Yang 24 Form - Tai Chi Movement: Strike Ears with Both Fists

From Kick with Right Heel – Sink the weight to draw in your right leg while turning the hips to the front. The arms close in from their open position by dropping the elbows. The palms turn in to face you at shoulder height, as though you were holding a book.

Continue to sink your elbows as your right heel lowers to touch the ground in a bow stance position. This draws the hands down past each hip.

As the weight shifts forward into the stance the hands circle up a forward to temple height. They form light fists as the rise with the palms partially turned out so that you would strike with the first knuckle of each hand.

Open hands (transitional movement)

Move the weight into the rear foot and begin turning to your left. The arms circle out and down with this waist shift. The right toe pivots in until you are “pigeon toed” The hands open over the course of this movement very slowly; think of a blossoming flower. Proceed to the Kick with Left Heel Yang Style tai chi movement. (Mirror the instructions for the right side)

Previous Yang Style tai chi movement: Kick with Right Heel

Next Yang Style tai chi movement: Dragon Waves It's Tail

This information is meant for reference and to give an idea of the details involved in all Yang Style tai chi movements. In order to receive the benefits of an internal arts practice it is vital that you seek qualified instruction.

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Yang Style Tai Chi Philosophy:

Strike Ears with Both Fists - Learn the ways to preserve life rather than destroy. Avoid rather than check, check rather than hurt, hurt rather than maim, maim rather than destroy for all life is precious nor can any be replaced.

Martial Application:

Break a collar grab from the top by circling the arms over and dropping your elbows into the opponent's forearms. Step in and stick to the opponent's arms to control them. Rolling your arms around their's shift the weight forward and strike both temples.

Every Tai Chi movement is said to have between three and thirty applications. The application listed is one example of how to effectively apply the movement.

Alternate Translations:

Strike Ears with Both Fists     (Shuang Feng Quan Er)

Strike to Ears with Both Fists (Shuangfeng Guaner) [Liang & Wu]
Hit the Opponent's Ears with Both Fists [Zhang Fuxing]
Hit Your Opponent's Ears with Both Fists (Shuang Feng Guan Er) [Foen Tjoeng Lie; Metzger & Zhou]
Striking the Opponent's Ears with Both Fists [Chong]
Box Opponent's Ears with Both Fists