Tracing Hands
Tracing Hands has been practiced for many years, since Professor Shen Jiazhen and Gu Liuxin (students of Chen Fake) published a book called Chen Style Tai Chi Quan. It revealed hand positions traced over the Tai Chi diagram and it is the first stage in learning, practising and understanding silk reeling and Pushing Hands. Tracing Hands allows us to explore the energy flow, how movements are based on circles, and how those circles can range from large to small. It is a starting point in understanding the eight upper body energies (listed below)
Ward Off (Peng) : Expansive, buoyant energy
Roll Back (Lu): Absorbing, redirecting energy
Press (Ji): Squeezing, pressing inward energy
Push (An): Downward or outward energy
Pluck (Cai): Quick, pulling or snatching energy
Split (Lie): Spiraling, tearing energy
Elbow (Zhou): Use of elbow as striking tool
Shoulder (Kao): Use of body/shoulder to strike or uproot
Image inspired by Master Jesse Tsao, Tai Chi Healthways, Tracing Hands teaching video. Is is available to purchase as a download ($24.95)