2.2 DOUBLE PALM CHANGE
This trains the large koubu and large baibu stepping. It
trains the true spirit of the dragon, reaching as high up as possible and as
low down as possible, as the dragon soars into the sky and drops into the sea
at will. It trains the large koubu and larger baibu steps, liaozhang, rising
and dropping, gaizhang, and zhuangzhang. The variations train more rising and
falling, and the interchange between hard and soft. All movement is big and comfortable. Practising this change opens up the tendons, bones, qi, and blood.
The movements create a characteristic, they are the means, not the end. The end is to manifest the spirit of the dragon. The movements must be done perfectly in order to draw this out. The dragon feeling is the best for opening up the tendons, and once the tendons are opened up then they can connect. This will automatically open up the qi and blood. Do not separate the internal from the external. The correct movements will correct the qi and blood.
Movement Names: Reach To The Heavens, Draw Up The Cloak
While Walking Along, Reach To The Heavens And Stab Into The Ground, Large Koubu Baibu Gaizhang,
Zhuangzhang, Gather Up The Enemy On Horseback, Hide A Flower Under A Leaf, Dragon Turns Its Head.
Description: starting in dragon form with the left hand up.
Action One: Koubu the right foot across the lines of the circle, settle into the right leg, and sweep the left hand up and across the body. (At first make the biggest circle possible, later on it can become more natural)
Action Two: Baibu the left foot onto the outside line of the circle, liaozhang with the left hand. Circle the hand down past the knee before stepping out (settle the legs down before stepping into the mabu).
Action Three: Koubu the right foot, bring the right hand through to stab
straight up until the upper arm is at the ear, twisting the arm. Stab the left hand down beside the leg, placing the back of the hand by the right knee.
Action Four: Extra koubu with the right foot, around and slightly outside the circle, keeping the arms in the same place relative to the body. Baibu the left foot into mabu and open the
arms, aligning them with each other. The back of the left hand is on or beside the kneecap. The right arm draws a straight angled line with the lead arm, so is above the head slightly outside the line of the legs, palm up, shoulder open. The power is in the upper back. Settle down so that the power will go out.
Action Five: Large koubu with the right foot all the way around to almost back
onto the circle. Gaizhang with the right hand, striking forward from above the shoulder into the head. Grab and pull the left hand down to under the elbow. Be sure to use both arms together.
Action Six: Mabu (you may shift the left foot to get aligned with
the circle). Bring the left hand in then do a single zhuangzhang to the left side. The hands are in a straight line, the fingers pointing forward. Then
stay in mabu and do a single zhuangzhang with the right hand to the right side. Look to the hitting side before the zhuang. Use the hip, body, and shoulders, not the arms.
Action Seven: Right koubu, hide the flower under a leaf.
Action Eight: Dragon turns its head.
Action Nine: Place in dragon form for walking.
Video of Andrea doing the first and second palm changes.
The variations of the change are not in any specific order. They are numbered for convenience and this order may be adjusted later.