Yang Family Tai Chi Discussion Board

Hi DP,

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2"> Since Yang style, despite changes in emphasis plus name changes, essentially follows the identical sequence of Chen style, I would have to say that they should probably be viewed as separate techniques. Ward Off Left probably having been modified from Buddha Warrior Pounds Pestle, and Ward Off Right from Lazy Tying Coat. These movements in Chen style are performed in the same directions as the modified Yang style moves.</font>

That is an excellent point. It can also explain why Ward Off, along among the four straight energies, gets to be represented twice in Grasp Sparrow’s Tail.

The counter argument could be that whenever Ward Off Right appears in the form, it is preceded by a named or unnamed Ward Off Left. Although it is probably not directly relevant, is this also true of Lazy about Tying Coat in the Chen Form? Is this always preceded by Buddha Warrior Pounds Pestle or a similar posture?

Take care,
Audi

From Audi: "The counter argument could be that whenever Ward Off Right appears in the form, it is preceded by a named or unnamed Ward Off Left. Although it is probably not directly relevant, is this also true of Lazy about Tying Coat in the Chen Form? Is this always preceded by Buddha Warrior Pounds Pestle or a similar posture?"

Actually the transition leading to Buddha Warrior Pounds Pestle (BWPP) is what seems to have developed into the Yang style posture Ward Off Lt., with the actual Chen style "pounding" movement eliminated throughout the Yang style. The first BWPP movement we already have discussed as being analogous to Ward Off Lt. preceding Lazy About Tying Coat (LTC) [analogous to Ward Off Rt.].

The second BWPP comes between Chen style Single Whip and White Crane Spreads Wings, where Lift Hands is in Yang style. While the Chen transition is similar to the first BWPP except for being oriented to the West (assuming starting the form facing North), and is thus oriented differently from Yang's Lift Hands. Yang style apparently transformed this BWPP differently from the first.

The third BWPP has a different transition, comes after Hidden Hand Punch, and is analogous to the first Yang's Cross Hands/Apparent Closure.

The fourth and final BWPP comes at the end of the form and the Conclusion of Yang Style.

As for LTC, it only occurs twice in the form. The second time does not follow a BWPP but is still analogous to the unnamed Ward Off Rt. of Yang's Grasp Sparrow's Tail. That LTC follows Jade Lady Works Shuttles and prior to Six Sealing And Four Closing (Yang's unnamed Push of Grasp Sparrow's Tail), Single Whip, Cloud Hands, Wave Double Lotus And Stretch Down (Yang's Single Whip and Snake Creeps Down), Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg….

DP