Shaolin Xiaohong Boxing

Preparation Form

Essentials: Stand in parallel stance. Contract your belly in and erect your chest with arms drooping naturally. Move your left foot half a step to the left. Circle curves inward with both hands. Change the palms into fists and bend elbows to the waist, eyes to the left. (pic 1)

1. Holding the moon in the arms

Essentials: Feet unmoved and hands formed in palms, bend your elbows inward and pile up the two palms with the right one on the top and palms upward, eyes to the front. (pic 2)

Easily-made errors: Chest is not thrown when holding fists.

Correction: Raise your head and erect your chest and waist.

2. Clouds overhead

Essentials: Continue with the previous motion. Circle a curve with your right hand outward from down side to up side and finally raise the hand over the right part of the head, palm side up. Press your left palm downward. Look to the left. (pic 3)

Easily-made errors: Fail to push the palm upward to the appropriate place.

Correction: Push your right palm upward all along and stop it when it is above the head.

3. Pushing the palm with a step forward

Essentials: Make a left bow stance by stepping your left foot to the left with the knee bent while kicking your right heel to the sole. Circle a curve inward with your left palm and then push it forward. Swing your right hand from top to bottom and bend the elbow to the right side of the waist, eyes to the left front. (pic 4)

Easily-made errors: The right knee tends bend when making the bow step.

Correction: Tighten your right knee backward.

4. Holding hands and drawing in the body

Essentials: Shift the weight onto the right. Move your left foot backward for a step to the right foot’s side. Turn your body to the right 90 degrees with the left toe touching the ground and legs partly squatted in empty stance. Move your left hand inward and press it over your right forearm and then transform your palms into fists. Bend your right elbow and stand the fist parallel to the ear. Chop your left fist outward to the down side, eyes to the left. (pic 5)

Easily-made errors: Weight is incorrectly laid in T-shaped bow stance.

Correction: Lay your weight on the right leg when in T-shaped bow stance.

5. Stepping forward and pushing the palm

Essentials: Lift your left foot and step forward. Turn your body to the left 90 degrees to form a T-shaped bow stance. Transform your fists into palms and then push ahead the left palm while holding the right palm at the waist with the center of the palm upward. Put your eyesight on the left palm. (pic 6)

Easily-made errors: The left palm is not pushed past the chest.

Correction: The left palm has to be pushed forward across from the chest.

6. Swing the head and wrench the hand

Essentials: Using your feet as a pivot, turn your body rightward horizontally. Bend your right knee and kick your left leg to the sole to form the right bow stance. Wrench your right palm along with the action of the body, the center of the palm inward. Transform the left palm into fist and hold it to the waist. Look in the direction of the right hand. (pic 7)

Easily-made errors: The body waves when it turns.

Correction: Keep your thighs apart horizontally when turning the body.

7. Stepping forward and pushing the palm

Essentials: Move your left foot forward for a step while transform your left fist into palm and push it ahead with the center of the palm forward. Hold your right hand at the waist. Look in the direction of your left hand. (pic 8)

Easily-made errors: Not forceful enough when pushing the palm.

Correction: When you push the palm, make sure that the strength penetrates to the end of the palm in a fast and forceful way.

8. Swinging your head and extending your leg

Essentials: Using your feet as a pivot, turn your body rightward horizontally while lift your left leg and raise the knee. Slap the left knee with two hands and then put down your left feet in the front while swing the right leg forward. Simultaneously, slap the upper face of your right foot with both hands. Look to the front down side. (pic 9)

Easily-made errors: 1.Tiptoe tends to warp when the knee is raised. 2. Be too slow in slapping the foot.

Correction: 1.When raising the knee, stretch the face of the foot with the tiptoe pointing at the ground. 2. Slap the feet with great speed and strength.

9. Oblique step towards the right

Essentials: Turn your body to the left. Put your right foot a step in front of the left one. Then transform the palms into fists and make an oblique step outward to the right. Bend your elbows and then stretch your arms. Look to the front. (pic 10)

Easily-made errors: Lean your body forward when putting down the right foot.

