slant flying vs. part wild horse's mane

[keniz138]

In classical Yang long form, I am having some trouble seeing the difference in the two postures slant flying vs. part wild horse's mane.

Any advice?

[soraya]

To make the difference clear, I need to explain the martial application.


Parting the wild horses manes is executed with the force of separating your hands at the end of the move. Really think of tearing your opponent(not with brute force but intention by the mind) with the separation of your hands(lie force) until the move ends.

Slant flying is a diagonal move, the force is a diagonal lifting force. Before and inbetween there is an elbow strike(zhou force) or a weak shoulder strike(kao). Both techniques require diagonallly directed force

Do you have a video, Dr. Lam's 24 forms show parting the wild horses manes He explained this while his student is moving. Both moves is executed with"no mind" and a lot of intention of doing. Half thinking, half not thinking, said my GM

[Dr. Paul Lam]

on the outer appearance, slant fly is slightly more open and stretch more. they are similar, there is no reason why you cannot use the same martial art application in the right position.

[soraya]

I just tried to elucidate the deeper difference in internal force by mentioning different applications. Both moves are similar but slant fly has a more diagonal force which is made clear by shoulder strikes before and after.

One move has different applications and you can use the same application from the right position for both slant fly and parting the wild..........

Anything in Tai Chi is difficult to express in words and therefore our master encourages us to train in silence without speaking.

[keniz138]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot

[stanton]

Slant flying can be seen as the final endpoint of an application while part the horses mane is the setup/block/parry!
Dr Lam is right that slant flying is more open (structure wise) when compared to 'horses mane'

[Marc Heyvaert]

If I may jump in here I would like to list a few purely technical similarities and differences between the two movements.

1. Both movements are opening/parting movements. While transfering your weight the chest expands/opens.

2. Energy-wise with 'Wild horse' the focus point is on the forearm near the point below the thumb where your hand begins. For 'Slant flying' it is the upper arm and the shoulder.

3. 'Wild horse' is executed with a step forward. 'Slant flying' is with a step back. That explains the different focus point. Applying a 'kao' technique stepping forward is hard to imagine.

This is at least my understanding of these positions

Regards

Marc in Belgium

[ester]

Thanks Marc

Your post was very informative and most helpful