Yang 24 Form - Tai Chi Movement: Single Whip

After the second Ward Off, Roll Back, Press and Push – Shift the weight into your left foot as you turn the waist to the left. The left forearm rotates so the palm faces your chest as you turn. The right palm sinks to hip height and faces the ground. It trails behind the movement, following the hip. Once the right foot is light, lift the toe and pivot it in with the last of the waist turn. Begin turning back to the right and shifting your weight into the right foot.

Change your hands, left hand sinking with the palm facing down by the hip and right hand rising and turning in to face the chest.

When the weight is sunken into the right foot, step into a left lead bow stance. As you do so the right hand gently whips out from the body, all four finger curl down to the thumb forming a hook hand pointed at the ground. The left hand circles up across and out from the body. The edge of the hand presses forward at shoulder height.

Previous Yang Style tai chi movement: Ward Off, Roll Back, Press and Push

Next Yang Style tai chi movement: Wave Hands Like Clouds

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:

Single Whip - Meditate on the qualities of honesty, elusiveness, silence.

Martial Application:

Close range application - Left outward parry of an opponent's left fist or elbow strike. Guide the strike to the body and pin.

Outward parry of opponent's follow-up right hand strike guide and pin the the striking arm to the opponent's body tying up the left arm as well.

Circle your left hand which is now free up the inside and drop the elbow on the collar bone or head.

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:

Single Whip (Dan Bian)

Single Whip (Danbian) [Liang & Wu]
Single Whip [Zhang Fuxing, Zhao]
The Whip (Dan Bian) [Foen Tjoeng Lie]
Simple Whip [Metzger & Zhou]
Holding a Single Whip [Chong]