第二節: 馬步類

說明: 以馬步而形成之各種姿勢, 稱之爲馬步基本姿勢。 擇其主要而實用者, 分別圖說如次。

Section II: Horse stance type of postures

Explanation:

Use the horse stance with various kinds of postures for which the horse stance type is suitable. Base the decision to use this type of stance on the primary application that is desired, using the following pictures and descriptions as a guide.

(一) : 馬步雙抱拳

1. 作法: 由自然步式兩腳左右平行分開約一步, 曲腿下蹲, 扣膝圓襠, 兩手握陽拳抱於腰之兩側, 肘向後搗, 開胸挾背, 目向前平親[should be 視], 其完成姿勢如上圖9。

2. 應用: 爲操練準備姿勢之一種, 以練腿力。

3. 要領: 頂頭豎項, 圓尾中正, 氣沉丹田, 扣膝圓襠, 腰勁而下沉。

(1) Horse stance with double holding fists

1. Action:

From the "natural stance" [a.k.a. parallel stance], separate both feet so that they are parallel to the left and right at approximately one step width [i.e., pace or stride distance]. Bend the legs and squat down, buckle the knees and round between the thighs. Grasp both hands into Yang fists and hold them at either side of the waist. Strike with the elbows to the rear, opening the chest and drawing the [shoulder blades] together on the back. Look forward at eye level, finishing the posture as shown in Figure (9).

2. Use or Application:

Use this posture as preparation for one of the other drills, or use for training leg strength.

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Curve the tailbone straight [to point between the feet], and sink the Qi to the dan-tian. Buckle the knees, and round between the thighs. Sink the waist jìng downward.

[Note: The frequently used phrase "buckle the knees and round between the thighs (round the crotch)" in this section means to create an arch between the legs to distribute the weight similar to the way an arch functions in architecture.]

(二) 馬步上抱掌:

1. 作法: 馬步作法與本節一項同, 由馬步抱拳勢, 兩臂左右分開向前上方畫半圓, 成一圓圈, 兩拳成分掌, 置于額之前上方, 掌心翻向上, 兩掌指稍相距約半尺, 兩臂灣爲弓形, 目視兩掌其完成姿勢如左圖10。

2. 應用: 練功之基本莊勢, 以加強四肢力量。

3. 要領: 空胸緊背, 氣沉丹田, 扣膝圓襠, 腰勁下沉。

(2) Horse stance while holding palms up

1. Action:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . From that "Horse stance with double holding fists posture", separate both arms to the left and right front and draw a semicircle upward. End with [the arms forming] one circle, with both fists changing to palms that are separated at a position that is above and forward of the forehead. Flip the center of the palms to face up, with the fingers of both hand separated about a half Chinese foot [i.e., 1/6 meter]. Both arms are bent in circular shapes. Look at both palms, finishing the posture as shown in Figure (10).

2. Use or Application:

Use this posture for basic standing post practice, or for increasing the strength of the 4 limbs.

3. Essential points:

Empty the chest and tighten the back. Sink the Qi to the dan-tian. Buckle the knees and round between the thighs. Sink the waist jìng downward.

[Note: The term "莊勢" that I have translated as "standing post" literally means "solemn posture", but the simplified character for 莊 is 庄, which is similar to simplified character 桩, which means post, as in "zhan zhuang" or standing post drills. They are phonetically the same, so it may be a typo by the printer.]

(三): 馬步雙撐掌

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步左轉雙撐掌作法, 馬步作法, 與本節一項同, 隨身向左轉約90度, 兩掌經胸前同時向左右平撐, 與馬步成十字狀, 兩手成分掌, 掌邊向外, 四指上豎, 虎口要圓, 對準鼻樑垂線目視右掌, 其完成姿勢如左圖11。 (乙) 馬步右轉雙撐掌作法,與(甲)同, 惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 我用馬步側擊對方時, 對方繞正面擊來, 我不及換步, 逐轉身用掌擊之。

3. 要領: 頂頭豎項, 沉肩墜肘, 扣膝圓襠, 氣沉丹田, 轉身與撐掌要協同一致, 腰勁下沉。

(3) Horse stance with double pushing palms

1. Action:

(a) Horse stance with left turning double pushing palms:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . Turn the body towards the left approximately 90 degrees. At the same time, pass both palms from in front of the chest and push both out level to the left and right. [The arms] and legs together form a "十" [cross] shape, with both hands ending with the palms separated and the [pinky finger] edge of the palms facing outward. Point the 4 fingers upward and round the tiger's mouth. Look at the right palm which is [centered] on a line beneath the bridge of the nose. Finish the posture as shown in Figure (11).

