Issue 51 - Tse Qigong Centre

Continuing our look at the basic elements that make up ChenTaijiquan. Last time we looked at the first Silk Reeling Exercise. Now wetake a look at a walking exerciseHeng Kai Bu - Walking to the SideThis is the moving version of ZhengMian Chan Si and also concentrateson the first Dantian movement. Topractise this you usually start from ZhengMian Chan Si. As you move to the fourthposition bring your left foot up alongsidethe right. Then allow your hand to dropto waist level.Frame 1Hand position: lefthand on waist, righthand palm forward,positioned slightly tothe right of the body atwaist height, fingerspointing right.Direction: thebody faces forwards,shoulders and hips aresquare.Weight: your weightshould be slightly morein your left leg to theproportion of 60% –70%. The feet aretogether.Qi: at waist.In this frame the right hand is halfway between being yin and yang. Tomove to the next frame slide your rightfoot out to the right and allow the righthand to twine forwardin front of the lowerabdomen.Frame 2Hand position: lefthand on waist, righthand forward in front ofabdomen, palm up,fingers pointingforwards. Make surethat the armpit remainsslightly open.Direction: the bodyfaces forwards,shoulders and hipsare square.Frame 1Frame 2Weight: your weight should be in yourleft leg to the proportion of 60% - 70%.Qi: at Dantian.In this frame your righthand is at its most yin. To moveto the next frame turn the bodyslightly to the left and allow theright hand to spiral upwards infront of the bodyuntil it is in frontof the throat.Frame 3Frame 3H a n dposition: lefthand on waist,right handroughly in frontof the throat,palm facingdown fingerspointing left. The elbowshould be slightly lowerthan the shoulder and thearm should be curved withthe elbow benta little morethan 90 degrees.Direction: the body shouldbe turned slightly towards theleft, up to 45 degrees. Hipsand shoulders are also at thisangle but thefeet remain unturned.Weight: thisremains in theleft leg.Qi: rising upthe back to Frame 4roughly betweenuppershoulder blades.In this frame theright hand has moved fromthe most yin part of the cycleand is half way to becomingfully yang. To move to the final frametransfer the weight from the left leg tothe right, allowing thebody to turn as youmove and drawing theleft foot up until it isnext to the right foot.The right hand twinesoutward, forward andto the right in a smootharc.Frame 4Hand position: lefthand on waist, righthand extended to theright, palm forward,fingers pointing left,arm curved.Direction: the bodyfaces forward,shoulders and hips are square.Weight: your weight should be in yourright leg to the proportion of 60%. Thefeet are together.Qi: at right hand.In this frame theright hand is yang. Tomove back to the firstframe just allow theright hand to drop towaist height with thehand turning out untilthe fingers point rightwhile slightlytransferring the weightinto the left foot.Heng Kai Bushould be practised bymaking several steps tothe right and then backto the left. The aim is forthe movements to become smooth andflowingto be continued...by Glenn Gosslingemail: Glenn@qimagazine.comChen TaijiquanQi Magazine 9