3. Single Whip, Left

(l) Sit back and shift the weight onto the right leg, toes of the left foot raised and turned slightly inward, while turning the upper part of the body to the right. Move the right arm backward to the right, palm down, and move the left hand to the front of the body in an arc from the lower left side to shoulder level, palm obliquely down. The head follows the body's turn. Look ahead. (Fig. 11)

(2) Land the left foot firmly on the floor, shift the weight to the left leg and withdraw the right foot to the inner side of the left foot. At the same time, move the left forearm slightly back and turn the right arm outward, palm up, and thread it forward to the left under the left elbow. (Fig. 12)

(3) Move the right foot one step forward to the right (imagine facing south when starting the exercises, and in this exercise you should now be facing west). Keep the feet about l0 centimeters apart horizontally. Shift the weight forward to form the right bow step. At the same time, place the left palm by the inner side of the right wrist (the same side as the palm). Move both hands from the left forward in a horizontal semicircle, right palm oblique inward and left palm oblique outward. Turn the upper part of the body to the front, and relax the waist and hips. Look at the front palm. (Fig. 13)

(4) Continue from the previous exercise. Sit back with the toes of the right tiptoes raised. Move the right hand in a horizontal semicircle from the front to the right and backward, palm up, with the left palm on the inner side of the right wrist. Look at the front hand. (Fig. 14)

(5) Land the right foot firmly on the floor, toes turned inward, turn the upper part of the body slightly to the left, shift the weight to the right leg, and move the left foot back to the inner side of the right foot. At the same time, turn the right forearm inward in front of the right shoulder before stretching it forward in a curve, and then immediately Press the right palm and change it into a hook hand when it comes to the forward right. Turn the left forearm outward at the same time until it stops at the inner side of the right ribs, palm inside. Look at the right hand. (Fig. 15)

(6) Turn the upper part of the body slightly to the left, move the left foot one step forward to the left (due east but slightly north), and shift the weight forward to form the left bow step. At the same time, continue to turn the upper part of the body to the left, left forearm turned inward, and push the hand slowly forward, palm facing forward and fingers at nose level, with the left arm over the left foot. Look at the left palm. (Fig. 16)

Points for attention: Turn the waist while moving the hands in horizontal semicircles. Keep the upper part of the body upright. Keep the arms slightly bent, elbows lowered and relaxed after pushing and pressing the palms. Do not shrug the shoulders. Beginners may touch the floor with the ball of the foot by the inner side of the supporting foot to keep ba1anced. When the weight is shifted forward to form the bow step, straighten the rear leg naturally without stiffening the knee, and adjust the rear heel whenever necessary.