(b) When doing horse stance with right turning double pushing palms, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

I use the horse stance to strike to the side when an opponent comes around the front to strike. I do not change my stance, but instead pursue the opponent by turning the body and using the palms to strike.

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows. Buckle the knees, round between the thighs, and sink the Qi to the dan-tian. Coordinate all of the movements as one. It is important to turn the body and push the palms in cooperation as one [movement], sinking the waist jìng downward.

(四): 馬步雙摔掌:

1. 作法: 馬步作法與本節一項同, 兩臂由胸前分向左右摔開, 兩手成陽掌, 高約與肩平, 目視前方, 其完成姿勢如圖12。

2. 應用: 對方由側方或正面擊來時, 我將對方手架開, 順勢以掌背摔擊之。

3. 要領: 摔掌與開步要協同一致, 摔掌時全身應下沉, 加重力量, 對兩面反擊。

(4) Horse stance with double throwing palms

1. Action:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . Move both arms to in front of the chest, and then separate them, throwing them open to the left and right. End with both hands as Yang palms that are about at shoulder level height. Finish the posture as shown in Figure (12).

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in to strike from the side or the front, I block the opponent's hand to open them up, and take the opportunity to use the palm to throw a strike towards the back.

3. Essential points:

Throwing the palms and stepping open should be coordinated as one movement. When the palms are thrown, the whole body should sink down to increase the power [of the strike]. The counterattack is directed to both sides.

(五): 馬步雙摔拳

馬步雙摔拳之作法、 應用、 要領, 均與馬步雙摔掌作法同, 祇將兩掌握拳行之。其完成姿勢如圖13。

(5) Horse stance with double throwing fists

Horse stance with double throwing fists uses the same method as in horse stance with double throwing palms, only both palms are grasped into fists when doing it. Finish the posture as shown in Figure (13).

(六) 馬步雙搗肘:

1. 作法: 馬步作法與本節一項同。 兩掌抱於胸前握成陰拳, 同時兩肘分向左右平搗, 兩肩微合, 兩陰拳相距仍半尺。 目視對方。 其完成姿勢如圖14。

2. 應用: 對方由側方或正面抱來或擊來時, 我用掌挑開, 隨以肘搗擊對方上部。

3. 要領: 搗肘與開步及全身下跨, 要協同一致,以加重力量。

(6) Horse stance with double striking elbows

1. Action:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . Hug both palms in front of the chest, grasping the palms to end in Yin fists. At the same time, separate both elbows to the left and right [at shoulder] level and strike, retracting both shoulder [blades] slightly and separating both Yin fists by the distance of 1/2 Chinese foot [1/6 meter]. Look towards the opponent, and finish the posture as shown in Figure (14).

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in to strike or [grab] hold from the side or the front, I use the palms to lift and open. Then I use the elbows to strike the upper section of the opponent's [body].

3. Essential points:

Striking with the elbows and stepping open wide should be coordinated as one movement, with the whole body sinking down to increase the power [of the strike].

(七) : 馬步架沖拳:

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步左架前沖拳作法: 馬步作法與本節一項同, 由馬步抱拳勢隨身左轉, 左小臂經胸前向上橫架于額之前上方, 翻拳向上, 同時右拳由腰際向前直沖,成立拳對準鼻樑垂線。 右肩前順約45度, 與馬步成丁字狀。 目視右拳, 其完成姿勢如左圖15。(乙) 馬步架沖拳步右架 前冲拳作法與(甲)同。 惟左右相同。

2. 應用: 對方正面擊來, 我用一拳挑架對方之手, 另一拳直沖對方上部。

3. 要領: 頂頭豎項, 沉肩墜肘, 氣沉丹田, 扣膝圓襠, 腰勁下沉, 架沖與擰腰順肩須協同一致。

(7) Horse stance with block and charging fist

1. Action:

(a) Horse stance with left [upper] block and [right] charging fist:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . From that cupped fist posture, turn the body to the left. While [turning], move the left forearm up in front of the chest, ending in an upper horizontal block in front of the forehead with the fist flipped to face upward. At the same time, punch the right fist straight forward from the waist, ending in a standing fist that is centered on a line down from the bridge of the nose. The right shoulder is [rotated] forward about 45 degrees. The [right arm] and [legs] in the horse stance form a "T" shape. Look at the right fist, and finish the posture as in Figure (15).

