第五節: 中定步類

說明: 以中定步而形成之各種姿勢, 稱之爲中定步基本姿勢, 擇其主要而實用者, 分別圖說爲次:

Section V: "Center stance" type of postures

Explanation:

Use the center stance with various kinds of postures for which the center 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.

[Note: The phase 中定步 is translated in the Chen Panling Curruther's book (the red book) as "center equilibrium stance", although the characters really mean "center setting stance" (with setting being used as in "jello sets and becomes firm when refrigerated, but does not hardened"). So it is describing a stable (firm) stance that is centered between the two feet. Based on the information in this section, I don't think it is an exact 50-50 weight distribution. If that were the case, the character 平 would be there, which means "level or equal". ]

(一): 中定步劈掌: (形意之劈拳)

(1) 作法: (甲) 左中定步左劈掌作法: 由 立正左腳前上一步, 腳尖向前, 右腳在後; 脚尖外斜約三0度。兩脚前後踏地。左右相間同膀寬。兩腿微曲, 前四後六(故又名四六步) 前膝蓋上頂, 扣膝圓襠, 鬆腰, 提肛, 保持重心於兩腳構成之底盤內。雙手同時經胸前上舉, 隨左腳進步, 左掌由右掌上向胸前劈平, 掌心向下。與肩同高。食指對準鼻樑垂線。垂肩墜肘左肩前順。右掌由胸內向下劈按, 掌心向下, 與心同高, 右肩前合, 兩掌食指應對準鼻樑垂線。 目視前掌。其完成姿勢如右圖40。(乙) 右中定步右劈掌作法與(甲)同, 惟左右相反。

(2) 應用: 對方由正面擊來, 我閃開正面, 進步用雙手由胸前上棚撥開對方之 手向劈擊之。

(3) 要領: 頂頭豎項, 垂肩墜肘, 空胸緊背, 腰勁下沉, 氣沉丹田, 扣膝圓襠, 劈掌時要前腳掌撐, 後腿蹬, 協同動作全身合力發動下劈。

(4) 中定步又名四六步, 爲進退轉換之起步, 均名中定。

(1) Center stance with splitting palm (Xingyi splitting fist)

1. Action:

(a) Left center stance with left splitting palm:

From the "attention posture" [with heels together], step the left foot forward using one large step with the toes pointing to the front, and then step the right foot behind [the left foot] with the toes turned outward approximately 30 degrees. Push through both the feet, with both left and right groin [kua] separated wide. Bend both legs slightly, with 40% [of the weight] forward and 60% [of the weight] backward (also known as 4-6 stance). Push the front kneecap up, buckle the knees and round between the thighs. Lift through the pelvic floor, and keep the center of gravity centered between the bottom of the two feet. Simultaneously, raise both hands to pass in front of the chest. When the left foot steps forward, pass the left palm over the right palm and split forward at chest level, with the center of the palm facing downward at shoulder level height and the index finger [centered] on a line beneath the nose. Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows, allowing the left shoulder to go forward. Split and press the right palm down on the inside [of the left hand] in front of the chest, with the center of the palm facing downward at [chest] level height. Close the right shoulder forward, with the index fingers of both palms [centered] on a line beneath the nose. Look at the forward palm, finishing the posture as in Figure (40).

(b) When doing right center stance with right splitting palm, 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 get out of the way from in front [of the opponent], advancing forward and using both hands to ward-off in front of the chest, pushing aside the opponent's hand and striking with splitting [palms].

3. Essential points:

Crown of the head pushing upward. Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows. Hollow the chest and tighten the back. Sink the waist jìng downward, and sink the Qi to the dan-tian. Buckle the knees, and round between the thighs. Coordinate the splitting with the palms, the bracing through the sole of the front foot and the pushing through the rear leg as one movement.

4. The center stance is also known as the 4-6 stance. Whether you are advancing or retreating, turning or shifting, you always start in center stance.

[Note: Chen Pan Ling's Taijiquan book has this same text (as number 4 above) about center stance in the note at the end of Posture 4 (play guitar right), although it doesn't say it is also called the 4-6 stance. I think that keeping the weight a little bit more on the back foot would allow more power if you needed to suddenly move forward, so for the particular postures covered in this section, it may be advantageous to have take the 4-6 stance.]

(二) :中 定步鑽拳: (形意之鑽拳)

(1)作法: (甲)右中定步左鑽拳作法: 其步法與本節一項同。 隨左腳進步, 右拳及小臂經胸前下按, 橫於兩乳前, 左手陽拳由右手內向上向前鑽擊, 高與眼平, 對準鼻樑垂線。 兩肩前合, 垂肩墜肘, 目視左拳, 其完成姿勢如左圖41。(乙)右中定步右鑽拳作法與 (甲)同 , 惟左右相反。 其完成姿勢如左圖42。

2. 應用: 對方由正面來, 我進步或退步, 用一拳按住對方之手, 用一拳鑽沖對方上部。

3. 要領: 發勁後腿蹬, 前腳掌撐住, 上下四肢合住勁, 其餘同項項三目。

(2) Center stance with drilling fist (Xingyi drilling fist).

