Special Training

Shuanyao is to roll and turn the torso all as one unit. It is not just a waist turn. There is up and down rolling along with the turn, and usually stepping as well. Also, it is done as if someone is pushing against you to prevent you from rolling and turning.

Crab shuanyao is to keep the arms in the crab model posture, doing shuanyao. Walking around the circle in a one, two, three, pattern, keep the arms in crab model and roll and turn the torso. use power in the lower legs and kidney area only, don’t tense up the arms. Release the shoulder blades and the shoulder joints, settling the shoulders down to lengthen the arms. Watch the hands. The arms go up, over and across,then down, but only because they are going along with the body. Don’t go hard until you know exactly what you are doing and how to do it. A full cycle of crab posture shuanyao takes three steps. Release the pull as the inside foot steps forward. Turn to the outside as the outside foot steps, roll up and forward as the inside foot steps, then turn and roll down and back as you settle into that position.

Daishou shuanyao is to do a short daishou as walking around the circle, doing shuanyao. Keeping back on the outside leg, step the inside foot forward, then the outside foot catches up. Keep the weight back on the rear leg, step the front foot and follow-in the rear foot, almost a shuffle step. Catch for the dai on stepping, then do a short drag while sitting. Always align everything for a solid daishou, fairly square to the pull. This shuanyao is smaller than the others, but no less strong. You will be able to find the short power when you have done enough of the longer, larger, shuanyao.

Catching shuanyao is to reach to a daishou as walking around the circle, doing shuanyao. Stepping the inside foot forward, reach to catch a daishou with the inside hand, catching the opponent’s elbow with the outside hand. Roll and pull around with the daishou and elbow control (similar but not the same as crab posture). Release and step the inside foot forward while continuing the hand circle to catch your opponent to prevent him from falling. A full cycle takes three steps, inside, outside, inside. Release the shoulders and bring power from the kidney area and lower legs. Keep the arms relaxed. Watch the hands. Be sure not to overturn – keep the daishou hand on its line.