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Tai Chi - Lesson 2 - Grasp Sparrow Tail

by Randy Brown

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About this Lesson

  • Type: Video Tutorial
  • Length: 3:38
  • Media: Video/mp4
  • Use: Watch Online & Download
  • Access Period: Unrestricted
  • Download: MP4 (iPod compatible)
  • Size: 40 MB
  • Posted: 10/13/2010

This lesson is part of the following series:

Tai Chi - Beginner Series - Lesson 1-16 (17 lessons, $15.84)
Tai Chi Bundle - Section One (incl. all moves) (11 lessons, $9.90)

In Lesson 2 of Master Brown's Tai Chi series we focus on the popular movement 'Grasp Sparrow Tail'. This Tai Chi Posture is one of the most important in Tai Chi and will be repeated throughout the Yang Style Tai Chi Long Form. It is comprised of 4 smaller motions - Ward-Off, Roll Back, Press, and Push.

Legend has it that Yang Lu Chan (the founder of Yang style Tai Chi) used this move to defeat many opponents. Then name derives from a fable about a Sparrow landing on Yang Lu Chan's arm and each time the bird would try to take off, Yang Lu Chan was so sensitive to the birds movement that he emptied his arm and the bird could not push off to fly away.

This lesson shows Grasp Sparrow Tail, as well as a close-up of the hands, and a close-up of the footwork to assist you in learning.

See transcript for more details.

About this Author

Randy Brown
Randy Brown
22 lessons
Joined:
10/12/2010

My name is Randy Brown. I've been training/teaching Tai Chi for over 10 years. I also hold a 6th degree Black Belt and Master Instructor title in Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

I am extremely passionate about martial arts and love to share my knowledge with others so they may reap the benefits to their lives, that I have received in mine.

After learning Tai Chi, I noticed the difficulties many people had in learning it. I became obsessed with finding easier ways to teach it. I recognized that as a student of Tai Chi, we want to spend our time gaining the benefits from practicing it, rather than trying to remember choreography or deal with coordination...

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Ward Off should maintain the hand above the elbow, arm rounded, thumb pointing toward the sky, and the fingers should be alive, not tense, but not loose and relaxed. The arm should feel vibrant and full when in the proper position.

Roll Back should focus on moving no more than 60% of your weight to the rear leg. It is very important for balance and structure to move the body back first, then turn the torso to the left.

Press is referred to as a 'Supported Ward-Off'. The right arm should be in the Ward-Off position, while the left hand is supporting the right forearm with the palm.

Push is just as it sounds, a push. Key point is to use your legs to perform the push, not the arms. Allow the weight to shift forward till 70% of your weight is on the front leg, but do not pass your toes with the knee or you have gone to far. NOTE: Moving beyond the toes with the knees can lead to injury over time, or aggravate existing injuries. Be aware of it early on to avoid this.

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