Think And Do

Tai Chi

Tai Chi Grasp Bird's Tail

Cosmology Energy Breathing Exercises
12-Movement Form 24-Movement Form Links

Grasp Bird's Tail

This movement begins with Hold the Ball - Facing 2:00
Grasp Bird's Tail - Left

Part I - Ward Off Left

  1. Left foot - step with heel to 10:00
  2. Shift weight to left foot - still facing 2:00
  3. As weight is shifting:
    • Left arm rises until palm is facing right breast
    • Right arm floats down - palm facing down approximately hip-height
  4. Tan Tien turns to 12:00 - left arm stays in same relative position - at 12:00
    • Tan Tien, nose, navel & left arm are all at 12:00
    • Left palm is still facing right breast
  5. Body continues to turn to 10:00
  6. As body turns, left elbow relaxes so that inner arm faces upward - right arm relaxes so that inner arm faces upward
  7. At 10:00, both arms face upward
Roll Back

  1. Turn both arms to face downward
  2. Shift weight to right leg
  3. Turn body to 2:00
  4. While body turns, right arm circles - left arm crosses body
  5. At 2:00, palms touch
Press

  1. Shift weight to left leg
  2. Body turns to 12:00
  3. Palms are aligned at midline of body
Push

  1. Right palm turns to face you
  2. Arms relax so that inner arms are facing down
  3. Shift weight to right leg, elbowss relaxing, wrists puling down
  4. When you weight is fully on your right leg, your palms will be facing forward
  5. Shift weight to left leg
Grasp Bird's Tail - Right

Part I - Ward Off Right

  1. Right foot - step with heel to 2:00
  2. Shift weight to right foot - still facing 10:00
  3. As weight is shifting:
    • Right arm rises until palm is facing left breast
    • Left arm floats down - palm facing down approximately hip-height
  4. Tan Tien turns to 12:00 - right arm stays in same relative position - at 12:00
    • Tan Tien, nose, navel & left arm are all at 12:00
    • Right palm is still facing right breast
  5. Body continues to turn to 2:00
  6. As body turns, right elbow relaxes so that inner arm faces upward - left arm relaxes so that inner arm faces upward
  7. At 2:00, both arms face upward
Roll Back

  1. Turn both arms to face downward
  2. Shift weight to left leg
  3. Turn body to 10:00
  4. While body turns, left arm circles - right arm crosses body
  5. At 10:00, palms touch
Press

  1. Shift weight to right leg
  2. Body turns to 12:00
  3. Palms are aligned at midline of body
Push

  1. Left palm turns to face you
  2. Arms relax so that inner arms are facing down
  3. Shift weight to left leg, elbowss relaxing, wrists puling down
  4. When you weight is fully on your left leg, your palms will be facing forward
  5. Shift weight to right leg


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