17. Thread Fists with Crouch Stance

(l) Shift the weight backward, toes of the left foot raised and turned slightly outward, and turns the upper part of the body slightly to the left. Change the left fist into a palm and move it in an arc upward and to the left, and the right palm in an arc downward and to the right, both palms down. (Fig.l00)

(2) Continue from the previous movement, land the left foot firmly on the floor, shift the weight forward, and Place the right foot to the inner side of the left foot. Continue to move both palms in vertical circles and at the same time clench them into fists, knuckles of the left hand outward in front of the abdomen and those of the right hand outward in front of the eyes. Look straight ahead. (Fig.l01)

(3) Drop the right arm, elbow bent, and thread the left fist upward outside the right forearm. At the same time, bend the left leg to the squat position and stretch the right foot forward to the right side (due east by south about 30 degrees) to form the right crouch stance. Look ahead and to the right. (Fig.l02)

(4) Turn the upper part of the body to the right, thread the right fist forward to the right past the abdomen along the inner side of the right leg, and extend the left fist backward to the upper left, knuckles of both hands backward. Look at the right fist. (Fig.l03)

Points for attention: Do not turn the toes of the left foot outward too much. Touch the floor for a pause after moving the right foot by the left foot. In executing the crouch stance, first bend the left leg and then immediately extend the right leg to the right side (do not slip the heel of the right foot along the floor). Then turn the body to thread the fists. Place both feet firmly on the floor. Do not raise the heels. Elderly people may squat halfway by bending the left leg in a semi-crouching stance.