(b) When doing horse stance with right [upper] block and left charging fist:, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in with a strike from the front, I use one fist to lift and block the opponent's hand, while I use the other fist to punch the opponent's upper [body].

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows. Sink the Qi to the dan-tian, buckle the knees, and round between the thighs. Sink the waist jìng downward. The block, punch, twist of the waist, and shoulder [going forward] should be coordinated as one movement.

(八): 馬步順炮

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步上架右沖拳: 馬步作法與本節一項同, 由馬步抱拳左拳径胸前向右上前上摃架額前上方同時右拳由腰際向右側經左拳下直沖, 成立拳約與肩平對準鼻樑垂線, 沉肩墜肘, 目視右拳，其完成姿勢如左圖16。(乙) 馬步上架左沖拳作 法與(甲)同, 惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 對方側面擊來, 我用一拳挑架對方之手, 用另一拳直沖對方上部。

3. 要領: 頂頭豎頂[should be項] , 沉肩墜肘, 氣沉丹田, 腰勁下沉, 動作協同一致。

(8) Horse stance with pounding [fist] to open side

1. Action:

(a) Horse stance with upper block and right charging fist:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . From that cupped fist posture, move the left fist from in front of the chest to the upper right to block in front of the forehead. At the same time, move the right fist from the side of the waist, passing it under the left fist and punching straight out to the right side. End with [the right fist] as a standing fist that is centered on a line down from the bridge of the nose. Sink the shoulder, drop the elbow, and look at the right fist, finishing the posture as shown in Figure (16).

(b) When doing horse stance with upper block and left charging fist, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in with a strike from the side, I use one fist to lift and block the opponent's hand and the other fist to punch the opponent's upper [body].

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows. Sink the Qi to the dan-tian, and sink the waist jìng downward. Coordinate all of the movements as one.

[Note: I call this pounding to the "open side" (open kua) as opposed to the xingyi pounding fist which punches to the "closed side" (closed kua). Also, I don't know why this one is called "pounding" when the previous one also has the same arms as Xingyi pounding.

Also, this uses "pounding" in the title, but it uses "charging fist" in the description. Both this posture and the previous posture use the term "charging fist", meaning a straight punch. But in the previous posture, the punch was orthogonal (90 degrees) to the position of feet. So the legs act as a stable base for the waist to aid the punch, but the legs do not add any force in the direction of the punch. In this posture, as in the Xingyi pounding fist, the punch is in the same direction as the stance. So the legs help contribute to the power of the punch. Maybe that is why this one is classified as "pounding" and the previous one is not, even though the arms are the same.]

(九): 馬步搗肘上鑽拳

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步右上鑽拳, 馬步作法與本節一項同, 由馬步抱拳勢全身下跨, 左肘向身後搗, 左手陽拳抱於腰左側, 右拳由下經胸前向上鑽沖, 拳心向左, 目視前方, 其完成姿勢如左圖17。(乙) 馬步左上鑽拳, 作法與(甲) 同惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 敵由後方抱我, 我用一肘, 後揚對方胸腹部, 用另一拳上擊其下顎, 同時全身用力下跨, 以臀部擊對方下部。

3. 要領: 開胸凹腰, 氣沉丹田, 腰勁下沉, 動作協同一致。

(9) Horse stance with elbow strike and upward drilling fist

1. Action:

(a) Horse stance with right upward drilling fist:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . From that cupped fist posture, sink the body down into a wide straddle and strike with the left elbow towards the rear, holding the left hand as a Yang fist at the left side of the waist. Move the right from below, passing in front of the chest and drilling upward with a punch, with the center of the fist facing the left. Look forward, ending the posture as shown in Figure (17).

(b) When doing horse stance with left upward drilling fist, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent hugs me from the rear, I use one elbow raised to the rear [to strike] into the chest or abdomen. Then I use the other fist to strike up into their lower jaw. At the same time, I sink the whole body down in a wide straddle, using the buttocks to strike the lower section [of the body],

3. Essential points:

Open the chest and sink the waist. Sink the Qi to the dan-tian, and sink the waist jìng downward. Coordinate all of the movements as one.