1. Action:

(a) Right Left center stance with left drilling fist.

Move into a center stance using the same method as in posture (1). As the left foot advanced a step, press the right fist and forearm down in front of the chest until horizontal. Drill the left hand as a Yang fist upward at the inside of the right hand and strike at eye level height, [centered] on a line beneath the nose. Close both shoulders forward [i.e., protract the shoulder blades), sinking the shoulders and dropping the elbows. Look at the left fist, finishing the posture as in Figure (41 42).

(b) When doing left right center stance with right drilling fist, it is the same as in part (a), only with left and right reversed, finishing the posture as in Figure (42 41).

2. Use or Application:

If the opponent comes in with a strike from the front, I step forward or maybe step backward, using fist to press the opponent's hand. I use the other fist to drill into the opponent's upper [body] section with a punch.

3. Essential points:

Send energy into the rear leg and push [forward], while bracing through the sole of the front foot. Connect energy through the upper and lower four limbs of the body. The rest of the essential points the same as in the previous posture's item 3.

[Note: Figure 41 show a right center and right drilling fist, while Figure 42 shows a left center stance and left drilling fist. Neither of these match the title of (a) or (b). The text that follows then ends with the same foot and hand forward, but the picture numbering is wrong. I have crossed out the wrong text and added the correct text. ]

(三):中定步架冲拳: (形意之炮拳)

1. 作法: (甲)左中定步左架右冲拳作法:

其步法與本節一項同。 隨同進步左拳胸前上挑, 架於額前上約兩拳, 虎口向下。 腕背對鼻樑。 同時右拳由左 拳下向前冲平成立, 拳左肩前顺, 垂肩墜肘, 拳頭向下著力, 約同肩高, 立拳對準鼻樑垂線, 目視右拳。 其完成姿勢如游圖43。(乙)右中定步右架左 冲拳作法與(甲)同, 惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 對方由正面擊來, 我用一拳架開對方之手。 同時進步或退步用另一拳沖擊之。

3. 要領: 勁由後腿發, 拳頭向下著力, 其餘要領同一項三目。

(3) Center stance with block and charging fist (Xingyi pounding fist)

1. Action:

(a) Left center stance with left block and right charging fist:

Move into a center stance using the same method as in posture (1). While advancing the foot forward, lift the left fist upward in front of the chest, blocking up in front of the forehead to end with [the fist] about two fists [distance away from the forehead]. The tiger's mouth is pointing down and the back of the wrist is in line with the bridge of the nose. At the same time, send the right fist forward by passing it under the left fist, ending in a level standing fist. Allow the left shoulder to go forward, sinking the shoulder and dropping the elbow. Send the end of the fist [knuckles] down with force, [centering it] on a line beneath the nose. Look at the right fist, finishing the posture as in Figure (43).

(b) When doing right center stance with right 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 hand block the opponent's hand to create an opening. At the same time, I step forward, or maybe backward, and use a charging fist forward to strike.

3. Essential points:

Send out energy from the back leg, using effort to [press] the end of the fist downward. The rest of the essential points the same as in the previous posture's item 3.

(四):中定步雙托掌:

1. 作法: (甲)左中定步雙托掌作法:

其步 法與本節一項同。 隨進步同時兩手陽掌向前托出, 兩掌離開約半尺, 掌高平腰如左圖44。掌高同肩平為左下圖45, 目前平視。(乙)右中定步雙托掌作法與(甲)同, 惟左右相反。

2. 應用:對方由正面擊來, 我用兩掌壓住或撥開對方之手隨進步托對方腹部或胸部。

3. 要領: 進步與托掌要協同一致。 其餘要領同一項三目

(4) Center stance with double supporting palms

1. Action:

(a) Left center stance with double supporting palms.

Move into a center stance using the same method as in posture (1). While advancing the foot forward, send both Yang palms forward [as if] supporting or propping up [something with the hands]. Both hands are separated open by about a half Chinese foot [i.e., 1/6 meter] with the palms at about waist level height, as in Figure (44). [Alternatively], the palms may be at shoulder level height as in Figure (45). Look forward at eye level.

(b) When doing right center stance with double supporting palms, 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 both palms to press down and perhaps separate the opponent's arms. While stepping forward I push into the opponent's abdomen or chest.

3. Essential points:

The advancing step and supporting palms must happen in coordination with each other. The rest of the essential points the same as in the previous posture's item 3.

