Taijiquan: Snake Creeps DownBy Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD
Traditional name: Snake Creeps Down (蛇身下势)
1) 蛇 (she2) = snake or serpent 2) 身 (shen1) = body or trunk 3) 下 (xia4) = to lower or descend 4) 势 (shi4) = position or influence (possibly ‘powerful’) 
Alternative translation: ‘Snake Bodily Descends’
Modern name: Single Whip Drops Down (单鞭下势) 1) 单 (dan1) = single, alone 2) 鞭 (bian1) = whip or lash 3) 下 (xia4) = to lower or descend 4) 势 (shi4) = position or influence (possibly ‘powerful’) 
This extended leg stance requires (and builds) leg strength, co-ordination, relaxation and advanced awareness (for the exact transference of bodyweight). Although in the Long Yang Chengfu Style of Taijiquan this stance is only practised with the right leg bent at the knee and weight-bearing (with the left leg straight), it should also be practised with the left leg bent at the knee and weight-bearing (with the right leg straight), usually as a separate exercise set immediately after the full form has been completed. One of the primary advantages of the 24 Beijing Short-Form of Yang Taijiquan, is that Snake Creeps Down occurs on both sides of the body. The difference in execution between the two forms is that in the Long Yang Form, Snake Creps Down proceeds from the Single Whip posture (with left leg forward in bow stance), whilst in the Short-Form, the practitioner is upright with feet together (with the bodyweight on one foot), before ‘stepping’ or ‘sliding’ the non-weight-bearing foot forward. Both methods should be examined and practised until the transitions are easy, strong and yet relaxed.
The leading arm is the ‘snake’ that slithers around an attacking leg before lifting-up and uprooting the opponent this should come to rest on the inside of the extended leg. The leading foot ‘slides’ into the stepping area of the opponent, preventing and blocking free movement, whilst the other arm (the ‘Whip’), remains in position to block, parry and deflect. The shoulder-girdle and the pelvic-girdle remain aligned and should be upright with only minimal ‘leaning’. The whip hand remains aligned with the supporting shoulder, whilst the snake hand aligns with the extended leg. Around 80% of the bodyweight remains in the supporting (bent) leg, with 20% of bodyweight remaining in the ‘light’ extended leg. The mind is calm and awareness extensive as the breath continues to be deep, full and even. This stance exercises both the ‘microcosmic’ orbit (up the spine and down the front of the torso), and the ‘macrocosmic’ orbit (which extends into the extremities of the arms and legs). This is the achievement of the free-flowing of qi (气) energy throughout all the qi carrying channels spread through the body, facilitated by the disciplined practice of Taijiquan movements. As the practitioner gets older, it is important that Snake Creeps Down becomes easier and more efficient as a means to retain suppleness and good blood and qi circulation throughout the body. Finally, the movements of a snake are relaxed and yet crushingly decisive. This movement should embody the graceful ease that the snake possesses, and it’s devastating martial intent, without resorting to ‘tension’ (or ‘anger’) in the mind or body.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2017. Chinese Language Reference Articles: http://3g.zhuokearts.com/m/auction/art/detail/29143247 http://3g.zhuokearts.com/html/auction/art/detail/2013/5/12/27588879.htm http://www.cntaijiquan.com/taijiquanpu/1220.html |