(十) 馬步搗肘側沖拳

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步作法與本節一項同, 由抱拳勢左搗肘右沖拳作法, 左肘由腰向左側搗, 右拳由腰際向右側直沖, 成立拳目視右拳, 其完成姿勢如右圖18。(乙) 右搗时冲拳作法與 (甲)同, 惟左 右相反。

2. 應用: 對方由側方或正面擊來, 我一手以立肘搗擊, 其他一手向另一方沖擊, 如此可應付左右夾擊之敵。

3. 要領: 頂頭豎項, 沉肩墜肘, 氣沉丹田, 扣膝圓襠, 腰勁下沉, 動作協同一致。

(10) Horse stance with elbow strike to side and charging fist to side

1. Action:

(a) [Horse stance with elbow strike to side and right charging fist to side]:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . From that cupped fist posture, strike with the left elbow from the waist towards the left side, and punch the right fist from the waist straight out to the right side to end in a standing fist. Look at the right fist, and finish the posture as in Figure (18).

(b) When doing horse stance with elbow strike to side and left charging fist to side, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in to strike from the side or the front, I use the elbow to strike and the other hand to hit in the other direction. In this way, you can deal with a left and right pincer attack from opponents.

3. Essential points:

Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows. Sink the Qi to the dan-tian, buckle the knees and round between the thighs. Sink the waist jìng downward. Coordinate all of the movements as one.

(十一): 馬步挑架肘打

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步作法與本節一項同, 左挑架肘打作法, 由抱拳勢左拳由腰際經胸前向上挑, 小臂橫架於前額上方, 拳心上翻, 同時上身向左轉約90度, 同時右肘向前打出, 目視右肘前方。其完成姿勢如右圖19。(乙) 右挑架肘 打作法與侧同惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 對方正面撃來, 我用一手挑架對方之手, 同時用另一肘打對方之脅部, 這是接近身邊打法。

3. 要領: 頂頭豎項, 沉肩墜肘, 氣沉丹, 扣膝圓襠, 動作協同一致。

(11) Horse stance with block and elbow strike

1. Action:

(a) Horse stance with left block and right elbow strike:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . From that cupped fist posture, move the left fist up in front of the chest, blocking up horizontally with the forearm in front of the forehead and the fist flipped to face upward. At the same time, turn the upper body to the left approximately 90 degrees, and send the right elbow out to strike towards the front. Look ahead of the right elbow, finishing the posture as in Figure 19.

(b) When doing horse stance with right [upper] block and left elbow strike, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in with a strike from the front, I use one hand to lift and block the opponent's hand, while at the same time using the other elbow to hit the opponent's flank section. This method connects to the side of the [opponent's] body.

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows. Sink the Qi to the dan-tian, buckle the knees and round between the thighs. Coordinate all of the movements as one.

(十二): 馬步壓砸捶

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步作法與本節一項同, 左砸捶作法, 曲[should be 由]抱拳勢身腰左擰約30, 左拳向左橫挑, 沉肘翻拳向左側壓砸, 右拳抱手腰際, 全身同時下蹲。目視左拳, 其完成姿勢如右圖20。 (乙) 右砸捶作法與(甲)同。惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 對方由側方擊來, 我急全身下蹲 成馬步同時略擰身腰, 以拳挑擊對方之手 同時翻拳砸擊之。

3. 要領:頂頭豎項, 沉肩墜肘, 腰勁下沉, 氣沉丹田, 扣膝裹襠, 動作協同一致。

(12) Horse stance with push aside, smashing fist strike

1. Action:

(a) Horse stance with left push aside, smashing fist strike:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . From that cupped fist posture, twist the body's waist to the left approximately 30 degrees. [At the same time], lift the left fist horizontally to the left, using the elbow and flipping the fist to press and push to the left side. hold the right fist at the waist, and simultaneously squat down. Look at the left fist, finishing the posture as in Figure (20).

(b) When doing horse stance with right push aside, smashing fist strike, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in with a strike from the side, I quickly squat the whole body down to end in a horse stance. At the same time, I twist slightly at the waist and use the rising fist to hit the opponent's hand while simultaneously flipping the fist into a smashing strike.

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Sink the shoulders, drop the elbows, and sink the waist jìng downward. Sink the Qi to the dan-tian, buckle the knees, and wrap the inner thighs. Coordinate all of the movements as one.

[Note: For the rest of the stances in this section and in the next bow stance section, he uses the phrase 扣膝裹襠, which I think means to "buckle the knees, wrap the inner thighs (crotch)". Squeezing the inner thighs helps to engage the pelvic floor and the transversus abdominis muscle, which wraps across the abdomen and helps to stabilize the lower torso. It would seem to have the same effect as rounding the pelvic floor, so I don't know why the character is different for these postures. Also, the phase "smashing fist" could also be translated as "pounding fist", but it is not the "pao" character.]

