7. Ward off, Stroke, Push and Press, Left

(1) Sit back, toes of the right foot outward, and turn the waist to the right. Turn the right forearm outward, and move the right hand in an arc downward, palm up. Change the left fist into a palm, and turn the forearm inward to push it forward, palm turned downward. (Fig. 39)

(2) Land the right foot, shift the weight forward, and withdraw the left foot to the inner side of the right foot. At the same time, move the left hand downward to in front of the waist and the right hand backward and upward to in front of the chest, both in arcs, palms facing each other as if holding a ball. (Fig. 40)

(3) Turn the upper part of the body slightly to the left, move the left foot one step forward, shift the weight forward, and straighten the rear leg, heel backward, to form the left bow step. At the same time, move the left forearm forward, elbow slightly bent, to shoulder level, palm inward, as if to ward off a blow, while the right palm is pressed downward to the right hip. Look at the left forearm. (Fig. 4l)

(4) Turn the waist slightly to the left, move the left hand forward and turn it over, palm down, while the right forearm is turned outward, palm up, and is moved upward and forward past the abdomen to under the left forearm. (Fig. 42)

(5) Turn the upper part of the body to the right, pull both hands downward past the abdomen as if stroking a long beard, and then move them upward and backward in an arc to the right until the right hand reaches shoulder level, palm oblique up, and the left forearm is bent in front of the chest, Palm oblique inward. At the same time, sit back and bend the right leg with the weight almost on it. Look at the right palm. (Fig. 43)

(6) Turn the upper part of the body to the left, face forward, and shift the weight forward to form the left bow step. Bend the right arm at the elbow, and move the hand back, palm fingers close to the wrist of the left hand. Push both hands forward slowly at shoulder level, left palm inward and right palm forward, and form arms into a semicircle. Look at the left wrist. (Fig. 44)

(7) Push the right palm forward over the left wrist, and separate the hands until they are a shoulder-width apart, palms down. Sit back immediately, and shift the weight onto the right leg, left toes up. Bend both arms at the elbow, and withdraw them to in front of the chest, palms oblique down. Look straight ahead. (Fig. 45)

(8) Bend the left leg forward to form the left bow step. Move both palms downward past the abdomen to press them forward and upward with the wrist at shoulder level. Relax the waist and hips, drop the shoulders and elbows, and keep the wrists and palms at ease. Look straight ahead. (Fig. 46)

Points for attention: From stroking to pushing, move the hands backward. From pushing to pressing, be sure to draw the buttocks in, and keep the upper part of the body upright, not leading forward or backward.