As most people have realized that the Tai Chi Chuan is a kind of sport which needs the corporation of the whole body. Besides the footwork techniques and leg techniques, the learners will also need to pay attention to the hand techniques.
12. Part palms: Move the palms oblique apart, one forward and the other backward, or one up and the other down. After parting, put the front hand in front of the head or the body, and press the rear hand to the hips. Bend the arms in a slight curve.
13. Circle palm: Circle the palms horizontally in front of the knees to the hips, palm down.
14. Push palm: Push the palms forward from above the shoulders or in front of the chest, palm forward and fingers up, fingers should not be higher than the eyebrow or lower than the shoulders. Bend the arms in a slight curve. The elbow should not be stiff or straight.
15. Thread palm: Thrust the palm forward over the inner side of the other arm, or the thigh.
16. Wave hands like clouds: Cross palms in front of the body to draw vertical circles to both sides, fingers should not be higher than the head or lower than the crotch. Wave the palms like clouds.
17. Swing the palms: Swing the palms from below board or forward down, palm upward or forward, not higher than the chest or lower than the crotch.
18. Palm block: Bend the arm and lift it up to block oblique in front of the forehead, palm oblique outward.
19. Open palms: Open the palms, move them apart, one upward and the other down, and prop them up powerfully and symmetrically.
20. Press palm: press the palm downward, with the thumb inward and the palm down.
21. Hold up palm: Hold the palm up from below.
22. Pluck palm: Pull and stroke the Palm oblique from front downward.
23. Beat: Use the palm to beat oblique outward.
24. Lean. The shoulders, back, or upper arms release the force outward oblique.
Notes: All hand techniques should be executed in curved lines, with forearms turned correspondingly, do not straight or stiff. They should be coordinated with the body techniques and footwork. After the arms are stretched out, the shoulders and elbows should relax and drop, wrists relaxed and flexible, and palms fully extended. Nothing should be stiff or soft. The force points of the hand techniques are mainly for attack and defense. Attention should be paid to consciousness rather than to force. Stiff force should not be used intentionally.