Lock the front knee Exercise
Objective: Pull up rear foot without moving the front knee
Steps:
1) Stretch the head against the front heel
2) Press the front knee against the head-to-front-heel line
3) Pull up the rear foot by dragging the ball of the foot
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
hmmm…but everyone shifted their knee forward?
Yes, they all needed to work on this.
Thanks for this, it works really well. It works very well in the steps during the first two Buddhas Warrior pounds the mortar moves, the steps being a little more front on. A bit more difficult with Cloud Hands. Also reckon that it helps to activate the core with the head to heel line. But really, an excellent method for stepping in the Yilu, which has always been one of my big weaknesses.
Great! Nick, if you can, please post a video about this. Thanks.
Chen Tai Chi Practical Method Class on December 10th, 2016
Exercise to lock Knee whilst doing 1st move of cloud hands
• In Single whip posture advised by Kelvin Ho to stretch out both arms as far as possible & elbows are to face down, front hand stretched out (to vermillion palm) fingers extended & rear hand forms beak
• Shoulders pulled down, chest facing front, head looking to left
• 1st …left arm does negative circle & right arm does small positive circle
• 2nd …front left arm pulls in with elbow to do positive circle & right hand extends out in from with elbow bent facing to ground
• 3rd…Front left hand then goes out to complete second ½ of positive circle as rear right hand does small positive circle
• During 1,2 &3 above the front left knee is locked by stretching the head against the front heel as the right rear foot is pulled up drags with the ball touching along the floor
• Points mentioned by Kelvin during my execution of the above process are as follows
• At all times both shoulders need to be pulled down & kept level and not be allowed to pop or move sideways or up or in any way be allowed to sway during the execution of this particular move & in fact in all moves in the Practical method form.
• Eyes are to be focused on the direction of the movement and on the hand that is leading it in the above mentioned case (I have a tendency to close my eyes at spots in the form which is not considered correct)
• It is imperative that the front foot remain anchored to the floor for the full exection of the move.The from knee must not wobble or have the weight overextended beyond the centre & cause the balance to be lost
Key Points re: Above Exercise
• Lock front knee (anchor it in place) by both connecting and extending the head upwards to allow the vertical stretch to engage to assist with this process.
• Eyes stay open focus on target and engage attention from start to finish of each/every action
• Do not allow shoulders to raise up or move in any other way …they are not to be moved period
• Fingers remain stretched out and extend in direction of flow throughout move(s)
• In with elbow/out with hand
• No tossing
• Recommendation from Kelvin do more Yilu