Not crossing center line of body

[Anonymous]

In video of the Old Yang style, Bruce cautions that the arm movements should never cross the center line of the body, but does not elaborate. Yet, in the modern Yang short form style, the arms repeatedly cross the body’s center line in the Cloud Hands movement.. Can anyone shed light on this difference? What is the affect of crossing vs. not crossing the center line? Thanks, Jerry

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure if this might help- but when you say “in the modern Yang” (as in- “it does”).. might there be a distinction between the wrist/hand in relation to the center-line vs the “elbows” ..

-imagine a flat plane in shoulders/hips/torso (the 4pts box)- and a dividing line perpendicularly fwd.. -this can be a bit tricky, if the movement is directed a bit to the side (say stepping and looking to the left) .. the “facing” line is fwd ~diagonally even though the centerline is still via the torso line

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(many systems do not explicitly emphasize the 4pts, ie torso being “square” even encourage the spine being twisted, ie shoulder turned in relation to the hips below them. -if do that, don’t simul do the bend-shoot the spine, as twist& fold-bend the spine is like wringing a cloth so it rips..) anyway- if you turn the torso, then the centerline isn’t distinct which can further make unclear (as then, where is “in front”?)
I’m not sure if above might help, or if you knew that and have a better example of how you see it is taught to violate that?

[Anonymous]

Thanks, but I’m not following you. In 2 versions of the cloud hands movements–modern Yang style and Dr. Lamb’s Tai-Chi for Energy, for example, both hands/forearms alternately pass the center line of the body as you step right or left. I wish Bruce would elaborate on his comment about not crossing that center line.

[Anonymous]

Just reviewing the Training Circle- and this post came to mind (I see you posted this on Q&A thread).. I don’t know you have viewed the video tai-chi-session-3-13 “Yang Cheng Fu’s Principle #5” which may answer your question.. as well as what other points have come-up, either way, best luck in seeking- to any that may view this.

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