Reference Material for OPT Students

Long Form — Current Study

Overview
Following the completion of the Long Form choreography, the training is turned towards looking for a more accurate condition of the body/mind through the 5 stage verticle circle. The training focus for the past year has paid particular emphasis on a)listening to the upper body changes during the releasing phase (phase 3) of the 5-stage muscle cycle. b) the closing of the body as it reaches central stability. These areas of focus are continued to be refined, but further emphasis will be placed upon the following….

Current Training Focus for Tuesday Long Form
The training focus now moves on to the sensations of pressure as the body releases.
Initially the trainning will focus upon the sensations of pressure between the ground and the sole of the foot as the body “closes” and develops a sprung condition while reaching central stability.

Further trainning will be placed upon sensations of pressure that rise up the body duriing the releasing / stretching muscle cycles.

The Mind is encouraged to move it’s focus of attention away from sensations of movement and towards the sensations of pressure. This involves a deepening process and sitting meditation practice will be introduced to support this process.

NB/ Centre pressure can be caused by both muscular contraction and muscular release and can often be a mixture of the two. However, both yield completely different results. The awareness of the sensations of the body gives the feedback mechanism to determine which is being utilised. Important not to let the releasing leg tighten or to “look” for support too early. Both these tendencies will halt the continuing release that allows a buoyant pressure to develop. As the muscles are released, allow the body to “fall” as it merges with gravity.

Releasing
The largest focus remains the releasing and aligning of the body. This can be refined until the releasing becomes smooth. If you become aware of a part of your body that doesn’t respond to your intention to release and change, it is good practice to give this area more focus. This develops your ability to listen to this area more closely, with willingness for it to change. The intention to change the muscles to a releasing phase is accompanied with developing the accompanying awareness of sensations of these areas. The deepening of the mind helps with this process.

Closing
The releasing and aligning of the base (foot, ankle, calf, thigh, kwa, groin, buttocks, inguinal region and lower back) sets up the condition of the centre becoming buoyantly stable. The intention to encourage the upper body (middle back, shoulder blades and chest) to release and align sets up the condition of the chest becoming buoyantly stable. The arms become stable as the shoulders, neck and head release. The intention to ground the base ahead of the upper body cannot be underestimated.

Practice
Aim to focus upon a single training aspect throughout your practice period. Ensure that this aspect is neither too simplified, nor too complex. A rough indication will be that you can accomplish it approximately 4 out of every 10 attempts. This will enable you to remain calm (external relaxation of the mind) throughout your Long Form, without becoming overwhelmed by training an aspect that is too complicated for your current ability. Over time, you will be able to remain calm and deeply focussed during more complex movements. The mind progressively sinking to a deeper level as the body reaches central stability enables the focus to become more internalised.

Obstacles and Remedies
Obstacles to developing sprung elastic force are commonly: -
1. Content to use contracted force. Remedy: Invest in Loss
2. The mind too superficially looking at the body movemnet. Remedy: Deepen the focus and listen to body sensations rather than movement.
3. Double Contraction – the leg that receives the weight of the body is in a contacted condition too early. Remedy: Give a small amount of awareness to the receiving leg and intend it to remain releasing, even before contracting the opposite leg.
4. Muscular changes taking place are too rough combined with misalignment. Remedy: Work consistently with the sensations from the base upwards. Applying force from a wall or partner can help with understanding alignments. Misalignment can arise from trying to be stable too early. Give time for the body to fully arrive in the centre before moving on.

Development Group

The Development Group is currently being led by Andrew Broadhead.

All Development Group participants can gain further information from reading the notes on the Principles Page

Websites and Links

Books

Relax, Deep Mind by Patrick Kelly
Spiritual Reality by Patrick Kelly
Infinite Dao by Patrick Kelly
Inspirations by Luke Shepherd
The essence of T’ai Chi Ch’uan by Lo, Inn, Amacker and Foe, published by North Atlantic Books, ISBN 0-913028-63-0
There are no secrets by Wolfe Lowenthal, published by Frog Ltd., ISBN 1-556431-12-0
Gateway to the miraculous by Wolfe Lowenthal, published by Frog Ltd., ISBN 1-883319-13-7

DVD’s

Short Form & Loosening Excerises DVD
Long Form & Quick Fist DVD £15. Now after a long wait available from Luke

Other Ref.

