5 August : I think furniture found, so now we can discuss the finer points of Double Hands chansigong.  We divide the ever-continuing cycle into four parts.  The first and third parts are where changes take place internally. If these are done correctly, the second and fourth parts can simply and easily carry through what has been prepared in the first and third.

4 'parts' = 4 counts/numbers.  No.1 weight is in the forward leg, here the left.  In no.2 the weight shifts to the back leg.  No.3 weight stays in the back (right) leg. No.4 the weight shifts to the forward (left) leg.

We will look at the direction of qi movements, starting with the weight shift from back to forward left, no.3 to no.4.

Count 4, as the weight shifts forwards into the left, the forward (left) arm twines fully outwards until qi arrives in that hand.  This is synchronized with the back (right) arm drawing in the qi towards centre, until it arrives home, at dantian.  Twined fully outwards to hand and fully inwards to dantian happen together, the two sides of the body are meshed.

In count 1, the weight stays put, remains in the front leg; the important changes are happening internally, the qi is changing direction.

Here with the left leg in front, the left arm which by its outward twining has conducted qi to its extremity in the hand (we say "qi to fingers"), changes from outward twining to inward twining; for this to happen, it is essential that the weight stays put, stays in the front leg, so that the chansi can wind up that entire side, from the foot winding around the calf and thigh, with the well-slotted hipjoint transferring the chansi up the flank.  The forward hand (here the left) turns, the tide turns, from "qi to fingers" it changes to "qi to waist", and it is in fact at the waist that the signal to turn back towards dantian/centre takes place. It becomes quickly obvious that these exercises require a great deal of leg-strength. But massive impacted thigh muscles or knotted calf muscles will be stumbling blocks.  Languid long muscles you want to cultivate. With very wiry connections holding firm the kneecaps.

The ankles are critical, the strength around them you cultivate in zhanzhuang.  The feet never get a mention, but look down at what is happening with the feet, your own, others' : are they ill-at-ease feet?  In that state, how can they give support?

[more writing here...]