Return to Posture Index || Previous Posture - 30. Rowing Backward on the Calm Lake || [Next Posture - 32. Turning the Boat(./34-32.html)
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.
Hold the wand on the thighs in a wide grip.
Lift the wand horizontally to chest height while the upper body turns to the right. The left tip of the wand should be facing the front, the right tip facing the rear. Keep both elbows bent and the shaft of the wand close to -- or touching -- the body.
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 wand travels forward through the left hand then the right hand lifts up a little and moves forward. The left hand lowers a little; it serves as a pivot. 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 use the right hand as a pivot (do not move it) as your upper body turns to the left. Your left hand raises and slides along the shaft of the wand to left tip. You end up with the right tip of the wand facing the front, and the left tip facing the rear. Keep both elbows bent and the shaft of the wand close to -- or touching -- the body.
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 wand travels forward through the right hand then the left hand lifts up a little and moves forward. The right hand; lowers a little; it serves as a pivot. 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 use the left hand as a pivot (try not to move it) as your upper body turns to the right. Your right hand raises and slides along the shaft of the wand to right tip. The left tip of the wand should be facing the front, the right tip facing the rear. Keep both elbows bent and the shaft of the wand close to -- or touching -- the body.
From this position you can repeat the whole sequence from the right side. Repeat 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 - but with these additional steps:-
As we row 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 to the left or right and hold the wand horozontally 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 taken from the Tai Chi Boating Wand form.
Return to Posture Index || Previous Posture - 30. Rowing Backward on the Calm Lake || [Next Posture - 32. Turning the Boat(./34-32.html)
