Names of the Steps
The names of each of the movements may have different meanings as the understanding evolves.
In the beginning, “Attack the Tiger” may be seen as looking like one is punching downward at an angle, as though to strike a large four legged animal (Mr. Chow would sometimes refer to this move as “Attack the Dog”).
After one’s form evolves, this movement, in which the arm and shoulder are extended (stretched) may be used to relax and un-tense the shoulder, facilitating the flow of Chi through these parts, thus attacking the tension, or Tiger energy, by stretching the shoulder.
This allows the arm to connect to the spine and lets the movement originate from the center.
So ‘Attack the Tiger’ here becomes ‘Attack the Tiger energy in the shoulder’, which allows for enhanced Chi flow through the body.
Isolating Muscle Groups
As we get rid of extra movements, the elegant simplicity of the form that is left may be likened to the concept of isolating muscle groups.
This is encountered in the gym when using the weight machines (with pins to adjust the weight which is lifted), or with free weights (Bar bells or dumb bells).
In the gym the idea is to work on the development of specific sets of muscles. We are more concerned here with improving the efficiency of specific movements, rather than specific muscles, but the principle is the same.
The Hand-Slap Example
After going into Flying Slanting in one of the first lessons, before the first Stork cools it’s wings, when the left hand swings over (Pivoting from the elbow) into Holding the Ball (Holding the Chi), a child’s game comes to mind that demonstrates this movement, which is done without engaging (Tensing) the upper arm and shoulder.
This same movement is encountered when one holds one’s hands in front at waist height, palms up, and the opponent holds their hands over your hands, palms down, and tries to withdraw their hands quickly to avoid them being slapped.
The elbow stays motionless as the slapping hand quickly makes a semicircle to come down on the back of the opponent’s hand, coming down palm down.
The shape made by the forearm/hand pivoting from the elbow is that of half a funnel, pointed at the elbow. If a piece of chalk were held in the hand and one was standing at a black board, the letter ‘C’ would be drawn, the open side facing down.
This demonstrates the correct movement, in which the upper arm and shoulder remains relaxed.
Monks Copying Holy Texts
Often these days, the form may be taught without understanding the purpose of the moves, with respect to the principles.
This may be likened to Monks of many different schools in the Middle Ages, who accumulated merit by copying holy texts for years without understanding their content (They often had not learned to read).
