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34 EXERCISES

20. CIRCLE THE SHOULDERS

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Quick Links to Postures 18-34 | 18 Sunrise & Sunset | 19 Peeling the Octopus | 20 Circle the Shoulders | 21 Rising Up the Mountain | 22 Carry the Wand to the Moon | 23 Lifting the Oar | 24 Rowing in the Clouds | 25 Paddle Through the Narrow Stream | 26 Look into the Water | 27 Search for the Hatchet | 28 Turn the Rudder | 29 Steady the Boat | 30 Rowing Backward on the Calm Lake | 31 Rowing Forward on the Calm Lake | 32 Turning the Boat | 33 Push the Swing | 34 Netting the Fish


STAGE 1: SEATED

This exercise is best performed on a stool or a chair without armrests. It is performed in four parts without a pause.

Rest the wand horizontally on your thighs, hands lightly grasping both ends.

RIGHT SIDE LEAD

Inhale

1

Lift your right arm vertically to the left side (and by doing so, lifting the right tip the wand). Lower the left hand so that the wand is vertical on the left side of the body; the shaft is close to, or resting against, the upper arm / left shoulder.

2

Continuing to inhale, guide the right tip of the wand behind the head and down to the right, so that the shaft is horizontal on the back of the shoulders (both arms should be bent).

Exhale

3

Raise the left arm to the right and lower the right arm so that the shaft of the wand is vertical on the right side of the body, the shaft of the wand lightly resting against the outside of the right shoulder or top of the right arm.

4

Continuing to exhale, bring the left hand down around the right side of the body and diagonally across the front of the body, finishing off with the wand lying horizontally on the thighs again. During the movement the right hand stays low and near to the outside of the right thigh.

LEFT SIDE LEAD

Perform the four stages but this time leading with the left hand.

Repeat both sides several times.

Consult the "important points" in exercise one regarding "moving in water".

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STAGE 2: STANDING STATIC

Stand with feet at shoulder width and parallel, toes facing directly forward. Legs should be straight with Knees slightly bent. You begin with the wand resting horizontally against your thighs, arms extended fully.

Perform the torso movements as in the seated stage while keeping the lower half of the body - including the hips - still. Only move the arms and torso.

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THERE IS NO FOOTWORK FOR THIS POSTURE

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NOTES

This posture is taken from the Chinese Wand Exercises, which is performed in its original form without any footwork.

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© 2018 Michael Davies