Passing Clouds, by Pete Gregory (August 2011)

We set up Passing Clouds like every other movement in the practice:

– Bottom Up (awareness in the soles of the feet)

– Inside Out (capacity to see, think and feel from the tan t’ien)

– Not Within, Not Without (alert, quiet, empty)

Begin with the weight on the left leg, left arm up (forearm vertical/palm forward/ fingers to the sky.) Right arm is down along the leg, shoulders square, nose to the center.

Take a sideways “T’ai Chi step” to the right (lift the toes, sneak out, land on the heel and flatten), and initiate the weight shift strong across the heels.

The raised left hand, beautifully cupped, opens and arcs briefly outward, beginning a circle that sweeps the hand down and across to the right side. The tempo of the circle coordinates with the swiveling right hip. The palm moves through the tan t’ien area and ultimately faces the body.

As the weight begins to shift back, strong across the knees to the left, the right hand gets into the act. Briefly rising, it enters its own (counter) circle, down and across to the left, under the rising left hand.

Toward the end of the shift, as the left hand is reaching the top, allow a sufficient waist turn so the right fingers can pass by and tickle the left elbow. Lather, rinse, and repeat for 9 or 18 sets. Finish to the left, and return to the rest position to ground. Practice daily.

Editor’s Note: The most important resource for teaching tips is Justin Stone. Watch and listen to him on his instructional DVD. And read about and inspect his movements in the Photo Textbook. Both are available from Good Karma Publishing. His words are also available in the essential booklet, T’ai Chi Chih Teaching Tips, available through the New Mexico T’ai Chi Chih Association for a small fee (www.taichichihassociation.org and 505-299-2095.)