Waving Hands, or Wave Hands Like Clouds (云手 Yúnshǒu), or similar names for this movement, can be found in most Tai Chi Forms. Quite a few variations/interpretations exist, depending on the Form you are practicing. Even though it is mostly taught for health, Waving Hands is very much a self-defense move!
The Waving Hands (Yang style) is at times considered a postural exercise used to “develop the back muscles, relax the neck and shoulders”. It is also said to increase Qi and blood flow through the body.
What the different variations have in common: Yang, Chen, and Sun all step to the side with arms rotating in a somewhat circular motion. Similar to moving like a cloud on a windy day. One arm is moving clockwise, while the other is moving the opposite direction (counter-clockwise). Usually, one hand moves at the level of the Dantian, while the other moves in front of, but below, the eyes (some variations use chin level). The hands cross or swap position at the same time, while the feet are lying near each other during the stepping.
Let’s think about the feet and legs. While stepping, the knees should be bent which, of course, moves the back slightly backward. What would happen if you locked them? Hint…you would fall forward! The legs support the upward and downward “potential of the body” with a feeling of resilience. Knees, of course, should not twist nor should your rooting be broken.
While the feet are moving sideways, the body and arms “do something more subtle”. When the hands “exchange” or swap, the lower (rising) hand is slightly closer to the body than the upper hand. As the lower one rises, it moves slightly away from the chest. In other words, one moves away, while one moves closer. Very subtle and hardly noticeable. In effect, our circles are not only left and right, up and down, they also circle forwards and backwards. That’s more circles than obvious to the untrained eye! These is the reason why Waving Hands could be considered 3 dimensional!
When to shift the weight is an area of controversy among practitioners. Some (even within the Yang Family Forms) gradually shift weight from one side to the other, while others shift the weight before the waist turns. Those in favor of the gradual weight shift say they feel like the energy and the power moves through the center together. They also consider it more graceful. Whereas, those who prefer transferring the weight first (before turning the waist), feel it helps develop their root and that it provides a solid foundation for the “ward off technique”.
How they vary: Yang style consists of a more vertical arm block, palms facing inward. Chen style looks more like a horizontal elbow strike, palms facing inward. Sun style, however, has the palms outward facing. There are several posts available that show examples of the differences.
There is another variation of Waving Hands technique where you step behind. With this technique, when the arms change (an exchange) position, they are more lateral.
Martial applications: By using the Waving Hands movement, the practitioner could intercept and deflect a front strike/punch/kick from an opponent, and remove it from its target - you! This is done using the circular hands and extensions of the arm. The arms and wrist could both be used for offense or defensive blocking. They can also redirection the attack, as well as your opponent’s energy. You could use a Ward-Off technique and then turn it into a “pull down”. By turning your waist, you could also lock your opponent’s arm. This should be fairly easy to lock or trap their arm, which would at least cause some “discomfort”.
Waving Hands as a self-defense movement can neutralize an attack without hurting either the practitioner, or the attacker. It can also teaches the practitioner (whether new or “seasoned”) to focus on breathing, and to develop a “heightened sense of awareness”.
On a personal note, I once observed a Tai Chi Master I was working with, back a Karate Black Belt into a corner. He never actually touched his opponent, only deflected the punches by using Waving Hands. This caused his opponent to back into a corner and call “Uncle”. No damage done to either of them!
Some easy mistakes, usually made by beginners: Often new students keep their arms too close to their body. They also flatten, rather than curve their arms, thinking they are going to protect themselves. Your arms should “project outwards” in order to meet your opponent away from your chest.
Of course, even though the waist area (Dantian) guides the movement, many new students use their hand, arms, or shoulders instead. The idea that arms only move if the waist moves (true throughout the form) is hard for some to grasp. Sometimes, it helps to have students practice doing Waving Hands without feet, because the stepping causes some confusion and then the body doesn’t turn. Of course, lots of practice is necessary to master the hands/arms/waist, even including the feet, at some point. For a new student, this can be information overload.
Speaking of turning the body, many students went to turn the hips left or right. The hips only move sideways. It is the rotation from the waist (turning the chest) that causes the arms to move left or right.
Another difficult maneuver is when the arms “swap position”, meaning the upper becomes the lower and the lower becomes the upper. It takes a lot of practice and awareness to understand that this also comes from a waist turn (generated by the Dantian). Many students twist the body instead of turning the waist. The waist turn is fairly small, especially in Sun.
A few things final points: Your waist area (Dantian) guides the movement, not your hands or shoulders. Eye follow the upper hand. Be sure to focus on your Lao Gong. Hands should go no higher than your eyes or chin level depending on your Form.
Breathing: In Waving Hands, you inhale when you turn to one side and exhale on your back turn. Because the breath is interchangeable in Waving Hands, you can start where you feel comfortable and continue until the end of the posture/movement.
As stated repeatedly, movement is directed by the Dantian (or waist). Therefore, you should feel a connection from your toes to your fingers. If you can feel that connection (or “slight tension”) and allow the waist to control the movements, especially when in the “swap position” in Waving Hands, you are in a good position to carry that connection throughout your Form practice.
Some interesting YouTube videos (to view if desired):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGTFq5yaAwU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aT4oSvyHww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=806uOULuHdo&t=26s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNyNMz_Qs1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8kkRGoWSyE
Of course, not everyone agrees with each other or instructs the same way.
For example: https://www.taichisusan.com/post/waving-hands-in-clouds-feet-spine-hands
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