Correction: Erect your waist backward when you punch the fist.

10. Holding the elbow and drawing in the body

Essentials: Transfer the weight to the rear. Move your right foot backward and put it in front of the left one. Turn your body to the right 90 degrees. Move your left arm along with the action of the body and hold the right elbow in front of the chest. Then bring out the left fist from the chest and bend the elbow to erect the fist in front of the left shoulder. Chop the right fist downward. Look to the right. (pic 11)

Easily-made errors: The head is not swung to the appropriate place.

Correction: Align your chin with the shoulder.

11. legs-splitting and stepping leftward obliquely

Essentials: Turn your body to the right 90°. Stand on your right foot and make a snap kick with your left leg. Hack the left fist from top to bottom along the left leg with the palm inward. Hold the right fist to the waist and put your left foot in front of the right one in a left bow stance. Meanwhile stretch your arms to the left and step obliquely, eyes to the front. (pic 12)

Easily-made errors: 1. Fail to make a high snap kick. 2. The bow stance is not standard.

Correction: 1. When doing the snap kick, maker sure the leg is higher than your shoulder and directed to the left ear. 2. Make a half squat with the left leg horizontally to form the standard bow stance.

12. Hand putting down and lion opening mouth

Essentials: Using the feet as a pivot, turn the body rightward 360 degrees. Extend your right leg and make a crouch step, meanwhile transform your right fist into palm and put it down along with the action of the body. Hold the left fist at the waist. Then rise up and transform the left fist into palm. Raise the left palm and block it overhead. Straighten your right arm and put it on the right knee with the center of palm upward. Look to the front. (pic 13)

Easily-made errors: 1. The sole is away from the ground when doing the crouch step. 2. Draw in the chest and shoulders when blocking the palm.

Correction: 1. When doing the crouch step, extend your right leg with the toe turned inward and the sole stuck to the ground. 2. Stretch you shoulders when blocking the palm.

13. Move hands like clouds around the head

Essentials: Step forward with your left foot and put it in front of the right one. Rotate your left hand from left to right overhead for a circuit with the right hand holding at the waist. Then step forward with your right foot and put it in front of the left one. Raise your right hand and rotate it from right to left overhead for a circuit with the left hand holding at the waist. Move the left foot forward for half a step and put it to the right foot’s side, touching the ground with the toe and squat partly to form the left T-shaped stance. Transform the palms into fists and punch the right fist forward while take back the left fist to the right shoulder. Look at the two fists. (pic 14)

Easily-made errors: 1. Rotating hands and stepping forward can’t be done coherently. 2. Shoulders tend to be drawn in when punching the fist.

Correction: 1. Step forward first and then rotate the hand. Watch the turn. 2. Relax your shoulders when punching the fist.

14. Flail fist on horse-riding stance

Essentials: Move the left foot backward for a step. Using the feet as a pivot, turn the body to the left 90 degrees and bend the knees to the level of half squat to form the horse-riding stance. Cross the fists in front of the chest and strike the fist outward, eyes to the left. (pic 15)

Easily-made errors: The feet are not in the right position to form the horse-riding stance.

Correction: When forming the horse-riding stance, make sure the toes are pointed forward and the left leg is laid horizontally.

15. Holding the elbow and drawing in the body

Essentials: Turn your body to the right 90 degrees. Withdraw your left leg and put it beside the right foot to form the T-shaped step. Circle a curve inward with the right fist and then bend the elbow and erect the fist in line with the mouth. Hack the left palm to the left down side. Look to the left. (pic 16)

Easily-made errors: The foot is clung to the ground when forming the T-shaped step.

Correction: When making the T-shaped stance, extend your left foot with the toe touching the ground.

16. stepping forward and thrusting the hand

Essentials: Lift your left foot and step to the left front. Transform your fists into palms and thrust them forward with the center of the palm upward and fingers forward. Look in the direction of the left hand. (pic 17)

Easily-made errors: Not coherent in motion.

