Alex Dong Intl Taijiquan Assoc: Pacific NW School

Alex Dong Intl Taijiquan Assoc: Pacific NW School - Essays and Articles

TIGER MOUNTAIN TAI-CHI KUNG
February 10, 1999

POEM	DESCRIPTION
FROM CLOUDS	WAVE HANDS THROUGH CLOUDS
SHE WOVE	FAIR LADY WEAVES THE SHUTTLES (Four Corners)
HEAVEN AND EARTH.	PRESS UP TO HEAVEN, DOWN TO EARTH (White Crane)
THEN THE TIGER	STRIKE TIGER WITH FISTS
BROUGHT THE HORSE	PART THE WILD HORSE'S MANE
TO ITS KNEES	BRUSH THE KNEE AND STRIKE
BEFORE TWIN MOUNTAIN PEAKS	STRIKE OPPONENT'S EARS WITH FISTS
THAT CROSS	ALTERNATE CROSS HANDS
AND PUSH TO THE END.	WITHDRAW AND PUSH

ORIGINAL VERSION (static)
My thanks to Emilio Gonzalez and Master Kai Ying Tung for teaching me this form in 1995.

Begin like Slow Set with opening commencement move. Then step out with right foot parallel in wide stance. Keep this static posture throughout the form, constantly sinking. Raise right hand to begin Cloud Hands. Turn waist as far as possible on all moves, except for Heaven and Earth and last 3 moves, without moving hips. Keep lower body fixed in low Horse stance (knees bent, spine straight). Each movement is performed slowly twice to each side (4 times total). Cross hands left pal inside first, then alternate each one. Hold last push for extended time. End Tiger Mountain just like the end of Slow set by scooping the right foot back to beginning stance and crossing hands, this time at wrists.

MODIFIED VERSION (dynamic)
I developed this version in 2000 for a more challenging leg and balance workout.

After commencement, raise right hand to begin cloud hands. Sink into right foot and lift left leg and step out parallel. Sink into each side and lift other leg high and step back down, sinking into each side. On all dynamic moves, left leg steps out first. Stay in static posture for Fair Lady, starting with turn to left next. First White Crane is on left foot, and changes on each side. Strike Tiger is static, to left first. Switch to dynamic on Wild Horse and back to static for Brush Knee right and stay static for Twin Peaks. Cross hands is dynamic. Push is static. End with cross hands, but step back with left foot.

DEDICATED TO MASTER TUNG HU-LING.

TAI CHI FOR PARKINSON'S
May 1st, 2005 article from FTE News Magazine (PDF file)

THE DONG FAMILY FAST SET
January 2005 Inside Kung Fu article (PDF file)

SLOW AND FLAWED vs. FAST AND PRECISE
January 1, 2000 - Updated July 5, 2004

MIND BENDER TAIJI CHI KUNG
Last revision: October 20, 2005

WHAT IS QIGONG?
November 25, 2003

QUEST FOR BALLANCE
May 24, 2003

UNITY THROUGH POLARITY
November 23, 1998

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Alex Dong International Taijiquan Association
Pacific Northwest School - Andy Holmes instructor
P.O. Box 4056, Tumwater, Washington 98501