I’ve been teaching Yang Tai Chi Short Form for many years. Even though I teach for health, I usually allude to the martial aspects of many of the moves. This helps students visualize the martial purpose, which in turn assists them in proper execution of the movement. I, personally, like to analyze a move to determine the purpose, mechanics, energy flow, etc. Grasp Sparrow’s Tail is one of the moves that has intrigued me and I decided to delve further into it.
I was quite surprised at the numerous interpretations and variations of the movement. I’m sharing a few of the videos below if you are interested.
As you would expect, Grasp Sparrow’s Tail goes by many different names. In Chinese it is called Lǎn Qùe Wěi. Some of the other names include Grasping Sparrow’s Tail, Grasp the Swallow’s Tail, Grasp the Peacock’s Tail, and Grasp the Bird’s Tail. For consistency, I will use Grasp Sparrow’s Tail in this blog.
There are quite a few opinions regarding why the move is called “Grasp Sparrow’s Tail”. The most common seems to be that the first movement looks like you are softly stroking a rather large bird (especially with your right hand which is moving downward.
Most “seasoned” practitioners consider Grasp Sparrow’s Tail a “core fighting technique” appearing in many Tai Chi forms. Remember that even though you may be practicing for health and fitness, Tai Chi started out as and is a martial art. Martially, Grasp Sparrow’s Tail “condenses the essential points” of both offense and defense. The purpose of Grasp Sparrow’s Tail is to meet and divert an incoming attack, to uproot your opponent (disrupting their balance) and, then allow the Tai Chi practitioner to launch a counter attack. Essentially, with good footwork and strong internal force, this movement can “counter any forms of attacks”. This includes strikes, kicks, grips, etc.
According to Wong Kiew Kit, Yang Lu Chan, the patriarch of Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan and who is also known as Yang the Ever Victorious, used “Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail” as his principal move. Master Wong also stated that the postures are the “four primary Tai Chi Chuan hand movements”. He maintains that the force begins at the foot, but is controlled by the waist, expressed through the hands, with the execution coming from the spine.
The movements of Grasp Sparrow’s Tail are usually considered Yang Style and consists of 4 distinctive parts: Ward Off, Roll Back, Press, Push.
Ward Off (Peng) is outward and expanding energy that is somewhat elastic. The Warding Off (in Grasp Sparrow’s Tail) moves upward (rising) and outward. It is the rising, floating, and expanding that uproot an opponent. This is an offensive move.
Roll Back (Lu) is opening up the space within the Ward Off or Peng. When an opponent comes at us, we yield, absorb, redirect or “re-guide”, or otherwise deflect their energy. This is the defensive part of the move.
Press (Ji) compresses the Ward Off or Peng and redirects the opponent’s energy back at them. The focused, compressed energy can deliver a strong, penetrating blow. Obviously, this is an offensive move with the intent to attack or “press forward” which explains the translation.
Push (An) rooting and sinking to bring your opponent’s energy down to your root. The trajectory is downwards as you are redirect and push their energy in that direction. At this point, your opponent will usually lose their root (or center of gravity) enabling you to push. Be sure to sink your elbows and your hands as you withdraw.
It is easy to see why Grasp Sparrow’s Tail is sometimes called “PengLuJiAn”
Grasp Sparrow’s Tail teaches beginning students the basic mechanics of Tai Chi, such as starting from the back leg, moving the waist, and front hand - all in harmony! Once you are competent in Grasp Sparrow’s Tail, you should be able to perform other Tai Chi movements gracefully, correctly, and balanced.
Here are some examples of different interpretations of Grasp Sparrow’s Tail that I found on the internet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZafsfOlQL6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-aDsfnsRtA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdDfElSaY00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpfleNSyLWo
One unique way to teach and interpret Grasp Sparrow’s Tail:
For a totally different (but fresh) take on Grasp Sparrow’s Tail, you may be interested in looking at what Michael P. Garofalo presented at Chapman Elementary School in California (2002). The title of the presentation was “Tai Chi Chuan and Fighting Stress” and targeted 5th and 6th grade students.
What a unique perspective! This is even more relevant in the world we have lived in the last 3 years or so. Applicable for both for youth and adults.
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