Correction: Be coherent and forceful.

17. Whirlwind kick and rocket fist

Essentials: Move forward for several steps. Using the left foot as a pivot, stamp the right foot while swing the left foot and spin to the left 180 degrees. Swing both palms along with the motion of the body. When the feet fall to the ground, turn your body to the left 90 degrees. Make the right foot fall to the right side of the left foot and stamp the feet. In the meanwhile, transform the right palm into fist and bend the elbow to strike the fist. Hold the left palm under the right elbow. Look ahead. (pic 18)

Easily-made errors: 1.The waist is bent when spinning. 2. It’s easy to stumble.

Correction: 1. Erect the waist when doing the spinning motion. 2. Stamp and strike the fist after the body is turned to the very place.

18. Scorpion swinging the tail and lion opening the mouth

Essentials: Using the right foot as a pivot, rotate the left foot front to back 180 degrees. Bend both elbows and protect the costal region. Turn around and put the left foot in front of the right one, one step in between, and then bend the left knee to form the left T-shaped stance. Transform the right fist into palm and block it overhead. Insert the left palm downward under the left knee. Look to the left front. (pic 19)

Easily-made errors: 1. The leg is not swung high enough. 2. Pull in the chest and shoulders when blocking the palm overhead.

Correction: 1. Swing the leg first and then turn the body. 2. Stretch the shoulders backward when blocking the palm.

19. Stepping forward and pushing the palm

Essentials: Put the right foot to the left one’s side and move your left foot forward on the left bow stance. Bend your left elbow and push the left palm forward. Hold the right palm at the waist. Look in the direction of the left hand. (pic 20)

Easily-made errors: The left palm is not pushed past the chest.

Correction: The left palm must be pushed ahead across from the chest.

20. Holding the palm and stepping backward

Essentials: Turn over the left wrist and flash the palm. Move your right palm forward with the fingers in line with the left wrist to make a two-palms- in-line form. With the center of palm upward, hold the right palm to the waist. Step forward with both feet in turn and form the left bow stance. Look to the left. (pic 21)

Easily-made errors: Hold the palm in an incorrect posture.

Correction: Lower your elbows when holding the palm.

21. Swinging the head and wrenching the hand

Essentials: Using both feet as a pivot, turn your body to the right 180 degrees and move your right foot forward to make a right T-shaped stance. Thrust your right hand and bend the elbow to wrench your hand with the palm inward. Bring your left palm back to the right chest. Look in the direction of the right hand. (pic 22)

Easily-made errors: Bend the left knee.

Correction: Straighten the left knee.

22. Stepping forward and pushing the palm

Essentials: Step your left foot forward to make a left T-shaped stance. Turn your body to the right 180 degrees and simultaneously bend your left elbow and push forward your left palm. Hold the right palm at the waist and look in the direction of the left hand. (pic 23)

Easily-made errors: The left palm is not pushed past the chest.

Correction: The left palm must be pushed forward across from the chest.

23. Swing the head and stretch the leg

Essentials: Using the feet as a pivot, turn your body to the right slightly and raise your left leg with the knee bent. Along with the action of the body, thrust both your hands and slap the left knee. Look to the front down side. (pic 24)

Easily-made errors: Fail to raise the knee correctly.

Correction: Straighten the upper face of the foot with the toe pointing at the ground.

24. Snap kick, hack fist and knee twisting

Essentials: Step your left foot forward and make a snap kick upward to the front with your right foot. Hack your left fist towards the rear and downward along the left leg, while droop the right fist in the right rear. Then put your right foot in front of the left one and turn your body to the right 90 degrees while step the right foot forward on the right bow stance. Transform both palms into fists and twist the left elbow with the tip of the elbow forward while set the right fist over the right part of the head. Look forward. (pic 25)

Easily-made errors: 1. Unable to make a high snap kick. 2. Fail to point the tip of the elbow straight ahead.

