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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
It is best to use an armless chair or ideally a stool for this posture.
When we row the boat backward the tip of the wand actually moves forwards in the "water." It is this forward movement that pushes the "boat" backward.
Begin by holding the wand close to the upper chest, horizontally, hands lightly grasping both ends of the wand.
Turn the torso to your right as far as comfortable, keeping the wand close to the upper chest horizontally. The left tip of the wand should be facing the front.
Do not move the left hand as you use your right hand to guide the right tip of the wand down towards the floor while the right hand simultaneously slides up the shaft of the wand. When the right hand reaches approximately halfway up the wand, the torso, which has started to move to the left, should be facing the front. Both arms are now the front of the body, holding the wand, which is now in the vertical position (left hand on top, right hand approximately halfway up the shaft).
Turn the torso to the left as far as comfortable. Simultaneously - while loosening the grip of the right hand - guide the left tip of the wand to the left side (pulling it with the left hand) behind the left shoulder at the left rear, the left hand passing the face and down past the left shoulder. As you do this, the right hand allows itself to slid from the centre of the wand back to the right tip. You finishes with the wand horizontally across your chest again, the torso facing left. Now the right tip of the wand is facing the front.
Do not move the right hand as you slide the left hand up the shaft of the wand, pushing the left tip down towards the floor. When the left hand reaches approximately halfway up the wand, the torso, which has started to move to the right, should be facing the front. Both arms are now at the front of the body, holding the wand vertically (right hand on top, left hand approximately halfway up the shaft).
Turn the torso to your right as far as comfortable. Simultaneously - while loosening the grip of left hand - move the right tip of the wand to the right side, the right hand passing the face and down past the right shoulder. As you do this, the left hand slides from the centre of the wand back to the left tip. You finish with the wand horizontally across the chest and your torso facing right. Now the left tip is facing the front again.
When we row the boat forward the tip of the wand actually moves backward in the "water." It is this backward movement that pushes the "boat" forward.
Carrying on from the previous position the wand is horizontal across the chest, the trunk facing right and the left tip of the wand facing the front.
Gently push the wand forward horizontally with your right hand as you loosen the grip of your left hand and allow the shaft of the wand to pass through the left hand. The wand travels forward through the left hand then the right hand lifts up and forward. Keep the left hand as a pivot and do not move it much. You finish with the wand vertical in front of the body, right hand still grasping the right tip, on top, the left-hand halfway up the shaft of the wand.
Now pivot with the right hand (try not to move it) as your torso turns to the left. Your left hand raises and moves to the rear left as it also slides back to the left tip. You finish with the wand horizontal across the upper chest, the torso facing left.
Gently push the wand forward horizontally with your left hand as you loosen the grip of your right hand and allow the shaft of the wand to pass through the right hand. The wand travels forward through the right hand then the left hand lifts up and forward. Keep the right hand as a pivot and do not move it much. You finish with the wand vertical in front of the body, left hand still grasping the left tip, on top, the right-hand halfway up the shaft of the wand.
Now pivot with the left hand (try not to move it) as your torso turns to the right. Your right hand raises and moves to the rear right as it also slides back to the right tip. You finish with the wand horizontal across the upper chest, the torso facing right.
From this position you can repeat the whole sequence of rowing backwards and rowing forward again as many times as you wish.
Stand with feet at shoulder width and parallel, toes facing directly forward. Legs should be straight with knees slightly bent. Hold the wand horizontally across the top of your thighs, hands holding the wand at each end.
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.
Refer to the "Small Stepping" directions in the footwork section.
Refer to the "Lunging-Bow" directions in the footwork section
Applying the footwork to the posture:-
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 with these additional steps:-
As we row backward or forward from the either side of the body we step forward with the opposite foot (either small stepping or lunging bow posture).
As we turn left or right to prepare to row we move the front foot back under the body.
For example, if we row forward from the right side we must step forward with the left foot. From here, with the wand vertical in front of the body, we must turn the torso to the left and bring the left leg back under the body ready to step forward with the right foot etc.
This posture is part of the Tai Chi Boating Wand form.
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