Tai Chi Long Form - Apparent Withdrawal, Cross HAnds, and the end of Part 1

  Apparent Withdrawal begins in a 60/40 stance facing 9:00, your right hand is in a vertical fist with your arm parallel to the ground, and your left hand is facing palm in towards your right forearm. Move your left hand, palm facing out, to the outside of your right arm while simultaneously shifting your weight backwards onto your right leg. Scrape forward with your left hand while withdrawing your right hand and slowly turning your right hand to the outside so that the palmer surface of your right fist is facing up. When your wrists cross (in front of your chest) open your right hand. At this point both palms are facing up in front of your chest, wrists crossed. Drop both hands to approximately the level of your tan tien; your weight is now shifted into a 60/40 stance over your right leg (a back stance). Bring your hands up rotating them so that your fingers are pointing up until they reach the level of your chest. Shift your weight to your left leg into a 60/40 stance as you push forward and slightly up with the palms of both hands. Arms will be extended forward but not locked, with the elbows soft and sunken. Chest should be concave and your shoulders should be relaxed.

  Shift your weight to your right foot and rotate your right foot and body to the right, followed by rotating your left foot to the right until your body is facing 12:00. Raise your hands above your head and cross your wrists. As you settle into your small horse stance bring both arms simultaneously out to the sides. Your left arm goes to the left and your right arm goes to the right. Make compete circles with your arms ending with both arms in front of your chest, wrists crossed, palms are facing in. This completes Part One.

From Boonchai

 “From the center of the hands, from the center of the earth. It is difficult to pull. Slowly. use your bone marrow force don’t tighten the muscles to pull it. Imagine that you have a string connecting your head and heaven.”