Taiji Poster featuring Patrick Kelly

Form Reference

37 Posture Short Form

Section 1

1	Opening
2	Preparation
3	Ward Off Right and Left
4	Grasp Sparrow’s Tail — Ward Off
5	Grasp Sparrow’s Tail — Roll Back
6	Grasp Sparrow’s Tail — Press
7	Grasp Sparrow’s Tail — Push
8	Single Whip
9	Lift Hands
10	Shoulder Stroke
11	White Crane Spreads Wings
12	Brush Knee Twist Step
13	Play Guitar
*	Brush Knee Twist Step (repeat 12)
14	Step Up, Deflect Down, Parry and Punch
15	Apparent Closing
16	Cross Hands

Section 2

17	Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain
*	Grasp Sparrow’s Tail — Roll Back, Press and Push (repeat moves 5,6 & 7)
*	Diagonal Single Whip (repeat move 8)
18	Taoist Immortal Flaps Wings & Punch Under Elbow
19	Step Back to Repulse Monkey – 1st right
20	Step Back to Repulse Monkey – 1st left
*	Step Back to Repulse Monkey – 2nd right (repeat 19)
*	Step Back to Repulse Monkey – 2nd left (repeat 20)
*	Step Back to Repulse Monkey – 3rd right (repeat 19)
*	Step Back to Repulse Monkey – 3rd left (repeat 20)
21	Diagonal Flying
22	Wave Hands Like Clouds — 1st right
23	Wave Hands Like Clouds — 1st left
*	Wave Hands Like Clouds — 2nd right (repeat 22)
*	Wave Hands Like Clouds — 2nd left (repeat move 23)
*	Wave Hands Like Clouds — 3rd right (repeat 22)
*	Wave Hands Like Clouds — 3rd left (repeat move 23)
*	Wave Hands Like Clouds — 4th right (repeat 22)
x	Transverse Single Whip
*	Single Whip (repeat move 8)
24	Snake Creeps Down
25	Golden Rooster Stands on Left Leg
26	Golden Rooster Stands on Right Leg
27	Separate Right Leg
28	Separate Left Leg
29	Turn and Kick with Heel
*	Brush Knee Twist Step — left (repeat 12)
30	Brush Knee Twist Step — right
31	Step, Bend and Punch
*	Grasp Sparrow’s Tail — Ward Off, Roll Back, Press and Push (moves 4, 5, 6 & 7)

Section 3

32	Fair Lady Weaves Shuttles — corner 1
33	Fair Lady Weaves Shuttles — corner 2
*	Fair Lady Weaves Shuttles — corner 3 (repeat 32)
*	Fair Lady Weaves Shuttles — corner 4 (repeat 33)
*	Ward Off Left (repeat move 3)
*	Grasp Sparrow’s Tail — Ward Off, Roll Back, Press and Push (moves 4, 5, 6 & 7)
*	Single Whip (repeat move 8)
*	Snake Creeps Down (repeat move 24)
34	Step Up to Seven Stars
35	Retreat to Ride Tiger
36	Turn to Sweep Lotus
37	Bend Bow to Shoot Tiger
*	Step Up, Deflect Down, Parry and Punch (repeat move 14)
*	Apparent Closing (repeat move 15)
*	Cross Hands (repeat move 16)
x	Conclusion
*	Attention

Note

*	Moves which are repeated
x	Moves not numbered (usually part of a transition)

108 Posture Long Form

First Section

Preparatory movement
Ward off right & left
Ward off, Pull Back,
Press & Push Single Whip
Raise Hands
Shoulder Stroke
White Stork Spreads its Wings
Brush Knee & Twist Step Left
Play the Guitar
Brush Knee & Twist Step Left,
Right & Left Play the Guitar
Brush Knee & Twist Step Left
Step Up Block, Parry & Punch
Apparent Closing
Cross Hands

Second Section

Carry Tiger to Mountain
Diagonal Single Whip
Taoist Immortal Flaps His Sleeves
Fist Under Elbow
Step Back & Repulse Monkey (3 to each side)
Slanting Flying
Raise Hands
Shoulder Stroke
White Stork Spreads its Wings
Brush Knee & Twist Step Left
Needle in the Ocean
Fan Through Back
Turn and Chop with Fist
Step Up, Block, Parry and Half Punch
Ward off, Pull Back, Press & Push
Single Whip
Wave Hands Like Clouds (3 to each side)
Single Whip

Third Section

High Pat on Horse
Separation Of Leg, Right & Left
Turn and Kick With Sole
Brush Knee & Twist Step, Left & Right
Step Bend & Punch
Turn and White Snake Puts Out Tongue
Step Up, Block, Parry & Punch
Kick With Right Sole
Shoulder Stroke
Hit Tiger Left & Right
Diagonal Kick with Sole
Box Opponents Ears
Kick With Left Foot
Turn and Kick With Sole
Step Up Block, Parry & Punch
Apparent Closing
Cross Hands

