7. Seventh dragon change: Returning body change

2.7 This trains advance and retreat turning, pizhang applications, and kicks. It is called returning change because you constantly run away, then turn back to counter attack. All the turns are done in two actions: koubu without turning, then turn.

Description: starting in dragon form with the left hand up.

Action One: The inside (left) foot first steps straight.

Action Two: The outside (right) foot steps straight. Then the inside (left) foot does koubu, pointing to the outside. The left hand gradually does stab to heaven.

Action Three:  Turn. Step one, two (right baibu to the line, left steps straight on the line). Keep the arm back on the baibu, then continue the circle of the left hand to do qiezhang.

Action Four:  Right baibu and turn, keeping the left arm laid out. Then continue the action of the left hand to do a palm up low liaozhang.

Action Five: Left toe kick, keep the left arm extended along the leg. Lean back, putting the hip into the kick.

Action Six: Turn and land the kicking leg with koubu, close to the supporting foot. Cross the arms. Then open the arms and do a right heel kick along the line of the circle. Lean back and thrust the arms out to the sides as you kick (palms pressing to the side or palm up, the right arm will be in towards the circle centre, the left arm will be to the outside). You may also swing the arms out at shoulder height, palms up.

Action Seven: Land the kicking (right) leg back along the line of the circle, back towards the inner (right) arm. Reach that hand (right) across, then step in and left tanzhang (can do a forward step into right chuanzhang after).

Action Eight: Reach back along the circle then step and right tanzhang (can do a forward step into left chuanzhang after).

Action Nine: Turn, drop stance thread palm.

Action Ten: Go to dragon form.

The variations of the change are not in any specific order. They are numbered for convenience and this order may be adjusted later.


Website organized and written by Andrea Falk, interpreting the teaching of Li Baohua. The website of the international association is www.maguibagua.com.