How to Perform One Handed Silk Reeling in Tai Chi

Here is a guide on how to perform One Handed Silk Reeling in Chin Style Tai Chi Chuan. Tai Chi that we know today is actually a short form for the phrase Tai Chi Chuan. It is a very old form of Chinese martial art whose founder is unknown. Most people know Tai Chi as the slow movements people perform in parks and yards. These are actually the training forms of Tai Chi Chuan; the fighting style meant to be used in actual combat is much faster, though it is comprised of the training form moves. It is so prevalent because many people believe that practicing the training forms is effective in promoting good health and longevity. It's also effective as a form of mental focus or meditation. Silk Reeling is a Chin style part of Tai Chi Chuan in that it comes from the Chin province long before China was unified. It is called silk reeling in that it was adapted from the distinct movements required to pull strands of silk from silk worm cocoons during the early part of the silk-making process.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Practice Space

Performing One Handed Silk Reeling

1. Begin in the Silk Reeling stance. You should be bent deeply at the knees with your back upright. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and point your toes at an outward angle.

2. Place your left hand on your hip. Starting with your right hand at your side, make an open claw of it and bring it in an inward half circle above the head. Smoothly continue to pull the hand outward to your right in a line level with the ground and shift your weight to your right foot as you do so. It should end with your palm facing to your right and your right arm at full extension but not locked at the elbow. You should always follow the hand with your eyes and head, turning your neck.

3. Move your arm in a downward sweeping arc to your diagonal left. The palm of your hand should be facing up and you should turn at the waist, shifting your body’s weight to your left foot and leaning forward on it as you do so. The hand should be roughly at head height when you end the arc.

4. Pull the hand back to your right in a straight line, shifting your weight back onto your right foot so your body ends up in the exact same position as it did at the end of step 2.

5. Slowly return your body’s weight to an even distribution on both legs and let your hand down to grasp your right hip. Repeat steps 2 through 4 with your left hand instead of your right. Having done this you’ve completed one handed silk reeling.

Tips & Warnings

• Practicing in front of the mirror can help perfect your form. Keep in mind that many forms of Tai Chi exist and may use the same names for different moves.

Resources

• Video Instructions On One Handed Silk Reeling

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