Fair Lady Works Shuttles (and variations of the same movements) is also known as The Immortal Attendant. It is considered one of the most challenging moves in Yang Form. Most readers already understand that there are always different variations and interpretations of movements, even with the same family form. That being said, there are other non-Yang Family Forms who also have a similar set of movements, similar names, but very different interpretations. For this blog, we will just discuss Yang Family forms.
But first: a bit of history, or legend, as to how the set of movements got the name.
The name is supposedly derived from a legend/story of a Jade girl who was a serving maid to the Taoist Immortals. She had to work by turning wooden shuttles. Accordingly, the Fair Lady movements mimic the turning of a wooden shuttle, “smoothly and repeatedly”, similar to turning a water wheel. Keep in mind that the ancient Chinese believed that the world was square.The four turns represent the four seasons of a year. The belief was that the tortoise held up the heavens on its four legs; the four points of the compass and the earth at the center. Four mythical animals make up those corners: Snake, Bird, Tiger, and Dragon.
There are others who believe that the movements are derived from hexagram 60 of the I Ching. And then there are those who say that it is simply named after working with a loom and a shuttle.
Why students find the movements challenging and/or difficult:
One of the problems most students encounter is knowing where to put which hand and foot. Correct weight distribution is also a challenge. Many students are unaccustomed to turning the body to face a new direction. And to do it into four different corners!!
Moving the body as a coherent unit is something students often struggle with. One must understand the concept that movements originate from the Dantian and spiral outward to the arms and leg. This takes a lot of practice and they need to understand that they are not just moving their feet. Many moves, particularly Fair Ladies, require spiraling (or silk reeling) energy. When one realizes that movements originate from Dantian and are expressed by the arms and hands, one must allow the hands to follow the spirals generated by the body. This is very different from using muscle “force”.
Applications (especially martial) of Fair Lady Works Shuttles:
In order to perform Fair Ladies effectively, it is important to know why we are moving as we do. Before we talk about applications, it is important to realize that “every Tai Chi movement is said to have between three and thirty applications”.
The list of applications in this blog, including the interpretations and rationale, is far from exhaustive. I am sure that no matter how many I include, you can find different (and possibly contradictory) methods, interpretations, and the rationale behind them.
Fighting Applications: While the “first” hand lifts the opponent’s arm, the other (lower, or rear arm) strikes, or pushes, upward with the palm. This can be under the sternum, to the heart, ribs, or elsewhere (depending on your opportunity, choice, etc.). This is possible if the upper arm redirects the force of the opponent’s strike. You are then at an advantage because the important (or vital) areas of the opponent’s torso is now exposed.
A few guidelines and guiding points:
When one arm is “pulling upward”, the other is pressing outward.
Be sure to focus on turning from the center.
Don’t use “external muscular” force.
Keep your upper arm softly curved so that your opponent’s force will “glance” off.
Keep the elbow and shoulder relaxed.
Keep the palm turned outward.
Don’t lean forward or lunge.
Last (lowest) vertebrae should be “plumb erect”.
Body acts as a unit.
Clearly differentiate between empty (insubstantial) and full (substantial) stepping.
Concentrate on your line of vision.
Some videos to view (you can judge their quality and/or performance).
https://www.google.com/search?q=fair+ladies+work+shuttles+by+chem+meng+ching
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK5lwlmT7vc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dew02bd-SaM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejzSO-J_Uzw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP6wrFJMf78
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNJnK0nQQQ8
Bottom line: The Yang form you are practicing may not look exactly like the ones in these videos. My aim in sharing them is to give you some idea of the many variations and interpretations out there! Fair Lady Works Shuttles (no matter what it is called) is a challenging, but very lovely set of movements, which will take your Tai Chi to a higher level once they are mastered!
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