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WAHNAM TAIJIQUAN IN PICTURES SERIES

GRASPING SPARROW'S TAIL

THE MECHANICS OF TAIJIQUAN MOVEMENTS



Grasping Sparrow's Tail
Sifu Wong performing Grasping Sparrow's Tail movements


Why is "Grasping Sparrow's Tail" so important in Taijiquan? It is because this one pattern incorporates all the fundamental requirements of Taijiquan, including

I am not sure whether Yang Lu Chan or his grandson, Yang Deng Fu, invented "Grasping Sparrow's Tail" by combining some basic techniques in Chen Style Taijiquan into one pattern. Whoever he was, we are greatly indebted to him.

If you have some internal force and good footwork, by just using "Grasping Sparrow's Tail" you can counter any forms of attacks, regardless of strikes, kicks, felling techniques or grips! On the other hand, if you are beginning to learn Taijiquan, "Grasping Sparrow's Tail" will provide you the means to learn the basic mechanics of Taijiquan movements, such as how to start from you back leg, move from you waist, and conclude the movement at the front hand, which manifests the three external harmonies of leg, body and hand.

It is reputed that Yang Lu Chan practiced “Grasping Sparrow's Tail” thousands of times daily. But I believe "Grasping Sparrow's Tail" was not formalized yet; what he performed were undefined flowing movements poetically described as "Flowing Water, Floating Clouds", shortened to "Cloud Hands". For the convenience of teaching, these movements were gradually formalized and defined into "Grasping Sparrow's Tail".

Traditionally, “Grasping Sparrow's Tail” is said to be composed of four fundamental techniques — “peng” or ward off, “lu” or roll back, “qi” or press forward, and “an” or push. But we in Shaolin Wahnam identify a fifth technique, “chen” or sink back, between ”qi” and “an”. And we name the patterns that implement the techniques as follows:

  1. Peng or Ward Off — Immortal Waves Sleeves
  2. Lu or Roll Back — Double Dragons Play with Pearl
  3. Qi or Press Forward — Push Boat According to Flow of Stream
  4. Chen or Sink Back — Black Bear Sinks Hips
  5. An or Push — Push Open Window to Look at Moon

The following pictures are culled from a video clip taken at the VIP Taijiquan Course on top of the Andes Mountains in September 2005. Amongst other things, these pictures show how you should adjust your foot position, transfer your body weight, turn your waist to lead your body, and follow through with your hands — the mechanics of the three external harmonies.

If you can perform “Grasping Sparrow's Tail” well, performing all other Taijiquan patterns with grace, elegance and balance will be relatively easy. When these external harmonies of legs, body and hands are correct, cultivation of essence, energy and mind — the three internal harmonies — as well as combat application will be enhanced.




Peng — Immortal Waves Sleeves

Take note of the following:


Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail




Lu — Double Dragons Play with Pearl

Take note of the following:


Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail




Qi — Push Boat According to Flow of Stream

Take note of the following:


Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail




Chen — Black Bear Sinks Hips

Take note of the following:


Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail




An — Push Open Window to Look at Moon

Take note of the following:


Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail

Grasping Sparrow's Tail Grasping Sparrow's Tail



These Grasping Sparrow's Tail movements can be viewed in video clips at the beginning of the Wahnam Taijiquan Simplified Set
in slow motion
performed with force and speed




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