SEQUENCE: Raise Hands and Step Up is repeated 1 time in the form.

POSTURE: Traditionally first seen as posture number 4 in the Long Form.  Raise Hands and Step Up is also translated as ‘Raise Hands and Step Forward’, Tí shǒu shàng shì 提手上势.  This sequence follows the ‘Single Whip sequence’.  See video 005.  Raise Hands and Step Up is performed with 3 breaths;

IN BREATH 1: ‘Squeeze the Beach Ball’.  Let go of all intention and flexing.  Momentarily rock back on the left heel transferring your centre of gravity so the bouncy springy sensation moves from the left leg to the right leg.  Turn the right foot clockwise inward on the heel.  Place the left foot down transfer the bouncy springy sensation back to the left foot.  At the same time release the ‘beak’ in the right hand, the right thumb turns inward rotating the palm to bring it downwards diagonally towards the left thigh.  Move your centre of gravity allowing a flexing or sink down into the left leg letting the right knee float up.  At the same time the left hand thumb turns inward rotating the palm to bring it downwards diagonally towards the right thigh.  The right hand continues in an elliptical circle and floats upwards.  When the hands are in the correct position this movement has the sensation of the shoulders flexing forward opening the shoulder blades.

INTENTION: The Embodied Tai Chi soft intention can be thought of as squeezing a beach ball firstly between the left thigh / right hand then the right thigh / left hand.  The martial application must be applied with compassion and would be applied as blocking then capturing.  The cross lateral action / intension is through the right hand and left leg then left hand and right leg.

OUT BREATH 1: ‘Push Away’.  Keep the flexing sinking bouncy springy sensation in the left leg.   Place the right heel on the ground.  At the same time the thumbs of both hands turn outwards flexing the elbows in creating compressing lift with the palms of the hands.  When the hands are in the correct position this movement has the sensation of flexing the shoulders back closing the shoulder blades opening the chest.

INTENTION: The Embodied Tai Chi soft intention can be thought of as compressing an object between the palms of the hands and lifting or pushing away.  The martial application must be applied with compassion and would be applied as a press with the left palm on a partner’s right wrist.  At the same time the right palm presses on the partner’s right elbow locking the joints of their arm.  The spiralling lift then raises the partners shoulder uprooting their balance.  The right heel would come down on the partners shin or foot.  The cross lateral action / intension is through the right hand and left leg.

IN BREATH 2: ‘Throw Down’.  Let go of all intention and flexing.  Lower the hands as you turn the waist anticlockwise.  At the same time turn the thumb of the right hand inwards rotating the palms to face the ground.  The thumb of the left hand turns outward rotating the palm to face across the front of the body.  When the hands are in the correct position this movement has the sensation of the shoulders flexing forward opening the shoulder blades.

INTENTION: The Embodied Tai Chi soft intention can be thought of as pressing or gently planting down with the right hand.  The martial application must be applied with compassion and would be applied to unbalance, deflect or throw an attacker.  The cross lateral action / intension is through the right hand and left leg.

ROOT: is related to the element EARTH and the trigram lui – Roll Back, Receiving calmly.

OUT BREATH 2: ‘Shoulder Barge’.  During the first part of the out breath momentarily move your centre of gravity over the left leg allowing a flexing or sinking down into its spring and step diagonally forward.  Place your right heel on the ground turning the right toes in turning the waist and shoulders anticlockwise.  Then roll the foot to the floor transferring the bouncy springy sensation to the right leg.  The left hand floats up to meet the rotating shoulders as the thumb turns inward rotating the left palm to face the right shoulder. 

During the second part of the out breath turn the waist clockwise as the right arm floats up as the right thumb turns outward.  The left hand sinks down as the thumb turns inward.  When the hands are in the correct position this movement has the sensation of flexing the shoulders back closing the shoulder blades opening the chest.

INTENTION: The Embodied Tai Chi soft intention can be thought of as pushing a jammed door with your shoulder in the first part and the left hand stroking down the right arm in the second part.  The martial application must be applied with compassion and would be applied as a strike with the shoulder in a confined space then a deflection away to the right.  The cross lateral action / intension is through the left hand and right leg.  ROOT:  The first part of the breath is associated with the trigram ko MOUNTAIN Shoulder, Upright central equilibrium buffer.  The second part of the breath is associated with ward off right or the trigram peng, HEAVEN, Ward Off and Upward slanting.

IN BREATH 3: Let go of all intention and flexing.  Turn the waist anticlockwise moving your centre of gravity over the right leg allowing a flexing or sinking down into its spring.  The right thumb turns inward.  At the same time the left thumb turns outward rotating the left palm to face the right palm.  The waist turns the shoulders that turn the right arm and hand anticlockwise, when the waist has reached its full flex the right hand continues in an anticlockwise circle.  The left hand also circles in an anticlockwise rotation.   When the hands are in the correct position this movement has the sensation of the shoulders flexing forward opening the shoulder blades.

INTENTION: The Embodied Tai Chi soft intention can be thought of as holding a large beach ball and rolling it between the palms of the hands.  The martial application must be applied with compassion and would be applied as unbalancing or throwing.  The cross lateral action / intension is through the left hand and right leg.  ROOT: Rolling the beach ball adheres to and deflects or turns an incoming force so relates to the element EARTH and the trigram lui – Roll Back, Receiving calmly.

OUT BREATH 3: White Crane Airs its Wings traditionally seen as posture 5 also called White Crane Spreads its Wings, Bái hè liàng chì 白鹤亮翅.  Let go of all flexing.  The hands circle in an anticlockwise direction with the right hand floating upward as the right thumb turns inward turning the palm away.  The left hand sinks down as the left thumb turns inward turning the palm away.  This creates a spiralling separation of the hands.  When the hands are in the correct position this movement has the sensation of flexing the shoulders back closing the shoulder blades opening the chest.

INTENTION: The Embodied Tai Chi soft intention can be thought of as a long legged bird like a crane sitting on its nest.  It stands stretching on one leg flexing its wings.  The martial application must be applied with compassion and would be applied as a block and strike.  The cross lateral action / intension is through the left hand and right leg.