Often, the beginner will first feel a sensation, an internal energy, in the hands and fingers. The hands are the expression of our qi in The Form, acting similarly to a barometer. For the correct expression the hands must be relaxed, soft, full, subtle and comfortable but not limp. The three basic positions in the Golden Flower Form are:

Fair Lady Hand

The main position throughout The Form: the hand is held in a natural opened position as if one were reaching to shake hands; the slight separation between the fingers and the thumb is in the ‘Tiger’s Mouth’ position to promote the qi. At all time it should be soft and relaxed. At a higher level, the quality of the palm changes continuously, going to or from yang to yin.

Crane’s Bill

This is a yang energy hand with a soft yin curved palm. Done with the tips of the

fingers, the wrist is bent with fingers pointing downward, gathered together around the thumb-tip; the thumb is straight; the palm hollow and facing downwards. The whole ‘picture’ is to form a bird’s beak. This hand shape represents the gripping of an opponent’s arm or even a strike using the back of the wrist.

Loose Fist

Although the fist is closed, it is not tight and holds no tension, as if there were a couple of grapes in the hand. The bent-over fingers fold naturally over the palm.