1a)

Left, front, cross-over, sweep step (toward right-rear-flank) into a right rear twist stance facing forward (toward front) with the closing, repositioning (toward up), and reorienting (counter-clockwise vertically) your right hand in front of (toward right-flank) your right shoulder at chin height, knuckles pointing forward and diagonally-upward (toward upper-front); simultaneously with the opening, reorienting (clockwise vertically), and retracting (toward rear) of your left hand into your right fist, fingers pointing backward and diagonally-upward (toward upper-rear), making contact with the right knuckles at the center of the left palm.

1b)

Plant (toward down) your left foot into a right rear twist facing forward (toward front), while maintaining the same relative positioning and orientation of both arms.

Clarification:

The foot maneuvers of the previous sequence (1a-1b) create a slightly exaggerated left front cross-over (toward right-rear-flank).

1c)

Right step-through (hop) diagonally-backward (toward right-rear-flank) into a right one-legged stance facing forward (toward front), while simultaneously maintaining the same spatial positioning (in relation to your body) and orientation (in relation to your environment), over your right shoulder (toward right flank).

Elaboration:

The stance of the previous maneuver (1c) is to be purposely held for a matter of a second or two to create a definite distinction between this maneuver (1c) and the following maneuver (1d).

Clarification:

The holding of the stance of the previous maneuver (1c) for a period time is to demonstrate a definitive command of balance and control over the body.

1d)

Plant your left foot (toward down) onto the left- to-right line (toward left-flank) into a horse stance facing forward (toward front), while simultaneously repositioning (toward front) both hands to the (vertical) center-line of your body at chin height, palms pointing diagonally-downward (left toward lower-right-flank / right toward lower-left-flank) and both arms pointing diagonally-upward (left toward upper-right-flank / right toward upper-left-flank), parallel in front of your body (toward front).

2)

Raise both of your open hands above your head (toward up), palms pointing upward (toward up) and fingers pointing inward (left toward right-flank / right toward left-flank), and without any loss of momentum, draw your left foot (toward right-flank) to your right foot while simultaneously lowering both of your hands in outward arches (left toward left-flank / right toward right-flank) (left counter-clockwise / right clockwise - vertically), ending in an attention stance facing forward (toward front).

Clarification:

The following sequence (3a-4b) is typically done in a smooth manner without any pauses, but may also be done with pauses (if desired).

3a)

Raise your right fist diagonally-upward (toward upper-left-flank) to your (vertical) center-line at chin height, palm pointing diagonally-downward (toward lower-left-flank) and knuckles pointing diagonally-upward (toward upper-left-flank) parallel in front of your body.

Denotation:

the warrior...

3b)

Right step forward (toward front) into a right front twist stance facing forward (toward front), while also shifting your right clenched fist backward (toward right-rear-flank) in front of your right shoulder, knuckles pointing forward (toward upper-front) with the simultaneous raising (toward upper-right-flank) of your left open hand to your (vertical) center-line at chin height, palm pointing downward (toward lower-right-flank), and fingers pointing diagonally-upward (toward upper-right-flank) parallel in front of your body.

Denotation:

and the scholar...

3c)

Bring your left open hand, backward (toward right-rear-flank), to your right knuckles (in front of right shoulder), with finger pointing diagonally-upward (toward upper-right-rear-flank).

Denotation:

meet...

3d)

Left step forward (toward front) into a left, 45-degree, cat stance facing forward (toward front) while simultaneously pushing both hands (maintaining contact with each other) forward (toward front) such that your left open hand, palm pointing downward (toward lower-right-flank) and fingers pointing diagonally-upward (toward upper-right-flank), is covering the knuckles of your right fist, palm pointing diagonally-downward (toward lower-left-flank) and knuckles pointing diagonally-upward (toward upper-left-flank), parallel in front of your body at chin level.

Denotation:

and go forth into battle...

4a)

Rotate (left clockwise / right counter-clockwise - vertically) and open both of your hands (maintaining contact with each other) such that both palms face away from each other (left toward left-flank / right toward right-flank), at shoulder height in front on your body; fingers of both open hands pointing forward (toward front).

Denotation:

back-to-back they work together...

4b)

Left rear cross-over step (toward rear) into a right front twist stance facing forward (toward front) while simultaneously rotating (360-degrees) both hands (still maintaining contact with each other) toward yourself (left counter-clockwise / right clockwise - vertically), ending in a palm up position (toward up) and fingers pointing forward (toward front), in front of your body at lower chin level. Without any delay in motion, immediately draw your right foot backward (toward rear) to your left foot until both feet are side-by-side, while also drawing (toward rear) and closing both hands simultaneously to chambered positions, palm up (toward up) at your sides, into a modified attention stance facing forward (toward front).

Denotation:

to bring the country back to the people.

Clarification:

The following sequence (5a-5c) is typically done with pauses, but may be executed in a smooth manner, if desired.

Elaboration:

The following sequence (5a-5c) starts at a further distance from the body and progresses closer to the body, until the final position is almost touching the front of the body. In other words, far (5a), medium (5b), and close (5c) distances.

5a)

Left step to your left (toward left-flank) into a horse stance while simultaneously raising (toward upper-front) both of your hands in front of you (in slight outward arches), ending at eyebrow height and palms pointing away from you (toward front), with the thumbs and forefingers of both hands touching and forming a triangle parallel in front of you (toward front).

Denotation:

I have no weapons.

Elaboration:

The finished triangle formed by the hands of the previous maneuver (5a) should be oriented as follows: base line parallel to both the ground (i.e. on a horizontal line) and the body at eyebrow height, and the tip of the triangle pointing upward (toward up).

5b)

Lower both hands (toward down) while also folding (clockwise vertically) your left hand over and covering your right fist, palms pointing diagonally-downward (left toward lower-right-flank / right toward lower-left-flank), with both arms pointing diagonally-upward (left toward upper-right-flank / right toward upper-left-flank), parallel in front of your body (toward front) at chin level.

Denotation:

I hide my Kenpo secrets.

5c)

Continue the lowering of both hands (toward down) while opening both of your hands simultaneously such that the palms touch and face each other (left toward right-flank / right toward left-flank), fingers pointing upward (toward up), at solar plexus height (as if in a praying position).

Variation:

You may bow your head (toward lower-front) at this point, to more accurately simulate a praying position.

6)

Raise both of your open hands above your head (toward up), palms pointing upward (toward up) and fingers pointing inward (left toward right-flank / right toward left-flank), and without any loss of momentum, draw your left foot (toward right-flank) to your right foot while simultaneously lowering both of your hands in outward arches (left toward left-flank / right toward right-flank) (left counter-clockwise / right clockwise - vertically), ending in an attention stance facing forward (toward front).

Denotation:

Close salutation.

7a)

Bow your head downward (toward lower-front).

7b)

Raise your head upward (toward up) back to its original position.

Denotation:

Show respect to the art of American Kenpo (and close form).