Circles of Protection (left side)

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Circles of Protection (left side)

Clarification:

Some maneuvers of this technique are referred to as transitory. This is to call out the fact that although they are individual maneuvers unto themselves (i.e. not mumbled together), they are simultaneously also part of a larger, relatively sustained, flow of movement.

Visualization:

The following sequence (1a-1e) should create a large, horizontally rotated, figure 8, bent at 90-degrees in the middle, with the side-to-side portion (right arm - parallel in front of your body) on a left to right (clockwise vertically) circle (right-front-flank to left-rear-flank) and the front-to-back portion (left arm - parallel to the left side of your body) on a front to rear (counter-clockwise vertically) circle (right-rear-flank to left-front-flank).

1a)

Direct your attention 180-degrees (clockwise horizontally) to your right (toward right-rear-flank) with the left front cross-over step (toward right-rear-flank) into a left, transitory, front, twist stance facing forward (toward right-rear-flank) as you simultaneously retract (toward lower-right-rear-flank) your left arm so it passes under your right arm (right on top of left) in front of (toward right-front-flank) your hip area (i.e. the same relative positioning as the previous side of the technique at the same point), relatively parallel to the floor (on a left-front-flank to right-rear-flank line) such that both palms face upward (toward up), and have contact with each other (across the entire length of the forearms), in preparation for the next maneuver.

Clarification:

The foot maneuver created by the above sequence (1a) is a left front cross-over (toward right-rear-flank).

Variation:

With the drop of your arm in the previous maneuver (1a), you may also open up both your hands in preparation for a future maneuvers (1b-1c).

Visualization:

The left arm of the previous maneuver (1a) now begins to travel on the front to back portion of the figure 8 (counter-clockwise vertically).

1b)

Without any loss of momentum, right step forward (toward right-rear-flank) and shift (clockwise horizontally) forward into a right, transitory, forward bow facing forward (toward right-rear-flank) with the execution of a left, thrusting, open-handed, transitory, upward block (toward upper-right-rear-flank), while the right arm maintains its same position relative to your body (body fusion), palm pointing upward (toward up).

Visualization:

The left arm of the previous maneuver (1b) continues to travel on the front to back portions of the figure 8 (counter-clockwise vertically).

1c)

Continuing without any loss of momentum, reverse the rotation of your stance (counter-clockwise horizontally) into a right, offset, transitory, fighting horse facing forward (toward right-rear-flank) as you (vertically) circle your left arm backward (toward upper-left-front-flank) simultaneously with a right, thrusting, transitory, outward heel-palm claw toward your right (toward upper-right-rear-flank), palm pointing forward (toward right-rear-flank) and fingers (not tips) pointing to the left (toward right-front-flank).

Visualization:

The right arm of the previous maneuver (1c) now begins to travel on the side-to-side portion of the figure 8 (clockwise vertically), while the right arm (1c) continues to travel on the front to back portion of the figure 8 (counter-clockwise vertically),

1d)

Continuing without any loss of momentum, further rotate (counter-clockwise horizontally) your stance into a right, transitory, reverse bow, in preparation for the next maneuver sequence.

Visualization:

Both right arm and left arms of the previous maneuver (1d) continue to travel on their respective paths of travel.

1e)

Continuing without any loss of momentum, and as the left arm reaches the point where it is relatively parallel with the floor, reverse the rotational shift of your stance (clockwise horizontally) into a right, transitory, forward bow facing forward (toward right-rear-flank) with a left, thrusting, forward, underhand, heel-palm, palm pointing forward (toward right-rear-flank) and fingers pointing downward (toward down), while simultaneously allowing the continued rotation (clockwise vertically) of your right hand to impact with your left inner forearm area, palm pointing to your left (toward left-front-flank) and fingers pointing to your left (toward lower-right-front-flank), in preparation for the next maneuver. Simultaneously with the above maneuvers, slightly bow your head forward (toward lower-right-rear-flank) such that the top of your head points diagonally-upward (toward upper-right-rear-flank), as you continue to maintain your gaze (and attention) forward (toward right-rear-flank).

Elaboration:

The collision of your right hand with your left forearm of the previous maneuver (1e) should be timed to occur at the end of the striking contact of the maneuver and not impede on its effectiveness. Rather, the intention of this maneuver is to borrow some of the residual force (borrowed force) of the strike (rebounding) to improve the effectiveness of the next maneuver (2).

Interpretation:

The bowing of the head recognizes that the previous maneuver (1e) may cause the visualized opponent to bend forward, thus causing an inadvertent head-butt to your facial area.

2)

Immediately, close your left hand, palm forward (toward right-rear-flank), and retract (toward left-front-flank) your left arm to a chambered position, palm pointing upward (toward up), with a right push-drag forward (toward right-rear-flank) as you again reverse the rotational shift of your stance (counter-clockwise horizontally) into a right neutral bow facing forward (toward right-rear-flank) with a right, snapping, forward and diagonally-upward, outward, back-knuckle (toward upper-right-rear-flank), palm pointing to your left (toward lower-left-flank) and knuckles pointing forward (toward upper-right-rear-flank).

Variation:

Some may consider the push-drag to be optional.

Elaboration:

The closing of the left hand of the previous maneuver (2) should be done first to simulate the grabbing and squeezing of the testicles, while also timed in concert with the back-knuckle to create opposing forces (right push - left pull).

Clarification:

The snapping method of execution of the back-knuckle of the previous maneuver (2) is specifically chosen so that the next maneuver can take advantage of the retraction of the right hand.