In addition to 1) Relaxing and only tensing what is needed for balanced movement, eliminating extra movement and tension; 2) Shifting the weight 100% between the sides and moving only parts without weight on them; and 3) Moving from the center, there is a fourth principle that becomes more and more obvious as the form evolves.
This principle; 4) may be generally described as Synchronization.
It manifests as the coordination of two or more separate parts, such as, when in the first lesson, the head is turned from looking at the left hand to looking straight ahead, and the left hand is turned from palm up to palm down. This occurs as we move into the horse stance, which Mr. Chow called “Riding the bicycle”.
Moving the Fist
This “Synchronization” principle also manifests at a higher level, when we look at the relationship between the circle and the square.
As we pull the fist back from an extended position (A straight line, the Square), to the Tan Tien, (Just below the belly button), the wrist and elbow are both gradually bent, so that the alignment of the fist does not change in relation to the direction one is facing. (These angle changes are a rotation, the circle), creating an example of Stillness in Motion - The fist is in motion, but it’s direction, (the angles of it's relationship with the environment), remains still. The movement is thus originated from the center, the spine/hips axis.
Retreating the Leg
When one retreats the foot after turning to the left after the first Round hand, beginners merely bring the leg back.
More advanced practitioners do this by rotating the hip outward to move from the center, and simultaneously rotate the toe inward, again creating the appearance of stillness in motion as the foot seems to retreat in a straight line.
These synchronized rotations in opposite directions enable the hand or the foot retreat to originate from the center.
The hand/fist movement is easier to work with, as it takes place in front and in view, and is not part of the weight supporting structure.
We are not usually looking at our feet, (Out of sight, out of mind), and it is much more difficult to change movements that may directly affect our balance.
Synchronization of Change of Direction and Weight Shift
Another example of synchronization takes place when one changes direction and shifts the weight at the same time, as in Cloud hands.
At first, the player is facing 45 degrees to the right and the weight is on the right foot, then one both turns 45 degrees to the left and coordinates this turn with a weight shift to the left foot, and back and forth, as one performs the Cloud hands (Also known as the Round hand).
Similarly, in the Walk, the weight goes to the right and the left foot is moved, the weight goes to the left side and the right foot is moved, back and forth.
(This principle is much more evident in the continual, round form than in the step by step square form).
