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34 EXERCISES

25. PADDLE THROUGH THE NARROW STREAM

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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 seated stage can be best performed on a stool as the back of a chair and sides arms will severely restrict manoeuvrability For this posture.

Hold the wand horizontally across the top of your thighs, hands holding the wand at each end.

Turn the torso to face right so that the shaft of the wand is resting horizontally against the right side of the body / chair. Arms are extended down, the left arm to the front, right arm to the rear.

Paddle Backward (The Arms Travel Forward)

Inhale

Bend the right arm and lift the right tip with the right hand, moving it towards the right shoulder and begin to turn the torso to face the front.

Exhale

Bring the right hand over the right shoulder towards the front of the body, simultaneously turning the torso left to face the front. The right hand must not be higher than the head. Continue to move the torso to the left, bringing the right arm across the body and down to the left, the shaft of the wand kept close to the body. Continue turning the torso to the left so that you come to rest with the wand horizontal against the left side of the body, arms straight, left hand at the rear, right hand at the front.

Inhale

Bend the left arm and lift the left tip with the left hand, moving it towards the left shoulder and begin to turn the torso to face the front.

Exhale

Bring the left hand over the left shoulder towards the front of the body, simultaneously turning the torso right to face the front. The left hand must not be higher than the head. Continue to move the torso to the right, bringing the left arm across the body and down to the right, the shaft of the wand kept close to the body. Continue turning the torso to the right so that you come to rest with the wand horizontal against the right side of the body, arms straight, right hand at the rear, left hand at the front.

You are now ready to start from the right again.

Paddle Forward (The Arms Travel Backward)

Start on the right - the torso facing right so that the shaft of the wand is resting horizontally against the right side of the body / chair. Arms are extended down, the left arm to the front, right arm to the rear.

Inhale

Focus on the left hand which is at the front of the body. Draw it back to the left side of your body towards your left shoulder, the right hand stays low.

Exhale

The left hand passes the left shoulder and the torso turns to the left. The wand finishes horizontal close to the left side of the body, arms outstretched downward.

Inhale

Focus on the right hand which is now at the front of the body. Draw up it back across the body towards the right right shoulder, left hand stays low.

Exhale

The right hand has passes the right shoulder and the torso turns to the right. The wand finishes horizontal close to the right side of the body, arms outstretched downward.

You are now ready to start from the right again. Repeat both directions several times.

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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.

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.

STAGE 3: STANDING WITH FOOTWORK

This posture uses the Tai Chi Meditation Walk

APPLICATION

Applying the footwork to the posture:-

Stand with feet about 6 inches apart, parallel, both toes facing forward. Legs should be straight with knees slightly bent. Turn the torso to face right so that the shaft of the wand is resting horizontally against the right side of the body. Arms are extended down, the left arm to the front, right arm to the rear.

Row Forward

Step 1

As the right hand comes over the right shoulder take one step forward with the left foot.

Step 2

As the left hand comes over the left shoulder take a step forward with the right foot.

Row Backward

Step 3

As the left hand comes backward over the left shoulder take one step backward with the right foot.

Step: 4

As the right hand comes backward over the right shoulder take a step back with the left foot.

You have finished with the wand in the right side position. To begin the 4-step sequence again just move the left foot forward so that it is paralell with the right foot.

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NOTES

This posture is part of the Tai Chi Boating Wand form.

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Return to Posture Index || Previous Posture - 24. Rowing in the Clouds || Next Posture - 26. Look into the Water

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© 2018 Michael Davies