Lift Hands Extra - Old Yang Style Posture Names

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Lift Hands The Internal Arts Magazine

EXTRA Editor

Nasser Butt

L’orso Solitario

Published by L’orso Solitario Books, Leicester, United Kingdom Lift Hands The Internal Arts Magazine Editor Nasser Butt Copyright © by Nasser Butt, 2020 & Fa-jing Ch’uan Internal Chinese Boxing Schools Nasser Butt asserts the moral right to be identified as the copyright © holder & author of this work.

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contents Editor’s Note Introduction

Page 7

Posture Names

Page 9

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I

Nasser Butt

have received many appreciative e-mails since publishing the first Lift Hands Extra online and making it available for download.

Here we have the next in the ‘Extra’ editions — Old Yang Style Posture Names.

The original article appeared in Lift Hands Volume 5, March 2018. I had a lot of requests to make this list available from those practicing and studying the Old Yang Style of Taijiquan. So, here it is.

editor’s Note

Please note that all the original copyrights still apply to these ‘Extra’ editions.

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Folk often get confused over the names of postures from Taijiquan. This is not surprising considering the variety of ‘different’ forms and family styles now available to the potential practitioners. Technically speaking, when one speaks of Taijiquan's ‘postures’, what we are really talking about are the dynamics of movement — it is not the final ‘posture' which is important but, rather, recognizing the dynamics we have used to get there!

The purpose of this current effort is not to argue as to which family form is the more authentic and what postures they lack or contain. The purpose here is simply to give the posture names and their sequential order as I and others have inherited them in the ‘Old’ Yang from our traditions, tracing back to Yang Shou-hou. That the members of the Yang family taught forms with variations is an accepted fact — a fact which only a fool would deny However, despite the variations we can find most of the postures across these forms.

I would like to add a couple of caveats here… firstly, in a form based upon fluid movement, where exactly does one ‘posture’ begin and another one end, and what about the interim, more subtle, motions? The answer to this question is important and leads us directly to our own understanding of the 13 Dynamics themselves — the ‘alphabet’ of Taijiquan!

Secondly, the Chinese language and its translations by even the Chinese themselves, have proven difficult due to its complex nature and the fact that we are using a terminology here which, in some instances, is unique to Taijiquan, as well as martial arts in general. So, unless one knows the ‘speak,’ there will always be debate.

I must profess that I do not speak Chinese, although I am familiar with certain specific terminology and speak and read two native Asian languages, which allows me to interpret nuance. I have many native students from the mainland, with a high degree of linguistic skills and the fact that there are far better translations appearing in the public domain of older texts on Taiji and Chinese martial arts, which are constantly helping us better our understanding.

The list below should be considered as a work in progress and one should pay heed to and contemplate upon the descriptions and their frequency and variations.

In his seminal work — ‘The Old Yang Style Manual,’ published in 2000 - Erle Montaigue gave the description of the main postures found within the form. To these I have added further names of the interim movements which were omitted from the original work.

The source for most of the additional names is Erle, himself, and others I have added after several years of researching the various strands of Yang Shao-hou’s form and through comparing them with other Yang family derived forms.

In some cases, I have changed the names of the postures from how they appear in the manual (having left the original name in parentheses in most cases). This has not been a random change — it has been a change brought about through research.

These changes allow for a far more appropriate description of the dynamic involved.

Finally, in some instances I have given a far more fuller description of the name, for example, the posture usually termed ‘Lotus Kick’ should fully read ‘Double Slap, Sever The Lotus Stem’. This fuller description gives us context to the martial meaning behind the name. The ‘Lotus,’ in this case, refers to the head and the ‘Stem’ — the spinal column.

As I have already stated — this is a work in progress and it is by no means complete. It will no doubt continue to evolve over time.

Photograph 1

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I have not added any references at the end of the list. I will at sometime in the future write a more detailed article on the subject with references. For now, their omittance or inclusion bears no relevance.

