Even More Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang Homework!
Guo Gu Min’s Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang changes are a great subject for home study. Guo’s emphasis on the Yao is incredibly useful for the development of Shen Fa and power. Interpreting Guo’s Ding Shi movements from his writings and accompanying drawings is a fantastic exercise that opens up many avenues of research and internal development. This month Guo’s changes for the Kneading Ball Palm (Lion Rolls the Ball), and Uphold the Spear to Strike the Tiger Palm (Spear Holding Posture).
Kneading Ball Palm (揉球掌 Rou Qiu Zhang)
1) Continue the form without stopping, turning left as the two palms rotate outward stretching out levelly to the two sides. The palms and crooks of the elbows face upward, and the eyes look forward (Fig. 33).
Main Points: With the two shoulders as the root, sink the shoulders and drop the elbows. The shoulders wrap forward from the spinal column.
2) The right palm raises upward to press downward toward the left palm, bringing with it the upper torso. The right palm faces downward. The left palm and the crook of the left arm face upward at the level of the shoulder. The two eyes look left (Fig.34).
Main Points: The torso presses leftward driving the right hand to press downward and leftward. Do not use stiff and stagnant strength.
3) Walk the circle turning leftward any number of times. To change direction, kou bu with the left foot. The eyes look leftward (Fig. 35).
Main Points: Kou bu must harmonize with the body turn; the movements must be coordinated.
4) The right foot withdraws backward behind the left foot the arms follow as the body turns. The palm centers face each other as they move from the left side, overhead and to the right, sweeping downward to the level of the right toes as the body bends over and the head lowers, with the eyes following the hands (Fig 36).
Main Points: The backward withdrawal of the right foot must coordinate with the bending body action, using the turning power of the Yao; the movements must be coordinated.
5) The palms continue their sweeping arc and the body rises, without stopping as the right foot steps along the line of the circle and the body turns to the right. Simultaneously the palms go down and along the left side, and then up over the crown to stretch out to the right driven by the upper torso and trunk. The left palm is overhead and faces downward and the right palm and right elbow crease face upward with the arm at the level of the shoulder. The eyes look to the right (Fig. 37).
Main Points: The upper body, trunk and torso press to the right, driving the left hand to press downward and rightward. Do not use stiff and stagnant strength.
6) Walk the circle turning rightward any number of times. To change direction, kou bu with the right foot. The eyes look to the right (Fig. 38).
Main Points: Kou bu must harmonize with the body turn; the movements must be coordinated.
7) The left foot withdraws backward behind the right foot the arms follow as the body turns. The palm centers face each other as they move from the right side, overhead and to the left, sweeping downward to the level of the left toes as the body bends over and the head lowers, with the eyes following the hands (Fig 39).
Main Points: The backward withdrawal of the left foot must coordinate with the bending body action, using the turning power of the Yao; the movements must be coordinated.
8) The palms continue their sweeping arc and the body rises, without stopping as the left foot steps along the line of the circle and the body turns to the left . Simultaneously the palms go down and along the right side, and then up over the crown to stretch out to the left driven by the upper torso and trunk. The right palm is overhead and faces downward and the left palm and left elbow crease face upward with the arm at the level of the shoulder. The eyes look to the left (Fig. 40).
Uphold the Spear to Strike the Tiger Palm (托枪打虎掌 Tuo Qiang Da Hu Zhang )
1.) Walk around the line of the circle counterclockwise without stopping. The right palm upholds at the level of the crown of the head with the palm center facing upward and the fingers pointing leftward. The left palm rotates outward, faces upward and stretches out to the left. The eyes look at the left palm (Fig. 59).
Main Points: The steps and the movements of the palms must be flexible, nimble and coordinated.
2) Walk the circle turning leftward (counterclockwise) any number of times. To change direction, kou bu with the right foot in front of the left foot. The two eyes look forward (Fig. 60).
Main Points: The kou bu step coordinated with the turning body. The movements are smooth and coordinated.
3) Make a left bai bu as the left arm rotates to be in front of the chest pointing forward. The palm center faces outward and the fingers point rightward as the palm pushes forward. The right uplifting palm rotates outward as it moves downward until it is at the side of the abdomen. The palm center faces upward and the fingers point forward. The eyes look forward (Fig. 61).
Main Points: Bai Bu must be coordinated with the movements of the arms. The actions must unified.
4) The right foot makes a kou bu in front of the left foot forming Ma Bu (Horse Step) and the back faces the center of the circle. The right arm bends and rotates outward and the palm of the hand faces upward as it stretches leftward toward the left armpit underneath the left arm. Simultaneously the left palm rotates inward and turns over with the palm center facing upward as it stretches rightward over the right arm. The eyes look at the right palm (Fig. 62).
Main Points: The inward and outward rotating movements are in coordination with each other. Try to rotate the arms to the maximum as the palms stretch outward to the left and right. Jin Li is emitted from the spine and back.
5) Bai bu with the right foot and begin to walk along the circle clockwise without stopping as you turn rightward. The right palm stretches outward from the left side, extending out levelly to the right with the palm of the hand facing upward, while the left palm stretches outward from the right side, going downward, leftward and upward as it bends and rotates inward to uphold at the level of the crown of the head with the palm center facing upward and the fingers pointing rightward. The eyes look at the right hand (Fig. 63).
Main Points: The steps and the movements of the palms must be flexible, nimble and coordinated.
6) Walk along the circle turning rightward (clockwise) any number of times. To change direction, kou bu the left foot in front of the right foot and turn rightward. The eyes look at the right palm (Fig. 64)
Main Points: The kou bu step coordinated with the turning body. The movements are smooth and coordinated.
7) Make a right bai bu as the right arm rotates to be in front of the chest pointing forward. The palm center faces outward and the fingers point leftward as the palm pushes forward. The left uplifting palm rotates outward as it moves downward until it is at the side of the abdomen. The palm center faces upward and the fingers point forward. The eyes look forward (Fig. 65).
Main Points: Bai Bu must be coordinated with the movements of the arms. The actions must unified.
8) The left foot makes a kou bu in front of the right foot forming Ma Bu (Horse Step) and the back faces the center of the circle. The left arm bends and rotates outward and the palm of the hand faces upward as it stretches rightward toward the right armpit underneath the right arm. Simultaneously the right palm rotates inward and turns over with the palm center facing outward as it stretches rightward over the left arm. The eyes look at the left palm (Fig. 66).
Main Points: The inward and outward rotating movements are in coordination with each other. Try to rotate the arms to the maximum as the palms stretch outward to the left and right. Jin Li is emitted from the spine and back.
9) Bai bu with the left foot and begin to walk along the circle counterclockwise without stopping as you turn leftward. The left palm stretches outward from the right side, extending out levelly to the left with the palm of the hand facing upward, while the right palm stretches outward from the left side, going downward, rightward and upward as it bends and rotates inward to uphold at the level of the crown of the head with the palm center facing upward and the fingers pointing leftward. The eyes look at the left hand (Fig. 67).
Main Points: The steps and the movements of the palms must be flexible, nimble and coordinated.
