07 Deflect, Parry, and Punch

Deflect, Parry, and Punch - additional comments:
The name of this movement describes precisely what it does. You face west throughout the whole movement - don’t turn the body.
You start in the Brush Left Knee Posture. Left foot opens, left hand turns and goes back, and right hand goes downwards to the left, like they would if you were going into Brush Right Knee.
But instead, right hand makes a (relaxed!) fist as you begin to inhale. Right leg comes forward making a small circular movement before it sets down a half step in front of the left, toes pointing north-west. Right hand (still in a fist) follows along with the right foot, moving upwards, to the right, and then downwards, the back of the hand coming first. Left hand goes forward. Right foot sets down when left hand passes the ear, palm inwards, fingers pointing upwards.
Both hands continue their paths - left hand straight forwards letting the fingers come forward to point straight ahead, right hand downwards and backwards with the back of the hand towards the ground. As the hands pass each other, you exhale and shift your weight onto the right leg, letting the left leg come forward and step out. Your weight stays on the right foot.
Here, you are first deflecting an opponent’s right arm to the side with the outside of your lower right arm. Then you step forward and position your left hand on the inside of the opponent’s upper right arm, so you can control it with the edge of your left hand.
Next, you inhale and let your right hand come forwards and your left hand come slightly backwards. At the same time, right hand turns so the back of the hand is turned to the right, and left elbow bends to let left hand’s fingers point upwards. When right hand passes left knee, you exhale as the weight shifts forward onto the left leg. When the weight is shifted, both hands are on the body’s center line at chest level. Left palm next to right wrist.
Here, you use your left hand to keep the opponent’s arm out of the way (that’s the parry), as you punch them in the chest with your right fist.
General advice:
Even if the movements and postures are hand-to-hand combat techniques, don’t perform them as if you are in a fight. Because you are not. But you need to understand the techniques to know the direction, progression, and flow of the individual movements.
Concentrate on relaxing and aligning your entire body, and connecting all the way from each foot to the fingers of the opposite hand.
When you inhale, imagine you are hanging suspended from the top of your head. When you exhale, imagine that you are stacking the different parts of your body onto each other from the floor and upwards.
Pay at least as much attention to your feet and legs, and the lower part of your body as you do to your hands and the upper part of your body.
Pay attention to which direction you are facing. Your entire body from groin to shoulders should face in the same direction. When you turn your body, try not to twist it.
Once you know a few postures, link them together in a smooth unbroken flow.
Don’t go too slow, don’t go too fast. Keep an even speed. You can always change the speed next time you start over.
Practice every day, even if it is only for 5 or 10 minutes. Daily practice gives the fastest progress.
REMEMBER:
EVEN IF YOU DON’T DO IT “RIGHT” OR “CORRECTLY”, TAI CHI CAN STILL BE A VERY BENEFIFICIAL WAY OF EXERCISING!
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