Correction: 1. Make sure the leg is kicked in the direction of the left ear and is higher than the shoulders when doing the snap kick. 2. Ensure the tip of the elbow is in line with the right knee.

25. Splitting legs

Essentials: Make a snap kick upward and forward. Hack your left fist backward and downward along the left leg, the right fist drooping in the right rear. Put down your left foot and bend the knee to make a left bow stance. Meanwhile twist the right arm with the tip of the elbow pointed forward. Set the left fist over the left side of the head with the palm forward. Look ahead. (pic 26)

Easily-made errors: 1. Unable to kick high. 2. The tip of the elbow is not pointed straight ahead.

Correction: 1. Make sure the leg is kicked higher than the shoulders and in the left ear’s direction. 2. The tip of the elbow is in line with the right knee.

26. Hand throwing

Essentials: Using the feet as a pivot, turn your body to the right 180 degrees and make a crouch step with both legs. Meanwhile, transform the hands into palms and throw the right hand rightward along with the motion of the body, holding the left hand at the waist. Rise up and make a right bow step. Insert the right palm onto the right knee and set the left palm over the left side of the head with eyes looking ahead. (pic 27)

Easily-made errors: 1. The sole is away from the ground. 2. Draw in the chest and shoulders when setting the palm.

Correction: 1. Extend your right leg with the toes pointing inward and the sole touching the ground when doing the crouch step. 2. Stretch your shoulders when setting the palm.

27. Seven-star fists circling the head

Essentials: Step your left foot forward. Circle curves overhead with your left hand, palm upward. Transform your right palm into fist and hold it at the waist. Lift your right foot and step forward. Transform the right fist into palm and circle curves over head. Transform the left palm into fist and hold it at the waist. Turn your body leftward 180 degrees. Lift your left foot and step forward, then put it beside the right foot to make a T-shaped stance. Transform the right palm into fist and punch both fists ahead simultaneously, bending the knees to the level of half squat. Look in the direction of the right fist (picture omitted).

Easily-made errors: 1. Circling hands and stepping forward can’t be done coherently. 2. Shoulders tend to be drawn in when punching the fist.

Correction: 1. Doing stepping and circling hands simultaneously. 2. Relax your shoulders when punching the fist.

28. Whipping on horse-riding stance

Essentials: Move your left foot backward. Turn your body leftward 90 degrees and squat partly on the horse-riding stance. Strike fists sideways from the chest and look left. (pic 28)

Easily-made errors: The feet are incorrectly placed when making the horse-riding stance.

Correction: The toes are pointing forward and the thighs are horizontal when forming the horse-riding stance.

