Forward Step Exercises in Chen Style Taiji

1. Forward Step Exercises
1) Stand upright with your feet placed together. The body should be relaxed with your breathing and concentration focused into the Dantian. Eyes look forward. (Fig 2-53)

2) Shift the weight to the right leg and take a step forward and left with the left foot. At the same time, move both palms in a forward and upward arc. Then move both palms back in a counter clockwise motion with the left palm facing up and the right palm facing out. (Fig 2-54)

   
3) Continue from the previous movement. Shift the weight to the left leg and draw the right foot to the inside of the left foot. At the same time, move both palms down and forward with both arms rotating clockwise so that the left palm is facing down and the right palm is facing forward. Eyes look forward. (Fig 2-55)

Take a step forward with the left foot and move both palms forward and upward in an arc, then pull back to the same position as previous movement (Fig 2-54), so that the movements of the hands are well coordinated with the foot.

Repeat the exercise several times, and then repeat the exercise on the right side as mirrored movement. Take a step with the right foot and draw up the 1eft foot. The essential points of the exercise are the same as the previous movement, with left and right reversed.