Classical Taiji Video Instructions for: 8. White Crane Spreads Wings 白鶴亮翅, 9. Brush Knee Push Step Left & Right 4 Times 摟膝拗步左右四度

Many thanks to Joe Milne and Master Hwa for this great information they published in Forum 17...
At the bottom of this Blog is a video with subtitles on how to perform ROUND FORM 8. White Crane Spreads Wings 白鶴亮翅, 9. Brush Knee Push Step Left & Right 4 Times 摟膝拗步左右四度. There are numerous clips here and all are performed in slow motion with overlay written instructions. One should pick an arbitrary direction such as North and start there, with the turning done to the primary and secondary directions such as North West, East, etc.

The following are really written instructions for the Square Form but should give practitioners much in the way of insight to the nuance of the movements.

8. White Crane Spreads Wings 白鶴亮翅
9. Brush Knee Push Step Left & Right 4 Times 摟膝拗步左右四度

Posture 9 – Brush Knee Push Step
White Crane and Brush Knee, Push

Open/Close (Folding Like a Door) Exercise for New Students Blog 4

The 纏絲工()[silk reeling work]demonstrated here is based on the same principle of movement in Classical Tai Chi we described in the recent "Hand follows foot..." Blog. The principle being one which folds the body at the spine. In this instruction however, the feet/legs are not moving. Unlike "Hand follows foot..." however, one side of the body is truly kept as still as possible while the other side is moved. An often used simile is that of "folding the body like a book". Master Stephen Hwa here uses the phrase "folding like a door"

The exercise demonstrated here is a "pure" silk reeling, since the movement can and should be continuous with no interruptions or breaks.

In particular you should look for a sensation of "folding" at the lower back. Gradually, one notices this sensation moving from more near the upper back to the lower as they become more proficient with the exercises.

As you see Master Hwa do here, you can use the free hand to "feel" exactly where the sensations of "folding" are taking place.