The Little Nine Heavens Form: Movement 3

3. 开天门 Kāi Tiān Mén

Open Heaven’s Gate

    Throughout this movement, you will perform a 180 degree clockwise turn on both heels, starting at movement 3a and ending on 3c in Sāntĭ Stance facing the opposite direction.



    Lift your elbows upward, allowing your linked wrists to turn so they are facing forward.
(Picture 3a)









   Open both arms out to the side. Your elbows should be at shoulder height, and your forearms should be almost vertical.
(Picture 3b)








    Drop both elbows down to your sides. Using the movement of your elbows, allow your forearms to chop downward until your forearms are almost horizontal, palms forward and fingers pointing out to each side.
(Picture 3c)

Movement Notes:

    I once saw this movement performed as part of the former movement, the arms slowly moving through this movement through the circle walking and ending on the last step. However, the way I am describing the movement is the way I learned it.

    This double-weighted heel turn is unusual in this art. Most turns in this kind of form would be a hook-and-turn style, as described in the last chapter. If you feel as though you are falling backwards, you should try not to bob up in the middle of the turn.

Pictures 3a, 3b, 3c