees. The upper body should be coordinated with the lower body. Breathe in during this movement. Click here to learn Superficial Dermatomycosis in TCM.
  
4) The body sinks further and the left foot takes a large step diagonally forward, sliding the inside heel along the floor with the toes up. Hold both arms up with "warding-off " strength throughout. Eyes look forward left. (Figure 4-35)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
As the left foot steps (diagonally forward), push both arms up with "warding-off" strength and sink the waist. The upper body should coordinate with the lower body. Breathe out during this movement.

5) As the body turns to the left, transfer the weight on to the left leg and rotate the left arm clockwise. Press the left palm down in a circle (just) below the left knee whilst rotating the arm in a clockwise movement. Push the right palm out and back whilst rotating the arm clockwise and then bring the hand back to be level with the ear rotating the arm counter clockwise with the palm facing into the face. Eves look forward left. (Figure 4-36)

6) Continue to turn the body to the left and keep the weight on the left leg. Close the left hand to form a Goushou (five fingers closed together to form a hook), then raise the Goushou to shoulder level in an arc. The right palm pushes to the front of the chest. Eyes look forward. (Figure 4-37)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
Use the wrist to lead the movement when lifting the left Goushou.

7) Turn the body to the right and push the right palm forward, and then to the right in an arc. Keep the shoulders and hips relaxed, with the chest in. knees bent, and waist and elbows sunk down. Eyes look forward. (Figure 4-38)

Key Requirements to the Movement:
The posture requires an upright, loose and open body with the legs forming an arch shape. The head is erect and the strength is held with mental awareness. Both the arms and feet should be located in a diagonal direction. This is called the Centralized Body Posture. Breathe out during this movement. Click here to learn Brandy Nose in TCM.