Grasp Sparrow's Tail Summary — The Four Gates at a Glance

The Big Idea

Lãm Tưọc Vỹ (Grasp Sparrow's Tail) is the signature sequence of Yang-style Tai Chi: Peng → Lu → Ji → An → Turn → Repulse. It combines all four primary energies in one flowing phrase. You will practice it 4 times in the 24-form — twice on each side.

The sequence teaches four things simultaneously: (1) the four energies flow as one wave, (2) each energy has its own precise hand shape, (3) the waist turns to carry the next movement, (4) the step adjusts to ground each transition. Mastery is not memorizing the shape — it is feeling the wave.

Drills

Wave Visualization (Hình ảnh sóng) — As you perform the sequence, imagine your body is a wave moving through deep water. Peng is the rise, Lu is the curl, Ji is the compression, An is the fall. The wave does not stop at each phase; it carries momentum through the entire sequence.

Energy Isolation (Cá nhân năng lượng) — Practice the sequence extremely slowly. At each transition, pause for 3 seconds and name the energy: "peng..." (pause) "lu..." (pause) "ji..." (pause) "an." Only when the names flow naturally should you speed up.

The Hand Shapes

Each energy has a precise hand shape: Peng uses the back of the hand (receiving face up), Lu uses the thumb-side edge (guiding), Ji uses the palm center (compressing), An uses the full palm (finishing). These are not arbitrary — the bone structure of each hand shape matches the force direction of its energy. Getting the hand shape right makes the energy automatic.

Master Cue

Feel the wave. Not the steps.