|
Sleeping Dragon combines the “Thirteen
Movements” of traditional Chinese martial arts.
This form comes to us from my studies in Taiji Chuan
with Sifu Lily Qin. The animal movement of Gun
Fu has long incorporated these concepts into the
foundation skills. This sequence provides
opportunity to focus only on the essential thirteen,
and therein lies its value,.
 In China,
it is taught and believed to this very day these
movements represent the true integral nature of all
movement. These moves parallel the
evolution of Chinese culture, and its myriad fighting
arts. They are immediately recognizable in arts
such as Taiji Chuan, Xing Yi and Ba Gua.
Elsewhere, their influence resonates just the same,
whether recognized and understood, or not.
Herein lie the roots of everything internal.
When these movements are understood, all doors are
open.
Ba Men (The 8 Gates) - 8
Fundamental Techniques of Taiji
(Combined techniques and directional
movements are sometimes referred to as the Shi(2) San(1)
Shi(4), or the 13 items)
|
Name
|
Tone
|
Pronunciation
|
Definition
|
|
Peng
|
3
|
pengh
|
Wardoff. Number 1 or the
8 fundamental Taiji techniques. Bounces
incoming energy back in the direction from
which it came. Denotes strength, power,
boundless energy, like inflated ball.
|
|
Lu
|
4
|
leeooh (or lyu)
|
Roll back. Number 2 or
the 8 fundamental Taiji techniques.
Softness, yielding. Control/capture
incoming attack, offset balance. Allow
opponent to enter, and rotate with his force.
|
|
Ji
|
3
|
gee (like gee whiz)
|
Press. First stick to
your opponent, then press before he/she has
opportunity to move or adjust. Like a
coin bouncing off the surface of a drum.
Like water penetrating a rock throught a fault
in its surface. Number 3 of the 8
fundamental Taiji techniques.
|
|
An
|
4
|
anh
|
Push. The arms and body
should move as a single unit. Number 4
of the 8 fundamental Taiji techniques.
|
|
Cai
|
3
|
tsai
|
Pluck. Sometimes referred to
as press (as in press down). Needle at
sea bottom. Bring opponent’s force
downward. Number 5 of the 8 fundamental
Taiji techniques.
|
|
Lie
|
4
|
leeyeah
|
Split or Tear/Rend.
Using opposing forces to off balance an
opponent. This is Number 6 of the 8
fundamental Taiji techniques.
|
|
Zhou
|
3
|
jou (or joe)
|
Elbow strike. Number 7
of the 8 fundamental Taiji techniques.
|
|
Kao
|
4
|
cow
|
Bump (with the
shoulder). Number 8 of the 8 fundamental
Taiji techniques. In fact, the bump can
be with the shoulder, hip, thigh, back, leg,
any body part.
|
Wu Xiang (5 Directions) -
The Five Fundamental Directional Movements of Taiji
|
Jin Bu
|
1,4
|
gin boo
|
Step forward. Number 1
of the 5 fundamental movements of Taiji.
|
|
Tui Bu
|
4,4
|
tweigh boo
|
Step backward. Number 2
of the 5 fundamental movements of Taiji.
|
|
Zuo Gu
|
3,4
|
dswaugh goo
|
Step to the left. Beware
of the left. Number 3 of the 5
fundamental movements of Taiji.
|
|
You Pan
|
4.4
|
yoh panh
|
Right Look. Look to your
right. "Beware of the Right", after
moving to the left. Number 4 of the 5
fundamental movements of Taiji.
|
|
Zhong Ding
|
1,1
|
joong ding
|
Middle spot. Central
Equilibrium. Number 5 of the 5
fundamental movements of Taiji.
|
|