Fourth Section

Carry-Tiger to Mountain
Ward off, Pull Back, Press & Push
Transverse Single Whip
Part Horses Mane Right, Left & Right
Ward off, Pull Back, Press & Push
Single Whip
Fair Lady Works At Shuttles (4 Corners)
Ward off, Pull Back, Press & Push
Single Whip
Wave Hands Like Clouds (3 to each side)
Single Whip

Fifth Section

Snake Creeps Down
Golden Cock Stands on One Leg, Left & Right
Step Back & Repulse Monkey (3, to each side)
Slanting Flying
Raise Hands Shoulder Stroke
White Stork Spreads its Wings
Brush Knee & Twist Step Left
Needle in the Ocean
Fan Through Back
Turn and Chop with Fist
Step Up, Block, Parry and Half Punch
Ward off, Pull Back, Press & Push
Single Whip
Wave Hands Like Clouds (3 to each side)
Single Whip

Sixth Section

High Pat on Horse
Diagonal Jab
Turn and Kick With Heel
Punch Opponents Groin
Ward off, Pull Back, Press & Push
Single Whip
Snake Creeps Down
Step Up To Form Seven Stars
Retreat to Ride Tiger Turn & Sweep Lotus With Leg
Shoot Tiger With Bow
Step Up, Block, Parry & Punch
Apparent Closing
Cross Hands
Conclusion Of Taiji

Quick Fist

The fast form of Master Huang Xiangxian

Section One

Feet together
Step L, Step R, Jump Step
Circle Hands, L at elbow
L out palm up, L steps back
Hands circle & grab, R on toe
Turn L, Hands Circle
Face front, Sun Moon salute
R foot back, Cross hands
L foot adjusts, Arms open
L foot back & In, Palms down
R foot in, Heels together
Arms down

R Step, Jump Step, L at elbow
Turn L, Palm under elbow
Circle R hand, L foot in
Step L 45°, R backfist in palm
L steps back, Sink & grab
R punch, L punch
Inch back, Hands slap L
L circles R, R circles down
R knee to L calf, R hand grab
Kick, R elbow hits L palm
R elbow pulls back, L punch
R elbow circles L, Inch back
Double punch, Inch forward
Fist at elbow, Inch forward
Turn L, Palm under elbow
Circle R hand, L foot in
Step L 45°, R backfist in palm
Lift R knee to hands, 45° R
Step, Jump step 45°, Punch
R elbow hits L palm
Fist at elbow 45°
R elbow circles L, R foot in
L elbow circles, Step R
L step, Jump, Drop, R punch
Jump up, Punch R, Punch L
R elbow circles L
Inch forward, Double punch
Inch forward, Fist at elbow
Turn 180°, L slides under R

Section Two

L steps L 45°, R jab
L steps back, R circles up
Step R 45°, L palm hits fist
Feet L 45°, R elbow block
Feet R 45°, L jabs
L foot L 45°, R Punch down
R knee to L calf, Double grab
R kicks
Step R, Jump step
Double push
Circle L, L on toe
Push L, Inch forward
Circle R, R on toe
Push R, Inch forward
Circle & Push front
Wrist relax, turn 225°, L slaps

Section Three

R slaps 45° to L
Medium circle R
Large circle L, L steps back
Step, R block, L punch
L foot in, Hands chop
L jab, R jab
Small circle R
Medium circle L
Large circle R, R steps back
Step, L block, R punch
R foot in, Hands chop
R jab, L jab
Hands circle, Feet parallel
Step 45°, two finger jab
Step L, L hand down
Step R, R hand jabs under L
Double grab, R knee in calf
R kick
R jabs front, Inch forward
L slides on R, Inch back
R punch, Inch forward
Turn 180°, L wrist block

Section Four

Step 45 deg. L, L pulls down
Punch, R up, L down, R mid
Inch back, R on toe
Step 45° R, R block, L punch
Inch back, R elbow L_
Inch forward, L elbow R
L steps L 45°, L hand down
Slap, Kick L
R slides on L, L hooks
Inch back, L elbow R
Inch forward, R elbow L
R steps 45° R, R hand down
Slap, kick R
L slides on R, R hooks
L steps forward
L block, R punch
R steps, R block, L punch
L steps, hands drop
Double punch
Double block, L foot 90°
R Turn 180°, Fist at elbow

Section Five

R circles & pull back
R jabs, inch forward
Inch back, L palmout
R elbow hits L
Circle R, Pull L, Knee in calf
R kicks
R steps, Jump step
Double palm strike
Inch back, Hands slap legs
Inch back 45°
Inch 45° R, 2 palm push
Inch back, Hands down to L
Inch front, Double palm strike
Inch back, Hands slap legs
Feet parallel, Hands circle
Sun Moon salute
Heels together, Arms down