Stepping back

[pete5770]

It was brought up in one of my previous posts that when one does Repulse the Monkey that the heel of the foot going back needs to be put down first(as opposed to the toes) or at least the heel should be leading the foot back and down. In my brief foray into Wu style some years back it was heel down first. Although Wu Repulse Monkey differs a bit from Yang. In any case what are your thoughts on this. You know, why, how, what for.

[Brian]

Placing the heel first allows you to root during the step back. Using the toes, your balance/energy (if you will) is towards the front and you can be easily pulled/unbalanced. Rooting the heel and shifting the weight back adds power and stability.

[pete5770]

Placing the heel first allows you to root during the step back. Using the toes, your balance/energy (if you will) is towards the front and you can be easily pulled/unbalanced. Rooting the heel and shifting the weight back adds power and stability.

Seems reasonable and it appears to actually start the weight shift, towards the rear, a bit sooner than if you lead with toes going down first.

[Josh Young]

Heel first in my case because it has an application, something like a back kick foot stomp that can target an opponent on the ground, or the top of their foot etc. That backwards step makes a very strong kick with the large frame full version, though not with the compact versions.

[caesar]

So does anybody know any benefits then of stepping with toes first?

[pete5770]

So does anybody know any benefits then of stepping with toes first?

Someone mentioned earlier that stepping back toes first was "prettier" or "more graceful looking". I agree and if you're trying to sell Tai Chi, people are looking for this graceful, dancing
type stuff. It seems to be what Tai Chi is mostly portrayed as. Not that someone really experienced in Tai Chi doesn't look graceful, they do, to a point, but lots of people wanting to do Tai Chi are awed by the dance like moves they see in videos. You know, long, flowing, extended moves with lots of arm movement and reaching. It just looks a bit more graceful that way. And that may be the purpose in toes down first. More extention = prettier.

[caesar]

I'm thinking...is that the only reason? There are also other martial arts where you step with toes (when taking step back)

[wpgtaiji]

I'm thinking...is that the only reason?

NO.

A related question would be, HOW are people picking up the moving foot?

[Brian]

Here is Master Yang jun explaining Repulse Monkey....at about 9min he talks about heel/toe stepping...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYO8cIYi ... re=channel

[Josh Young]

the moving foot should move as part of the whole body
as a single unit
controlled by the motion of the hips
in the method i was taught

[caesar]

the moving foot should move as part of the whole body
as a single unit
controlled by the motion of the hips
in the method i was taught

And I guess this is possible to do even if the toes touch the ground first?

[pete5770]

I'm thinking...is that the only reason?

NO.

A related question would be, HOW are people picking up the moving foot?

With respect to muscles used I'm going to say the Tensor on the outside of the hip with a bit of help from the Rectus Femoris. Then again I'm not sure that was the intent of your question.