抱虎歸山 (Bao Hu Gui Shan – Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain)

 抱虎歸山 (Bao Hu Gui Shan) 

Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain

This posture is often taught as part of the sequence 十字手轉抱虎歸山 (Shizi Shou Zhuan Bao Hu Gui Shan – Cross Hands Transition to Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain). It is divided into six movements.

---

第一動 (Step 1)

• Action: Continue from the previous posture with weight sitting solidly on the left leg. The right foot lightly lifts at the heel, with the knee raised slightly. The torso rotates left about 30° toward 11 o’clock, leading the right palm to swing left-down about 20 cm. The hip joints are fixed, without rotating along with the waist. The right thumb ends near the left elbow joint.

• How to do it better: Keep the kua (hip joints) relaxed so the turn is smooth and connected from the dantian. Avoid over-lifting the knee—think of it as “empty stepping.”

• Application: This motion neutralizes (化 hua) an opponent’s incoming force by drawing it off-line and prepares to seize or redirect.

---

第二動 (Step 2)

• Action: Rotate the waist and torso 120° rightward toward the East (3 o’clock). The right knee lifts but the toe lightly touches the ground in place. The left palm remains as before, held diagonally forward at shoulder height, palm inward, fingertips pointing toward about 4:30 direction. Relax the right shoulder to sink the right palm downward in front of the left leg about 10 cm, elbow slightly bent, palm inward.

• How to do it better: The key is to keep the left palm stable, like a mountain, while the right palm sinks like water. Don’t drop the torso—only the arm relaxes.

• Application: This sets up a peng (掤 – ward-off) structure with the left hand, while the right hand prepares to control or uproot the opponent’s arm.

---

第三動 (Step 3)

• Action: Lift the right leg and step diagonally back toward the 4:30 direction, placing it lightly (empty step) at about a 45° diagonal line from the left heel.

• How to do it better: Keep the step light and elastic, as if testing the ground before settling. The torso remains upright.

• Application: This step creates angle and distance, evading a direct attack and positioning for a counter.

---

第四動 (Step 4)

• Action: Shift the torso rightward to sit onto the right leg, forming a right bow stance (右弓步 you gong bu), still facing East. The right shoulder aligns toward 4:30 direction. The left palm remains in its original position. The right palm hangs naturally inside the right leg as the body moves.

• How to do it better: Ensure the weight fully sits on the right leg without leaning the torso. The left hand must remain alive (靈活 linghuo), not stiff.

• Application: The right stance stabilizes your base while the hands control the opponent’s arms—left hand maintains contact, right hand guards low.

---

第五動 (Step 5)

• Action: Rotate the waist and kua rightward about 45° toward 4:30. At the same time, pivot the left toe about 90° rightward to face East. The right palm circles around the knee to the outer side of the right leg, elbow slightly bent, facing 4:30. The left palm also turns toward 4:30.

• How to do it better: The power should spiral from the dantian, not just arms. Keep elbows sunk, chest hollow, back rounded (含胸拔背 han xiong ba bei).

• Application: This is a wrapping motion—trapping the opponent’s arm with both palms while turning to off-balance them.

---

第六動 (Step 6)

• Action: Shift weight back onto the left rear leg, sitting firmly. The movement lifts and floats the right palm upward (relative original space), extending diagonally like supporting and embracing. Both hands form a 抱 (bao – embracing) shape: the left elbow hangs slightly downward, palm facing forward-down, while the right elbow remains slightly bent, palm at shoulder height. Together they look like embracing a sphere.

• How to do it better: The two hands must feel connected, as if holding a ball of energy between them. Do not over-stretch; maintain roundness.

• Application: This is the “embrace tiger” moment—securing the opponent’s center between your arms, then preparing to “return to mountain” (step back and neutralize, or throw).

---

Key Points for Better Practice

• All movements must originate from the dantian rotation, not just the arms.

• The kua must open and close naturally to guide stepping and turning.

• Keep song (鬆 – relaxed) but not collapsed—structure should remain alive and full.

• Imagine you are receiving, controlling, and then returning the opponent’s force back into emptiness.