(十三): 馬步採拐

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步作法與本 節一項同。 左採右拐作法: 左手分掌由身前採一把, 握成陽拳收置腰之左側, 同時上身左轉, 扭約45度, 右手握拳下垂或上豎, 用小臂向前拐擊, 肘尖對 準鼻樑垂線目視右小臂, 其完成姿勢如左圖21。(乙)右採左拐作法與(甲)同。 惟 左右相反。

2. 應用: 對方由正面用左手擊來, 我用手採拿對方左手拉直其臂, 用我右臂拐擊對方之臂, 對方如用右手時, 我應用右接[I think should be 拉]左拐擊之。

3. 要領: 頂頭豎項, 沉肩墜肘, 氣沉丹, 扣膝裹襠, 腰勁下沉, 動作協同一致。

(13) Horse stance with pluck and turned ["L-shape" strike]

1. Action:

(a) Horse stance with left pluck and right turned ["L-shape" strike]:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . Separate the left hand to the front as a palm, and then pluck [yank] by grasping [the palm into a fist] and withdrawing it as a Yang fist by the side of the waist. At the same time, turn the upper part of the body to the left, twisting approximately 45 degrees. Also, make the right hand into a fist , [bending the arm so that the forearm] is either hanging vertically down or up. Then use the forearm for a turned ["L-shaped"] strike, ending with the tip of the elbow [centered] on a line beneath the nose. Look at the right forearm, finishing the posture as shown in Figure (21).

(b) When doing horse stance with right pluck and left turned ["L-shape" strike], it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in with a strike from the front using their left hand, I use my left hand to grab the opponent's hand and pluck [yank] it, pulling their arm straight [back to the waist]. [At the same time], I use the right arm in a turned position ["L-shape"], to strike their arm. If the opponent uses the right hand [to strike], then I use the right hand to pull and hit using the left arm in the turned position ["L-shape"].

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Sink the shoulders, drop the elbows, and sink the Qi to the dan-tian. Buckle the knees and wrap the inner thighs. Sink the waist jìng downward. Coordinate all of the movements as one.

[Note: The turned "L-shape" strike is like the strikes in Mountain Top forms.]

(十四): 馬步搗肘推掌:

1. 作法: (甲) 馬步作法與本節一項同。 右搗肘左推掌作法, 由抱拳拐右拳由身前掩面, 用肘向右搗冲, 同時左拳變立掌由胸前上穿而後向左側推出, 食指對準鼻樑捶線目視左掌, 其完成姿勢如左圖22。 (乙) 左搗肘右推掌作法與(甲)同: 惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 人由兩側同時撃來, 我急全身下蹲, 用一拳由上掩撥對方之臂, 順勢用肘搗其胸部, 用一掌由下向上挑開對方之手而推擊對方上部。

3. 要領: 頂頭豎項, 沉肩墜肘, 全身下蹲, 氣沉丹田, 扣膝裹襠, 腰勁下沉, 動作要協同一致。

(14) Horse stance with beating elbow and push with palm

1. Action:

(a) Horse stance with beating right elbow and push with left palm:

Move into a horse stance using the same method as in posture (1) . From that cupped fist posture, [lift the right arm] up in front of the body in a turned position [upward "L-shape"], using the right fist to cover [and guard] in front of the face. Then use the [right] elbow to beat with a powerful strike towards the right. At the same time, change the left fist into a standing palm that is piercing up in front of the chest, and then after that push it out to the left side with the index finger [centered] on a line beneath the nose. Look at the left palm, and finish the posture as shown in Figure (22).

(b) When doing horse stance with beating left elbow and push with right palm, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed.

2. Use or Application:

If people come in with a strike from both sides, I quickly squat the whole body down to end in a horse stance. At the same time, I use one fist to cover [the face] and push aside one opponent's arm. Also, I use the elbow to beat into the other person's chest. I use the palm that is lifting up from below to push the other opponent's hand away and strike their upper body section.

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Sink the shoulders, drop the elbows, and squat the whole body down. Sink the Qi to the dan-tian, buckle the knees, and wrap the inner thighs, and sink the waist jìng downward. Coordinate all of the movements as one.

[Note: The phase "beating elbow" could also be translated as "pounding elbow", but it does not contain the character "pao".

Previous: Section I: "Side-by-Side" Type of Postures