- Hands should act as if strings were pulling the wrists upward.
- Keep head upright, torso erect, eyes looking forward, attention inward.
- Close the mouth, touch the tip of the tongue to the front of the palate, sink the shoulders, drop the elbows, and depress the chest
- Bring left hip back
- Shoulders should be relaxed and level
- RECEIVING ENERGY: When raising the hand, fold from beneath, then go up.
- STEPPING: [Feather Step] In White Crane Cools Its Wings, the top of the body rises and the inside receives. The point of the toe is lightly placed on the ground.
- Keep centered over the right foot.
- Drop the left heel gently as you compress.
- RECEIVING ENERGY: The right hand moves to receive and deflect an opponent’s attack.
- BODY: You should be centered and comfortable -- no leaning forward.
- Arms should appear rounded, as if holding an infant.
- MOVING ENERGY: Ensure that there are no breaks when moving side to side.
- STEPPING: [Breaking Step] In Brush Knee with Twist Step, before the stride, the heel should be empty, then very solid upon completion of the Brush Knee.
- The left foot is unweighted, but touches at the heel.
- The arms are positioned over the left leg, with the right hand next to the left elbow.
- STEPPING: [Sinking Step] In Play Guitar, raise the thigh, then put it back down. When the thigh is lowered, it still contains the idea of circular motion.
- The Turn the Body Over step is shallow and unweighted.
- STEPPING: [Turn the Body Over Step] After Hit Gong, place the spine in a position to revolve for striking, and begin Parry. The thighs must have outward and inward drawing of silk.
- Don’t over-extend
- TOP OF HEAD: Ensure that the top of the head doesn’t lean forward.
- SPINE: Ensure that the strike comes from the back.
- STEPPING: Ensure that the body does NOT follow the steps.
- COLLECTING ENERGY: The energy should suddenly collect as an outward drawing of silk.
- STRIKING ENERGY: The strike is on the inside and centered.

T'ai Chi Opening
The Floating Bubble

White Crane Cools Its Wings
(Feather Step)

Deflect Left
Facing 9 o'clock
Move the hand across the body by closing the left kua.

Deflect Right
Open and reach

Play Lute (or Play Guitar)
Use Sinking Step
Bring the right toes behind the left heel, rock back as you withdraw, close the kua, then sink into the right leg.

Hit Gong and Deflect
Use Dragon Steps
Sink, use the slant step to pivot, com-press, and “hit gong” in preparation for the parry.

Parry and Prepare for Punch
Use Second Dragon Step
Use the left hand to deflect and target in preparation for the punch.
STEPPING: [Turn the Body Over Step] After Hit Gong, place the spine in a position to revolve for striking, and begin Parry. The thighs must have outward and inward drawing of silk.
Body: Shift the weight forward by pushing with left leg.
STEPPING: [Turn the Body Over Step] After Hit Gong, place the spine in a position to revolve for striking, and begin Parry. The thighs must have outward and inward drawing of silk.
Body: Shift the weight forward by pushing with left leg.

Step and Punch
Punch Power from Right Leg