Dance of Darkness (left side)

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Dance of Darkness (left side)

Explanation:

The following maneuver (1) is technically not considered part of the technique, rather a transitional maneuver between the two sides of the technique.

1)

Direct your attention 180-degrees (clockwise horizontally) to your right (toward right-front-flank) as you unwind (clockwise horizontally) into a left neutral bow facing forward (toward right-front-flank), while simultaneously repositioning both arms into standard positional covers, hands open.

Interpretation:

The depth of the following parries (2a-2c) on a visualized (stationary after attack) opponent (second person perspective) should start at wrist depth (2a), transition to elbow depth (2b), and conclude at shoulder depth (2c), but the ranges of each for yourself (first person perspective), due to your foot maneuvers should be: close range (2a), middle range (2b), and close range (2c) (not far range).

2a)

Left rear cross-over step reverse (toward left-rear-flank) into a right, front, twist facing forward (toward right-front-flank) simultaneously with a left downward parry (toward right-front-flank), palm pointing inward (toward right-rear-flank), and with a slightly delayed, right, inward, parry (toward right-front-flank) to face height, palm pointing outward (toward left-front-flank).

Elaboration:

The timing of the previous maneuver (2a) should be as follows: the right parry should conclude with the settle into the stance, while the left parry should conclude slightly after the settle.

Clarification:

The foot maneuver created by the left foot of the previous sequence (2a) is a left rear cross-over.

2b)

Immediately, circle (counter-clockwise vertically) the right hand downward in a small circular motion, from upper chest height to face height, executing a right inward parry (toward right-front-flank) to face height, palm pointing inward (toward left-front-flank), while maintaining the position of your left arm and stance, in preparation for the next maneuver.

Elaboration:

As the previous upper body maneuver (2b) almost concludes, the following upper body maneuver (2c) begins, such that the maneuvers slightly overlap in time.

2c)

Immediately, left step forward (toward right-front-flank) into a left neutral bow facing forward (toward right-front-flank) as you circle (counter-clockwise vertically) your left arm upward executing a left outward parry (toward right-front-flank) to face height, palm pointing inward (toward right-rear-flank), while simultaneously allowing your right hand to become a positional cover at left upper chest height, maintaining its same relative orientation.

Elaboration:

The timing of the previous maneuvers (2b-2c) should be the same as the starting maneuver (2a) only with the right parry (2b) concluding with the settle into the stance and the left parry (2c) concluding slightly after the settle.

2d)

Redirect your attention 90-degrees (counter-clockwise horizontally) to your left (toward left-front-flank) with the right step forward (toward right-front-flank) into a right, transitory, wide-kneel facing forward (toward right-front-flank) as you draw both hands diagonally-downward across your body (toward lower-left-flank) into a cup-and-saucer position at your right side, in preparation for the next maneuver.

Clarification:

The cup-and-saucer position of the previous maneuver (2d) is a standard chambered position, palm pointing upward (toward up) covered at a 90-degree angle by the opposite hand, with the opposite arm horizontally (parallel to the ground) across the body (parallel to the body), palm pointing downward (toward down).

Clarification:

The wide-kneel of the previous maneuver (2d) is called modified because the alignment and orientation is forward (toward right-front-flank) but the attention is shifted 90-degrees (counter-clockwise horizontally) to the left (toward left-front-flank).

Variation:

As part of the retraction of the left arm of the previous maneuver (2d), the left hand may execute a left, inward (horizontal), 2-finger hook (toward left-front-flank) to eye level, fingers pointing forward (toward right-front-flank) and palm pointing inward (toward right-rear-flank), by slightly exaggerating the retraction of the right hand.

2e)

Immediately, shift your stance 90-degrees (counter-clockwise horizontally) to your left (toward left-front-flank) into a left close-kneel facing forward (toward left-front-flank) with the execution of a left, thrusting, outward, back-knuckle (toward left-front-flank) to abdomen height, palm pointing toward you (toward right-rear-flank), simultaneously with a right, thrusting, vertical, punch (toward left-front-flank) to face height, palm pointing to the right (toward right-front-flank).

3)

Rotate your right hand (counter-clockwise vertically) and simulate a grab to face height, palm pointing away from you (toward left-front-flank) and immediately drop (toward down) your right hand directly downward to lower chest height, as you simultaneously circle (counter-clockwise vertically) your left hand toward you (toward right-rear-flank) and upward (toward upper-left-front-flank) to deliver a left, thrusting, vertical, back-knuckle to face height, palm pointing upward (toward upper-right-rear-flank) and knuckles pointing forward (toward upper-left-front-flank).

Visualization:

In essence, the left hand of the previous maneuver (3) replaces the location of the right hand with both upper body maneuvers (3) starting and concluding their movements in-sync with one another.

Clarification:

The following sequence (4-5) should be timed to be executed as a continuously flowing series of maneuvers.

4)

Circle (clockwise vertically) your left hand downward (toward down) to lower chest height and then ultimately to your right (toward right-front-flank) to eye height, delivering a left, thrusting, inward, 2-finger, poke to your right (toward right-front-flank), palm pointing toward you (toward right-rear-flank) and fingers pointing to your right (toward right-front-flank).

Interpretation:

The previous maneuver (4) can be construed as a downward frictional pull (using your left forearm - relatively linearly) to a visualized opponent's left arm (to clear it out of the way); then using the same momentum to circle (clockwise vertically) back to the move's original starting place (only at a relative 90-degree angle change), delivering a 2-finger poke to the visualized opponent's left eye.

5)

Timed to coincide with the focus point of the previous move (4), redirect your attention 90-degrees (clockwise horizontally) to your right (toward right-front-flank) with a right front cross-over step (sweep) (toward left-rear-flank) into a left rear twist facing backward (toward right-front-flank), simultaneously with the execution of a right, thrusting, weaving, outward, 2-finger, poke to eye height, palm pointing away from you (toward left-front-flank) and fingers pointing backward (toward right-front--flank), while the right hand maintains its same relative spatial positioning and orientation throughout the entire maneuver.

Elaboration:

The final strike of the previous maneuver (5) is timed to reach its focus point just after the settle (toward down) into the stance, not with the settle.

Interpretation:

The right arm of the previous sequence (5) should circle (clockwise vertically) on the outside of the left arm (toward left-front-flank), using it as a guide to deliver the 2-finger poke to the visualized opponent's right eye; while also following its same relative path from the previous maneuver (4), creating an overlapping (vertically oriented) figure 8.

The foot maneuver of the previous sequence (5) can be construed as a right sweep to the visualized opponent's left leg, with the poke concluding just after the plant into the twist stance.