29. Holding the fist and drawing in the body Essentials: Put your left foot beside the right one. Then turn your body rightward 90 degrees and point the toe at the ground to form a left T-shaped stance. Bend your right elbow and stand the right fist in front of the right shoulder. Hack the left fist left-downward. Partly squatted, look to the left. (pic 29) Easily-made errors: The sole is stuck to the ground when forming the T-shaped stance. Correction: Stretch the left foot tightly with the toe touching the ground when forming the T-shaped stance. 30. Hand thrusting, snap kicking and pushing palm leftward Essentials: Move your left foot forward. Using the feet as a pivot, turn your body to the right 90 degrees. Transform the fists into palms while bend the elbow and thrust your palms, with the left palm in the front and the right one beside the left elbow. Make a snap kick forward with the right foot, stretching the upper face of the foot. Meanwhile, thrust your hand and slap the left foot. Transform the left palm into fist and hold it at the waist. Put your right foot in front of your left one and make a right bow stance. Circle a curve with the left hand from front to left and bend the elbow before pushing the palm, with the center of palm forward. Transform the left fist into palm and put it aside the waist. Look in the direction of the left hand. (pic 30) Easily-made errors: Fail to be coherent in motions and tend to draw in the waist. Correction: Be coherent. Erect your waist backward forcefully when kicking. 31. Pushing palm, snap kick and splitting legs Essentials: Using your feet as a pivot, turn your body to the left 180 degrees to make a left bow stance. Bend your left elbow and push your left palm along with the motion of the body, holding the right palm at the waist. Using the feet as a pivot, turn your body rightward 180 degrees to make a right bow stance. Bend your right elbow and push ahead the right palm with the center of the palm forward. Then hold the left palm at the waist and make a snap kick forward with the left foot, stretching the upper face of the foot. At the same time, thrust your left hand and slap the left foot upward and forward. Transform the right palm into fist and hold it at the waist. Look in the direction of the left hand. (pic 31) Easily-made errors: Fail to turn your body to the exact position when doing the double palms pushing. Correction: Push your palms straight ahead after turning the body. 32. Palm pushing and rocket fist Essentials: Using the feet as a pivot, turn your body to the right 180 degrees and make a right bow stance. Along with the motion of the body, push your right hand forward with the center of the palm forward. Hold the left palm at the waist and turn your body leftward 180 degrees to make a left bow stance. Push your left hand forward with the palm forward, concurrent with the motion of the body, and hold the right palm at the waist. Then rise up and turn leftward 180 degrees. Put your left foot beside the right one and stamp the feet. Meanwhile strike the right fist upward and put the left palm in front of the belly. Look ahead. (pic 32) Easily-made errors: Be unable to make a standard bow stance. Correction: When making the bow stance, extend the left leg and squat to the level of 90 degrees on the right leg, the sole stuck to the ground.

33. Stepping forward and punching aside

Essentials: Step rightward with your right foot and turn rightward 90 degrees to make a right bow stance. Meanwhile bend the right elbow and punch the right gist forward with the left fist held at the waist. Raise the left knee forward and circle a curve with the right fist from front to back and finally set the fist above the head. Put the left fist on the left knee with the palm side of the fist backward. Look ahead. (pic 33)

Easily-made errors: Fail to be coherent in motion and draw in shoulders and chest when setting the palm.

Correction: Be coherent and stretch your shoulders when setting the palm.

34. Rolling hands and drawing in the body

Essentials: Put your left foot beside the right one to form a T-shaped stance. Roll your left fist downward from the right elbow and hack to the left. Stand your right fist in front of the right shoulder, eyes to the left. (pic 34)

Easily-made errors: The sole is stuck to the ground when making the T-shaped stance.

Correction: Stretch the left foot tightly with the toe touching the ground.

35. Stepping forward and pushing the palm

Essentials: Step your left foot to the left. Turn your body leftward 90 degrees to make a left bow stance. Transform the fists into palms and push forward the left palm with the right one holding at the waist. Look in the direction of the left hand. (pic 35)

Easily-made errors: Fail to form a standard bow stance.

Correction: Squat partly on the left leg at 90 degrees. Stretch the right leg with the sole sticking to the ground.

36. Shot horizontally

Essentials: Transfer the weight to the right. Bring back the left leg to the right foot and turn your body to the left partly. Circle a half curve to the left around the head with the left palm. Transform the right palm into fist and hit the left palm in front of the chest, eyes on the hands. (pic 36)

Easily-made errors: Fail to hit palms forcefully.

Correction: Hit the palms forcefully in front of the chest.

37. Shot in horse-riding stance

Essentials: Jump to the left and squat your legs partly to make a horse-riding stance. Transform your right fist into palm and block it over the front side of the head. Circle curves with your left hand upward first and then downward and finally press it on the left thigh. Look to the left. (pic 37)

Easily-made errors: Fail to make a standard horse-riding stance with legs squatted not low enough.

Correction: When making the horse-riding stance, make sure the feet are in line , toes pointing forward and being parallel with the thighs.

Closing form

Essentials: Make a parallel stance with the fists holding at the waist. Raise your head and erect your chest and waist, eyes to the left front. (pic 38)

Performer: Yufei Wei

Source: Confucius Institute Online