20. Brush Knee Obstinate-Twist Step Right

Part One

21. Hands Play Pippa (Lute)

0. Preparation

22. Brush Knee & Obstinate-Twist Step Right

1. Seize The Sparrow By The Tail: Arn Left (To Leave Aside or Shelve/To Control/To restrain) Block Right P’eng (Ward-off) Block Left Double P’eng Lu (Rollback Low) Ji (To Squeeze/To Press/To Cram) Reverse Lu (Rollback High) Lower Ji Double Spear Hands Double Elbows Arn (To Press)

23. Advance, Parry, Grasp, Hammer Release Qi 24. Sit Back 25. Appear To Seal & Shut (Squeeze & Sit Back) 26. Ten Character Hands (Cross Hands) Pause

Part Two 27. Brush Knee & Obstinate-Twist Step

2. Sit Back Ready Like A Monkey Snake Fingers To the Eyes

28. Spread The Weave

3. Fishes In Eight

29. Capture The Tiger & Send It Back To Its Mountain

4. Single Whip (Lash)

30. Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Double P’eng Lu Ji Reverse Lu Lower Ji Double Spear Hands Double Elbows Arn

5. Spear Fingers Pierce To Rear 6. Double Dragon Palms 7. Reverse Dragon Hands 8. Release Qi 9. Raise The Hands; Step Forward (Lift Hands)

31. Sit Back Ready Like A Monkey Snake Fingers To the Eyes

10. Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Double P’eng Lu

32. Fishes in Eight 33. Hide Behind The Tree (Variant Of Diagonal Single Whip)

11. Kào (Shoulder Stroke/Bump) 12. Crane Reveals Its Wings In A Brilliant Display

34. Guard Your House

13. Spread The Weave Left

35. Beware The Double Hammer Under The Elbow (Left & Right) - Release Qi (Fist Under Elbow)

14. Spread The Weave Right

36. Step Back & Repulse Monkey (Right) (Tripping)

15. Brush Knee & Obstinate Step Right

37. Step Back & Repulse Monkey (Left) (Tripping)

16. Right Empty Left Full

38. Step Back & Repulse Monkey (Right) (Tripping)

17. Hands Play Pipa (Lute)

39. Spear The Armour

18. Brush Knee & Obstinate-Twist Step Right

40. Snake Wraps Around The Willow Tree

19. Brush Knee & Obstinate-Twist Step Left

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41. Middle Winding - Release Qi

64. Sit Back Ready Like A Monkey Snake Fingers To the Eyes

42. Wild Horse Veers Its Mane

65. Fishes In Eight

43. Spear Fingers Pierce To Rear

66. Single Whip (Lash)

44. Double Dragon Palms

67. Clouding Hands (X4) - Part One

45. Reverse Dragon Hands

68. Single Whip (Lash)

46. Release Qi

69. Sit Back & Lift Up The Heavens

47. Raise The Hands; Step Forward

70. Rising Up & Reaching Out To The Horse (Rear Leg) (High Pat on Horse)

48. Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Double P’eng Lu)

