Description of the Nine Techniques

The nine basic cardio tai chi techniques and their descriptions

Dr. Weng’s Cardio Tai chi 101
Chi-hsiu D. Weng, Ph.D.


  1. Grasp the Bird’s Tail: (70-30, 60-40): The most important combination of techniques that are considered the core of Tai-chi self-defense. Numerous techniques and counters are contained and demonstrate the essence of practical application. The arm’s two circular techniques “Ward off” and “Pull back” are small and quick. Footwork moves angularly and sideways on the balls of the feet. The knees rotate as your weight shifts forward and back. All movements are practiced on left and right sides.


  2. Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg: This posture is easily recognized with one knee and one arm raised up almost vertically from the elbow while the other hand protects the lower portion. Although balance on one leg is definite required, the posture prepares the practitioner to be able to kick with the knee, foot or inner hook with the leg as the hand strikes or pushes. Even on the standing leg, advancing movement can be done with a small skipping steps or another counter. All movements are practiced on left and right sides. The cardio footwork practices the forward, side-to-side and 180 degree turns in a horse- riding stance. All movements are practiced on left and right sides.


  3. White Crane Spread Its Wings: This movement when executed in cardio or self-defense is closer to sideways hopping as the arms move to simultaneously block attacking limbs to the upper and lower body. This energetic movement takes major leg strength to hop both legs over a centerline. All movements are practiced on left and right sides.


  4. Waving Hands like Clouds Drifting By: The circular movements of the hands that closely related to “Mopping mirror” are fundamentally defensive action, to parry and catch the attacking limbs in order to set up the opponent for a control or another counter. The cardio footwork practices the forward, side-to-side and 180 degree turns in a horse riding mabu stance. All movements are practiced on left and right sides.


  5. Playing the Fiddle (70-30): Continues from the Tai-chi Brush knee technique. The leg stance is called 30-70 to describe the rear leg that holds 70% of your weight and the front leg 30%. Footwork is done with a stamping of the foot as the hips twist and the advancing foot shuffles forward. Palms are open and the arms are in an “on guard” position and ready to parry attacks. This technique prepares the practitioner into a defensive posture. It also has the techniques for Chin-na or the art of seizing and joint locking. All movements are practiced on left and right sides.


  6. Frog kick: The action of blocking a upper level attack and with a distance kick at the same time. All movements are practiced on left and right sides. The cardio training reinforces the versatility to drill the advancing or retreating front kick, sidekick, hook kick, lotus or outside crescent kicks including all other kicks that are turning and jumping.


  7. Open the Window to View the Moon: This is an upper block and a strike with an angular step. Not only is the movement straight forward in application, but also an excellent initiating technique to set up the opponent for many counters.


  8. Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane: Is a sweeping motion of the arm across the chest or neck of the opponent. This is an uprooting technique. The Cardio drills help teach you to use this technique in all directions. All movements are practiced on left and right sides.


  9. Carry Tiger Back to the Mountain: Moving with the arms crossed can be used as a defensive counter to arm attacks, as a chin-na joint-lock or Shuai-chiao grappling throw. All movements are practiced on left and right sides.



Note:
The Stance such as 70-30 or 40-60 description of weight shifting depending on whether you are moving forward or backward.