GGFFK Step by Step 7 - 10

[Asmo]

Here the new section. The greeting, three dynamic tension exercises and steps down into horse.

[Sifu at Large]

I will post the text from the manual I made for my students. I have changed it slightly to avoid seeming to talk down to those who have been around longer than I.

7. - With this step, there are many variations within the different schools. Some schools pull the hands to the shoulder, as pictured. Other schools pull the hands to the shoulder as pictured, but only for a moment as the arms will sink with the weight when the next step is executed. As with anything, you should do this the way you are taught.
Within this simple looking salute, there are several devious martial applications. I am of the opinion that Master Lam used this as a pose for a photo for a reason. (Yes, I know...kung fu nerd...)If it were nothing but part of the simple salute, why should it be broken down to the point of more than one photo?
When the hand that is pictured as a fist is viewed as a pulling hand, and the open palm is pushing to the side, martial applications become readily apparent.

8. - When I was taught this form, this portion of the form, together with step 7, was not taught as a martial technique, nor was it taught as separate techniques. These two steps were taught as one move, which was called “opening salute”. Over the years, I have come to believe that everything in the form has a martial application.
In the Leung Daat versions of the Lam Sai Wing books, it is stated that “if the opponent does not move, I do not change my stance”.
From this apparent opening salute, used in conjunction with the previous posture, one has a very visible control/striking technique. The front foot is used in some schools as a blocking tool; others use it to aid in tripping the opponent.

9. - In this part of the form, the practitioner will collect and center his energy. From posture 8, close the open palm into a fist, bring the knuckles to the point where they are nearly touching and draw a circle with your fists. You will trace the bottom half of the circle first, and as the hands come toward your body and travel upward, inhale. After the hands reach the apex of the circle, you will exhale and sink your energy into the “Dan Tien”. At the end of this movement, your fists will be pulled into a chambered position at the sides.
On the martial side of things, if an attack were to be made against the practitioner during this moment, the fists would be rotating and falling in attack. One could easily change this from fists into palms, which opens up the applications from a strike into several Qin Na controlling techniques.

10. - The previous sections constitute the opening section of the form.
There are three methods for opening into the horse stance. One is to take two circular steps (one with each foot), which will have the practitioner ending in the Horse. The other two are a measuring method involving a heels out/toes out, or vice versa. Some schools pull the heels first. Other schools move the toes out first. In my school, we go toes first. I have seen heated arguments about if the toes are supposed to go first or heels first. There is nothing to argue about. Simply perform the method you are taught!
Once you measure out your horse stance, sink into the stance. The Horse stance is something you should have trained since day one. Taught properly, you will not be struggling against gravity; your bones will lock into position, and there will be no struggle. This stance is believed to lower the energy, and from this lowered position, it is much easier to send it out to the arms.

Probably not too different from how the rest do it, but you never know.

Why has this sat for so long undiscussed?

[Asmo]

[Fat Cat]

[HungFamilyFist]

We do both.

[APAV]

My version:

Step 7: Jiu geng sau on outside, pull to your waist, sink the stance, strike at the exposed elbow. If the opponent is much stronger, striking at the opponents eardrum is advisable.

Step 8: shift your weight forward and deliver a double strike. (I believe the tripping part that Sifu at Large mentioned could be added to this)
Alternatly the open hand blocks and the fist strikes.

Step 9: If the opponent grabs both your hands after sending him away with step 8, you pull your hands to your chin, breaks free by turning your elbows forward, then meet the now incoming enemy with double backfists.

[DruggedMonk]

APAV: Yeah we do the same bow. We get taught to do the circular step on certain forms, and on other forms we go from toe to heel, I've never seen anyone go to horse from heel to toe.