1)

Gathering Clouds is considered as an isolation sequence

It is arguable to consider the self-defense technique Gathering Clouds as an isolation sequence. In order to execute the sequence as an isolation, the technique must be executed with the following variation:

•the drop of the hands and settle into the horse is executed prior to any other maneuvers (set for isolation)

•the inward maneuvers and hand-sword (first part of ratchet) of the hand is executed from the horse (isolation sequence)

•the inward elbow is executed with the settle into the neutral bow (using ratcheting) (not part of isolation)

The argument for considering these maneuvers as an isolation sequence is:

•the inward motions (horizontal) of the defense with offense matches (vertical) the upward block sequence and middle-knuckle of Short Form Two - only the middle-knuckle is executed with proper back-up mass

•the hand-sword after the first maneuver demonstrates a timing variation to the final isolation sequence of the form - where the defense and offense are executed together with opposite hands

•the sequence picks up the final major angles (left / right) that are not directly faced to in previous forms, even though other isolation sequences do execute to these angles, they never directly face them

2)

Snaking Talon is considered as an isolation sequence

It is arguable to consider the self-defense technique Snaking Talon as an isolation sequence. The argument for considering this is:

•It adds an isolation sequence to the lower corners to match (opposite) Long Form Three's isolation sequences to the upper corners

•it demonstrates an opposite way of demonstrating circles (figure 8) to lines (Long Form Three isolation) using the bottom half of the body (the foot)

•the sequence isolates the sides of the body (vertically), rather than the top from the bottom (horizontally) - an opposite

•it is a transitional sequence (top + bottom) from previous forms (top only) to the isolation sequences of the following form (bottom only)

3)

There is considered four (4) isolation sequences in Form Four

If one where to include the two (2) previous isolation sequences (#1 and #2 above) as true, then that would result in Form Four having a total of four (4) isolation sequences.

This logic could then be further extended into other forms and sequences to conclude:

•Long Form One has one (1) isolation sequence (end)

•Long Form Two has two (2) isolation sequences (punch/punch/punch/[kick with punch - optional] - end)

•Long Form Three has three (3) isolation sequences (near beginning - middle - near end)

•Form Four has four (4) isolation sequences