71. Spread The Weave - Right

49. Kào

72. Sitting Like Duck (Right Leg)

50. Crane Reveals Its Wings In A Brilliant Display (Old Style Facing North)

73. Separation Of Right Leg: (Right Kick)

51. Spread The Weave Left

74. Rising Up & Reaching Out To The Horse (Front Leg) (High Pat on Horse)

52. Spread The Weave Right

75. Spread the Weave - Left

53. Brush Knee & Obstinate Step Right

76. Sitting Like Duck (Left Leg)

54. Right Yin, Left Yang

77. Separation of Left Leg: (Left Instep Kick)

55. Picking The Golden Needle At Sea Bottom

78. Block Right 79. Turn Around & Left Heel Kick

56. Fan Through The Arms (Fan Through Back)

80. Brush Knee & Obstinate-Twist Step Right

57. Turn Around & Lock Wrist, Attack to No. 3

81. Brush Knee & Obstinate-Twist Step Left

58. Torso Flung Hammer (Chop With Fist)

82. Advance, Plant Hammer (Punch to Groin)

59. Willow Tree Sways In The Breeze (Parry, Penetration Hammer - Right)

83. Cutting Hands

60. Retreat, Willow Tree Sways In The Breeze (Parry, Penetration Hammer - Left)

84. Double Leaping Kick - Release Qi 85. Carry The Bread On Arms - Right

61. Gathering To Release

86. Subdue The Tiger, Drape The Body Left Release Qi (Hitting Tiger Left)

62. Release The Qi: Hammer 63. Advancing Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Calm the Spirit By Pressing the Points (Alternate Lu) Ji Reverse Lu Lower Ji Double Spear Hands Double Elbows Arn

87. Carry The Bread On Arms - Left 88. Subdue The Tiger, Drape The Body Right Release Qi (Hitting Tiger Right) 89. Block Left 90. Right Heel Kick

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91. Pull Down, Double Hammers

112. Fishes in Eight

92. Double Wind Through Ears (Double Phoenix Hammers)

113. Diagonal Single Whip (Lash) 114. Twist, Block Left, Finger Strike, Kào

93. Spear Hands With Sit

115. Slant Flying Right

94. Slant the Body, Stomp The Head

116. Twist, Block Right, Finger Strike, Kào

95. Take A Walk

117. Slant Flying Left

96. Cross Kick

118. Twist, Block Left, Finger Strike, Kào

97. Knife & Spear Fingers

119. Slant Flying Right

98. Raise Hands 1

120. Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Sit Back, Snake Hands Alternative P’eng Block Left Double P’eng Lu Kào Step Up, Barge Ji Right High Reverse Lu Advance Lower Ji Double Spear Hands Double Elbows Arn

99. Raise Hands 2 100. Rising Up & Reaching Out To The Horse (Rear Leg) (High Pat on Horse) 101. Advance, Willow Tree Sways In The Breeze (Parry, Penetration Hammer - Left) 102 Gathering To Release 103. Release The Qi: Hammer 104. Sit Back 105. Appear To Seal & Shut (Squeeze & Sit Back)

121. Sit Back Ready Like A Monkey Snake Fingers To the Eyes

106. Ten Character Hands

122. Fishes In Eight

Pause

123. Single Whip (Lash)

Part Three

124. Ten Character Hands 125. Jade Maiden Threads Shuttle (North East)

107. Brush Knee & Obstinate-Twist Step

126. Hammer Palm, Clouding Hands

108. Spread The Weave

127. Ten Character Hands

109. Capture The Tiger & Send It Back To Its Mountain

128. Wrap The Silk, Step Around, Wén Wǔ Unite

110. Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Double P’eng Lu Ji Reverse Lu Lower Ji Double Spear Hands Double Elbows Arn

129. Flower Blooms (Back palm) 130. Spear Fingers 131. Jade Maiden Threads Shuttle (North West) 132. Hammer Palm, Clouding Hands 133. Ten Character Hands

111. Sit Back Ready Like A Monkey Snake Fingers To the Eyes

134. Jade Maiden Threads Shuttle (South West) 135. Hammer Palm, Clouding Hands

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136. Ten Character Hands

159. Release Qi

137. Wrap The Silk, Step Around, Wén Wǔ Unite

160. Raise The Hands; Step Forward

138. Flower Blooms (Back palm)

161. Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Double P’eng Lu

139. Spear Fingers 140. Jade Maiden Threads Shuttle Alternate (South East)

162. Kào

141. Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Sit Back, Snake Hands Alternative P’eng Block Left Double P’eng Lu Kào Step Up, Barge Ji Right High Reverse Lu Advance Lower Ji - Release Qi Double Spear Hands Double Elbows Arn

163. Crane Reveals Its Wings In A Brilliant Display (Old Style Facing North) 164. Spread The Weave Left 165. Spread The Weave Right 166. Brush Knee & Obstinate Step Right 167. Right Yin, Left Yang 168. Picking The Golden Needle At Sea Bottom