(五): 中定步雙抖掌:

1. 作法: (甲)左中定步雙抖掌作法: 其步 法與本節一項同。隨進步同時, 兩掌住胸前壓住或撥開人手後向上抖擊人面。高與肩平。 目視兩掌, 其完成姿勢如左圖46。 (乙)右中定步雙抖掌作法(甲)同。惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 對方由正面擊來, 我用雙手壓住或撥開對方之手, 隨進步用兩掌背及指抖擊對方面部。

3. 要領:進步與抖掌要協同一致, 其餘要領同一項三目。

(5) Center stance with double shaking [backhanded slap] palms

1. Action:

(a) Left center stance with double shaking [backhanded slap] palms.

Move into a center stance using the same method as in posture (1). While advancing the foot forward, press down or push open a person's hands with both palms. Then hit with a shake [i.e., backhanded slap] to the person's face at shoulder level height. Look at both palms, finishing the posture as in Figure (46).

(b) When doing right center stance with double shaking [backhanded slap] palms, 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 both palms to press down and perhaps separate the opponent's arms. While stepping forward I hit with a shake [i.e., backhanded slap] to the person's face with the back of the palms and back of the fingers.

3. Essential points:

The advancing step and shaking palms must happen in coordination with each other. The rest of the essential points the same as in the previous posture's item 3.

[Note: The "shaking palm" this is described in this posture is a backhanded slap. The hands move at the wrists, as if shaking water off or drying wet fingernails.]

(六): 中定步雙撲掌

1. 作法: (甲)左中定步雙撲掌作法: 其步法與本節一項同。 隨進步兩掌經胸前向前撲按, 兩掌相距半尺, 掌心向前下方成陰掌, 高同肩平。 目視兩掌。 其完成姿勢如右圖47。 (乙) 右中定步雙撲掌作法與 (平)同惟左右相法。

2. 應用: 對方由正面擊來, 我用兩手撥開對方之手, 隨進步踏入對方襠內, 兩拳[should be 掌]按撲對方上部使其後跌。

3. 要領: ·進步與撲掌要協同一致, 餘同一項三目。

(6) Center stance with double pouncing palms

1. Action:

(a) Left center stance with double pouncing palms.

Move into a center stance using the same method as in posture (1). While advancing the foot forward, pass both palms in front of the chest, and then throw [the palms] to push forward. Both hands are separated open by about a half Chinese foot [i.e., 1/6 meter] with the center of the palms facing forward and downward with Yin palms at shoulder level height. Look at both palms, finishing the posture as in Figure (47).

(b) When doing right center stance with double pouncing palms, 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 both palms to push aside the opponent's arms to create an opening. While stepping forward, I stomp inside the opponent's crotch [i.e., step between their legs], throwing both fists [should be palms] to press into the opponent's upper body, causing them to fall.

3. Essential points:

The advancing step and pouncing palms must happen in coordination with each other. The rest of the essential points the same as in the previous posture's item 3.

(七) : 中定步上抱掌

1. 作法: (甲)右中定步上抱掌作法: 其步法與本節一項同。 隨進步同時兩手向前上合抱於胸前, 均成立掌, 右前左後手心相向, 右肩前順, 左肩合住, 右掌高同肩平, 左掌高同右肘窩, 食指均對準鼻樑垂線。目視右掌如右圖48。(乙)左中定步上抱拳作法與(甲)惟左右相反。

2. 應用: 對方由正面擊來, 我用雙手合抱其臂而引化之。此爲太極拳基本樁 勢。

3. 要領: 氣沉丹田, 注兩手, 其餘要領同一項三目。

(7) Center stance with upward embracing palms

1. Action:

(a) Right center stance with upward embracing palms.

Move into a center stance using the same method as in posture (1). While advancing the [right] foot forward, wrap both arms forward [as if hugging a tree], with the palms [raising] up in front of the chest and both [hands] ending in standing palms. The right [hand] is forward and the left [hand] is behind it, with the center of the palms facing each another. Allow the right shoulder to go forward, and allow the movement of the left shoulder to match [with a corresponding backward movement]. The right palm is at shoulder level height, and the left palm is at elbow pit level. Both index fingers are [centered] on a line beneath the nose. Look at the right palm, finishing the posture as in Figure (48).

(b) When doing left center stance with upward embracing palms, 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 both palms to embrace their arm and begin to pull. This is one of the fundamental postures in Taijiquan.

3. Essential points:

Sink the Qi to the dan-tian, and concentrate on both hands. The rest of the essential points the same as in the previous posture's item 3.

[Note: The "elbow pit" or "crook of the elbow" is the cubital fossa, or depression in the bend of the elbow.]

Previous: Section III: "Bow Stance" Type of Postures

Next: Section VI: "Empty Stance" Type of Postures