Taiji 24 Form - Section 7 of 8

      BY KELLY MACLEAN

Before continuing into section 7, you must be sure to have learned and practiced sections 1 to 6 correctly. These instructions assume SOUTH as the starting direction.

Fair Maid Works the Shuttles (right and left)

Sink into right leg, and step to the forward left, with the heel of the left foot touching the floor first. Shift onto left leg and, stepping in with th right foot to form a T-stance, move into the "holding ball" position, left hand at shoulder level, and right hand under left hand at dantian level.

Step to right corner (north-west) and, shifting into a right bow stance, raise right arm, twisting right hand palm out, fingers pointing left, above forehead level, and with the left hand, push from left shoulder to the north-west, fingertips to nose level. Be sure to drop the elbows, relax the shoulders, and keep the body upright. This completes one Fair Maid Works the Shuttles.

Shift back, lifting the toes of the right foot (it is not necessary to turn the foot, though a small adjustment may be made, if desired).

Shift onto right leg and, stepping in with the left foot to form a T-stance, move into the "holding ball" position, right hand at shoulder level, and left hand under the right hand at dantian level.

Step to left corner (south-west), and shifting into a left bow stance, raise left arm, twisting left hand palm out, fingers pointing right, above forehead level, and with the right hand, push from the right shoulder to the south-west, fingertips to nose level. Drop elbows, relax shoulders, and keep body upright.

This completes the second Fair Maid Works the Shuttles.

Needle to Sea Bottom

Take a half step forward with the right foot, placing the foot at approximately a 45 degree angle to the north-west, and lower both arms.

Swing right hand up toward the right ear, arc the left hand to in front of the right shoulder, palm down, and raise the left knee.

Poke the right hand down at approximately a 45 degree angle, palm facing left side, and wrist flat, as the left hand brushes around the left knee to beside the left hip, sitting wrist, and the left toe lightly touches the floor, to form an empty stance. Look in the direction the right hand is pointing (west).

Fan Through the Back

With the left hand, touch the right wrist and raise both hands to about shoulder level.

Step forward with the left foot, heel touching the floor first, and shift to a bow stance, separating the hands, left hand pushing forward, fingertips to nose level, elbow slightly bent, and right hand pulling back, palm out, fingers pointing forward (west) to a little higher than the right temple. Keep space between the right hand and the head.

This completes section seven.