Posture 2. Begin Taiji

(1) [Continuing] from the previous movement, keep both feet motionless and slowly inhale.  At the same time, raise both arms forward to shoulder level height.  [Allow] the tips of all 10 fingers to hang down naturally, with the idea of not using [any unnecessary] force.  Concentrate the eyes on both palms, as in Figure 2.

(2) [Continuing] from the previous movement, relax the waist and squat down, slowly sinking the Qi to the dan-tian.  Then [after sinking the Qi to] the dan-tian, concentrate [the Qi] into the four limbs of the body.  Keep both arms stretched forward at [shoulder] level, sinking the shoulders and dropping the elbows. The center of the hands are facing forward and downward, with the index fingers pointing slightly upward.  The wrists are bent but not broken [i.e., not hyper-extended to the point of creating tension], as in Figure 3.

(3) [Continuing] from the previous movement, use the waist as an axis [for the following movement]:  At first use the left shoulder to push [tui] the left hand forward, taking [i.e., turning] the upper body approximately 45 degrees [to the right].  After that, [use] the right shoulder to push [tui] the right hand forward, taking [i.e., turning] the upper body approximately 45 degrees [to the left].    Move the Qi inside the abdomen like a [Chinese rattle] drum tossing about.   Concentrate on both hands, first on the left [hand] and then on the right [hand].  Look at the hand that is forward, as in Figure 3.  [After that], relax the waist and slowly inhale.  Turn the upper body approximately 45 degrees to the right.  Keep both hands raised to [shoulder] level as the body [turns], drawing an arc to the front-right direction until facing the southwest.  Look at both palms, as in Figure 4.

(4) Continuing from the previous movement, move both hands along with the body [while turning towards the left], going from the right [side of the body], passing through the lower-front, and drawing an arc up to the left [side of the body] until [the hands are] at the front-left direction.  [The hands] are at shoulder level height, [with the waist] facing the southeast.  Slowly raise the body and shift the weight onto the left leg, [drawing] the right heel inward approximately 30 degrees.  Look at the forward palm, as in Figure 5.