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Master Hwa: At one time we wanted to demonstrate to an audience at World Tai Chi day. The "cloud
hands", we wanted to demonstrate the cloud hands, the internal movement of the cloud
hands. What we wanted to show is when facing the audience, the cloud hands looks so relaxed
and so effortless. However, when you turned around, the audience can see the back, so
we all turned around for the audience. So they can see the muscle of the back rippling.
Do you see that? Do you see that movement? From the front and the back, there are 2 different
views. The front is relaxed, the back then you see. So we practice and we find we can't
get the back muscle rippling. What we find is people are not pulling to do this but are
pushing instead. Then the back muscle is not moving and we see just that simple fact of
pulling with the back foot. You don't want to put the foot on the side, you want to put
the foot straight back, then pull. Go straight back, like this, then you pull.
So then we notice that 99% of other Tai Chi puts their foot to the side.
Student: So then there are styles put their foot back and to the side.
Master Hwa: So then there is a dance move, can you imagine? You move like that then the
opponent will get to you. So step back, don't turn your foot, go straight back, and then
PULL. Student: Someone questioned is it just to
one side? Master Hwa: Yes, Tai Chi is not symmetrical
overall. There are a few symmetrical, but mostly not. We have to teach you the left
side. Student: On the initial step, on the initial
opening into the cloud hands, it is an initial pullback?
Master Hwa: Right, then the following ones are the same way.
Student: I was teaching someone this and he said you cannot do this you will fall over
backwards, I said but the backward pull is translated into going sideways.
Master Hwa: You know there is an application of this? So sometimes when he comes at you,
now my foot goes back stealthily. He does not know, right? Then I throw him. So then
movement when he approaches, then the foot goes back.
If you step and pull to the side, then it does not work. If you step back with this,
it is where the power which you can feel comes from. The power you can feel from heel to
the top. When your hand goes up, your foot is going back. This shows in the square form,
as really good timing. Student: Then we are seeing the rotation of
the arms you talked about before, we are seeing that rotation in the cloud hands , over and
over. Master Hwa: Right, the rotation is what you
wrote about once. We have talked about yin-yang pairs, remember, but in one sense? But when
you do a form, some yin-yang pairs are going on simultaneously. The major pair of course
is going on inside. Master Hwa: However, when we do brush knee,
we have pairs at rotating waist, rotating arm which is external movement and push forward
with a quarter body internal movement. So we have 3 sets of yin-yang pairs going off
simultaneously. So there are many sets of yin-yang going on simultaneously.
Master Hwa: This brush knee move, does not look very useful. However, I was once talking
and a student suddenly attacked me. So I did this brush knee movement and he almost fell.
So don't look at this like it was nothing, it is a very useful move. It is useful for
protecting this low end of torso. Student comments on getting attacked:
Master Hwa: You have to expect these things, people will attack you.
Student: My own husband did. I was kidding around and he came at me, I never lost eye
contact. I blocked, blocked then kicked him in the shins.
Master Hwa: So it was something you didn't have to think about.