142. Sit Back Ready Like A Monkey Snake Fingers To the Eyes

169. Fan Through The Arms

143. Fishes In Eight

170. Turn Around, White Snake Flicks Its Tongue

144. Single Whip (Lash)

171. Willow Tree Sways In The Breeze (Parry, Penetration Hammer - Right)

145. Step Behind Clouding Hands (X4) - Part Two 146. Squatting Single Whip (Snake Creeps Down)

172. Advance, Willow Tree Sways In The Breeze (Parry, Penetration Hammer - Left)

147. Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg (Right)

173. Gathering To Release

148. Advance, Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg (Left)

174. Release The Qi: Hammer 175. Advancing Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Calm the Spirit By Pressing the Points (Alternate Lu) Ji Reverse Lu Lower Ji Double Spear Hands Double Elbows Arn

149. Step Back & Repulse Monkey (Right Tripping) 150. Collapse, Repulse Monkey Right 151. Collapse, Repulse Monkey Left 152. Collapse, Repulse Monkey Right 153. Snake Wraps Around The Willow Tree

176. Sit Back Ready Like A Monkey Snake Fingers To the Eyes

154. Middle Winding - Release Qi

177. Fishes In Eight

155. Wild Horse Veers Its Mane

178. Single Whip (Lash)

156. Spear Fingers Pierce To Rear

179. Step Behind, Release Qi Clouding Hands (X4) Part Three

157. Double Dragon Palms 158. Reverse Dragon Hands

180. Single Whip (Lash)

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181. Step Up & Lift Up The Heavens

208. Hidden Hammer (Right)

182. Rising Up & Reaching Out To The Horse (Rear Leg) Alternate Version

209. Advancing Seize The Sparrow By The Tail (Variation): Calm the Spirit By Pressing the Points (Alternate Lu) Ji Reverse Lu Lower Ji Double Spear Hands Double Elbows Arn

183. Inspect The Horse’s Mouth (West) 184. Inspect The Horse’s Mouth (North East) 185. Sweep The Enemy Left & Right 186. Crescent Kick With Spear Hands 187 Trap & Attack The Life Force

210. Squatting Single Whip (Snake Creeps Down) Variation

188. Calm The Spirit By Pressing The Points (Alternate Lu)

211. Step Forward With The Big Dipper Hammer (Seven Stars)

189. Reverse Palms Ji (Old Style)

212. Collapse, Ten Character Hands

190. Bending Backwards 1

213. Ride Tiger Back to Mountain

191. Bending Backwards 2

214. Rising Up & Reaching Out To The Horse (Rear Leg)

192. Bending Backwards 3

215. Sweep The Enemy (T-Step)

193. Immortal Points The Way (Attack The Vital Points)

216. Turn Around, Double Slap Sever The Lotus Stem

194. Crane Reveals Its Wings In A Brilliant Display (Third Variant - Low Posture)

217. Vital Low Hammer; Release Qi 218. Mailed Hammer (Bending to Avoid Attack, Reattack)

195. Reverse P’eng 196. Pigeon Flies To Heaven

219. Double Wind Through Ears (Double Phoenix Hammers)

197. Buddha Pounds The Mortar*

220. Bend The Bow To Shoot the Tiger

198. Qi Resting 199. Raise Hands

221. Advance, Parry, Grasp, Hammer Release Qi Softly

200. Ten Character Hands

222. Sit Back

201. Hammer High & Low

223. Appear To Seal & Shut (Squeeze & Sit Back)

202. Crane Reveals Its Wings In A Brilliant Display (Fourth Variant)

224. Ten Character Hands 225. Merge With The Grand Polarity

203. Drop Down & Break Elbow 204. Pull Forward & Attack To Rear & Front

* This should not be mistaken for the similar sets of moves found in the Shaolin systems (as well as Chen Style Taiji).

205. Hidden Hammer (Left) 206. Sleeves Dancing Like Plum Blossoms 207. Double Hammers

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