STIRRING THE ENERGY OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT BODY
(Boston, MA 4/99)
This series was taught a bit differently from the Pomona version.
Passes from the original sequences which had been previously
omitted were added in, and they were not strung together in a
walking sequence, although they can easily be performed that way.
After each slide or step, we returned to the original position.
We performed three sets of the "Magical Passes" version, followed
by one of the "Left Body" versions. Only the latter are described.
For all of these movements, the left side is slow and precise,
the right side fast and vigorous. The left hand and arm are
never tense; when a left fist is called for, it is very loose.
These passes are aimed at a circular core or disk of energy that
extends from below the groin to about chest level. When the left
hand strikes, it goes to the lower edge of this core. When the
right hand strikes, it goes to the upper edge. When the left knee
is raised, it goes only to the lower edge--the back is rounded and
the diaphragm contracted, as the foot is held suspended for several
seconds. When the right knee is raised, it goes as high as it can,
and the toe points to the ground:
1. The left hand performs "Gathering Energy in a Ball From the
Front of the Left and Right Bodies and Breaking It With The
Back of the Hand". As the left hand breaks the gathered
energy, the left foot slides a step to the side, the right
following slowly. Pause as the left hand retrieves to the
left hip. As the right hand breaks the gathered energy,
step quickly right to the original position.
2. The left hand performs "Gathering Energy Of The Left and Right
Bodies In A Circle Which Is Perforated With The Tips Of The
Fingers". As the fingers perforate slowly the first time,
the left foot slides up a step. On the second perforation
the elbow "opens up", causing the entire arm and hand to
vibrate as it moves forward. As the right hand perforates
the first time, the knee is raised, toe pointed, and the right
foot steps forward on the second.
3. The left leg and arm perform "Hoisting Left and Right Energy
Upward", the back rounding as the foot is held suspended, the
left palm facing the knee. The left foot steps forward as
it descends. The knee raises as the right steps forward.
4. The left hand performs a slow "Up and Down Pressure", followed
by a normal right.
5. The left hand performs a slow "Inward Turn", followed
by a normal right.
6. The left hand performs a slow "Outward Turn", followed
by a normal right.
7. The arms are raised into the "High Push With the Fists". The
left fist is loose a bit below the horizontal; the right fist
is tight and perfectly level. As the left foot slides forward,
the left fist strikes to the front, not crossing the midpoint.
The right foot steps as the right fist strikes forward.
8. The feet come parallel. The fists drop to waist level, palms
facing, to begin "A Low Push With the Fists". As the left elbow
punches slowly foward, engaging the abdominals, the left foot
slides back. The left elbow is retrieved. As the right fist
punches forward, the right foot steps back even.
9. The hands become leopard paws as the hands perform "A Wheel With
the Fingers Contracted At the Middle Joints"--begin with the left,
held loosely by the left hip. As the back rounds and the
body twists slightly to the right, the left claw arcs slowly
up to a position in front of the face. The right claw arcs
forcefully from the shoulder as the left returns to the left hip.
Perform three times.
10. Following the hand with the eyes, the left arm performs "Smoothing
Energy Out In Front Of The Body". The left foot slides forward as
the left palm descends to a point lower than usual. Finish right,
steppping on the strike.
11. Following the hand with the eyes, the left arm pivots back from
the shoulder twice and performs "Hitting Energy In Front Of The Face
With An Upper Thrust Of The Fist". The back is rounded, foot lifted,
loose fist held by the knee. Mirror right.
12. Following the hand with the eyes, the left arm circles forward from
the shoulder twice and performs "Hammering Energy in Front of
the Left and Right Bodies". The back is rounded, foot lifted,
loose fist held by the knee. Mirror right.
13. The left hand performs "Drawing Two Circles of Energy Laterally
With The Index and Middle Fingers Extended". The fingers are held
loosely as the left knee is raised, the body rounded, and the
fingers scoop deeply down to the left side and end with a loosely
held fist, middle knuckle extended, by the knee. The left foot
steps as it descends. The right knee is raised as the right
completes the movement.
14. The left hand performs "Drawing Two Outward Circles of Energy
and Smashing Them By The Navel", the left hand followed by the
eyes as it makes one and 2/3 leftwards circles, then slowly vibrates
to a point just left of the centerline at solar plexus level,
palm facing right. The left foot slides forward as the arm strikes.
The right arm circles right quickly, and the right foot steps forward
as it makes a forceful strike to a similar position.
15. The loose left fist slowly strikes down to the sides, palm forward,
then slowly circles up for "Stirring The Energy Around The Temples".
The fist contacts the temple as the back is arched slightly, then
the left foot slides forward as the fist slowly arcs down as far
as possible behind the left hip, eyes following. The right mirrors
forcefully, stepping on the last downward strike.
16. The left hand performs "Projecting a Small Circle of Energy Out
In Front Of The Body", the left foot sliding back as the left
fist strikes. The right foot steps back as the right fist
strikes.
No mention was made of the accompanying breaths.