Double Palm Change of Sun Style Baguazhang

Si Xiang is the transformation (or doubling) of Yin and Yang into Old Yin, Young Yin, Young Yang, and Old Yang. Sun Lu Tang associated Si Xiang with the Double Palm Change.

From the left Pushing Millstone Palm toe-in with the right foot to begin the change. The torso posture does not change.

Toe-out with the right foot and turn the palms over so they are pushing in the direction of the change. The eyes remain focused on the left hand.

Toe-in with the right foot as you rub the back of the right hand along the inside of the left elbow. Your eyes catch the right hand as it pierces past the elbow.

Pierce the right hand above your head as you spin on the ball of the right foot, so you are facing in the opposite direction, and slightly to the center of the circle. The left foot comes off the floor as you spin and rests next to the ankle of the right foot. The hands form the Sky and Ground Palm posture in front of the body.

Lower the right hand by swinging it from the shoulder and raise the left hand by bending the left elbow. The left foot steps out, and your torso is facing the center of the circle; your eyes catch the left hand as your right hand drops past it. The hands, elbows, and knees move in unison as you step out with the left foot. The hands are in the Lowering Palm posture, but held wide, over the thighs of each leg. The elbows, shoulders, and hips are all rounded and feel as though they are sinking into the ground.

Turn the left foot out on its heel and raise the hands to the pushing position of Single Palm Change.

Toe-in with the right foot so the body is facing from the center of the circle. The right hand pierces under the left arm at the elbow. As it passes the left arm, the eyes catch the right hand and remain focused on it until you complete Double Palm Change.

The right hand continues past the left arm until the right hand is above the head. The left hand is inside the elbow of the of the right arm and follows the elbow as you uncoil to the right.

The Double Palm Change completes with a toe-out of the right foot as your right and left hand lower to the Pushing Millstone Posture.

Begin walking in the clockwise direction by Stealing a Step forward with the right foot and following with a Sweep Step of the left foot along the line of the circle.

Essential Points of Double Palm Change

This is the second of three fundamental palms from Dong Haichuan’s Baguazhang practice. When practicing this palm change you need to loosen the shoulders and sink the elbows as you transition through Sparrow Hawk Spirals to Heaven and White Snake Lies in the Grass.